Dassel draws crowds at the end of summer
Minnesota’s largest chicken barbecue will be on Labor Day as part of the Red Rooster Day festival in Dassel.
Enjoy delicious chicken at the Red Rooster grounds at an event that started as a one-day festival, but evolved into a full weekend of activities.
The fun begins the first weekend in September on Friday evening with music and a square dance at the Mushroom Building in downtown Dassel.
Saturday’s events start at 8 a.m. at Breed’s Park with the seven-mile Red Rooster Bike Ride.
The Dassel Historical Society’s Universal Lab Museum offers programs, and the Robert Wilde Studio hosts an art show.
An old-fashioned, small town parade takes place at 3 p.m., with floats and visiting royalty from communities around Minnesota.
The highlight of the day, the queen coronation, takes place in the evening, followed by a street dance on Atlantic Avenue.
Sunday starts out with a worship service. The highlight of the afternoon is a Minn-E-Rod tractor pull.
The fine arts show continues at the Robert Wilde Studio.
An old-fashioned hymn sing takes place in the evening. Fireworks are set off at dusk at Spring Lake Park just north of Dassel. The Knights of Columbus serve brats, floats and popcorn.
Monday kicks off with the annual five-mile run and one mile run/walk. Other activities take place around the grounds and ball field throughout the day, such as a pedal tractor pull, a classic car show, concessions, craft show, quilt, art and historical displays continue though the day. The chicken dinner, though, is clearly the biggest drawing card of the day.
The annual citywide garage sales are also conducted during Labor Day weekend.
Red Rooster Days
Friday-Monday, Aug. 31-Sept. 3
What: Chicken grilled with a secret recipe that’s been guarded for years, classic cars, and many other events in Dassel.
Where, when: Labor Day weekend, every year throughout the town of Dassel.
