Starbuck Heritage Days is this week!
News | Published on June 30, 2025 at 2:32pm CDT
Starbuck Heritage Days is this week! Lots of family fun set for 42nd Heritage Days
The 42nd Starbuck Heritage Days celebration, the annual fun-filled weekend planned so family and friends can celebrate and commemorate Starbuck’s long and historic heritage, is set for July 3 to July 6.
This year, there are over 35 different activities planned including a Kids Fun Run in the Park and the bike rodeo on Friday and the Starbuck Fire Department Street Dance behind the Fire Hall from 8:00 p.m. until midnight on Friday, July 4.
On Saturday, July 5, there will be a Color Run starting at the beach for all ages at 8:30 a.m., and then after working up a big appetite residents can go and eat at the airport at the pancake breakfast. Afterwards, send the kids to the Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center (PWELC) Climbing wall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. near the Depot. NEW this year is the Ninja Anywhere Course from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. by the Depot. Small fee: $20 for all day or $10 for 30 minutes. Parents will need to fill out a form online or paper on site and kids must wear shoes.
The Heritage Days Grande Day Parade will get started at 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, followed by the 20th annual Miss Minnewaska Pageant and Coronation at the Starbuck Park Bandshell with the Minnewaska Drumline as pre-coronation entertainment. Lastly, the festivities will end that night with the Grand Firework display over the Starbuck Beach.
Thursday, July 3: Kicking Off the Festivities
The celebration begins Thursday morning with the first clue in the popular “Find the Medallion” hunt at the Starbuck Depot and Chamber. Families can gather for Family Fun Night board games in the Mercantile building starting at 4:00 pm, followed by a free-will donation community meal and Farmer’s Market at the Depot at 4:30 pm.
The evening heats up with Animal Pull Tab Races at Water’s Edge at 6:00 pm, Packet Bingo at the VFW at 6:30 pm, and live music by VERGE from 6:30–10:00 pm at Water’s Edge (cover charge $10).
Friday, July 4: Family Fun Across Town
Friday brings “Business Crazy Days” throughout Starbuck and a Kids Fun Run in the Park at 9:00 am, sponsored by Stevens Community Medical Center/Starbuck Clinic. Participants can register at the Water’s Edge parking lot. The Starbuck Police Department will host a Bike Rodeo at the Depot beginning at 10:00 am, and the second medallion clue will be released.
A pork feed hosted by the Starbuck Fire Department takes place at the Fire Hall from 4:30–7:00 pm (free will donation), while the Little Miss Minnewaska Coronation and Dessert Sale take place at the Community Center at 5:00 pm. The day wraps up with Bar Bingo at the VFW and the highly anticipated Starbuck Fire Department Street Dance behind the Fire Hall, featuring 32 Below from 8:30 pm to midnight ($15 gate admission).
Saturday, July 5: Action-Packed Day for All Ages
Saturday’s schedule is packed from sunrise to fireworks. Early risers can join the 58th Annual “The Open” Golf Invite or enjoy a pancake breakfast at the airport from 7:00 am to noon, complete with airplane rides provided by Alex Aviation. The Heritage Days 5K Color Run/Walk starts at 8:30 am, with registration beforehand at the swimming beach shelter.
Activities for all ages unfold at the Depot and surrounding areas: a craft fair, thrift sale, and bake sale (with tacos in a bag and BBQs) take place throughout the morning, including a quilt raffle at 1:00 pm at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home Commons.
Food Truck Alley opens at a new location along East 4th Street, south of the Depot near Precision Auto. Families can enjoy inflatables, rock climbing, pedal pull competitions, balloon twisting, temporary tattoos, friendship bracelets, kindness rock coloring, cupcake decorating, and the Depot Museum Open House with lefse and food available.
A new feature this year is the Ninja Anywhere Course, located on Depot Lane from 12:00–4:00 pm ($20 all day or $10 for 30 minutes). A signed waiver is required, and kids must wear shoes.
Car lovers can head to the Shine and Show Car Show on West 5th Street at 11:00 am, and Miss Minnewaska visiting royalty will gather for Queen’s Tea at the Community Center at 2:30 pm.
The Grande Day Parade kicks off at 5 p.m. with Grand Marshals Paul and Lorie Billehus leading the way. After the parade, the Minnewaska Drumline will perform at the Starbuck Lakeshore Park Bandshell, followed by the 20th Annual Miss Minnewaska Coronation at 6:30 pm. The evening continues with live music by Canyon Cowboys at Water’s Edge from 8 p.m. to midnight ($5 cover).
The night concludes with a spectacular fireworks display over Lake Minnewaska at 10:00 pm, sponsored by the Brang Foundation, Starbuck Fire Department and Auxiliary, Starbuck Veterans Auxiliary, and SACC.
Sunday, July 6: Community Spirit and Celebration
The final day begins with coffee at 9 a.m. and a community church service at 10 a.m. at Starbuck Lakeshore Park, sponsored by Fron Lutheran Church.
The 42nd Annual Heritage Days Celebration wraps up with music by Custom Made on the Water’s Edge patio from 4 to 7 p.m.—offering one last chance to relax and enjoy the festive spirit of the Starbuck community.
More information, including a complete schedule of events can be found on Pages 12A–14A of this issue.
