Congratulations to J. Fisher, 15, winner of the Water Carnival Logo Design Contest!
82nd ANNUAL
BEMIDJI JAYCEES WATER CARNIVAL
july 1-5, 2026
CHECK BACK OFTEN FOR UPDATES!
QUESTIONS? Please fill out the Water Carnival Contact Form below.
QUESTIONS? Please fill out the Water Carnival Contact Form below.
2026 Water Carnival
ONLINE REGISTRATION LINKS
Scroll down for more information on each event.
schedule of events
Download the PDF Version of the Schedule of Events Below!
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FIREWORKS
SATURDAY, JULY 4 @ DUSK LAKE BEMIDJI |
GRAND PARADE
SUNDAY, JULY 5 @ 1:00PM |
Bemidji Jaycees 82nd Annual Water Carnival Community Kick-off and post events!
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Fishing Has No Boundaries "Paul Bunyan Event"
June 27th, 2026 https://fhnbinc.org/chapters/bemidji-mn/ |
The Sanford Center's 4th Annual Babe's Burnout Car Show
July 11th, 2026 www.thesanfordcenter.com/events/detail/babes-burnout-car-show-1 |
WATER CARNIVAL BUTTONSON SALE JUNE 15-JULY 5
Buttons are $3/each and in a limited quantity this year. They are available at the following locations on June 15th: Lueken's Village Foods (Both locations) Visit Bemidji-Tourist Information Center 
MEDALLION HUNTJUNE 29 -UNTIL FOUND
Medallion Hunt CluesClue 1. Monday, June 29
Clue 2. Tuesday, June 30
Clue 3. Wednesday, July 1
family movie NIGHTWEDNESDAY, JULY 1
7 PM ENTERTAINMENT TENT 
We will be showing The Sandlot in the Entertainment Tent at 7pm!
window display contestJUNE 22-JULY 5
We invite downtown businesses to decorate their windows for the America's 250th Celebration Window Display contest!
Displays must be completed by June 15th so we can promote your display. Awards will be given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place as well as a People's Choice Award. Please register your business by June 1st, 2026. heroes & helpers pancake breakfastSUNDAY, JULY 5
7:00 AM-11:00 AM ENTERTAINMENT TENT 
Help support the Heroes & Helpers program, put on by Public Safety Partners, that helps youth build a positive relationship with law enforcement while providing holiday gifts for children in need.
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Merriam's MidwayJULY 1-5
SANFORD CENTER PARKING LOT Merriam's Midway will open July 1 at 6pm. Merriam's Midway will open daily July 2-July 5 at 1pm. 
BINGOJULY 1-5
SANFORD CENTER PARKING LOT Bingo will open July 1st from 6pm until 9pm. Bingo will be open daily July 2nd -July 5th from 3pm to 8pm. Bingo hosted by Bemidji Chorale Cornhole tournamentFRIDAY, JULY 3RD
1:00 PM ENTERTAINMENT TENT 
COLOR RUNSATURDAY, JULY 4
10:00 AM PAUL BUNYAN PARK-ROTARY PAVILION 
The Bemidji Junior Jaycees Double Your Fun Color Run will be on Saturday, July 4th at 10am. Register online through the link below!
FIREWORKSSATURDAY, JULY 4
DUSK LAKE BEMIDJI 
What time is "dusk", you ask?
We say that it is anytime from 9:45-10:15 PM, depending on many factors. The average time that we launch the fireworks is around 10:10 PM. Please remember that Cameron Park is NOT a good viewing location. There are too many trees in the way.
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entertainment tent activitiesJULY 2-4
ENTERTAINMENT TENT 
Food vendorsJULY 1-5
PAUL BUNYAN PARK Food vendors will open July 1 from 6pm to 10pm.
Food vendors will open daily July 2-July 5 from 1pm to 10pm. 
Kid EventsSATURDAY, JULY 4
10:00 AM ENTERTAINMENT TENT 
There will be a Kiddie Parade and activities in the Entertainment Tent on Saturday, July 4th as part of the Bemidji Jaycees 82nd Annual Water Carnival!
KIDDIE PARADESATURDAY, JULY 4
10:30 AM BSU BANGSBERG PARKING LOT The Kiddie Parade will be on Saturday, July 4th at 10:30am. Registration will start at 10am. The Kiddie Parade will start at the BSU Bangsberg parking lot on 12th street and travels down Lake Boulevard to the Entertainment Tent.
To register for the Kiddie Parade, click on the link below. You can also download the registration form and bring it with you the day of the event.
Veterans/america's partySATURDAY, JULY 4
2:00 PM ENTERTAINMENT TENT 
WATER CARNIVAL
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| 82nd_wc_grand_parade_registration_form.pdf |
| 82nd_wc_grand_parade_waiver.pdf |
The deadline to mail in a registration form to be received on time has passed. Please either register online or download the registration form and bring it with you to register the day of the parade.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
RED, WHITE & BOOM! FIREWORKS SHOW
Fireworks sponsors
presenting sponsor
red sponsors
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White sponsors
boom sponsors
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THANK YOU TO our event SPONSORS!
Presenting Entertainment Tent Sponsor
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Presenting Entertainment Tent Sponsor
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Gold Entertainment Tent & Medallion Hunt Sponsor
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Gold Entertainment Tent & Kid Events Sponsor
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Gold Entertainment Tent Sponsor
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Silver Entertainment Tent, Marching Band & Color Run Sponsor
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Water Carnival Gold Sponsor
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Water Carnival Gold Sponsor
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Water Carnival Gold Sponsor
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Kids Bike Dig Sponsor
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Veteran's/America's Party & Color Run Sponsor
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Veteran's/America's Party Sponsor
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Color Run Sponsor
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Stage Sponsor
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!
SPONSOR the fireworks and water carnival events!
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SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!
SPONSOR A BOOM BANNER! 
This is the time of year when we kick off our preparations for Bemidji’s largest summer event, Water Carnival. For the 2026 Water Carnival to happen, we need strong financial support so that we can provide the experience that everyone has come to love. We most certainly understand if you are unable to contribute at this time but should circumstances change please reach out to us.
Below you will find the NEW Adopt-A-Banner forms for the fireworks display to help offset the cost of the show. Even if you can’t sponsor an event, please consider adopting or re-adopting your banner. Your business or organization’s name will be placed on the bottom of the banner. |
The Bemidji Jaycees Water Carnival has many different events each year and we are looking for businesses and organizations to sponsor each event. We are excited to bring back more of our events and continue some of our long- standing Water Carnival traditions!
Below you will find the form and information on how you can show your support. Sponsoring a Water Carnival event is just one the many ways to help put on the best 4th of July celebration in Minnesota. Whether you sponsor a Red, White & Boom streetlight banner, the Fireworks, Kid Events, or even the parade, every dollar raised helps bring bigger and better attractions to the event.
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