A Taste of Minnesota Will Return to Waconia in 2015
WACONIA, Minn. – A Taste of Minnesota announced today that the popular Fourth of July festival will return to the Carver County Fairgrounds in Waconia in 2015. The festival will be held July 2-5 and feature big-name concerts, Minnesota foods, and one of the best fireworks displays in the state.

“We received a very warm welcome in Waconia last year when we were in urgent need of a new home,” said Linda Maddox, general manager of A Taste of Minnesota. “After carefully evaluating Saint Paul and other venue options for 2015, we decided to return to Waconia.”

The festival had to find a new home after floodwaters overran Harriet Island last June, just a week before Taste was set to open in its long-time Saint Paul home. The Carver County Fairgrounds was selected as the new location for several reasons, including its close proximity to the Twin Cities, the layout of the grounds, and most of all the outpouring of support from the Waconia community.

“Waconia is not only a great place to live and work, but to have these kinds of events. We just hosted the largest vintage snowmobile show in the world, we’ve hosted windsurfing championships and the Governor’s Fishing Opener, and now A Taste of Minnesota has discovered what a welcoming place Waconia is,” said Mayor Jim Sanborn. “We’re excited to have them return in 2015 and hopefully into the future. I have heard great support from local businesses and from people who attended last year’s Taste.”

Maddox indicated that she will always appreciate the Saint Paul roots of A Taste of Minnesota, and that Waconia is an ideal place for Taste traditions to continue growing. She has worked and will continue to work closely with the City of Waconia, Carver County Fair board, and Waconia Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau on planning a safe, successful, and family-friendly festival.

“Our business community is thrilled to have A Taste of Minnesota back in Waconia! The music, food and fireworks were outstanding last year, so we look forward to this showcase event attracting visitors to our community again, whether it is for an easy getaway or an extended stay, ” said Kellie Sites, president of the Waconia Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau. “A Taste of Minnesota definitely has a positive impact on our local economy.”

A Taste of Minnesota will announce musical acts and other festival details this spring.