Midwest Kid Fest

The Teddy Bear parade will begin on the north end of Island Park by 1st Ave and travel along a colorful path through the park to kick off the festivities. Parade line-up starts at 10:30 am. Photographs and video will be taken along the parade route that will be used for future marketing and promotion. Bring a canned food donation to benefit the Great Plains Food Bank to the parade along with your Teddy Bear!

Thank you to Rural Psychiatry Associates for sponsoring this year's Teddy Bear Parade! 

Area businesses and organizations will be set up and ready to play in the park! Stop by to see all the great offerings there are for kids in our community and play a game, make a craft, or learn something new.

Coming back this year, Leika Sensory Creations will be onsite with a sensory friendly area featuring sensory toys and activities. 

Make sure to leave yourself time to find parking. The Island Park parking lots and ramp are both closed for the 2024 season due to construction.  There is parking at Dill Hill and the Dike West Park & Skate Park. There is also plenty of street parking in the area around the park.  

MATBUS is providing FREE rides to youth (grades K-12) for Midwest Kid Fest. Just tell the driver you're going to Midwest Kid Fest! Adults who accompany youth will pay the regular fare. Plan your route to Island Park with the MATBUS Trip Planner, integrated with Google Maps.

Downtown Fargo also has many parking ramps that are within walking distance of Island park. 

Join us for a day of fun! Jobs include supervising the Teddy Bear Parade, Life-Sized Games and Inflatables. Shifts are 10:30-12:30pm, 12:00-2:00pm, 1:30-3:30pm, 3:00-5:00pm, 4:30-6:30pm, and 6:00-7:30pm. Sign up here to volunteer.

Bring your blanket and grab a comfortable patch of grass to watch the entertainment being presented by local performers. P

10:30 AM - On Track DJ

12:30 PM - Phil Baker & the Red Guitar

1:15 PM - Concordia Science Academy

2:00 PM - Phil Baker & the Red Guitar

2:45 PM -  Honeysuckle Hooping

3:30 PM - West Fargo Summer Arts

4:15 PM - Gasper School of Dance

5:00 PM - Lalo’s Lunch Box

Navigate the obstacle course, slide, bounce house and others all day long. Try your luck at a life-size game of checkers, Yahtzee, Tetris, and more!

Ride in style! Don't miss out on the free carriage rides and barrel rides around the park.

Be a part of our annual celebration by participating in this one-day festival for kids and families.  This free, family-friendly consistently draws crowds in the thousands by inviting businesses and organizations to share their passion through positive, interactive, and educational activities for area children.  Don’t miss this chance to let thousands of area families see you in action! 

Midwest Kid Fest includes: 

As you plan for your booth activity, please keep the following in mind:  

• Booth spaces range in price from $75 to $150 depending on the number of tables requested and access to electricity. 

• The event draws thousands of people every year and you will want to plan accordingly for supplies.  

• The event runs from 11:00am – 7:00pm.  Booths need to be set-up by 10:30 am and remain set-up throughout the event hours.  

• You are responsible to arrange for staff/volunteers to operate your booth and activity for the duration of the event.  

• The only equipment provided by the event is the table.  All other equipment (including chairs, tents, trash cans) is the responsibility of the business/organization.  

• Booth spaces are 12’x12’ (or 24’x12’ for double tables).  All materials, displays, and signs need to stay within those boundaries.  

• NO vehicles are allowed in the park.  All items must be carried in.  You may arrange for assistance in advance by contacting tfriese@fargoparks.com.  

• Promoting your business or organization is encouraged but selling items or accepting payments in any way is not allowed at Midwest Kid Fest. Using your booth for political gain is also not allowed.    

• As a participant, you agree to indemnify, save, and hold harmless the Midwest Kid Fest Committee, each and all sponsors, the Fargo Park District, and the operators of the individual activity booths, its agencies, officers, employees, and volunteers from any and all claims of any nature including costs, expenses, and attorneys’ fees which may in any manner result from or arise out of my actions during participation in the Midwest Kid Fest. 

Booth application for 2024 Midwest Kid Fest is now open! Applications will close EOD on May 31.

We do require all booths to provide an activity for kids while visiting your booth which need to be approved by the event coordinator. If you need help brainstorming an idea contact the event coordinator, Tatiana Friese, at tfriese@fargoparks.com.