Twin Cities’ signature Fourth of July event
A Taste of Minnesota, once the largest free festival in Minnesota, is returning to Saint Paul in 2014.
The event – which will be held July 3-6 at Harriet Island – will feature great Minnesota food, live music from popular national musicians and local headliners, and one of the best fireworks displays in the state.
The Maddox legacy
Ron Maddox managed each annual festival from 1983 through 2008.  Ron’s wife Linda joined the team in 1996 and was integral to the festival’s operations through 2008.
During this time, the Maddoxes operated a successful festival that catered to Minnesotans who stayed in the Twin Cities over the Fourth of July holiday.
A Taste of Minnesota changed ownership in 2009.  The 2009 and 2010 festivals were held under different management.  That management group filed for bankruptcy in 2010, and the festival came to an end.
Ron, the colorful co-founder of Taste, died in 2010.
Looking ahead
After several Fourth of July holidays without Taste, 10K Lakes Incorporated approached Linda Maddox about re-establishing the event.
10K Lakes Incorporated, the new owner of A Taste of Minnesota, is a group of longtime Twin Cities residents that invests in important community projects and events.
Linda Maddox is the general manager of the 2014 event.
The 2014 Taste team – comprised of many of its original staff members – intends to restore the festival using a similar format to what succeeded in its first 26 years.
The 2014 event has the full support of the City of Saint Paul, including its police force and parks and recreation departments.
A “Taste” of the facts
A Taste of Minnesota regularly drew more than 200,000 people each year.
Over the years, A Taste of Minnesota has brought in national acts such as Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band; Earth, Wind & Fire; REO Speedwagon, and the Charlie Daniels Band; and local acts like the Gear Daddies, GB Leighton, Soul Asylum, and the Jayhawks.