By Luke Fischer

Growing up in Delano, home to Minnesota’s oldest and largest Fourth of July parade and celebration, it’s hard not to get just a little excited about the summer festival season. From a young age, I remember my dad coordinating with friends that lived along the parade route to secure a place to watch the action and collect all the candy. If you had friends (or friends of friends) that lived on Elm Street, you really had some social capital!

As the years wore on and the lure of candy lost its luster, the parade and fairgrounds remained a summer tradition. Whether it was carnival wristband night, grabbing cheese curds, or catching up with friends at the street dance, these moments became part of my community story. Now, as a parent, I get to relive that excitement through my own kids as they eagerly wait for the fire trucks in the parade and collect candy on the same Elm Street curb where I once sat.

Even if you haven’t experienced Delano’s Fourth of July events, chances are good you can relate to the nostalgia I feel about this community celebration — because you have your own version in the special places you call home.

The power of community festivals

Community festivals are more than just fun — they’re an important part of civic life, creating shared experiences that make our cities unique. These gatherings give us the chance to celebrate what we love, spend time with people we care about, build new connections, and maybe even take a breath and recharge.

As we enter summer festival season, all of us at the League are excited about the state’s oldest, largest gathering of city officials — the League of Minnesota Cities Annual Conference. We’re meeting June 25-27 in Duluth for City Fest 2025, and we want you to know that you are invited, and you belong!

Just like the city festivals that make your community unique, City Fest 2025 is the perfect opportunity to gather with city officials from across our state to connect, learn, and grow together.

Why you should join us at City Fest 2025

Celebrating something you love. Think back to when you first ran for office or applied to work for the city. What excited you most about public service? City Fest is a chance to reflect on that passion and an opportunity to reinvigorate yourself for all the work ahead.

Spend time with people you care about (and who care about you). One of the best parts of the conference is the chance we have as League staff to connect with you, our city officials. We love hearing your stories and learning how we can better support you in your service. Your team here in St. Paul is looking forward to spending time with you.

Build meaningful connections. One highlight of the annual conference is the chance to connect with your peers from across Minnesota. For new officials or first-time conference attendees, it’s an opportunity to develop a network of colleagues who share your challenges and goals — camaraderie makes public service more meaningful. For returning attendees, including several who are seasoned veterans of the conference, it’s a chance to reconnect with old friends year after year to catch up, share progress, and learn from one another.

Recharge and get inspired. We’ve lined up exceptional speakers and focused content to help you hone skills and stay motivated in your city service. From inspirational keynote speakers to technical sessions, every part of the conference is designed to prepare you for the year ahead.

We hope you’re thinking about the LMC Annual Conference the same way you think about the community celebration that makes your city special. While we may not have a parade or fireworks, the energy and excitement will be just as high. Join us in Duluth — we can’t wait to see you!

Luke Fischer is executive director of the League of Minnesota Cities. Contact: [email protected] or (651) 281-1279.