Congratulations to Sophie Wietman, age 16, the winner of the Water Carnival logo design contest!
81st ANNUAL
BEMIDJI JAYCEES WATER CARNIVAL
july 2-6, 2025
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.
ONLINE REGISTRATION LINKS
Scroll down for more information on each event.
FIREWORKS DATE CHANGE FROM JULY 4 TO JULY 2, 2025
The Bemidji Jaycees are committed to providing Fourth of July holiday festivities, including fireworks, to Bemidji and the surrounding community and have been doing so for 81 years. This year, due to unforeseen circumstances with the previous fireworks vendor, we were faced with challenges regarding the fireworks show. However, we were able to find a new vendor, Premier Pyrotechnics, to provide the fireworks show but with the need to change the date. We feel it is more important to continue our traditions of celebration and move the date of the fireworks for this year, instead of canceling them. The fireworks will take place at dusk on July 2nd, 2025, and will be launched from Lake Bemidji as part of the Bemidji Jaycees 81st Annual Water Carnival. We look forward to another fun year of celebrating the Fourth of July with the community!
schedule of events
Download the PDF Version of the Schedule of Events Below!
| watercarnivalposter2025.pdf |
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FIREWORKS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2 @ DUSK LAKE BEMIDJI DATE CHANGE FOR 2025! |
GRAND PARADE
SUNDAY, JULY 6 @ 1:00PM |
Bemidji Jaycees 81ST Annual Water Carnival Community Kick-off and post events!
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Fishing Has No Boundaries "Paul Bunyan Event"
June 28th, 2025 https://fhnbinc.org/chapters/bemidji-mn/ |
The Sanford Center's 3rd Annual Babe's Burnout Car Show
July 12th, 2025 www.thesanfordcenter.com/events/detail/2025-babes-burnout-car-show |
WATER CARNIVAL BUTTONSON SALE JUNE 16-JULY 6
Buttons are $3/each and in a limited quantity this year. They are available at the following locations on June 16th: myBemidji Visit Bemidji 
MEDALLION HUNTJUNE 30-UNTIL FOUND
Medallion Hunt CluesClue 1. Monday, June 30
family movie nightWEDNESDAY, JULY 2
7 PM PAUL BUNYAN PARK 
We will be showing Matilda in the Entertainment Tent at the waterfront at 7pm! The Entertainment Tent will open at 5pm. Bring your chairs and blankets to get a spot. Food vendors will also be open in the park for the movie!
Kid EventsSATURDAY, JULY 5
10:00 AM PAUL BUNYAN PARK 
There will be a Kiddie Parade and activities in the Entertainment Tent on Saturday, July 5th as part of the Bemidji Jaycees 81st Annual Water Carnival!
KIDDIE PARADESATURDAY, JULY 5
10:30 AM BSU BANGSBERG PARKING LOT The Kiddie Parade will be on Saturday, July 5th at 10:30am. Registration will start at 10am. The Kiddie Parade will start at the BSU Bangsberg parking lot on 12th street and go down Lake Boulevard to 6th street and end at 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.
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Merriam's MidwayJULY 2-6
SANFORD CENTER PARKING LOT Merriam's Midway will open July 2 at 6pm. Merriam's Midway will open daily July 3-July 6 at 1pm. 
BINGOJULY 2-6
SANFORD CENTER PARKING LOT Bingo will open July 2nd from 6pm until 10pm. Bingo will be open daily July 3rd -July 6th from 1pm to 10pm. Bingo hosted by Bemidji Chorale HISTORY bike tourWEDNESDAY, JULY 2
4:00 PM BELTRAMI COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY FIREWORKSFRIDAY, 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.
COLOR RUNSATURDAY, JULY 5
10:00 AM PAUL BUNYAN PARK-ROTARY PAVILLION 
The Bemidji Junior Jaycees Double Your Fun Color Run will be on Saturday, July 5th at 10am. Register online through the link below!
Cornhole tournamentSATURDAY, JULY 5
2:00 PM PAUL BUNYAN PARK 
To register, contact Travis at 218-759-8810 or email [email protected]
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entertainment tentJULY 2-JULY 5
PAUL BUNYAN PARK Daily daytime events open to all ages Live Music and Happy Hour. 21+ 
Food vendorsJULY 2-6
PAUL BUNYAN PARK Food vendors will open July 2 from 5pm to 10pm.
Food vendors will open daily July 3-July 6 from 1pm to 10pm. 
Vendors
Landby Productions Up North Photo (Sanford Center) Veterans PicnicFRIDAY, JULY 4
1:00 PM PAUL BUNYAN PARK 
Elvis TributeFRIDAY, JULY 4
3:00 PM PAUL BUNYAN PARK 
WATER CARNIVAL
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| 81st_wc_grand_parade_registration_form.pdf |
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SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!
SPONSOR A BOOM BANNER! 
This is the time of year when we normally kick off our preparations for Bemidji’s largest summer event, Water Carnival; and this year will be no different. For the 2025 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 form and information on how you can show your support. Also included are the 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.
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SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!
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| sponsorshipform2025.pdf |
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
RED, WHITE & BOOM! FIREWORKS SHOW
Fireworks sponsors
red sponsors
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White sponsors
boom sponsors
THANK YOU TO our event SPONSORS!
Entertainment Tent Title Sponsor
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Entertainment Tent Title Sponsor
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Gold Entertainment Tent & Medallion Hunt Sponsor
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Gold Entertainment Tent Sponsor
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Gold Entertainment Tent & Kid Events Sponsor
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Silver Entertainment Tent Sponsor
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Marching Band & Color Run Sponsor
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Medallion Hunt Sponsor
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Water Carnival Sponsor
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Veterans Picnic & Color Run Sponsor
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Veterans Picnic Sponsor
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Veterans Picnic Sponsor
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Stage Sponsor
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