Goodridge Freedom Festival fun

The Goodridge Veterans Memorial Park is the place to be on Saturday, July 28th. The 2nd Annual Freedom Festival will be held, along with the 40th anniversary of the Goodridge Historical Society. With numerous vendors set up, featured artists on display and free entertainment under the band shell all day, the day is sure to be another success. Last year’s festival was such a hit that another started getting planned and arranged shortly thereafter. With the help of a grant and local sponsors, the hard work of many has resulted in a day-long event filled with music, art and activities for all ages.

Band Shell Schedule

10:30-10:45am: Mickelson Family Band

Goodridge Freedom Festival kicks off at 10:30am with an opening by Emcee, Eric Mickelson. To follow is music by the Mickelson Family Band!

10:45-11am: Music by Alec Kiesow 

Alec Kiesow, from Goodridge, will be managing the sound equipment again this year and will also sing a few songs.

11am-12pm: Music by Kristi Goldade

Known as the “Yodeling Cowgirl,” Kristi Goldade is from Hankinson, ND. She is a singer/songwriter whose passion is country music.

12-12:30pm: Red, White & Blue Quilter’s Presentation

This year, four veterans will be honored at the Goodridge Freedom Festival and presented with quilts made by the Red, White & Blue Quilters out of Thief River Falls. The veterans are David Vraa, Bernie Wilson, Dennis Kainz and James Hutchinson.

12:30-1pm: Music by The Jensen Sisters

These sisters from Goodridge are a heartfelt duo with a passion for classic country and rock.

1pm: Parade

1:30-3pm: Music by Kent Dudley & Bended Knee

Kent Dudley & Bended Knee are from Bemidji, MN. Their music is rooted in inspirational country style.

3-4pm: Music by Kristi Goldade

The Dakota Prairie Yodeler will take the stage once again!

4-4:30pm: Music by Jordynn Johnsrud

Local talent Jordynn Johnsrud, Goodridge, is a singer/songwriter who performs a variety of music including classic and modern country, pop and rock.

5-11pm: Music by Jeff Loven

Jeff Loven was such a hit at last year’s Freedom Festival that he’s been asked to come back! Known as “Minnesota’s #1 One Man Band,” Jeff is an amazing guitarist and singer who interacts with the crowd, which makes for a great show. You won’t want to miss it!

8pm: Live Auction

A Live Auction with Walter Jones, Auctioneer, gives you a chance at the following: Klondike Carvings Handcrafted Feather, Klondike Carvings Handcrafted Fish, 2 wood chiseled American Flags by Elk River Woods, 3 Engraved Firearms (12 Gauge Over Under Hatfield Bronze Edition, 22 Magnum Bolt Action Marlin, 308 Savage Axis XT Weaver Scope), Marine Ultra Quantum Roller Cooler 52 qt. with cup & rod holder. 

10:30pm: Memorial Sky Lantern Send-Off 

Light a lantern for a loved one while Jeff Loven sings a memorial tribute song. Memorial lanterns are a beautiful way to pay tribute to the loss of a loved one. Memorial sky lanterns will be released at the end of the Goodridge Freedom Festival. Cost of the lanterns are $5.00. To purchase in advance, contact Berny Vraa or Trudy Hyland. Lanterns can also be purchased the day of the festival.

Featured Artists

Not only are there some great musicians lined up for the festival, there’s also going to be a number of impressive artists set up during the day. Check out some of them below.

Talented artist, Al Moline, of Floodwood, MN, is a pen and ink artist. His talents lie in drawing and shading with ballpoint pen, and his subjects of choice are wildlife and pets

Artist Al Belleveau, from Puposky, MN, uses rocks and metal in sculptural form to depict humorous life forms, unique functional furniture and art structures.

Jennifer Patterson is from Alvarado, MN. She is a Polymer Clay artist and makes intricate designs that resemble quilt blocks, which she designs her “Quilted in Clay” jewelry.

Husband and wife, Les and Kathy Sanders, own Sanders Studio in Bemidji, MN. Kathy will do live demos with her torch to make glass beads from glass rods. She also does gourd art and will be displaying and selling her gourds and glass items. Les is a wood carver and will be bringing his creations, which include wooden flutes.

Caricaturist Trevour, of Exaggerated Entertainment, is from Moorhead, MN. He will be back again this year to draw his caricatures that everyone so much enjoyed!

Face painter, Kathy Bauck, of “The Painters Den,” is from New York Mills, MN. She is a three-dimensional artist who specializes in custom work and wants to be a step above the rest in everything she does. She does face painting, body painting and more! She paints on feathers, saw blades and just about anything. Her artwork can be seen on her Facebook page called The Painters Den.

Featured Authors

There can’t be one without the other! Of course, the Freedom Festival has a few local authors lined up for the day.

Don Houseman is from Tenstrike, MN. He is an author and illustrator of children’s books with his latest book called “How Should I Eat A Pickle.” He is also an acrylic painter and woodcut artist who specializes in painting barns.

Jill and Deane Johnson, authors of “Little Minnesota in WWII” and “Little Minnesota 100 Towns Around 100,” will host a book signing and talk about their best-selling Little Minnesota books at the Freedom Festival on Saturday, July 28th. “Little Minnesota in WWII” honors the brave men from the smallest rural towns in Minnesota.

Minnesota author, Lyn Miller Lacoursiere, will be back at the Freedom Festival this year. Lyn will host a signing and debut her latest book titled “Times Like This.” She has written eleven novels and nearly all deal with murder, money, romance and mystery. 

Vendors in the Park 

Many, many vendors are scheduled to set up in the park on Saturday, July 28th, from 10am-4pm. There is sure to be something for everyone. The line-up includes:

Hruby’s Rustics 

Talented Karen Hruby will be at the Freedom Festival with her distressed vintage finds, and salvaged & whitewashed wood designs. Karen also does custom work. Make sure to check out her handiwork. 

S.S. Bait Co

The Stennes Sisters, Erica and Shanna, will have a wide variety of their beautiful handcrafted lures for sale. The amazing craftsmanship of their lures work as well as they look.

Wheat & Beans

Allison Kangas is the creator of Drift North MN & ND clothing and sign maker. 

Creekside Country Crafts

This craft vendor sells candles, melts, wreaths and more!

Outdoor tables & benches

Taylor Santl will sell her outdoor furniture; she also does custom orders. Dave Vogel of Dave’s Little Box Wood Shop will be selling his handcrafted high end wood items.

Bellefy’s Local Bubbles

Kelly Bellefy will sell homemade goat milk soap, lotion, lip balm, bath bombs and more. 

Granny D

Diane Monsrud will be selling her jelly, salsa, pickles, lefse, pies and bread.

Other vendors:

Rogue Soprano Studio by Amber Meier, Wood crafted replica tractors/trucks by Duane Kotrba, WLB Crafts by Bernadine Reed, Paintings & Jewelry by Julie Elick, Lisa’s Creations by Lisa Peterson, Perfectly Posh by Deb Holcomb, Color Street by Pam Rubischko, Keep Collective by Heidi Garry, Paparazzi by Amber Murry, Piphany by Cori Bregier, Total Betty by Rebecca Isaak, Tupperware & Hemp Products by Tamra Olson, SeneGence/Lip Sense by Joyce Speer, Young Living Essential Oils/Diffuser Bracelets by Tammy Drangstveit, Scentsy by Tanya Kotrba, Magnolia & Vine by Ellie Olson, Pink Zebra by Brittany Larson, Valentus & Wildtree by Tamra Olson and Real Time Pain Relief by Vern Lorenson.

Food Vendors

And if you get hungry? Hit up the following food vendors!

Kate’s Kitchen 

Kate Broten will be serving her mouth-watering premium wood smoked meats & sides at the Freedom Festival!

Baker Street Sales

Ladora and Steve Dahlen will be at the Freedom Festival serving their delicious menu of burgers, brats, fresh cut fries, cheese curds, marinated pork sandwiches, and Red Lake walleye bites. 

Wallace’s Kettle Corn

The makers of delicious, hand-popped kettle corn have many flavors to choose from; they will also be serving slushies!

The Goodridge Café will also be on site serving food. A beer garden will be provided by the Goodridge Municipal Liquor Store and will be set up at the event. 

Activities for kids

As if all of the above wasn’t enough!? There will also be lots of fun activities for the kids, which include bouncy houses and the Bemidji National Guard Rock Climbing Wall! The Thief River Falls Archery Club will also provide an inflatable archery target for the kids from 12-4pm. Balloon Twister, Jeffery Salveson, is also back by popular demand.

What a fun time! Come out to the 2nd Annual Goodridge Freedom Festival on Saturday, July 28th! The day’s festivities start at 10am with free admission. It’s definitely going to be an event you won’t want to miss out on. 

Sponsors of Freedom Festival

This event is funded in part by a grant from the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council and the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008. Other local sponsors include Goodridge Area Development, Salo Signs & More, Goodridge Lion Tamers, Prairie Planting Plus, Hruby Road Service.