UPDATE: Taste of Minnesota Entertainment Lineup is Stacked

This has got to be one of my favorite events.  I love things where you can walk around, eat new things, listen to great music and just enjoy what Minnesota has to offer.

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The Taste of Minnesota had been a staple of Minnesota events for years.  Then, in 2015 it was gone.  You'd think it was pandemic related or something along those lines, but that was even 5 years before that happened.  After the pandemic, the event was brought back to life in 2023.  That was after an 8 year hiatus.

From the Star/Tribune:

Taste of Minnesota had been dormant for seven years. First staged in 1983 on the grounds of the State Capitol in St. Paul, the event ultimately became the state's second-largest festival, behind only the State Fair. It moved to St. Paul's Harriet Island in 2003. Taste eventually declared bankruptcy. It emerged briefly in Waconia, in Carver County, in 2014 and 2015.

This year, same as last year, the 2 day event will be positioned at Nicollet Mall.  With all the unrest that has happened in the last few years in Minneapolis, some were concerned about the event last year.  But there were no major crimes that happened during the event (thank goodness), so the city feels comfortable bringing the event back again this year.

The Taste of Minnesota website has an invitation for vendors around the state of Minnesota to apply to be a part of the event.

Calling all FOOD VENDORS with delectable delights, ARTISTS with awe-inspiring creations, BUSINESS SPONSORS eager to showcase their support for local initiatives, and ENTERTAINERS ready to captivate the audience – join us as we once again transform downtown Minneapolis into a dynamic hub of culture and commerce.

We are thrilled to extend an invitation to the Taste of Minnesota, where a fusion of flavors, artistry, business synergy, and entertainment will come together to create a vibrant and diverse experience.

The event is generally planned for the days around the 4th of July holiday. This year the planned dates are July 6th and 7th.  That way, if you want to do the usual cookout with family and friends and watch the fireworks on the 4th, you can still enjoy this event in the days following.

Oh, and by the way, this is a free event.  That aren't too many of those anymore, so when something is free, take advantage of that!

And now the lineup has been announced, and it looks pretty great.  Some of the performers include country artist Martina McBride, The Wallflowers, and Minnesota native, the Gear Daddies.  And that's just a few.  Check out the entire lineup here.