Brady Drake
About Moorhead Parks & Recreation
The mission of Moorhead Parks & Recreation is to enrich the lives of its citizens by providing a comprehensive system of parks and affordable, diverse recreation programs that encourage health, fitness, relaxation, and cultural enrichment, as well as providing opportunities for community involvement.
Annually, the Recreation Department offers numerous programs, classes, camps, special events, and other activities with emphases on arts, culture, nature and physical activity. Offering diverse programming is important in their effort to serve all populations. Youth athletics, adult fitness, adaptive activities, after-school programs, summer programs, river activities, volunteering events, and more combine to provide something for everyone in the City of Moorhead.
What are they hosting?
Moorhead Parks and Recreation presents dozens of community events throughout the year including some you’ll recognize from the Frostival activities, the Celtic Festival, the Moorhead Farmers Market, RiverArts concert events, Greater Moorhead Days, Halloween and holiday events, river paddling excursions, and more!
Annually, beginning in 2004, the Celtic Festival invited Celtic artists to perform music, dance, and storytelling in addition to other cultural enrichment performances and presentations. Numerous vendors and information booths share Celtic heritage. Partnering with Concordia College Catering, a full menu of Celtic cuisine is provided for visitors. 2024’s Celtic Festival will be Saturday, March 16, at the Hjemkomst Center.
RiverArts’ five-day music series celebrates the broad array of local art and culture. Throughout the season, RiverArts hosts 10 live music or dance performances, 5 artists presenting demonstrations/activities for all ages, inflatables, yard games, vendors, tabling organizations, food, drinks, and more all in Moorhead’s Memorial or Woodlawn Parks. These familyfriendly, accessible events bring people from all walks of life together in the name of music, community, and fun. The remaining RiverArts events this season are Tuesdays July 25 (Memorial Park) and August 8 (Memorial Park), 5:30-8 p.m.
In its 10th year, the Moorhead Farmers Market is the only farmers market in Moorhead. Setting up shop at the Hjemkomst Center parking lot in the last year has allowed for a growing lineup of diverse vendors and recreation opportunities on the river and in the green space of Viking Ship Park. Market days at this location offer canoe and kayak rentals during the paddling season, free museum entry from the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County after 5 p.m., live Music at the Market 4-6 p.m., and an active biking/walking path for community members to enjoy. These opportunities empower customers to support products from local growers and vendors, increase the consumption of fresh, healthful foods, and decrease the demand for foods that are transported long distances by promoting local foods.
Why is this important?
Moorhead Parks & Rec believes everyone deserves to have fun, experience connection, and enjoy open, green spaces. These things are so important for a community’s mental and physical health.”
“Whether an event is connecting people to each other, to nature, to physical activity or the arts, creating opportunities for citizens to recreate, learn, and just enjoy fellowship is really what drives a community forward and makes a city like Moorhead a really great place to be,” Moorhead Parks & Recreation said.
What has happened?
Moorhead Parks & Rec has been involved with many projects to better the community, including projects within the Moorhead Community Fund! Those include providing opportunities for youth scholarships, community projects, and amenities. Donations to the fund are tax-deductible and 100% of the donations go to the scholarship or project selected. Some of those current projects are the Inclusive Playground—a playground space for all ages and abilities to play together located at Southside Regional Park next to the Miracle Field; Rotary Natural Play Hill—led by the partnership of The City of Moorhead and FM Rotary Foundation to construct a Natural Play Hill in the downtown Moorhead Riverfront Park; River Corridor and Trails—supporting the addition of recreational amenities such as benches, message boards, decorative lighting, art/sculpture, and historical markers along the Moorhead River Corridor; and so much more! Learn about all of the projects at cityofmoorhead.com/about-the-city/ community-fund.
Events
Moorhead Farmers Market
Tuesdays through September 26, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Hjemkomst Center Parking Lot, 202 1st Ave N
Find produce, baked goods, hand-crafted items, & more. SNAP Benefits are accepted with matching dollars courtesy of Hunger Solutions of Minnesota. Enjoy live music 4-6 p.m.!
FM Kicks B& Summer Concerts
Thursday, July 20, 7 p.m.
Gooseberry Park 100 22nd Ave S
Enjoy vocal & instrumental arrangements of classic & contemporary big band music composers in a variety of genres. This is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
Moorhead RiverArts
Tuesday, July 25, 5:30-8 p.m.
Memorial Park, 111 8th St N
Featuring music & cultural performances, artist-led demos & activities for all ages, inflatable games, a photo station, & more. Bring a chair or blanket, enjoy the live music, & engage with community organizations & vendors, including Hiahli, Fishing Clinic, & free carriage rides! Grab food & drinks from Moorhead Midday-Central Lions, & adult beverages from Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre & Swing Barrel Brewing Co. on varying evenings. Nonprofits, organizations, & individuals can sell goods, share their expertise or provide a fun, interactive game or activity for attendees.
River Paddling Excursions
Wednesday, July 26, 5:30-8 p.m.
Hjemkomst Landing, 202 1st Ave N
Join these relaxing downtown river tours as local guest speakers share their expertise, featuring “History of the Red River” hosted by the Historical & Cultural Society of Clay County! All skill levels are invited & will begin at 6 p.m. with the basics of canoeing & kayaking. Register in advance & arrive at 5:30 p.m. $10/person if you bring your own kayak/canoe; $15/ person with a rental. Find the schedule & register now at moorheadparks.com.
FM Kicks B& Summer Concerts
Sunday, August 6,12-5 p.m.
Gooseberry Park 100 22nd Ave S
Enjoy vocal & instrumental arrangements of classic & contemporary big band music composers. Enjoy a variety of music including funk, rock, blues, swing, & more.
Moorhead RiverArts
Tuesday, August 8, 5:30-8 p.m.
Memorial Park, 111 8th St N
Featuring music & cultural performances, artist-led demos & activities for all ages, inflatable games, a photo station, & more. Bring a chair or blanket, enjoy the live music, & engage with community organizations & vendors, including Front Fenders, Dunk Tank, & free carriage rides! Grab food & drinks from Moorhead Midday-Central Lions, & adult beverages from Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre & Swing Barrel Brewing Co. on varying evenings.
River Paddling Excursions
Wednesday, August 9, 5:30-8 p.m.
Hjemkomst L&ing, 202 1st Ave N
Join these relaxing downtown river tours as local guest speakers share their expertise, featuring “Animals & Habitats of the Red River” hosted by Red River Zoo!
Doggy Dip
Monday, August 14, 3:30-7:30 p.m.
South Park Wading Pool, 2102 14th St S & Northeast
Park Wading Pool, 1817 8th Ave N
Bring your pup for a swim for $5/dog, with all proceeds benefiting Moorhead’s dog parks. Dogs should have a collar, carry ID tags, be properly licensed, vaccinated, & in good health to swim.
River Paddling Excursions
Saturday, September 9, 3 p.m.
Memorial Park, 111 8th St N
Join these relaxing downtown river tours as local guest speakers share their expertise, featuring “Discover the Red River” hosted by River Keepers!
FM Kicks B& Summer Concerts
Wednesday, August 9, 5:30-8 p.m.
Memorial Park, 111 8th St N
Enjoy vocal & instrumental arrangements of classic & contemporary big band music composers. Enjoy a variety of music including funk, rock, blues, swing, & more.
Greater Moorhead Days
September 7-16 Various locations
Enjoy a variety of fun & exciting events for all ages, including the Greater Moorhead Days Parade, Midco Kids Fest, the Medallion Hunt, & more. This 10-day celebration is the perfect time to show Moorhead pride.
