Two Harbors Heritage Days: Building Community and Inspiring Connection

I knew better than to cut it close. By the time I reached downtown Two Harbors on Saturday, the streets were full, the sidewalks were buzzing, and finding a parking spot felt like a small-town scaven­ger hunt. Heritage Days was in full swing, and the parade, one of the weekend’s main events, as Mayor Lew Conner would later point out, was about to begin.

A familiar face in past parades, the mayor had a scheduling conflict this year that nearly kept him away. Fortunately, he made it, this time as part of the crowd rather than the procession.

“I think it’s just lovely,” he said, looking out at the turnout. “It’s such an Americana town. To be able to be a part of all this, I just love it. It always makes me feel so good.”

Before the parade kicked off, he reflected not just on the excitement of the afternoon, but on what the whole weekend means for the com­munity.

“I think it’s inspiring,” he said. “For a small town, it builds com­munity. It also brings people in.”

Two Harbors Heritage Days has been celebrated for over 40 years and has grown into a beloved annu­al tradition.

Cheryl Sundstrom, who has chaired the Heritage Days Commit­tee since 2007, shared some histo­ry in a previous interview. “Before that, it was known as Sidewalk Days and Railroad Days,” she said. “So, it’s kind of been a tradition carrying on.”

Sundstrom has been a key fig­ure in keeping the event thriving for more than a decade. Heritage Days is held the first full Thursday through Sunday after the Fourth of July and features parades, live mu­sic, arts and crafts, class reunions, and plenty of food and goodies.

The event has grown steadily over the years, with musical acts becom­ing bigger and better each summer. This year, back by popular demand, the Bellamy Brothers headlined the Heritage Days Street Dance, draw­ing thousands up the shore. The Ricky Carl Band and Rafe Carlson kicked off the evening.

“There’s so much growth and mo­mentum that comes out of some­thing like this for the community,” Conner said.

The weekend began on Thursday with family-friendly fun. Kids en­joyed a Zoomobile visit and balloon twisting in Thomas Owens Park, while a Car Cruise set off from Waterview Shores. Meanwhile, the North Shore Scenic Railroad spon­sored games at the park, and the Two Harbors City Band closed out the evening with a performance at the Band Shell.

Friday featured ventriloquist Jer­emy Lepak and, later, the Two Har­bors Ukulele Group (THUGs) on the Heritage Days Stage. Before the street dance, the annual Lutefisk Toss between the Norskies and the Swedes took place, an event I sadly missed this year.

Saturday was packed with music and activities. The day began with a Car Show and a Pancake Break­fast at the Fire Hall. Throughout the day, sounds from Gina Lee, the Two Harbors City Band, Skarlett Woods, Ricky Carl, and Belle Modeen filled the air.

Before the parade, Conner men­tioned the Two Harbors Pride Event occurring later that afternoon. Held for the second year in Paul Van Hoven Park, the event featured a discussion panel, musical perfor­mances by LGBTQ artists, a fash­ion parade, and more.

“Just to be able to have that com­munity embraced by the residents of Two Harbors,” he said. “I like that a lot.”

Sunday’s festivities kept the cele­bration going with another pancake breakfast at the Fire Hall and a full breakfast at the Moose Lodge. A church service was held in Thomas Owens Park before Ethan Schoof and Greg Herriges performed on the Heritage Days Stage, closing out another memorable weekend.

It was worth the trek back to my vehicle after the parade, especial­ly with a bag full of kettle corn in hand. A perfect way to burn off some calories and savor some of the sites during the Two Harbors Heri­tage Day weekend.