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.