Events

Ag Arama

This event is held at the University of Minnesota Crookston campus the last weekend in January. Contests in agronomy, animal science, horticulture, agricultural business, photography, and natural resources highlight this Saturday event. They serve as an opportunity for students to showcase their knowledge and skills and have a chance to interact with alumni and faculty members.

Students compete in western and English horse showmanship, goat and lamb lead, dairy beef, sheep, and swine showing. Other features are a coronation of Ag Arama royalty, awards ceremony, alumni social, and a dance. The public is invited to attend and no parking permits are required. For more information please call Michelle Christopherson at 218-281-8369.

Hockey Tournaments

Enjoy some of Minnesota’s favorite sport right here in Crookston. Several hockey tournaments take place throughout January at the Crookston Sports Center including Squirt B, 15UA, Bantam B, Peewee B, 12UA, and 10UB. Information on dates and times or to host a tournament is online at www.crookstonbluelinehockey.com or call Kristy Swanson at 218-470-0423.

Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest

Held in early January this features both boys and girls ages 9-14 competing in a one-day contest with the winners advancing to district and state competitions in March. For more information go to www.kofc.org.

JC’s Annual Pool Tournament

Held over two days at the VFW Post 1902. For more information call the VFW at 218-281-1902.

February Fitness Fever

Held each Sunday in February held indoors and outdoors with skating, sledding, swimming, and fitness activities throughout the community. For more information, check the Polk County Public Health Facebook page.

Gala for Girls

Held at the Crookston National Guard Armory for girls in grades kindergarten through 6th grade and an adult male role model. Includes dance, dinner, and photos. For more information, call Polk County Public Health at 218-281-3385.

Dart Diva’s Tournament

Typically the third weekend in February, this two-day event is held at the Crookston Inn and Convention Center with up to 130 women from across the region competing for prizes and fun in this hugely popular event. For more information, contact the Crookston Inn at 218-470-1000.

Ice Buster Days Fishing Derby

This annual fishing tournament is held on the Red Lake River in Crookston’s Central Park and features snowmobile radar runs, bikini radar run for charity, prizes and dinner afterward at the Crookston Eagles Club. For more information go to Ceasons Ice Buster Daze Facebook page.

Crookston Wedding Expo

This event is held at the newly remodeled Crookston Eagles Club and is a one-stop-shop for those planning their big day. Brides and grooms can visit local and regional vendors to get the latest information and samples of all things wedding including event rentals, tux rentals, photographers, entertainment companies, floral arrangements, venues, bakeries, hair salons, invitations, catering, and much more. For more information check out Crookston Wedding Expo on Facebook or call 218-289-3212.

For more information, go to www.kcprowest.net, email racing@kcprowest.net or call Corey Brault at 218-289-4937.

Dreams on Ice Skating Show

This well-choreographed program features approximately 100 skaters ages 2-18. With a different theme each year, this event features the talent of our local youth and provides an affordable few hours of entertainment for the entire family. There are two performances – Saturday, March 6th at 7:00 PM and Sunday, March 7th at 2:00 PM. For more information, please contact www.crookstonsportscenter.com or Crookston Figure Skating Club Facebook.

Crookston Youth Basketball Association (CYBA) Tournament

This ever-growing event brings 3,000 people to Crookston each year. The 126-team tournament features boys and girls from 3rd grade to 8th grade competing on 10 courts in 5 different locations throughout Crookston. For more information email tourney@crookstonbasketball.com or call Garrett Borowicz at 218-521-0936.

Crookston Gun Show

Typically held the third weekend in March at the National Guard Armory, this two-day event showcases guns, ammo, coins, hunting and fishing equipment, and military items. For more information, email radi2817172@yahoo.com or phone Daniel Radi at 218-280-6655.

Spring Fling Vendor Show

This annual Saturday indoor event features leisurely shopping with the newest home vendors and crafters. Location may vary. For more information visit the Crookston Visitors Bureau Facebook page.

St. Patrick’s Day at the Irishman’s Shanty

This iconic restaurant goes all out every March 17th. Festivities include traditional Irish food including corned beef and cabbage, Irish trivia, music and prizes, and of course LOTS of green beer! For more information call 218-281-9912.

Citywide Year-End Dart Tournament

Held at the Crookston Inn and Convention Center. For more information call 218-470-1000.

Easter Egg Scramble and Craft/Vendor Fair

This annual event going on its sixth year has quickly become one of the town’s most popular spring events. Held at the Crookston Sports Center the Saturday before Easter, this free event is for kids ages 0-10 and features an Easter egg hunt with over 10,000 eggs. The two-hour event also includes pictures with the Easter Bunny, raffles and prizes, entertainment, balloon animals, and face painting, too! For the adults, there are many vendor and craft items to shop, and proceeds from the event go to the charity chosen by the NW MN Cancer Crusaders.

Senior Wellness Day

Held at the Crookston Sports Center includes information on health, wellness, community involvement, and more, plus the event includes lunch.

Prairie Chicken Blinds

Open for viewing each spring, Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge staff place small two or three-person public viewing blinds alongside the dancing grounds of greater prairie chicken and sharp-tailed grouse. The antics include an array of calls, booms, leaps, foot-stomping, and chasing, and a must-see if you are in the area during this time. Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge is approximately 12 miles east of Crookston. Reservations can be made in mid-April through late May. For more information go to www.fws.gov/refuge/glacial_ridge or email Dave_Bennett@fws.gov 218-687-2229.

Women’s Weekend Staycation

A two-day get-together for ladies only is planned every April at the Crookston Inn and Convention Center. Features of this non-stop party include manicures, foot detox, facials, belly dancing, fashion show, vendor presentations, chair massage, wine tasting, friendly competitions, karaoke, comedy, and other entertainment. The package includes continental breakfast both Saturday and Sunday mornings, appetizers, and guaranteed fun! For more information, go to www.crookstoninn.com, visit the Women’s Weekend Staycation Facebook page or call Laurie at 218-470-1000.

Crookston Classic Cruisers

This group of local classic car enthusiasts kick off their season with various cruise night rides and Thursday night meet and greets. Their season goes through and beyond summer with the highlight being part of the Crookston.

Ox Cart Days parade and their annual “Run to the Park” car show during the Ox Cart Days Festival in Central Park. For more information Crookston Classic Cruiser on Facebook.

Riverview Health Annual 5k Walk/Run and Kids ½ Mile Fun Run

Will be held on Saturday, May 15th. For more information and to register, go to the calendar section at www.riverviewhealth.org.

Downtown Food Trucks From May to September

The Downtown Crookston Development Partnership brings different food trucks to the historic downtown district each week. Come down and shop, check out historic downtown Crookston and eat unique food from these great vendors. For more information, contact Downtown Crookston Development Partnership on Facebook or email downtowncrookston@gmail.com.

Crookston Farmers Market

Held every Thursday from 4 – 6:30 p.m. at the Downtown Square “red barn” from mid-June to September. This group provides fresh vegetables, produce, homegrown meats, flowers, herbs, honey, maple syrup, jams jellies, and other home-processed products and homemade crafts. For more information, visit Crookston Farmers Market on Facebook or email kegler@gra.midco.net.

Polk County Museum

The Polk County Historical Society has been collecting and preserving the inspiring story of the people of Polk County for over 75 years. The museum has recreated a general store, barber and beauty shop, telephone and switchboard center, and both a doctor and dentist office with well-preserved artifacts from yesteryear. This hidden gem features antique tools, records, newspapers on microfilms, and other items dating back to the mid-1800s. Outside buildings include a one-room schoolhouse, a two-room log house built in 1881 as well as fire trucks, farm machinery, and a blacksmith shop. Located on the east side of Crookston this museum is open Tuesday through Sunday 12 – 4:00 PM starting the Tuesday after Memorial Day to the second weekend of September.

For more information call 218-281-1038, email polkcounty@q.com or click on www.mnhistoricnw.org.

Kids at Castle Park Events

Events begin in June at this beautiful natural play space and are held every other Monday throughout the summer. Events are centered on learning and exploring nature to include; following the food chain, elements of nature, wildlife exploration, hiking, and many other fun, interactive events. This park is open all summer for nonscheduled events as well and includes a playground, a deep wooded area with trails, a neighboring dog park, and an outdoor stage. For more information go to www.crookston.mn.us or call City Hall at 218-281-1242.

Golf Tournaments at Minakwa Golf Course

Several fundraising golf tournaments are held in June each year and throughout the summer at the beautiful 9-hole course. For more information, call 218-281-1773 or visit the Minakwa Golf Course Facebook page.

Northwest School of Agriculture Reunion

Held each June at the beautiful University of Minnesota Crookston campus, the Northwest School of Agriculture (NWSA) Alumni Association represents graduates of the residential high school located on the Crookston campus from 1905 through 1968. The NWSA graduated its first class of eight students in 1909 and in its 60-year history, there were 5,433 NWSA alumni. The NWSA board of directors, elected at the NWSA summer reunion, meets three times per year.

Crazy Days

Held in the heart of Downtown Crookston the annual Crazy Days event includes sidewalk sales throughout the retail district, a live auction, food trucks, and a classic car display. For more information visit www.crookstoncvb.com or Crookston Visitors Bureau Facebook page, or www.visitcrookston.com or the Crookston Area Chamber’s Facebook page.

Polk County Fair

This beloved event has been entertaining families for over 115 years. Located in Fertile, MN, a quick half-hour drive from Crookston, this five-day event is definitely worth the trip. Features include a fun carnival midway, 4H livestock judging, live entertainment, baja racing, and demo derby in the grandstand, 5K Walk/Run, parade, and lots of fabulous fair food. This year the event will be held July 7 – 11, 2021. For more information, call 218-945-6708 or visit www.polkcountyfairfertilemn.com.

Night to Unite

Crookston’s Night to Unite is a crime and drug prevention event that involves citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, and neighborhood organizations. Held in Central Park on the first Tuesday in August this is a family-friendly free event that includes vendor booths, mock police chases, watermelon-eating contests, a petting zoo, and a helicopter landing. Prizes including several bikes are given away at this event as well. This year’s event is planned for August 2nd starting at 4:30 PM. For more information, click on Crookston Night to Unite on Facebook.

Ox Cart Days Festival

Going on its 31st year, this beloved “biggest small town festival in Minnesota”, also known as Crookston’s premier summer event, has an attendance of over 5,000 people. Held the third week in August each year there is a jam-packed week of events for all ages including pony rides, bouncy houses, parades, pageants, car show, fireworks, contests, live entertainment, street dance, tournaments, and more! This year’s festival will be August 16 – 22, 2021, and is a must-attend event for all ages! For more information go to www.crookstonoxcartdays.com, email crookstonoxcartdays@gmail.com or call 701-610-6454.

King of Trails City-Wide Garage Sales

This is typically scheduled on the first Saturday in September and there is no charge to anyone wanting to participate. A list of all participating garage sales is distributed at area businesses by the Crookston Chamber of Commerce so you make an entire day of finding the best bargains. For more information visit www.crookstoncvb.com, Crookston Visitors Bureau on Facebook, www.visitcrookston.com, or Crookston Area Chamber on Facebook.

Chalk It up and Queen City Art Festival

Typically held in early September, this event features a variety of art stations and vendors for shopping and creating. This is a family-friendly event hosted by the Downtown Crookston Development Partnership (DCDP) that encourages participants to draw chalk art, tie-dye shirts, paint rocks and participate in several group events. For more information, call 218-280-2854 or email downtowncrookston@gmail.com.

Harvest Festival

This one-day event is sponsored by the Red River Valley Sugarbeet Museum with free admission. Live demonstrations and restored vintage equipment highlight this tribute to the history of farming in the Red River Valley. Wheat threshing using a steam engine and threshing machine as well as sugarbeets being harvested using equipment from the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s are some of the fun and informative demos you will witness. For more information, contact Allan Dragseth at adragseth@rrv.net or call 218-280-8181.

Hoops on Halloween

This annual 3 on 3 basketball tournament hosted by the Crookston Lions Club is a one-day event and features approximately 100 boys and girls teams through 9th grade playing at multiple gym locations throughout Crookston. For more information visit https://e-clubhouse.org or Hoops on Halloween Crookston Lions Facebook page.

Cornstalk Jamboree

This Saturday early October event is held at the Downtown Square in Crookston and has everything you need to be ready for fall including pumpkins, cornstalks, Indian corn, and gourds. Also at this fun harvest event, you can pick up locally grown produce, jams and jellies, pickles, bread, donuts, and handmade crafts. For more information go to the Crookston Farmers Market Facebook page.

United Way Soup & Chili Cook Off and Chocolate Extravaganza

This annual fundraiser for the United Way of Crookston features samples of soups, chili, and chocolate creations made by local restaurants, local organizations, and amateurs. This fun event held at the Crookston High School is usually scheduled the night of a home volleyball game and staying to enjoy the game is encouraged. Come enjoy great food, music by the Valley Fiddlers and your free-will donation will help many agencies in our area.

The Big One Art & Craft Fair

This two-day event takes place at the Crookston Sports Center and features up to 200 booths showcasing handmade products from across the US. Shop for arts, crafts, cheese, chocolates, baked goods, and more. For more information, go to www.thebigone.biz or The Big One Art & Craft Fair Facebook page.

University of Minnesota Crookston Homecoming

For more information on the events planned visit www.umcrookston.edu or contact Rose Ulseth at 218-281-8493.

Crookston Community Halloween Party

This annual event has been held for over 30 years and provides a safe and fun costume party for children in grades 4 and under. Held at the Crookston National Guard Armory, this free event is put on by the Crookston Police reserves, the Crookston Leo Club, and the VFW Post 1902 and provides games, prizes, and candy.

DCDP Historic Halloween Candy Hunt

Hunt for candy and learn about downtown building history. For more information, visit the Downtown Crookston Development Partnership Facebook page.

Small Business Saturday

This nationally recognized shopping holiday celebrates the small business owner, unique one-of-a-kind items, and hometown hospitality. This year’s celebration takes place on November 27th and businesses offer various discounts, holiday food, and décor as well as drawings and raffles. Also part of this day is the Crookston Rotary Club’s downtown holiday tree lighting ceremony. For more information visit www.crookstoncvb.com or Crookston Visitors Bureau Facebook page.

UMN Crookston Torch and Shield Banquet

Held on the beautiful University of Minnesota Crookston campus, this awards recognition banquet recognizes individuals who have provided leadership and who have aided in the development of the University of Minnesota Crookston, NWROC, and Extension. It is the highest award an individual can receive from the campus. For more information, contact Angelika Huglen, ahuglen@crk.umn.edu or call 218-281-8401.

Veterans Day Celebrations

Events held at schools and throughout the community. For more information, visit the Crookston Visitors Bureau Facebook page or www.crookstoncvb.com.

Ecumenical Thanksgiving Meal

Held at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception open to the community on Thanksgiving Day.

Annual Road Trip Highway 2 Dart Tournament

This jam-packed event held at the Crookston Inn and Convention Center hosts 220 dart players from up and down the Highway 2 corridor playing for prizes and bragging rights.

Santa Land at UMN Crookston

Family-friendly event with crafts and activities, games, prizes, treats and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Live Nativity

Event held in the community or at UMN Crookston UTOC Arena. For more information, visit crk.umn.edu/events or www.trinitycrookston.org.