A Taste of Minnesota, the Twin Cities’ signature Fourth of July event dating back to 1983, was co-founded by friends Ron Maddox and Dick Broeker. They created the festival to provide fun, family-friendly activities for people who stay in the Twin Cities for the Fourth of July weekend . A Taste of Minnesota went on to regularly draw more than 200,000 people each year and become the largest free festival in Minnesota.
Ron Maddox managed the festival from 1983 through 2008. Ron’s wife Linda joined the team in 1996 and was integral to its operations through 2008. During this time, the Maddoxes and their team of seasoned pros operated a successful festival known for its comfort food, free concerts, and nightly fireworks.
A Taste of Minnesota changed ownership and management in 2009. That management group filed for bankruptcy in 2010, and the festival came to an end.
Ron, long the face and voice of A Taste of Minnesota, also passed away in 2010.
After several Fourth of July holidays without Taste, 10K Lakes Incorporated approached Linda about re-establishing the event. Following extensive due diligence efforts, they entered into an agreement with the City of Saint Paul to bring the festival back to Harriet Island in 2014. 10K Lakes Incorporated is the new owner of the festival, Linda is the general manager, and many of the original staff members have returned to restore the festival to the success it experienced in its first 26 years.
Ron Maddox managed the festival from 1983 through 2008. Ron’s wife Linda joined the team in 1996 and was integral to its operations through 2008. During this time, the Maddoxes and their team of seasoned pros operated a successful festival known for its comfort food, free concerts, and nightly fireworks.
A Taste of Minnesota changed ownership and management in 2009. That management group filed for bankruptcy in 2010, and the festival came to an end.
Ron, long the face and voice of A Taste of Minnesota, also passed away in 2010.
After several Fourth of July holidays without Taste, 10K Lakes Incorporated approached Linda about re-establishing the event. Following extensive due diligence efforts, they entered into an agreement with the City of Saint Paul to bring the festival back to Harriet Island in 2014. 10K Lakes Incorporated is the new owner of the festival, Linda is the general manager, and many of the original staff members have returned to restore the festival to the success it experienced in its first 26 years.