Aerial Lift Bridge, Enger Tower to be Lit Green on Race Weekend
(DULUTH, MINN.) – Grandma’s Marathon is turning 50 years old, and race organizers are adding even more to the usual planned festivities to enhance the celebration for its participants, volunteers, and community members.
One of the most anticipated additions is a drone show, sponsored by Visit Duluth, that will highlight the weekend-long music festival and celebration at Bayfront Festival Park.
300 drones will take to the night sky after the race is over on Saturday night, combining to captivate the audience with images central to the race and the community that supports it.
“It’s a monumental achievement for Grandma’s Marathon reaching 50 years, and that success truly belongs to the community as a whole more than any one individual or group of people,” Marketing & PR Director Zach Schneider said. “We hope everyone feels pride in what Grandma’s Marathon has become, and this is our way of inviting the community to come celebrate along with us on race weekend.”
In addition, Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert has announced the Aerial Lift Bridge and Enger Tower will both be lit green on race weekend, furthering the community-wide celebration of Grandma’s Marathon.
“Our race is a great example of the great things we can do if we do them together,” Schneider said. “For three days, the entire community is focused on one thing and pulling on the rope in the same direction. It’s truly amazing that this race exists in the size and scope it does, and that’s a shared success among thousands of people.”
The 50th annual Grandma’s Marathon weekend will also include several of the traditional ancillary events, with more details on each available below:
ESSENTIA HEALTH FITNESS EXPO
DECC – Pioneer Hall & Arena | FREE, Open to the Public
The Essentia Health Fitness Expo, now in its 30th year, will feature close to 100 vendors from around the region presenting the latest and best in running apparel, services, and technology in the running and athletic industries.
The fitness expo will be open from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 18 and from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 19, and a full list of participating vendors can be found HERE.
MICHELINA’S ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT SPAGHETTI DINNER
DECC – Lake Superior Ballroom
A tradition since the start of the race in 1977, the Michelina’s All-You-Can-Eat Spaghetti Dinner is back as part of this year’s race weekend.
More than 8,000 plates are typically served each year at this all-day event, which offers a perfect pre-race meal for participants, volunteers, spectators, and the community.
The all-day meal will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, June 19. Tickets will be available at the door and are $20 for adults, $10 for children ages 5-12, and free for children 4 & under.
WHIPPER SNAPPER RACES & YAF FESTIVAL FOR KIDS
Bayfront Festival Park | FREE, Open to the Public
Kids will again have an opportunity to participate in the Grandma’s Marathon weekend festivities, with the Festival for Kids and Whipper Snapper Races scheduled for Friday, June 19 at Bayfront Festival Park.
The festival will run from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., featuring several interactive and engaging activities for kids, including:
- Bounce House & Other Inflatables
- Climbing Wall
- Face Painting
- Balance Bikes
- Playfront Park
The Festival for Kids will be highlighted by the Whipper Snapper Races, which will run on a rolling basis from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The races will start with the youngest age division and move to the oldest.
Kicking off the Whipper Snapper Races for Kids will again be the famous mascot race that has become one of the most popular pieces to Grandma’s Marathon weekend. The races are free and open to all kids ages 14 and under.
Online registration is now open HERE for the Whipper Snapper Races, and on-site registration will begin at 2:00 p.m. on the day of the event.
ROCK THE BAYFRONT FESTIVAL
Bayfront Festival Park | FREE, Open to the Public
Live music returns to an iconic Duluth music venue for this year’s race weekend, with 10 regional and local acts – all based or connected to Minnesota – set to take the stage on Friday and Saturday at Bayfront Festival Park.
Admission to Bayfront Festival Park is free throughout the entire weekend, and the park and shows are open to all ages. Food and drinks will be available to purchase.
Friday, June 19
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – GB Leighton
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Hippo Campus
Saturday, June 20
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Boxcar
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Not Fade Away: A Tribute to the Grateful Dead
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – The Slamming Doors
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Charlie Parr
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. – Mid Dream
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – Emily Haavik & The 35s
8:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – The Music of Prince (featuring former members of The New Power Generation)
10:15 p.m. – Visit Duluth Drone Show
10:30 p.m. – 11:45 p.m. – Soul Asylum
GRANDMA’S MARATHON ART SHOW
Siiviis Gallery | FREE, Open to the Public
To help celebrate 50 years of Grandma’s Marathon, Siiviis Gallery is hosting a showcase of the original artwork that has helped create a visual legacy for this landmark annual event. The artwork on display will include this year’s poster, created by internationally awarded artist Kelly Schamberger.
The showcase combines a chance to see the largest number of past Grandma’s Marathon works in one place, as well as an opportunity to buy and own a piece of race history.
The art show will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 19 at Siiviis Gallery in Duluth.