Taste of Minnesota returns this summer to new Minneapolis location
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Last held in St. Paul in 2015, the Taste of Minnesota is set to make a return this summer.
The family-friendly event, now in Minneapolis, will feature music and food will be free to the public. It also features headliners Third Eye Blind on July 2, as well as, Uncle Kracker and Big Boi (from Outkast) on July 3.
"You’re going to be able to listen to exceptional music and great food for free," said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. "This is going to be something really special."
When asked about potential crime, Frey said the event will have a robust public safety plan in place.
"We follow the facts and data of when things aren’t going well, and we follow them when they are," Frey said. "We won't tell every detail, as most will be behind the scenes. Right now crime is down, and that’s the fact. We can’t wait for this event to come back."
According to organizers, First Wrestling will also have a presence at the event, and Andrew Zimmern has been tapped as its food ambassador.
The event began in 1983 as a free festival with both food and fireworks at the State Capitol grounds and Harriet Island during the July 4th weekend, but first ended in 2010 following a change in ownership.
Following the original Taste of Minnesota, founder Ron Maddox’s wife Linda briefly revived the event in 2014 and 2015 in a new location in Waconia, before it officially ended a second time.
Earlier in the legislative session, a "Taste of Minnesota" bill was introduced by Rep. Jerry Newton (DFL-Coon Rapids), and Sen. John Hoffman (DFL-Champlain), and would provide $1.8 million in Fiscal Year 2024 from Minnesota’s general fund for a grant to the Downtown Minneapolis Council for infrastructure and costs of the event. For now, the money would be marked as a one-time appropriation.
Organizers have previously said the event drew 200,000 people a year at its peak.
"Wang, dang, doodle - let's come on down and shake it like a noodle," proclaimed Fancy Ray Thursday. "The Taste of Minnesota is back! Free rides, free music, free fun - a good time for everyone."