WaterFest will celebrate 20 years on June 1, 2019!

WaterFest is a free family event at Lake Phalen including:

• Paddling: Try your hand at paddling a Voyageur canoe, kayak or canoe.
• Fishing: Learn about different fishing techniques and the value of clean water. Then use your new skills to enter the fishing contest.
• Games: Archery, mini golf and more!
• Boating: Take a spin on a sailboat or paddleboat.
• Arts and crafts: Make a plant print or a bead critter.
• Live animals: Get acquainted with water critters, land bugs, snakes, alligators, and more with entomologists, members of the Minnesota Herpetological Society, and Maplewood Nature Center.
• Exhibits: Learn to identify an insect, recognize a bird song, tie a fishing lure and much more!
• Native plant giveaway: Identify native plants and select one to take home.
• Street sweeper: Climb in the cab and learn how clean streets keep lakes clean.
• Food trucks: Buy tasty treats from local food trucks and vendors.
• Music and dance: Enjoy a variety of performances throughout the day.

Explore. Learn. Experience!

Map of Activities

Festival Brochure & Passport Game

Directions to WaterFest

Where should I park?

WaterFest 2019 Sponsors

WaterFest 2019 Activity Liability Waiver *

Zero-Waste Event Guidelines

*Signed liability waiver is required for some activities such as boating/paddling and climbing walls. To receive an activities wristband, kids under 18 years of age must have the waiver signed by their parent or guardian.

Schedule of Events

PRE-FEST FITNESS: 9 AM | Yoga at the Beach House

                                    10 AM | Kickboxing on the Lakeshore, Whitetail Trail

11-11:30 AM | Farnsworth School Marching Band

                 Amphitheater

11:30 AM | Olympic Kayak Demonstration

                  Lakeside Center, Monarch Valley

12 PM | Welcome remarks with Tina Carstens (RWMWD Administrator), Stacy Schleeter (Cookie Cart), Kate Clayton (FMR, Bridge Mural Project) & Kassim Busuri, St. Paul Councilmember – Ward 6

                 Amphitheater

12-4 PM | Volleyball Tournament

                 Island, Fox Cove

12:30 PM | Harding High Drumming Band

                 Amphitheater, Fox Cove

1 PM | Celestial Paladins (pictured above)

                 Amphitheater, Fox Cove

1:30 PM | Stormwater Mural; Artist in Action

                Bridge, Bass Bay

12-3 PM | Fishing Contest (catch and release)

                Lakeshore, Bass Bay

1:30-4 PM | Music and Dance: Center for Hmong Arts and Talent; Anie Thao – Hmong ballet; School of Rock; Kevin Vang; Open mic (sign up by  pm to showcase your talent); Much more!

                Amphitheater, Fox Cove

Become a WaterFest sponsor

Each year, many local businesses, non-profits and partner agencies help to make WaterFest a valuable community event through their generous support. To become a 2020 WaterFest sponsor, please download the forms below or contact event organizer Maddy Bohn for more information.

WaterFest 2019 Sponsorship Levels

Connect with WaterFest

Share your WaterFest memories on on Facebook and Instagram!

Help us advertise! Download, print or share the link to this one-page flyer to help get the word out about WaterFest!

Questions or media inquiries? Please contact Maddy Bohn, event coordinator, at mnwaterfest@gmail.com.