Carlton Daze
July 24 – 26, 2026
Thank You Gold Sponsors!
Featured Events
Ryan Schmidt, Warren Gardner, Denis Sauter
Parade Grand Marshals 2026
Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, and Looking Forward to the Future.
We are honored to recognize Warren Gardner, Denis Sauter, and Ryan Schmidt for their decades of service, leadership, and dedication to the Carlton School District.
Read Their StoriesMore Event Information
Pancake Breakfast
Car Show
Pickleball Tournament
Vendor Market
Lions Club Big Auction
VFW Entertainment
Lions Club Big Auction
Third Base Bar Entertainment
Lions Club Big Auction
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Full Weekend Schedule
Friday, July 24th – Sunday, July 26th • Events for the Whole Family
Schedule for 2026 (subject to change)
All Weekend
- B&B Wagon at Third Base – Friday: 3pm–2am; Saturday: 9am–2am; Sunday: 9am–9pm.
- Off the Rails Wood-Fired Pizza at Third Base – available throughout the weekend.
- Volleyball Tournament (starts 8am on Saturday) – organized by 3B.
- Food Vendors at the Four Seasons Complex parking lot.
- Wired Loon Coffee & Ice Cream – espresso, dirty sodas, and energy drink specials, plus new Loony Cones! Saturday and Sunday: 7:30am–8:00pm. Family sidewalk chalk art Saturday and Sunday.
- Carlton VFW – The Food Stand, Melinda's Snack Shack, Ma & Pa Fry Shack, and Wings & Things.
- Carlton Auxiliary Party Wagon ticket sales – drawing on Sunday, July 26th.
- Food/Beverages – The Streetcar.
- Junior's Backyard Grill at Caywood Country Store.
- Carlton Area Lions Club raffle tickets – find a Lions Member to purchase throughout the weekend!
- Book and Bake Sale at the Carlton Public Library – Friday: 8am–1pm & Saturday: 10am–1pm.
- Big Lake Golf – golfing available each day starting at 8am! Breakfast menu 8:30–11:30am Saturday and Sunday!
Friday July 24th
8am–1pm
Carlton Public Library Book and Bake Sale at the Carlton City Hall/Library.
4pm–6pm
5K Registration and pre-registered packet pick up at the Four Seasons Sports Complex. You must check in at least 30 minutes prior to race start time. 5K registration at carltonchamber.com/carlton-daze or RunSignup.
4pm–8pm
Bingo at the VFW & Carlton VFW Auxiliary Booze Cart & Ticket Sales.
5:30pm
Kids Fun Races – ages 2–5 and ages 6–8 – FREE! Sign up at the Four Seasons, 4:00 to 5:15pm.
6:30pm
31st Annual Carlton Daze 5K Run/Walk starts at Four Seasons Sports Complex. Must check in 30 minutes prior.
6:30pm–10pm
Pre-Drone Show Family Dance Party in the Park – DNR Park (across from fire hall). DJ, bubbles, ice cream, mini donuts, corn dogs, lemonade. Stay for the 10 PM Drone Show! Bring your blankets & chairs.
8pm–12am
Live Music at the Carlton VFW – Stranded.
9pm–1am
Live Music at The Third Base Bar – Northwoods Band.
10:00pm
Drone Show – Spectacular light show in the sky! Watch from Chestnut Avenue (Carlton's main street) between Third Base and the VFW, or a family-friendly viewing option at the DNR Park (across from fire hall). Music for the drone show will be played from Third Base Bar & the DNR park.
Saturday July 25th
5am/6am
Check-in/Packet Pick Up/Race Start for Minnesota Voyageur Trail Ultra 50 Mile Ultramarathon at DNR Park. Information at voyageur50.com.
8am–11am
Pancake Breakfast at Bethesda Lutheran Church – 204 5th Street. $8/person (children under 5 are free).
8:00am
Volleyball Tournament – contact Third Base, 218-384-4515. Fee: $150.00 per team.
9am–12pm
"Sweet Pickles" Pickleball Beginner Tournament at South Terrace Courts – sponsored by Carlton Area Lions Club. (Advanced Tournament is 1pm–4pm, below.) Register online at Eventbrite.
9am–3pm
Car Show – registration begins at 8am in front of the Carlton VFW. $10.00 entry fee. Contact Shawn at 218-393-5622 for more information. There will be NO PARKING on Chestnut Avenue (Carlton's main street) beginning at 7am.
9am–3pm
Kids Coloring Activity at CreativEdge in downtown Carlton. Kids can create a masterpiece and have it printed on any in-stock printable item (free to color – printed items starting at $10.00). Raptors gear fundraiser – buy new apparel!
9am–3pm
Craft & Vendor Market & Carlton-Wrenshall Youth Hockey Association Fundraiser – indoors at Four Seasons Sports Complex. Free to the public! Contact Sarah at 715-293-3711. Basket Raffle & Split the Pot Fundraiser.
10am–1pm
Carlton Public Library Book and Bake Sale at the Carlton City Hall/Library on Chestnut Avenue.
10am–2pm
NINJA ANYWHERE! Epic Obstacle Course, Inflatables, & Agility Course – downtown Carlton/Chestnut Ave.
11:00am
Carlton Area Lions Club BIG, LIVE AUCTION at the Carlton VFW.
11am–8pm
Bingo at the VFW.
12:00pm
Grand Opening of the South Terrace Courts!
1pm–4pm
"Sweet Pickles" Pickleball Advanced Tournament at South Terrace Courts – sponsored by Carlton Area Lions Club. (Beginner Tournament is 9am–12pm, above.) Register online at Eventbrite.
3:00pm
Third Base – Cornhole Tournament – $50/team.
3pm–6pm
Join the Class of '84 for an Open House at Carlton High School and one last walk down memory lane. Enjoy '80s music, Bulldog fun, and wear your blue and white! Don't miss "Cutting Rusty Loose" as a truck crane removes Rusty, the beloved 2-ton Bulldog, from the front lawn.
4:00pm
Mass at St. Francis Church, 509 Sunrise Drive, Carlton, MN.
8pm–12am
Live Music at the Carlton VFW – Three First Names.
9pm–close
The Third Base – live music – Aftershock.
Sunday July 26th
8:30am
Mass at St. Francis Church, 509 Sunrise Drive, Carlton, MN.
9:30am
Polka Worship Service at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 204 5th Street, Carlton, MN.
9:30am–4pm
Bounce Houses for kids by D.A.D.S Bounce House Rentals – DNR Park. Unlimited day pass $5.
10:30am
Service at River's Edge Church.
11am–4pm
Bingo at the VFW.
1:00pm
Carlton Daze Parade. Line up begins at noon on School Avenue at the Carlton High School. REGISTER ONLINE. 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
CreativEdge will be open – selling Raptors gear!!
Following Parade
Carlton VFW – Bring Your Own Partner Cornhole Tournament – $50/team.
2pm–6pm
Live music at The Third Base – Friends of Mine (after the parade).
3:00pm
Carlton VFW Auxiliary Party Wagon Raffle Drawing.
6pm–10pm
Carlton VFW – DJ/Karaoke.
