Minnetonka Summer Festival and Burwell House Ice Cream Social
Each June, the city of Minnetonka hosts the Minnetonka Summer Festival at the Minnetonka Civic Center and the Burwell House Ice Cream Social at the Charles H. Burwell House.
Summer Festival activities include an 8K race, two-mile fun run, and tot trot; a family golf tournament; softball tournament; musical entertainment; kids’ activities; food concessions; and fireworks. The Burwell Ice Cream Social includes tours of the historic Charles H. Burwell House, children’s activities, an antique market and art fair, and concessions.
Don’t miss this year’s 31st annual Summer Festival and Burwell House Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social, set for Saturday, June 28. Be sure to participate in perennial favorites like the 8K race, 2-mile fun run and tot trot, adult-child golf tournament, pancake breakfast, Burwell House tours, antique market, kids’ rides, police K9 demonstrations, open ice skating, and fireworks. Enjoy musical entertainment from the Teddy Bear Band and R-Factor, or try out your own singing ability on the karaoke stage!
Below is a complete schedule of events for the day. This schedule is subject to change. For weather information call 952.939.TELL (8355). This hotline will provide information about the status of live performances and the fireworks display in the event of inclement weather.
Race Events
- 7:30 a.m.
- 8K (5 Mile) Race: $15
- 8:45 a.m.
- Two-Mile Fun Run: $10
- 10 a.m.
- Tot Trot (ages 8 and under): FREE
Race day registration is available beginning at 6 a.m. Races begin and end in front of the Minnetonka Ice Arena on the Civic Center Campus. The 8K race is run on a certified course in a beautiful wooded area with rolling hills and is police patrolled. Two water stations are provided. Call 952.939.8203 to register by phone or register online for the 8K and two-mile run at Destination Recreation or www.active.com.
Family (Adult-Child)
Golf Tournament
8 a.m.
Tournament is held at the Glen Lake Golf and Practice Center in Minnetonka. Cost is $28 per team and includes a free meal at the festival. Teams will include one adult and one child (age 8-15) with an 8 a.m. tee-off. There will be special contests throughout the event. Space is limited. Call 952.939.8203 to register and refer to Course #13996.
Softball Tournament
This one-day men’s softball tournament will take place at Big Willow (Minnetonka) and Central (Hopkins) parks. The tournament is limited to 12 teams with each team guaranteed at least three games. Entry fees are $95 with awards presented to the top three teams. Call 952.939.8203 for a registration form.
Burwell House Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social
10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Please note, due to increased cost a shuttle bus to the Burwell House will not be provided this year. Please plan to park at the Minnetonka Community Church and walk to the Burwell House, or ride a bike, walk or canoe the creek to the Ice Cream Social! Limited handicap parking will be available at St. David’s Child Development and Family Services.
- Free self-guided house tours
- 10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
- Mini-parade
- 10:30 a.m.
- Everyone is invited to join this old-fashioned hometown parade, led by Minnetonka’s first fire engine. Meet at the old town hall (on the grounds of the Minnetonka Community Church) and proceed to the Burwell House. Decorate your bikes, wear costumes, make your own music—this is a great opportunity to reveal your creativity! All participants receive a treat.
- Musical entertainment
- 11 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
- Antique Market
- 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Browse through reminders of the past! No sales will be allowed before 10 a.m.
- Fine Arts Fair
- 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Browse and buy the work of 22 local artists, whose art includes pottery, sculpture, painting, glass, jewelry, photography, fiber arts and other mediums.
- Children’s Activities
- 11 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
- Food/ice cream available to purchase
- 11 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Civic Center
Community Center Activities
- 8–11 a.m.
- Pancake breakfast (sponsored by Minnetonka Senior Services)
- 4:30–7:30 p.m.
- Performances by the Music Association of Minnetonka
- 4:30 p.m.
- Choral Reflections & Symphony Chorus
- 5:30 p.m.
- Concert Choir & Chamber Choir
- 6:30 p.m.
- Minnetonka Symphony Orchestra
Ice Arena Activities
- 4:30 p.m.
- Lake Minnetonka Figure Skating Club Exhibition
- 5:30–7:30 p.m.
- Free ice skating and skate rental
Civic Center Grounds
- 4–10 p.m.
- Food & Fun: A variety of food and beverages available to purchase.
- Outdoor BBQ: >Hotdogs, hamburgers, chips & pop will be for sale.
- 4–5 p.m.
- Fire Department Open House
- 4–7 p.m.
- Minnetonka Police car and tracker display
- Free Pony Rides: Cowboys and cowgirls, come ride your favorite pony!
- 4–8 p.m.
- Petting Zoo: Come and pet your favorite farm animals
- Free wacky hairdos!
- 4–9 p.m.
- Recreation Services Tent: Face painting, games, kids’ arts & crafts.
- Inflatables: Bungy Trampoline, Adrenaline Rush, Titanic Adventure Slide, Kiddie Pillar
- Vertical climbing wall
- Race car track
- Football touchdown equalizer
- Water wars
- Train rides
- 4–7:30 p.m.
- Caricaturists: Have your likeness created by professional artists—free to kids of all ages!
- 5:30 & 7 p.m.
- Police K-9 demonstrations
- 8–10 p.m.
- Special sale of neon glo sticks and necklaces!
- 10 p.m.
- Fireworks! The grand finale—a spectacular finish to a great day!
Main Stage
- 4—5:45 p.m.
- Karaoke: Open to all ages
- 6—6:45 p.m.
- Teddy Bear Band: Kids will love the interactive entertainment of this award-winning band!
- 6:50—7 p.m.
- Announcement of the day’s contest winners by Mayor Jan Callison
- 7—10 p.m.
- Featured show: Back by popular demand, the R-Factor. Enjoy their remarkable voices and big band sound. The R-Factor has provided back up for Michael Bolton, Celine Dion, Huey Lewis, Donny Osmond and Smokey Robinson.
