City celebrations are a traditional summer activity along the North Shore, and Two Harbors continues this local tradition with the annual Heritage Days held July 9-12. There has been some version of a celebration in Two Harbors since the 1960s, settling into Heritage Days during the 1990s, and continuing again this year.
The four-day festival kicks off Thursday, July 9, with the Dairy Queen-sponsored medallion hunt, with clues posted each day until the medallion is found. A kiddie parade is also scheduled Thursday evening, along with an ice cream social, and, back by popular demand, the Bubble Party Extravaganza will be held in Thomas Owen Park following the parade. The Heritage Stage will open Friday morning with free live entertainment throughout the weekend, located off South Avenue in the community center parking lot.
Organizers say there is a packed schedule this year with something for everyone, and festivalgoers are encouraged to bring their own chairs to enjoy the shows. Each year, the event grows and offers something new while keeping the favorites. The long-standing, popular lutefisk toss will return this year. It is a friendly competition, pitting the Norwegian and Finnish heritages against each other in a game of tossing fish, held on Friday, July 10.
Saturday’s highlight is the parade beginning at 1 p.m., starting on 1st Avenue and winding through downtown. Nearly 50 floats will participate, ranging from marching bands, the Shriners’ scooters, horses, and local businesses. A fun component of the Two Harbors parade is the participation of high school class reunions. Every year, multiple alumni gather to ride on their class float.
A master of ceremonies, an honor given to a Lake County resident who helps lead the parade, will be announced prior to the start of the parade. Registration is free for all floats, and applications are accepted up to one week before the event.
Cheryl Sundstrom, chair of Heritage Days, says, “This truly is a community event, and all the support is appreciated. Businesses have said this successful weekend helps sustain them for the rest of the year.” This event is sanctioned and partially funded by the City of Two Harbors, in addition to individual donations, grants, and Lovin’ Lake County.
The Heritage Days committee is made up entirely of volunteers. Sundstrom says, “We have been doing this together for so long, we all know what tasks need to be done, and it runs like a well-oiled machine, but we are always looking for new ideas.” The group responded to feedback from local residents saying that, other than music, there was not much available for people in their 20s and 30s. This year, a cornhole tournament will be offered, beginning right after the Saturday parade. There is an entry fee that will cover cash prizes, and teams can sign up on the Heritage Days Facebook page. Participants provide their own bags.
The annual Friday night street dance is returning with national headliner country music legend Sammy Kershaw. This is made possible by Lovin’ Lake County, a nonprofit created more than five years ago to oversee the distribution of lodging tax collected from the county. More than $400,000 is granted each year to support events and festivals throughout the area. Any group or organization in the county is eligible to apply, and grants are open until funds are gone.
Lovin’ Lake County Executive Director Janelle Jones says large events like Heritage Days and Bay Days receive larger grants because “they are a large tourist attraction and a way to say thank you to the locals.” The street dance begins at 6 p.m., welcoming Two Harbors musician Ricky Carl. At 7:30 p.m., up-and-coming touring artist Rafe Carlson hits the stage, and Sammy Kershaw performs at 9 p.m. Jones says she is “thrilled to bring top-notch entertainment to Two Harbors and is excited Lovin’ Lake County can be part of this amazing weekend tradition.”
Attractions running throughout the festival include nearly 60 food and artisan vendors set up along the parking lot by the Depot, helicopter rides, and free horse-drawn carriage rides. In addition to nonstop music all weekend, visitors can also enjoy the fireman’s pancake breakfast and a classic car show. Businesses near the festival grounds host sidewalk barbecues and special events throughout the weekend. The full schedule of events can be found on the Two Harbors Heritage Day social media pages.
