Fridley '49er Days

The parade route starts at the corner of 61st Avenue and 7th Street on Thursday, July 16 at 6:30 p.m.

We are now accepting parade entry applications on a first come, first serve basis. The deadline to submit an application to enter the parade is July 1, 2026 and limited to 100 units. View the parade entry forms.

Fridley ’49er Days is organized by a non-profit group of volunteers. It takes many helping hands to host a community festival. If you are interested in volunteering, please submit a volunteer interest form.

Looking for a promotional opportunity your business? Want to give back to the community? The Fridley '49er Committee raises money each year to put on this annual festival. Sponsorship allows the activities to be FREE for the public, providing an inclusive event where all in the community can gather and celebrate. Contact the committee to become a sponsor.

Sponsorship Levels and Benefits:

Community - $500

• Logo on the web page and print advertising
• Mention on social media of the event

Bronze - $1,000

• All of the above AND
• Logo on T-shirts for Fun Run
• Logo on signage (with other sponsors)

Silver - $1,500

• All of the above AND
• Logo Banner on perimeter fencing
• Sign for the business to display in their lobby as a Proud Sponsor

Gold - $2,000

• All of the above AND
• Opportunity to promote business in the Lion’s parade (car or walking – provide your own signs)
• Space to promote your business on Saturday (sponsor to provide own tent, table, chairs, promo items)

Platinum - $5,000

• All of the above AND
• Premier Logo Placement on all advertising
• 4 entries into the Fun Run
• 4 Food Truck Vouchers

Diamond - $10,000

• All of the above AND
• 8 Food Truck Vouchers
• 8 entries into the Fun Run

Youth Photo Contest | Entry deadline: July 1

Youth ages 10 - 18 are invite to enter Creative Flow Art Center's photo contest for a chance to win $100 cash prize! For more information and to submit a photo visit the Creative Flow Art Center webpage. 

'49er Adventure Quest | July 12-18

Sign up a team (up to 8 people) to participate in this exciting app based scavenger hunt! For each 10 challenges completed, teams will have a ticket entered into the raffle prize drawing. FREE Online Registration! 

55+ Cards Tournaments | Wed, July 15 | 10 a.m. & 1 p.m.

Sign up to participate in the Cribbage (10 a.m.) and/or Bridge (1 p.m.) tournaments. Events will be held at the Moore Lake Community Building, 5890 Central Ave NE.

Fridley Fun Run | Thu, July 16 | 6:25 p.m.

Registration on-site will begin at 5:15 p.m., run begins at 6:25 p.m. First 80 registrants will receive a FREE t-shirt. Meet at St. Philip's Church,6180 MN-65. Pre-register online

Pickleball Tournament | Sat - Sun, July 18 - 19

Everyone is welcome to join in the tournament. Register online and view details

Volleyball Tournament | Sat, July 18

Get a team together for a fun day of Sand Volleyball. Register online and view details

MN Twins Clinic | Sat, July 18 | 1 - 3 p.m.

Youth ages 5 - 13 are invited to participate! Register online and view details

The medallion has been found! Thank you to everyone who participated and congratulations to the winners!

Medallion Hunt

Clues will be listed on the homepage newsfeed at 7 a.m. daily beginning on July 12. The winner will receive $490!

 

Revealed Clues

July 12: Find yourself some adventure!

July 13: Good eye! Eagles Fly! Wildflower spy!

July 14: Just (get) outside! Unite in our parks to find where I hide.

July 15: Gold cartridge, one of a kind, the hero's name is actually... never mind. 

July 16: Bunyan's buddy called his shot. A verdant monster, this is not! 

July 17: Crack of Chiroptera! Under the lights! What could be better on summer nights!

July 18: Community Park, where green meets gold. Hurry! Fortune favors the bold!

• Medallion to be hidden within the City of Fridley park system
• The medallion will not be more than 7’ from the ground
• At least part of the medallion will be visible from any angle and will not be completely buried or obscured
• The medallion will not be in a body of water or in any area where crossing through water directly is necessary
• Staff reserves the right to withhold the prize if it is judged that the medallion was acquired unethically
• The medallion will not be located within 20 feet of roadways, railroad tracks, electrical wires or equipment, or other obvious hazards
• The medallion will be outdoors and may be located off of established walkways or pathways
• Medallion must be claimed before 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 18. When found, a photo of the medallion must be sent via email to Recreation@FridleyMN.gov 

'49er Adventure Quest

Sign up a team (up to 8 people) to participate in this exciting app based scavenger hunt! For each 10 challenges completed, teams will have a ticket entered into the raffle prize drawing. FREE Online Registration! 

55+ Card Tournaments

Moore Lake Park Community Building, 5890 Central Ave NE, Fridley, MN 55432

Join the Fridley Senior Program for these fun tournaments. Refreshments will be available. Prizes awarded to winners! Register online.

• Cribbage - 10 a.m.
• Bridge - 1 p.m.

St. Philip's Summer Picnic Jam - FREE

5:15-7:30 p.m. | St. Philip's Lutheran Church, 6180 MN-65, Fridley, MN 55432

Everyone is welcome to attend this fun-filled evening of food and music from the 50's and 60's performed by The Ballroom Surfers! Check out St. Philip's Facebook event for more details.

July 16 Update: Today’s activities for the ‘49er Days Festival are cancelled due to the hazardous heat and air quality conditions. This includes the Pre-Parade Party, Fun Run and Fridley Lions Parade. The events on Friday and Saturday are continuing as planned, but more information will be provided as weather conditions continue to change. The health and safety of our community members, staff, volunteers and participants remains our top priority. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

55+ BINGO

Moore Lake Park Community Building | Thursday, July 16 | 10 a.m. - noon

5890 Central Ave NE, Fridley, MN 55432

Join the Fridley Senior Program for this fun event. Refreshments will be available. Prizes awarded to winners!

Pre-Parade Party

Commons Park | Thursday, July 16 | 4-7 p.m.

Join Fridley Parks & Recreation and a variety of Fridley organizations and businesses for a 49er Pre-Parade Party! Play games, try out the Ninja Anywhere obstacles, and dance your heart out with the DJ!

Food trucks present:

• Frida's Little Mexico - Authentic Mexican street food
• Smash and Dash - Burgers, Loaded tots & nachos
• Eggroll Queen - Eggrolls & Fried Rice
• Flamingo's Ice Cream and Treats - Ice Cream and Treats
• Santana's Sugar Shack - Cotton Candy, Walking Tacos, Snow Cones

Fridley Fun Run

Meet at St. Philip's Church,6180 MN-65 | Thursday, July 16 | Run begins at 6:25 p.m.
Pre-register online or register onsite beginning at 5:15 p.m. First 80 registrants will receive a free t-shirt. View the flyer for more details.(PDF, 2MB)

Fridley Lions '49er Parade

Route starts at the corner of 61st Avenue and 7th Street | Thursday, July 16 at 6:30 p.m.
The '49er Days Parade will be held rain or shine.

• The Parade begins at the corner of 7th Street and 61st Avenue and travels north to Mississippi Street, then travels East to Able Street and then South on Able Street.
• The parade ends at West Moore Lake Drive near the Fridley Middle School.
• Neighborhood exits are located at Rice Creek Terrace, 68th Avenue, Brookview Drive, 63rd Avenue and at the corner of Mississippi and 7th Street.

Parade road closures and neighborhood entrances and exits:

Car Show at Friendly Chevrolet

Friendly Chevrolet (7501 Highway 65 NE) | Friday, July 17 | 5-8 p.m.

Free entry for spectators - Benefitting Fridley Youth Wrestling

Classic cars will be on display, showing their great craftmanship and restoration! There will also be food trucks and music by Tunes to Go.

Register a Car: Car owners can register the day of the show only for $10 per car. All proceeds will benefit Fridley Youth Wrestling. For more information, contact Ryan or visit MSMA.net. Hosted by MSMA, proud member of Gopher State Timing Association.

Food at Friendly Chevrolet:

• Eggroll Queen - Eggrolls & Fried Rice
• Fridley Lions Club Grill - Burgers and Hot Dogs 

Music and Movie in the Park!

Commons Park (6249 7th Street NE) | Friday, July 17 | 5:30 - 10:30 p.m.

• City Band Performance | 5:30 p.m.
• School of Rock Performance | 6:30 p.m.
• Trivia Mafia (Inside the Park Building, Two 1-hour games, beginning at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.) | 7-9 p.m.
• Movie in the Park - Hoppers PG | 9 p.m.

Food trucks present:

• Kevin's Way Popcorn - Popcorn
• Frida's Little Mexico - Authentic Mexican street food
• Cheeky Chicks - Bowls (GF), Chicken, Fries
• Flamingo's Ice Cream and Treats - Ice Cream and Treats
• Santana's Sugar Shack - Cotton Candy, Walking Tacos, Snow Cones

July 17/18 Update: The ‘49er Days events for Friday and Saturday are set to continue as planned, but the City will continue to monitor for adverse weather and air quality. Commons Park will have water and misting stations available for use, with the recreation building serving as an indoor space to cool off. If you or someone nearby needs immediate assistance, call 9‑1‑1 and provide your exact location within the festival grounds during any of the weekend’s planned events.

Park Activities

Commons Park | Saturday, July 18 | 12 - 7 p.m.
Join us for a day full of fun! Activities are FREE, except where noted with $.

• Pickleball and Volleyball Tournaments | 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. | $
• Family Fun Zone | 12-4 p.m.
• Home Depot Kids Workshop | 12-4 p.m.
• Photo Contest Display sponsored by Creative Flow Art Center | 12-7 p.m.
• Grand Opening Celebration and Ribbon Cutting | 12:30 p.m.
• Public Art Dedication | 2 p.m.
• The Magic Lounge | 12-4 p.m.  
• Minnesota Twins Baseball Clinic | 1-3 p.m. | Register today!
• Family BINGO | Inside Park Building | 1-3 p.m.

Food Trucks | 12-7 p.m. | $

• Frida's Little Mexico - Authentic Mexican street food
• Smash and Dash - Burgers, Loaded Tots & Nachos
• Eggroll Queen - Eggrolls & Fried Rice
• Cheeky Chicks - Bowls (GF), Chicken, Fries
• Just In Time Concessions -Corn Dogs, Hot Dogs, Mini Donuts, Dirty Sodas
• Flamingo's Ice Cream and Treats - Ice Cream and Treats
• Santana's Sugar Shack - Cotton Candy, Walking Tacos, Snow Cones

Music Performances

• Los Rebeldes, Tex-Mex | 12 p.m.
• Bluedog, Blues/Rock | 2:15 p.m.
• DJ Splash Dance! Party on the Splash Pad | 3:45 p.m.
• Co-Mingl, Soul | 5:15 p.m.