Water Tower Festival 2026

37th Annual Water Tower Festival (Thursday, June 25 through Sunday, June 28, 2026)

Theme for 37th Annual Water Tower Festival in 2026 - “Minnesota Icons” (anything iconic in the state: Prince, Bob Dylan, World’s Largest Ball of Twine, Peanuts, Jolly Green Giant, MN Lynx, MN Twins, TC the Bear, MN Vikings, MN Wild, MN Gophers, Goldy Gopher, Mall of America, Stone Arch Bridge, Spoon & Cherry, Basilica of Saint Mary, Cathedral of St. Paul, MN State Capitol, Uptown, North Shore, Split Rock Lighthouse, Duluth Lift Bridge, MN Zoo, MN State Fair, MN Renaissance Festival, MN State Parks & Trails, Land of 10,000 Lakes, Loon, Pink & White Lady's Slipper, The North Star, Walleye, Paul Bunyan & Babe the Blue Ox, Sinclair Lewis, Judy Garland, Little House on the Prairie, Church Dinners, "Duck, Duck, Gray Duck!", Tater Tot Hot-dish, The Jucy Lucy, Herman Meinders, Pipestone National Monument, World's Largest Pipe, & More!).
 

The annual Medallion Hunt begins at 5:00 pm on Sunday, June 21st. Medallion Hunt Clues will be posted HERE.

Click HERE for a printable pdf of the poster.

Thursday Evening Downtown Grill-Out & Kids Night! (on Hiawatha Ave)

• 5:00 pm until gone!:  Community Burger Feed Fundraiser; Menu: JBS Grilled Burgers, Baked Beans, Chips, Treat, Aquafina Water. $10/Ages 13+, $8/Ages 12 & Under (400 Burgers)
• 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm: Kiwanis Sno Cones & Popcorn Fundraiser.
• 5:30 pm:  Registration for Kids' Pedal Pull (ages 3-11)
• 5:30 pm:  Registration for Pipestone Jr. Ambassadors Contest (ages 5 through completed 4th grade)
• 6:00 pm:  Free Kids' Pedal Pull (ages 3-11)
• 7:30 pm (Approximately, following Pedal Pull): Pipestone Jr. Ambassadors Contest (ages 5 through completed 4th grade). Free to enter. Two children will WIN the following: the honor of representing the youth of Pipestone County by riding in the front of the parade in a classic car; 2026 Pipestone Jr. Ambassadors framed certificates & trophies; candy (since they won't be watching the parade from the sidelines); and awesome prizes! Due to time, this event is limited to 30 registered youth contestants.
• 7:30 pm: Calumet Players present "The Wizard of Oz" at Pipestone Performing Arts Center (Tickets).

• 11:00 am - 1:00 pm: DD Gravel 40-yr Anniversary Celebration (or until gone).
• 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Bingo for Books! at Meinders Community Library.
• 7:30 pm: Calumet Players present "The Wizard of Oz" at Pipestone Performing Arts Center (Tickets).
• 9:00 pm - 1:00 am:  Free Live Music (Street Dance* on Hiawatha with "Undercover")
  • ​Beer Garden
  • Taqueria El Tarasco Food Truck
  • Class Reunions
  • *Downtown Street Dance is 21+ Only this year*

•  9:00 am - 3:00 pm:  Arts, Crafts, & Vendor Fair (Click HERE for Current List of Vendors).
  • Vendor registration due on Friday, June 19, 2026.
• 9:00 am - 2:00 pm: Pipestone Cruizers' Car Cruise-In (West side of Courthouse)
• 10:00 am:  Parade (West Main St & South Hiawatha Ave)
  • 2026 Parade Theme: "Minnesota Icons"
    • ​This year's parade will feature the Potentate's Parade from the El Riad Shrine! 
  • Click HERE for Parade Registration. (Parade Lineup will be available HERE 24 hrs in advance).
• 11:00 am - 3:00 pm:  Chamber Lunch Fundraiser by PIPESTONE Helping Farmers: Pork Loin Sandwich & Chips $10; or Two Sandwiches & Chips for $15. Water $2. 100% of proceeds donated to Chamber to support year-round events!
• 11:00 am - 3:00 pm:  Food Vendors (Click HERE for Current List of Vendors).
• 11:00 am - 3:00 pm:  Free Kids Train Rides (NE Corner of Courthouse Lawn)
• 11:00 am - 3:00 pm:  Free Kids Inflatables
• 11:00 am - 3:00 pm:  Free Petting Zoo
• 11:00 am - 3:00 pm:  Alpacas
• 11:00 am - 3:00 pm:  Free 605 Magic Art Bus, Art Games, Art Activities, & Face Painters
• 11:30 am (approx.):  Drumlines next to the Big Tent
• 12:00 pm - 12:20 pm:  Son De Mi Tierra Dance Group next to the Big Tent
• 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm:  Free Live Music by "Ewing Maine" Under the Big Tent​

• 6:00 pm:  Pipestone Softball Alumni Game (Paulsen Athletic Softball Complex)
• 7:30 pm: Calumet Players present "The Wizard of Oz" at Pipestone Performing Arts Center (Tickets).

• 10:00 am:  Prairie Riders Saddle Club Fun Show (at Pipestone County Fairgrounds)
• 10:00 am: Joint Ecumenical Community Church Service (at Hiawatha Pageant Park)
  • ​The Pipestone Area Ministerial is hosting a 10:00 AM Outdoor Community Worship on Sunday morning, June 28 at the Hiawatha Pageant Grounds by the lodge. Several local churches are involved including Christ the King Free Lutheran, Cornerstone Ev. Free, Faith Community, First Lutheran, First Presbyterian, Jasper Community, Peace United Methodist, and Pipestone Christian Reformed. All are welcomed to attend this service of praise and several mini messages from the Sermon on the Mount. The service will last about an hour or less and attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs as well as a picnic lunch to celebrate the Spirit of Christ in our community. In the case of inclement weather, we will meet at the Pipestone Area School's Gymnasium. 
• 11:00 am - 1:00 pm: PAS Elementary Pool Party (Pipestone Family Aquatic Center)
• 2:00 pm: Calumet Players present "The Wizard of Oz" at Pipestone Performing Arts Center (Tickets).