Join us for the 2023 Grand Marais Fisherman’s Picnic on August 3-6, 2023 in Downtown Grand Marais, Minnesota. This is way more than just shore lunch! This Annual Fisherman’s Picnic is filled with fish burgers (those beloved deep fried herring filets served on a bun) and lots of daily games, activities and fun, like the Crazy Days Sidewalk Sales, Daily Contests and Prizes, Live Music outdoors and Kids Activities. The Lions Club BIG raffle includes a grand prize of $10,000 and lots of other great prizes for $5.00 a ticket. Get your collectible button, it’s your pass to participate in events all weekend long.

The annual Grand Marais Fisherman’s Picnic turns this small North Shore community into a bustling, fun-filled scene of families and folks of all ages. It’s both a celebration and observance of the past and the present – a coming together of the ‘locals’ who never forget how unique their North Shore hometown is. It’s also an event that draws visitors from all over back to Grand Marais each year to enjoy the event and town, and the natural surrounding beauty. Bring an appetite too. The very popular fish burgers that are on sale during the Picnic even have a song written about them: “They’re all red ready and they’re all red hot. Pickle in the middle and the mustard on top.” Stay for the parade of local businesses and organizations on the last day of the Grand Marais Fisherman’s Picnic as it moves down Wisconsin Street.

WEDNESDAY, August 2, 2023

10 AM-6 PM Paint a Piece of Pottery by Grand Marais Pottery. Betsy Bowen Gallery, 301 1st Avenue West. Paint a piece of pottery, fired and ready for pickup Saturday morning
WISE “Buffet in a Box ‘’ with all the traditional favorites: Lena’s fishcakes, baked ham, Swedish meatballs and gravy, mashed potatoes, delicious sides, and homemade desserts. Must pre-order online, $25 per meal at www. wisenorth.org. Choose your pick-up time: 11:30 am-1:00 pm lunch and 5:00-6:30 pm supper. WISE is a non-profit that was formerly the Lioness Club. This is a fundraiser for service and education in Cook County.

THURSDAY, August 3, 2023

9 AM Crazy Daze Sales – visit local merchants around town
10 AM-1 PM Morning Kayak Tour – Stone Harbor, 22 E 1st St., $90 per person. Kayak around harbor area
10 AM-2 PM Craft and Bake Sale – The Hub, 10 N Broadway Ave
10 AM-5 PM Kids Rides open – Senior Center Parking Lot – 10 N Broadway
10 AM-6 PM Paint a Piece of Pottery by Grand Marais Pottery – Betsy Bowen Gallery, 301 1st Avenue West
11 AM Fishburger Stand opens – Harbor Park
11 AM- UNTIL FOUND “DQ Medallion Hunt” – rules and new daily clues at Dairy Queen, $100 prize to the first person to find it – sponsored by Dairy Queen
11 AM-12:30 PM Fred Anderson and Ben Olinger – Harbor Park Stage
NOON Bingo Tent opens –1st Ave. W & Hwy 61- sponsored by The SONS
1-2:30 PM Bug Lite – Harbor Park Stage
2 PM-5 PM Afternoon Kayak Tour – Stone Harbor, 22 E 1st St., $90 per person. Kayak around harbor area
3-6 PM The Devils Kettle Band- Harbor Park Stage
5 PM Dairy Queen Cornhole Tournament – Stop by ahead of time at Dairy Queen to sign up and see official rules.” Bring boards and bags if you have a set. If not just bring yourself.
5:30-6:30 PM Stories That Matter – Sharing the History of Cook County Women – Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery, 115 W Wisconsin St.
7-9 PM Grand Marais Playhouse, “Shout! The Mod Musical” – The Arrowhead Center for the Arts – 51 West 5th Street, www.grandmaraisplayhouse.com
7-10 PM Street Dance – Open Stage hosted by Zulu Link (sign up at Info Booth) – Harbor Park Stage

FRIDAY, August 4, 2023

9 AM Crazy Daze Sales – all over town visit local merchants
9 AM-3 PM Cook County Market – E Wisconsin St.
10 AM-1 PM Morning Kayak Tour – Stone Harbor, 22 E 1st St., $90 per person. Kayak around harbor area
10 AM-2 PM Craft and Bake Sale – The Hub, 10 N Broadway Ave
10 AM-5 PM Vendor and Craft Show – 1st Ave W.
10 AM-5 PM Kiddy Rides open – Senior Center Parking Lot – 10 N Broadway
10 AM-5 PM Fun Games and Inflatables – Wisconsin St.
10 AM-6 PM Paint a Piece of Pottery by Grand Marais Pottery – Betsy Bowen Gallery, 301 1st Avenue West
11 AM Fishburger Stand Opens – Harbor Park
11 AM- UNTIL FOUND “DQ Medallion Hunt”, rules and new clues daily at Dairy Queen, $100 prize to the first person to find it – sponsored by Dairy Queen
11 AM-12:30 PM Jim McGowan – Harbor Park Stage
11:30 AM World’s Best Donut Bingo – Donut Shop – corner of Wisconsin St and Broadway Ave. – sponsored by the World’s Best Donut Shop
NOON Bingo opens – 1st Ave. W & Hwy 61 – sponsored by The SONS
NOON Minnow Races – Beaver House, Corner of Wisconsin St and Broadway Ave., sign up at Lions info booth
1-2:30 PM North Shore Swing Band – Harbor Park Stage
2-5 PM Afternoon Kayak Tour – Stone Harbor, 22 E 1st St., $90 per person. Kayak around harbor
3 PM DQ Upsidedownright Thick Blizzard Race – maximum of 10 teams with up to 4 racers each, register at Dairy Queen prior to race – 2nd Ave W. – sponsored by Dairy Queen
3 PM-4:30 PM CCHS Alumni Baseball Game registration–Cook County High School Ball Field
3-6 PM Drew Heinonen Trio – Harbor Park Stage
5 PM CCHS Alumni Baseball Game – Cook County High School Ball Field, behind school
6-6:30 PM Minnesota State Loon Calling Championship – Preliminary Round – Harbor Park Stage, sign up at Lions info booth
7-9 PM Grand Marais Playhouse, “Four Old Broads” – The Arrowhead Center for the Arts – 51 West 5th Street, www.grandmaraisplayhouse.com
7-9:30 PM Street Dance – Evening Stars – Harbor Park stage

SATURDAY, August 5, 2023

Fisherman’s Picnic Trail Run. Pincushion Mountain Trails – 2 miles north of Grand Marais off the Gunflint Trail, Co. Rd 12
8 AM-8:45 AM Race packet and bib pick-up
9 AM Kids Races ¼ mile Walk/Run or 1 mile Walk/Run $10 (parents can run with kids)
Register at: wwwpincushiontrails.org through Friday, Aug 4th until 5 pm No race day registration

9 AM Hoopin’n in the Harbor registration 3-on-3 Tournament – Wisconsin St.
9 AM-10 AM Oula Dance Class – Harbor Park, -Sponsored by YMCA
9:30 AM Hoopin’n in the Harbor 3-on-3 Tournament – Wisconsin St. 10 AM-1 PM Morning Kayak Tour – Stone Harbor, 22 E 1st St., $90 per person. Kayak around harbor area
10 AM-3 PM Cook County Market – E. Wisconsin St.
10 AM-5 PM Vendor and Craft Show – 1st Av W.
10 AM-5 PM Kiddy Rides open – Senior Center Parking Lot – 10 N Broadway
10 AM-5 PM Fun Games and Inflatables – Wisconsin St.
10 AM-6 PM Paint a Piece of Pottery by Grand Marais Pottery – Betsy Bowen Gallery, 301 1st Avenue West
11 AM Fishburger Stand opens – Harbor Park
11 AM- UNTIL FOUND “DQ Medallion Hunt”– rules and new clues daily at Dairy Queen, $100 prize to the first person to find it – sponsored by Dairy Queen
11AM-12:30 PM Roxann Berglund and Briand Morrison – Harbor Park Stage
NOON Bingo Tent opens –1st Ave. W & Hwy 61 – sponsored by The SONS
NOON Minnow Races – Beaver House – Corner of Broadway Ave and Wisconsin St., sign up at Lions info booth
1 PM Rock Skipping Contest (all ages) – Harbor Park, sign up at Lions info booth
1-2:30 PM Josh Schmidt – Harbor Park Stage
1-4 PM Bally Blacksmith Demonstrations – Bally’s Blacksmith Shop, corner of Broadway and 1st St. – sponsored by Historic Cook County
2-5 PM Afternoon Kayak Tour – Stone Harbor, 22 E 1st St., $90 per person. Kayak around harbor area
2:30 PM Citizen of the Year Award – Harbor Park Stage
2:30-5 PM Kids Tractor Pull (ages 4-11) – Wisconsin St. – sponsored by Mike’s Holiday Station Store and Bernick’s Pepsi
2:45-3 PM Cook County Extension Farm Family of the Year Award Presentation – Harbor Park Stage
3-6 PM The Splints– Harbor Park Stage (5 pm Rock painting contest announced)
5:30-6 PM Minnesota State Loon Calling Championship Finals – Harbor Park Stage
6:00 PM Cutest Puppy Contest – Harbor Park Stage, -sponsored by Lake County Veterinary Clinic – sign up at Lions info booth
7-9 PM Grand Marais Playhouse, “Shout! The Mod Musical”, The Arrowhead Center for the Arts – 51 West 5th Street, www. grandmaraisplayhouse.com
7-9 PM Street Dancev – Mysterious Ways – Harbor Park Stage
9:45 PM Fireworks over the Harbor – co-sponsored by Visit Cook County & Grand Marais Lions Club

SUNDAY, August 6, 2023

9:30 AM Waterfront Worship – Harbor Park Stage
10 AM-1 PM Morning Kayak Tour – Stone Harbor, 22 E 1st St., $90 per person. Kayak around harbor area
10 AM-6 PM Paint a Piece of Potteryv by Grand Marais Pottery – Betsy Bowen Gallery, 301 1st Avenue West
11 AM- UNTIL FOUND “DQ Medallion Hunt” – rules and new clues daily at Dairy Queen, $100 prize to the first person to find it – sponsored by Dairy Queen
11 AM Fishburger Stand opens – Harbor Park
11 AM-5 PM Vendor and Craft Show – 1st Ave W
11:45 AM Fish Contest Winners Announced – Harbor Park Stage
NOON Bingo Tent opens – 1st Ave. W & Hwy 61 – sponsored by The SONS
NOON-1 PM Adam Kirsh – Harbor Park
1 PM Fisherman’s Picnic Parade, Downtown Grand Marais, Route starts at Elementary School Park Lot, down Broadway Ave. Right on Wisconsin St. and ends at Hwy 61. Send email to gmlionsclub@gmail.com to register parade entries – sponsored by Marathon Gas Station
1:30-2 PM Briand Morrison – Harbor Park Stage
2-2:30 PM AAD Shrine Drum & Bugle Corps., Duluth – Harbor Park
2 PM-5 PM Kiddy Rides reopen – Senior Center Parking Lot – 10 N Broadway
2-5 PM Afternoon Kayak Tour – Stone Harbor, 22 E 1st St., $90 per person. Kayak around harbor area
2:30-3 PM Briand Morrison – Harbor Park Stage
3-5 PM TBD – Harbor Park stage
3-5 PM Grand Marais Playhouse, “Four Old Broads” – The Arrowhead Center for the Arts, 51 West 5th Street, www.grandmaraisplayhouse.com
3:30 PM Lion’s Fish Toss – Wisconsin St., sign up at Lions information booth
5 PM Grand Prize Drawing $10,000.00 – Lions Info Booth – corner of Wisconsin St. and 1st Ave W
6-7 PM Prize Winners Posted – Lions Info Booth – corner of Wisconsin St. and 1st Ave W. Prizes can be claimed at Info Booth on Sunday night. Starting at 10 am Monday morning prizes can be picked up at the Cook County News Herald – 1st Ave W

Images courtesy of Grand Marais Lion’s Club

About the Grand Marais Lion’s Club
The history of the Grand Marais Lion’s Club is a long and proud one. For over 100 years, we’ve served with uncommon kindness, putting the needs of our neighbors, our communities and our world first. We look back at our storied past with pride, but we know it’s only the beginning. Every day, we’re building on our legacy with the goal of making an even greater impact in the future with such events as our annual Grand Marais Fisherman’s Picnic.

Mark your calendar today so you don’t miss the next Grand Marais Fisherman’s Picnic in August in Downtown Grand Marais, Minnesota.

Tags: Grand Marais Fisherman’s Picnic, Fisherman’s Picnic, Grand Marais Annual Events, Grand Marais MN Annual Events