Since 1975 the weekend following Labor Day in Wayzata has been dedicated to honoring James J. Hill, Minnesota historic figure and once owner of the Great Northern Railroad Company.
Hill, builder of the present train depot in 1906, contributed significantly to transform Wayzata into the beautiful tourist location and friendly community we know today.
James J. Hill Days is Lake Minnetonka’s favorite community tradition, as highlighted by the “Best Of” Lake Minnetonka award. For the last 50 years this annual festival has brought the community together to celebrate Wayzata, while enjoying food, fun & family festivities!
Don’t miss the live music, also Wayzata Football travels to Minnetonka High School for the best rivalry in high school football in the state, the Battle for the Bay Bell!
Go Wayzata football, beat Tonka for the Bay Bell!
Dan, Elisha, Nikki, Jenny, & Katie
We kick off the weekend with FREE LIVE MUSIC from 6–10 p.m. Be sure to bring your dancing shoes, grab a beverage from the Beer + Wine Tent and tell your friends to meet you at the Sandvold Stage off of Minnetonka/Lake Street! Our live music line-up is one to celebrate.
James J. Hill loved a good beer! So, lets cheers to the man and kick off Lake Minnetonka’s largest community celebration! Join us Friday, September 6th from 5 – 9 pm to sample beers from over 20+ breweries, enjoy local…
Step right up! The Lake Minnetonka CARNIVAL (5-10 p.m) will be in full force with ride after ride offering fun for all ages. Purchase presale discounted tickets at Lunds & Byerlys Wayzata and also available at the gate.
FREE entertainment all weekend long on Sandvold Stage located at Minnetonka Avenue and Lake Street! Ten member cover band in Minneapolis. Rock & roll, soul, pop, country, blues, 80’s hair metal, even a little early-90’s rap and everything in between!…
Shop local vendors (5-9 PM) at the outdoor NIGHT MARKET, enjoy 20+ food trucks along Lake Street under the twinkling lights. Bring the kids to the Great Lawn to catch a MOVIE ON THE LAWN (7:30 p.m) “Stuart Little” with the family. A perfect end to summer.
Find that special something as you SHOP 175 VENDORS (10 a.m–7 p.m) at the open-air street market. Sip and stroll from 21 food trucks, beer + wine tents or grab a fresh lemonade as the CARNIVAL continues all day Saturday (10 a.m–10 p.m).
Attention dog lovers, this one’s for you! Grab a hot dog and watch wiener dogs race, jump hurdles and dress up in costume at the ever-popular DACHSHUND RACES (12 p.m). Bring your pup and get ready for your close-up as you pose for pictures in the DOGGY KISSING BOOTH (10 a.m). Create a great memory with your furry friend with our PET CARICATURE ARTIST. Enjoy pupperific treats and register to win prizes (10 a.m–2 p.m).
Take a break from all the activities and enjoy incredible FREE LIVE MUSIC, dancing and fireworks! The Sandvold Stage will feature local band favorites including – High & Mighty, Powertap, and many more. (10 a.m-10 p.m). Stick around for the WAYZATA BAY FIREWORKS (8:45 p.m) bursting over Wayzata Bay in celebration of all the fun.
Several of the weekend’s activities stretch into Sunday, including logrolling, open air street market, pony rides, carnival, food trucks, beer + wine tents and James J. Hill Days Dog Park activities.
If you haven’t noticed, it’s all about the dogs in Wayzata. So, you and your pup are challenged to join the DOGGY OLYMPICS! Bring your pup and participate in a series of engaging games that will show off your pup’s skills and earn the winners pup-tastic prizes (12–2 p.m).
Learn about the history of Wayzata and the many changes it has seen over the past 150+ years during the GUIDED HISTORICAL WALKING TOUR . See historic sites such as the Wayzata Depot and Great Northern Section House. The Wayzata Depot Museum will be open to the public during James J. Hill Days from 10 a.m – 4 p.m. Model Train Railroad will run both days from 1–4 p.m.
Other activities special to Sunday, include the T-6 THUNDER AIRSHOW a fascinating display of WWII planes swiftly flying over Lake Street and Wayzata Bay (2:45 p.m). The same afternoon features the hometown PARADE (3 p.m). Special thanks to all the sponsors who keep this event on the tracks. We will see you at James J. Hill Days!
