Community Events

Aitkin's World Famous Fishhouse Parade presented by Credits Unions of Minnesota!

2008 Grand Marshal-Surprise Guest !!!

The townsfolk gather each year, the day after Thanksgiving, to regale the coming of Minnesota's longest season– Winter! This annual ritual experience is punctuated by the remarkable parading of ice fishing houses loaded on trailers, in pick-up truck boxes, or other means of conveyance on their way to the 365 frozen lakes surrounding this rural Minnesota community.

The craziness begins the Friday after Thanksgiving in downtown Aitkin as Aitkin's World-Famous Fish House Parade hits the street at 1:00 p.m. on November 28, 2008. The parade was spawned from a keen sense of humor sharpened by dry Scandinavian wit and hardened by long Minnesota winters. Several other events happen before the parade so come early to get he best spot and see it all!

This is not just your typical parade, typically 5- to 8-thousand spectators come to witness this spectacle for themselves each year. Why so many? Well, these are not just ordinary ice fish houses. The ice fish houses paraded are decorated in wacky and outrageous manners, with the goal of each fisherman trying to be more extreme and humorous than than next. On they parade, right down the main street of Aitkin, ignoring rain, snow or unseasonable heat, driven like salmon feeling the urge to head upstream-- nothing will stop this ritual procession.

Don't miss the fun! Bring your camera, your appetite, and your sense of humor. There is also live music, food, craft sale, retail promotions, Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus, and much more going on the day of the parade. Come meet a special celebrity that will be our Grand Marshall-we don't know who it is yet, but we know they will have a great sense of humor!

Check out all of this year's World-Famous Fish House Parade activities on the official poster.