A busy weekend of events is ahead in southwest Minnesota, with festivals going on in three area communities. In Marshall, Marshall Pride will be celebrating its fifth anniversary with performances and community events. In Lake Benton, trail riders and community members will be gathering for the Saddle Horse Holiday. And in Canby, a weekend of Hat Daze events will culminate in the return of the Father’s Day free air show.

Five years of Marshall Pride

Organizers of this weekend’s Marshall Pride events said the celebrations have been a way for members of the LGBTQ community and allies to connect. Attendance at Pride in the Park has grown from about 150 people in 2021 to almost 1,000 in 2024.

“I’ve lived in Marshall since 2005. I’ve poured a lot of coffee for a whole bunch of the community in my previous service jobs. In all those years, the growth and success of Marshall Pride has been one of the single biggest things to truly make me feel like I belong in this community,” said Thomas Flynn, Pride planning committee member.

On Sunday, Pride in the Park will be held at the Lyon County Fairgrounds. The event will feature live music, food, a vendor fair, and more. Some of the performers will include Leo Baker and kids from the Upper Sioux Community and the Hmong Dance Troupe from Walnut Grove.

Organizers said the Marshall Pride drag show, which will be held Saturday night, has continued to be a crowd favorite.

“Last year was such a fun experience,” said Pippin Panic, a Twin Cities-based performer who is returning for this year’s show. “Marshall is unlike any Pride I’ve ever performed at. The people there are really something special.”

Air show returns in Canby

A popular event at Canby’s Hat Daze festival will return for its 20th anniversary on Sunday. The Father’s Day free air show starts at 1 p.m. at the Canby airport. Airport manager Matt Wagner said if the weather is good, the show usually draws a good crowd.

“There are very few communities that do this,” Wagner said of the air show. “Our community has been extra supportive.”

This year’s show includes five different aerobatic acts. On the ground, the Big Air ATV Tour was back by popular demand, Wagner said. The ATV stunt performers help round out the program in between aerobatic performances. “It’s more up front, in-your-face action,” he said.

There’s also a full weekend of events at Canby’s Hat Daze festival. Events include kids’ activities and an obstacle course around Canby’s Central Park, the Hat Daze parade, a vendor fair and more. Musical performances will be held at Heroes Sports Bar and Grill on Friday and Saturday nights.

Fireworks and more at Saddle Horse Holiday

Lake Benton’s summer festival brings together families and fans of horseback riding. While riders from Minnesota and South Dakota gather on Horse Hill for the annual trail ride, there will be plenty of events for people of all ages going on in town.

“We have quite a bit going on,” said Denise Taylor, at the Lake Benton Chamber of Commerce. “It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Events for the Saddle Horse Holiday have been going on all this week. But the really busy days kick off Friday with events like a kids’ bubble party, the announcement of Lake Benton’s 2025 Citizen of the Year, and a fireworks display at dusk.

On Saturday, the Dakota-Minnesota Trail Ride will take place, as well as events like a parade, Family Fun Day and more. Taylor said some events will have a new venue this year. A car cruise-in and music by the Larry Olsen Band will be held at Lakeside Park, near the shores of Lake Benton. Organizers plan to have a shuttle available to help give visitors rides down to the park, she said.

Schedules of events

Marshall Pride

Friday

7 p.m. – Trivia Night at Fuzzy’s

Saturday

7 p.m. – Marshall Pride Drag Show at Brau Brothers Tap Room

Sunday

Pride in the Park events at Lyon County Fairgrounds

10 a.m. – Vendors and exhibitors open

10 – Kids’ Corner opens

10:30 – Marshall Pride “Smile Mile” run/walk

10:30 – Leo Baker and Kids

11 – Laser tag opens

11 a.m.-1 p.m. – Rainbow the Unicorn

11 a.m.-Noon – Free cotton candy

Noon – Official welcome and 2025 Grand Marshal announcement

1 – Music by Witch Syndicate

1-3 – Face painting

2 – Southwest Nkauj Hmoob Dancers

2:30 – Music by Dray Potts

Canby Hat Daze

Friday

5-7 p.m. – Pork supper; kids’ yard games; kids’ 3-on-3 basketball tournament

5:30 – Kiddie parade

6 – Viessman co-ed softball tournament at Lake Sylvan

9-Midnight – The Stitches perform at Heroes Sports Bar & Grill

Saturday

Downtown sidewalk art gallery

Free swimming at Canby Pool

Free day passes and picnicking at Del Clark

Free camping at Triangle Park & Lake Sylvan

8 a.m.-5 p.m. – Historic walking tour maps available at Canby Depot

8 – Pickleball tournament at tennis courts by Canby Pool

8-10 – Pancake breakfast at Canby Depot. Free will donation.

9 – Independent Oil Hat Daze Golf Scramble

9 a.m.-2 p.m. – Vendor fair

9-11 – Rock the Block obstacle course around Central Park

10 – Kids’ pedal pull

10 – Co-ed volleyball tournament

10 – Free bowling for kids at Lancer Lanes

11 a.m.-2 p.m. – Kids’ inflatables; Clueless the Balloon Twister

1 p.m. – Children’s story time

1-2:30 – Children’s chalk art

1:30-2:20 – Comic and magician Jerry Faiser

3 – Hat Daze Parade

4-6 – Beef supper

5:30 – Canby Fire Department Water Fights

9 – Old Indian Trick performs at Heroes Sports Bar & Grill

Sunday

Father’s Day Air Show at Myers Field

7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Pancakes and waffles

8 a.m.-Noon – Model airplane display

9 a.m.-1 p.m. – Airplane rides

11 a.m.-2 p.m. – Burger feed

1 p.m. – Free air show

Lake Benton Saddle Horse Holiday

Friday

11 a.m.-1 p.m. – First Security Bank hot dog feed at Lake Benton Community and Event Center

11:30 – 2025 Citizen and Organization of the Year presentation

1 p.m. – Iron Man Jr. competition at School Park. Ages 5-12.

2:30 – Kids’ bubble party

4:30-6:30 – Open pickleball at Lake Benton School gym

5:30-7:30 – American Legion pork chop/hamburger fundraiser

7 – 5K fun run at Hole-in-the-Mountain walking trail

Dusk – Aerial fireworks display

Saturday

8 a.m. – Kids’ fun run at Hole-in-the-Mountain walking trail

9 – 3-on-3 youth basketball tournament at School Park

9-11 – Family Fun Day at School Park

10 – Dakota-Minnesota Trail Ride on Horse Hill

11 a.m.-2 p.m. – Heritage Center Museum open to public

11 a.m.-4 p.m. – Car cruise-in at Lake Benton Resort entrance

Noon – Saddle Horse Holiday Parade

12:30 p.m. – Food trucks, beer and music by Larry Olsen Band at Lakeside Park

1 – HOMER’S beanbag tournament at HOMER’S Bar

4 – Disc golf tournament at Hole-in-the-Mountain Park

9 – Firemen’s dance featuring Hicktown Mafia

Sunday

10 a.m. – Dakota-Minnesota Saddle Horse Events and kids’ saddle horse events at Horse Hill