Summer is a time to get outside and experience all the great things Fargo-Moorhead has to offer.
We love to stay active by running, walking, hiking, kayaking and biking. And there is nothing better than lounging by the water under a cloudless, sunny, blue sky.
We also have access to great concerts, fairs, food, sports and entertainment to keep our days and nights filled with memorable experiences.
Check out 13 fun things to do this summer.
1. Downtown street fair
The streets of downtown Fargo are filled with art, crafts and food for three days in July. Vendors from all over the country provide entertainment for more than 120,000 visitors during North Dakota’s largest outdoor event.
2. Red River Valley Fair
The fairfeatures food, carnival rides, concerts and agriculture exhibits during a six-day stretch in July. This year’s concerts include Kip Moore, Josh Turner, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Theory of a Dead Man.
3. Ribfest
Ribfest is an annual summer event held in the Fargodomeparking lot. It brings together barbeque, family fun and music. Award-winning food vendors come from Texas, Virginia, Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania and Indiana. This year’s concerts include Former Motley Crue singer Vince Neil, Sawyer Brown, Russell Dickerson, Firehouse and Kix.
4. Professional baseball
The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawksare an independent baseball team that plays on campus at Newman Outdoor Field. RedHawks games are a popular choice for Fargo residents who want to soak up the sun during summer.
5. Fargo AirSho
The world-famous Thunderbirds of the United States Air Force are the highlight of this late July event at Hector International Airportnear the NDSU campus in north Fargo. The Thunderbirds’ demonstration has thrilled fans for years with its precisely choreographed show.
6. Food truck festival
The Fargo Food Truck Festivalcomes to north Fargo’s North Dakota Horse Park in August. About 20 trucks bring a variety of cuisine, from barbeque to tacos to traditional Italian to pastry desserts.
7. Fargo Blues Festival
This festival at Newman Outdoor Fieldin late July brings in 12 bands for two days of blues music and food from more than 40 vendors. The lineup this year includes Grammy Award nominated Sonny Landreth and show-stopping guitarist Eric Gales.
8. Hiking, biking and running
Fargo is an active community that loves to get outdoors. There are opportunities to hike the trails, bike or enjoy a run at any number of local trails.
9. Other outdoor concerts
The 3,000-seat Bluestem Amphitheaterhosts several summer concerts in August and September near the banks of the Red River in Moorhead. Headliners this summer include former Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant, Incubus and comedy and music from Steve Martin and Martin Short.
10. Swimming and sun
Buffalo River State Park’s large swimming pondis a popular summer destination for people looking to soak up the sun. The park is located just 14 miles east of Moorhead.Public pools are available in Fargo and Moorhead.
11. Red River Market
Red River Marketruns from July through October. It hosts locally-sourced produce, baked goods, pantry items, hot food, beverages and art.
12. Outdoor activities at local parks
The metro area has 175 public parks, including hiking and biking trails, golf courses and athletic facilities, such as softball fields, tennis courts and disc golf courses. You can even rent equipment. Beautiful Lindenwood Park, for example, rents bikes and kayaks for an unforgettably fun experience.
13. WeFest
This annual concertevent near Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, brings in thousands of music fans for a handful of days in August. A large campground is the hub of activity for fans who want to fully experience the event. This year’s event features some of the biggest country acts in the world, including Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban, Jake Owen, Brooks and Dunn, Big and Rich, Billy Currington and LeAnn Rimes.
Photos courtesy of Visit Fargo-Moorhead