Float Fest 2026 Presented by Bolton & Menk
A Celebration of the River, From the River!
Grab your paddle and join us for Float Fest 2026, a celebration of the river from the river! Whether you’re kayaking the Mississippi on Paddle Share, bringing your own boat, or kicking back at Graco Park, the first ever Float Fest is your invitation to experience the river in motion and the joy of gathering at the river’s edge.
What’s happening at Float Fest? Festivities begin at launch points north of Graco Park in the morning. Once you arrive at Boom Island, stow your boat and walk over to Graco Park for the party that’s happening from 12pm to 4pm.
Not planning to paddle? That’s great, too! Join us at Graco Park for the Float Fest party with food trucks, live music, and community booths. See you there!
Float Fest is supported by a network of community organizations that help advance the Paddle Share mission year-round. Together, we’re creating more opportunities for people to experience and enjoy our waterways and make access to the river more equitable for all.
Float Fest is made possible through the collaboration and vision of:
- Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
- City of Brooklyn Park
- Mississippi Watershed Management Organization
- Mississippi Park Connection
- Three Rivers Park District
- National Park Service
The Sacred Water Shared Future campaign is powered by you! The heart of this centennial celebration is the incredible variety of events planned and hosted by our partners — community groups, nonprofits, businesses, schools, and individuals who feel a connection to the Mississippi River.
We do not host events ourselves; instead, we serve as a central hub for river-focused activities happening across the Twin Cities throughout 2026.