6 Lake Minnetonka Events You Can Attend by Boat This September
Labor Day is just around the corner and traditionally it marks the unofficial end of summer for some areas in the country - kids are returning to school and family vacations are coming to an end. However this long-established belief doesn’t mean the boating season is over. Fortunately, in recent years we’ve discovered the month of September is perfect in so many ways. There's still plenty of opportunity for warm-weather cruises and beautiful sunny boating weekends through September and weather-willing even into October.
September 3rd Lafayette Labor Day Weekend Fireworks
Crystal Bay
The Lafayette Club Labor Day Fireworks are a spectacular show that can be viewed from a boat in the middle of Lake Minnetonka. This annual event is enjoyed by thousands each year! The firework show will go off just after dusk, shortly after 8pm
Sept 8th - 9th 47th Annual Real Runabout Rendezvous
Lord Fletcher's Old Lake Lodge
The 2023 Land-O-Lakes Antique and Classic Boat Club Rendezvous being held on September 8th & 9th, is the one boat show not to miss! The events are held at Lord Fletcher’s Old Lake Lodge on Lake Minnetonka on what are expected to be perfect early fall days. Admission is FREE, and public show hours are Saturday September 9th from 9am to 3pm .Friday’s cruise and lunch are always a highlight of the weekend and not to be missed! The day starts at 9:00 am with a captain’s meeting at Lord Fletcher’s docks. After a morning of cruising in our own boats, we will meet for lunch at Al & Alma’s.
Photo Credit - Land O Lakes Classic Boat Club
Sept 8th - 10th James J Hills Days
Wayzata Bay, Wayzata
James J. Hill Days is Lake Minnetonka’s favorite community tradition, as highlighted by its recent “Best Of” Lake Minnetonka award. For the last 47 years this annual festival has brought the community together to celebrate Wayzata, while enjoying food, fun & family festivities.
8th - Rails & Ales Craft Beer Festival, Carnival, Movie on the Lawn, & more
9th - Street market, dog races, carnival, fireworks & more
10th - Street market, carnival, parade, & more
Sept 8th & 9th Wayzata Beach Bash
Wayzata Beach, Wayzata
Beach Bash began in 2013 in coordination with Wayzata's James J. Hill Days. Beach Bash began in hopes of drawing more people and more excitement to an already fun event and city, as well as extending the festivities into the evening hours with a big party!
8th - Brad Paisley
9th - Cody Jinks
Photo Credit - Wayzata Beach Bash Website
Sept 15th - 17th Our Lady of The Lake Incredible Festival
Langdon Lake, Mound
The Incredible Festival is a yearly festival benefiting Our Lady of the Lake Parish community! Come for great food, silent auction, carnival rides & games, beer tent, bingo & more!
Sept 16th & 17th Excelsior Apple Days
Excelsior Bay
Excelsior Apple Days is a coveted lakeside festival celebrating community, art, locally produced food, and a good old-fashioned street dance. Since 1935, beloved fans of Apple Days have been enjoying a day full of events - craft booths, the Happy Apple Kids Corner, food vendors, history tour, Apple Pie contests, live entertainment - from local groups to well-known bands on the big stage, and the popular beer and wine garden located in the middle of it all!
16th - Street market, pie eating contest, live music, street dance, beer garden & more
17th -Street market
Sept 27 Back Channel Backtoberfest Party
Back Channel Brewing Co, Seton Channel
The 2nd annual Backtoberfest Party will take place on Saturday, 9/23, and it’ll be an all day affair featuring your favorite games from last year.
We’ll be hosting another bags tourney, stein holding competition, prizes for best dressed, food eating contest, and everyone’s new favorite game, KICK THE PICKLE!!!!
More details for Backtoberfest will continue to roll out as we get closer to the big day, but make sure to mark this special occasion on your calendar and start preparing for an awesome day. If you’re arriving by boat they have four transient slips, which will be about 500 feet away and on the East side of the channel. If you see any of the four green Back Channel flags flying high, that means that there is a spot open and you can anticipate entering a slip.
Photo Credit - Back Channel Brewery Facebook
Live Music at Lord Fletchers
Spring Park, West Arm
Since 1968 Lord Fletcher’s has been providing an exceptional lakeside dining experience for its guests. Their multi-venue, resort style setting offers something for everyone…and for every occasion! They often have live music and we have the list of scheduled bands for September
Sept 1 Ali & Joe
Sept 2 Chris Kelley
Sept 3 Hitchville
Sept 4 The Shalo Lee Band
There is so much to do and see on Lake Minnetonka, plus new events are popping up all the time. If you're looking to make the most out of the summer and want to arrive by boat to these events check out our selection of new and pre-owned boats. We have major discounts happening on new in-stock boats and would love to help you get into the boat of your dreams just in time to make it to these events!
We will keep this list updated, if you have an event we don't know about send us an email at marketing@wayzatamarine.com. We will also be posting another list for September later so keep an eye out on our socials.
Photo Credit - Land O Lakes Classic Boat Club