July 26th - July 28th 2024

Interested in entering a float in the parade? We’d love to hear from you.

2023 Carlton Daze Grand Marshal

In recognition of his longstanding commitment to the Carlton community, the Carlton Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is thrilled to announce their unanimous decision in selecting Gordon “Gordy” Davis as the 2023 Grand Marshal of the Carlton Daze Parade.

Gordy and his beloved late wife, Lillian, made Carlton their home back in 1957 and raised their five children here. Through his long-time residency in Carlton and being a staple within the community, Gordy has made significant contributions to our City both civically and socially, and Carlton is no doubt a better place because of it.

Gordy also served our Country as a Sergeant in the Army Engineer’s during the Korean Conflict where he was stationed in Germany with the 317th Platoon Bridge Company.

For 24 years, he worked for the Carlton School District, where he happily transported children to and from school as a bus driver.

He gave 20 years to the Carlton Volunteer Fire Department, where he served his last 2 years as Fire Chief.

Gordy was also a dedicated volunteer of Volunteer Services of Carlton County where he provided transportation to homebound elders needing assistance getting to and from their medical appointments where he insisted not getting reimbursed for mileage. He sincerely just wanted to help.

For 6 years, until he was the age of 91 (he just celebrated his 95th birthday on July 24th), he also delivered food for Meals on Wheels, an organization whose mission is to improve the health and quality of life for seniors so that no one is left hungry or isolated. Through this, he did more than bring a warm meal. He brought a smile. He brought compassion. He brought friendship. And sometimes, he brought the only human interaction they had all day or even all week.

He has been an active and longtime member of Bethesda Lutheran Church, where he and his wife Lillian would set up the serving hall for funerals for many years, while also organizing confirmation classes for the kids. These are just a few of the ways he has served his church family.

All these things and so much more are a testament to the outstanding citizen and person that Gordy is, and we couldn’t be prouder to recognize him for all that he has done and for all that he is. If you have had the pleasure of meeting Gordy, you know in an instant he’s something special. He embodies what it means to live generously for the good of others. So much so, that in 2019, he and his wife Lillian, were also presented with the Volunteer Award by the City of Carlton as part of the Mayors Day of Recognition for their steadfast dedication to our community.

Please help us in honoring him by cheering loud and proud for him as he leads the parade as this year’s Grand Marshal!

Congratulations, Gordy! A very deserved honor for a very honorable man.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

2023 Tentative Schedule

Carlton Daze Schedule

All Weekend

B&B Wagon at the Third Base – Friday: 3pm-2am; Saturday: 9am-2am; Sunday: 9am-9pm

Softball (starts 6:30 p.m. Friday) & Volleyball (starts 8 a.m. Saturday) Tournaments, Organized by 3B

Food Vendors at the Four Seasons Complex parking lot.

Carlton VFW – Room @ The Table Food Truck, Ma & Pa’s Fry Shack and Indian Tacos Food Stand

Carlton Auxiliary Party Wagon ticket sales – drawing on Sunday, July 30th

Carlton VFW - Gun Raffle – 350 tickets available – drawing Saturday, July 29th

Food/Beverages – The Streetcar

Junior’s Backyard Grill at Caywood Country Store - opening at 11am Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

Magic’s Wraps and Subs Food Truck - Four Seasons parking lot Saturday and Sunday

2023 St. Louis River Rendezvous – Paddlemania – Saturday – Spectators are welcome.

Friday

12pm-5pm

Carlton Public Library Book Sale at the Carlton City Hall/Library on Chestnut Avenue.

4pm-6:45pm

5K Registration and Preregistered packet pick up at the Four Seasons Sports Complex.

5K registration at carltonchamber.com/carlton-daze/ or tempotickets.com/Carltondaze5k-23

4pm-8pm

Bingo at the VFW & Carlton VFW Auxiliary Booze Cart & Ticket Sales.

6pm

Kids Fun Races for ages 2 to 5 years and ages 6 to 8 years. Sign up at the Four Seasons, 4:00 to 5:45 pm.

6:30pm

Softball Tournament – Contact Third Base, 218-384-4515-Fee: $200.00 per team.

7pm

29th Annual Carlton Daze 5K Run/Walk start at Four Seasons Sports Complex.

9pm-1am

Live Music – The Third Base Bar – The Northwoods Band.

8pm-12am

Live Music at the Carlton VFW – Stranded.

Saturday

5am/6am

Check-in/Packet Pick Up/Race Start for Minnesota Voyageur Trail Ultra 50 Mile Ultramarathon at Carlton High School. Information available on the website – voyageur50.com

8am

Volleyball Tournament - Contact Third Base, 218-384-4515. Fee: $150.00 per team.

9am

Carlton Daze Golf Tournament – Rugged Spruce Golf Course, Mahtowa. Contact Stephanie, 218-393-7416, for more information and registration or sign up at The Third Base ($25.00/per golfer). The fundraiser will be limited to 50 golfers age 21 and over. Additional information is available on facebook.com/dazedgolfer. Proceeds benefit the Jim Erickson Memorial Scholarship.

9am-3pm

Car Show – Registration begins at 8 am in front of the Carlton VFW. $10.00 entry fee. “Hot Rods for Hot Wheels” Cruisers will be coming between 12 (noon) & 1 pm. Contact Shawn at 218-393-5622 for more information.

There will be NO PARKING on Chestnut Avenue (Carlton main Street) beginning at 7 a.m.

9am-3pm

Kids Coloring Activity at CreativEdge in downtown Carlton. Kids can create a masterpiece and have it printed on a shirt or other printables. (Free to color - $10.00 for a printed item).

9am-3pm

Craft & Vendor Event at the Carlton Bike Shop yard. Contact person, Sarah at 715-293-3711.

9am-3pm

Pet Photo Booth at Carlton Bike Shop yard, $30/mini session, proceeds to benefit Carlton County Animal Rescue.

9am-3pm

Pony rides for kids in the Four Seasons parking lot. $6/per ride

11am-3pm

Carlton Public Library Book Sale at the Carlton City Hall/Library on Chestnut Avenue.

11am-8pm

Bingo at the VFW.

12 (noon)

Poker Tournament – Carlton VFW. Sign up at 11 a.m.

12:30-4:30pm

Paddlemania – Whitewater Kayak runs on the St. Louis River – Spectators are welcome to all events. For more information go to www.paddle-mania.com

1:30pm

Paddlemania – Kayak Race Start. Best viewing experience at Jay Cooke State Park (swinging bridge).

4:00pm

Mass at St. Francis Church, 509 Sunrise Drive, Carlton, MN.

4:30pm

Paddlemania – Slot Machine Showcase Showdown. – Spectators welcome to all events.

5pm

Carlton VFW Gun Raffle Drawing.

6pm

Class of 1983 40th Reunion at Streetcar Kitchen & Pub. ALL classes are welcome to attend!

8pm-12am

Live Music at the Carlton VFW – Vinyl Recliner.

9pm-close

The Third Base – Live music – STONE.

Sunday

8:30am

Mass at St. Francis Church, 509 Sunrise Drive, Carlton, MN.

8:30am

Polka Worship Service at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 204 5th Street, Carlton, MN

9:30am-4pm

Bake Sale at the Carlton VFW - by Bethesda Lutheran Church.

9:30am-4pm

Bounce Houses for kids by D.A.D.S Bounce House Rentals - DNR Park. Unlimited day pass $5.

10am-12pm

Bloody Mary Bar – Carlton VFW.

10:30am

Service at River’s Edge Church.

11am-3pm

Carlton Public Library Book Sale at the Carlton City Hall/Library on Chestnut Avenue.

12pm-4pm

Bingo at the VFW.

1pm

Carlton VFW – Bean Bag Tournament. Sign up begins 12pm.

1pm

Carlton Daze Parade. Line up begins at noon on School Avenue at the Carlton High School. REGISTER ONLINE at carltonchamber.com/carlton-daze. Parade Contact: Andy at 218-391-6617.

Following Parade Carlton Volunteer Fire Department Open House. Demonstrations. Kids activities. Refreshments served. Carlton Fire Hall.

Following Parade Free Root Beer Floats at the Carlton Fire Hall. Sponsored by the Carlton Area Chamber of Commerce and Carlton Fire Department.

Following Parade Kids Coin Hunt – DNR Park (across from Fire Hall) Sponsored by Woodlands National Bank.

Following Parade Pony Rides - DNR Park - $6/per ride.

2pm-4pm

Bubble Dance Party at the N.P. Junction Bike Shelter – DNR Park. This event is for kids of all ages. Music by a DJ that includes bubbles and dancing!

2pm-6pm

Live music at The Third Base – Milkbone Band (after the parade).

3:00pm

Carlton VFW Auxiliary Party Wagon Raffle Drawing

4pm-8pm

Carlton VFW – DJ/Karaoke.

FOR ALL CARLTON DAZE INFORMATION AND ANY SCHEDULE UPDATES VISIT carltonchamber.com/carlton-daze.