About
Manitou Days
A summer festival with something for everyone!
A White Bear Lake tradition since 1967
In 1967 the White Bear Chamber of Commerce started Manitou Days, a tradition that has carried on for more than four decades. Since the beginning, the annual festival served to bring the community together.Events are planned in the downtown area as well as the White Bear Shopping Center, on the lake itself, at Memorial and Ramsey County Beaches, and the area schools.
Over the years the festival enthusiasm ebbed and flowed while sponsors and volunteers were difficult to find.
Manitou means spirit in the Dakota language
That is according to the White Bear Lake Area Historical Society. To learn more about the Legend of White Bear Lake, visit the City of White Bear Lake or the White Bear Area Historical Society.
A new spirit
In 2005 the Chamber chose to retain the Grande Parade activities but relinquish the events to a committee of volunteers. That group of volunteers returned the festivals to a ten day event in June, reviving past events like the Community Pool Party at the YMCA, an Art Fair at the White Bear Shopping Center, Tours of the Fillebrown House as well as adding a few new ones including Disc Golf tournament at Lakewood Hills Park and a Class A Sailing Regatta on the lake. The following year the Chamber decided to pass the parade to the committee of volunteers as well. In 2006 White Bear Events was formed to coordinate Manitou Days and other events throughout the seasons. That year events continued to expand, community members and local organizations responded enthusiastically.Explore
City of White Bear Lake
Downtown White Bear Lake Main Street Inc.
Explore White Bear
Marketfest
Press Publications
White Bear Lake Chamber of Commerce
White Bear Lake Library
White Bear Area Historical Society
We need your help!
We are always looking for volunteers who would like to help make this year’s Manitou Days the best yet! Let us know if you’re interested in joining our group.