Fireworks Return to Sartell Summerfest After Two-Year Hiatus

(KNSI) — After a two-year hiatus, the fireworks display will again light up the night sky at this weekend’s Sartell Summerfest.

Community Development Director Nikki Sweeter explained to KNSI News change in venue solved a problem that had previously plagued organizers. “The main reason why we haven’t had fireworks the last couple years is there’s just not a great place to shoot them off from around city hall. So, this year, when it got moved out to the community center, we said, you know, we have a great spot for them again over Lake Francis, and I know people have been missing them.”

The fireworks aren’t the only blast from the past making a comeback.

Sweeter says the Kids 1K Run around Lake Francis will revive a tradition. “Many years ago, Summerfest had a race component to it. And so we were like, let’s go back to maybe a little more of our roots and bring that back.”

Dozens of young runners have already signed up, though last-minute participants are welcome to register right before the starting gun.

The beloved parade’s popular path is getting flipped, too. “The route is the same, but we are reversing it. So, it will start on 7th Street near the Riverview Intermediate School. And it will go to 1st Street north on the River Road, almost to Wattab Park is really kind of the end.”

The change wasn’t made lightly as according to Sweeter, organizers found traffic concerns and staging challenges near the school made the original direction problematic for floats and marching bands.

The parade steps off at 10:00 a.m., and the fun moves to the community center starting at 3:00 p.m. with the Liberty Bank Kids Zone, pop-up splash pad, a bean bag tournament, beer garden and live music from three bands. At 5:00 p.m., the kids’ 1K run begins. At 10:00 p.m., the fireworks will fly.

See the schedule of events by clicking here.

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