Eagan's July 4th Funfest to Draw 20,000

Organizers for Eagan’s July 4th Funfest say they anticipate larger crowds this year because Taste of Minnesota is not an option this year.

They hope the three-day festival, which has been running for 45 years, will draw about 20,000 participants -- or more, said Larry Hilden. Hilden is president of the board for the Funfest, which is its own nonprofit.

“We even have some committee members that are worried about overcrowding,” Hilden said.

The city donates resources for the festival, including police and fire, as well as funding for fireworks, he said.

More than 100 volunteers will be working the event, which today features a new health and wellness event from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Several organizations will be at the wellness event, including Best Buy, YMCA and Life Time Fitness, said Cory Hilden, secretary for the festival’s board.

“The health craze is the wave of the times,” she said.

On Sunday, the third of three statues funded by the state Legislature will be unveiled. The unveiling of the military statue -- which joins the police and fire statues at Central Park -- takes place at 3 p.m. at the tribute and memorial plaza, near the band shell by the Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Parkway.

That day will be themed Patriotic Day, a new feature of the festival. Participants had asked for more patriotism in the event, said Margo Danner, past president of the Eagan Lioness Club, and one of the leading people who made the tribute and memorial plaza happen.

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Here is a complete lineup of the free weekend-long event. For more information, visit www.eaganfunfest.org.

SATURDAY
8 a.m. to 1 p.m. -- Health and wellness event (at the Pavilion, Pilot Knob and Central Parkway)

8 a.m. to 1 p.m. -- Red Cross blood mobile

4 p.m. to 12 a.m. -- Carnival and Funfest vendors

4 p.m. to 8 p.m. -- Various stage entertainment

6 p.m. to 10 p.m. -- Texas Hold’em tournament (free entry)

8 p.m. to 12 a.m. -- Funfest concert; Rubber Soul to play

SUNDAY
1 p.m. to 5 p.m. -- Patriotic Day vendors and entertainment

3 p.m. to 4 p.m. -- Military Statue Unveiling Presentation

Noon -- Children’s Funfest bike parade

12 p.m. to 12 a.m. -- Carnival and Funfest vendors

4 p.m. to 8 p.m. -- Various stage entertainment

6 p.m. to 10 p.m. -- Texas Hold’em tournament (free entry)

8 p.m. to 12 a.m. -- Funfest concert; Joy Ride to play

MONDAY
8 a.m. to 9 a.m. -- Ambassador farewell reception

10 a.m. -- Hometown Hero’s Parade

12 p.m. to 12 a.m. -- Carnival and Funfest vendors

12:30 p.m. -- Children’s Funfest games

1 p.m. -- Fourth annual royal brain freeze contest

4 p.m. to 6 p.m. -- Various stage entertainment

6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. -- Talk of the Town Orchestra

6 p.m. to 10 p.m. -- Texas Hold’em tournament (free entry)

8:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. -- Funfest concert; The Dweebs to play

10 p.m. -- Fireworks

Source: Eagan’s July 4th Funfest