Since 1888, lake-area residents have enjoyed some sort of Fourth of July celebration in the Excelsior Commons area, says Laura Hotvet, executive director of the Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Chamber of Commerce.
Kicking off this year’s festivities is the Firecracker Run. There are 1-mile (7:30 a.m. start), 5K (7:40 a.m. start) and 10K (7:50 a.m. start) options, and all routes begin at Excelsior Elementary and end at the Commons park.
At 9 a.m., check out the popular sand sculpture contest at the beach, followed by the Water Street kids’ parade and popsicle social at 11 a.m. With a DJ, free popsicles, a petting zoo and dancing, “it’s like a big kids’ party,” says Hotvet.
At 4 p.m., hear live music from the Commons’ band shell until the grand finale at 10 p.m. “We’ll have the best fireworks show on Lake Minnetonka,” says Hotvet.
Fourth of July in Excelsior
Firecracker run $13-$45; other activities free.
Excelsior Commons
In the event of severe weather, the fireworks show will be held on July 5 at 10 p.m. All other events are rain or shine.
