2026 Prairie Harvest Fest
Celebrate Four Days of Fall Fun at the 2026 Prairie Harvest Fest
One fall weekend. Four days of hometown traditions, family activities, local flavor and plenty of reasons to explore Morris.
Prairie Harvest Fest returns Sept. 25–28, 2026, with events happening across Morris. The biggest celebration unfolds Saturday at the Stevens County Fairgrounds, where visitors can shop, play, eat, catch live entertainment, watch the parade and stay for a demo derby and fireworks.
Friday’s homecoming game gets the weekend started, Sunday brings swimming, a pancake feed, a free movie and glow runs, and Monday closes the celebration with a community meal.
A Celebration of Morris
Prairie Harvest Fest 2026
Dates: Friday, Sept. 25–Monday, Sept. 28, 2026
Main festival location: Stevens County Fairgrounds, 177 County Road 22, Morris, MN
Saturday admission: Activities at the fairgrounds are free unless otherwise noted
Parking: Free on-site parking at the fairgrounds
Kick Off the Weekend Friday Night
Prairie Harvest Fest begins under the lights at Big Cat Stadium. Cheer on the home team during the Morris Area High School Homecoming Game at 7 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for kids and free for children in first grade and younger.
Make Saturday Your Main Festival Day
Saturday is packed from morning through dusk. Start with youth sports, browse local vendors, turn the kids loose on free activities, enjoy live entertainment and food, then finish with some of the festival’s biggest traditions.
Start With Sports, Shopping and Young Entrepreneurs
Saturday starts early with registration for Junior Sportsman Day at 8 a.m. at the 9F Sportsman’s Club. The event begins at 9 a.m. and costs $25, with free admission for children ages 5 and younger.
From 9 a.m. to noon, teams take the court at Morris Elementary for the Shoot Out on the Prairie 3v3 Basketball Tournament. Team registration is $100, or $125 after Sept. 15.
Prefer to shop? The free Craft & Vendor Show fills the Lee Community Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bloom & Thorn Botanicals will also host a succulent bar and sell pumpkins during those hours. From 10 a.m. to noon, the free Kids Mini Market lets young entrepreneurs show off their ideas.
Give the Kids Plenty to Explore
Saturday’s schedule is loaded with hands-on fun, and most activities are free. Families can choose from bounce houses, carnival games, a corn pit, gem panning, face painting, slime, a mystery activity, rock climbing, a Ninja course and more.
Morning Family Activities
Car Seat Clinic, 10 a.m.–noon; mystery activity at the One Room Schoolhouse, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.; Girl Scouts rock climbing and gem mining, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; bounce houses and Hosanna Church carnival games, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Afternoon Family Activities
Rock climbing, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.; face painting, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.; Ninja course, noon–4 p.m.; balloon twisting and slime, 1–4 p.m.; 4-H archery, pumpkin crafts, Kids Pedal Pull, Bazooka Ball, laser tag and axe throwing at various times.
Catch Food, Music and Local Talent
Come hungry. Food vendors will serve festival favorites at the fairgrounds from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Free mini lemonades will also be available near the corn pit from 1 to 4 p.m. while supplies last.
The Free Stage hosts the Talent Show from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., while local cover band Weak Lynx makes its debut on the SCMC Stage from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Apple Fest / A Time for Play adds another free stop at the Stevens County Historical Society & Museum from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Admire the Cars, Then Watch Them Crash
The free 10th Annual Car & Bike Show, sponsored by Heartland Motor Company, fills the fairgrounds with classic cars, motorcycles and custom rides from noon to 3:30 p.m.
At 4 p.m., the Grand Parade travels from the fairgrounds through Atlantic Avenue. The action then returns to the fairgrounds at 5 p.m. for Touch-A-Truck and the free Chaos Motorsports Demo Derby.
At dusk, fireworks light up the night at the fairgrounds. Glow Ball also begins at dusk at Pomme de Terre Golf Course.
Keep the Celebration Going Sunday
- Free Swim: 7 a.m.–4 p.m. at Hudson Inn. A freewill donation is welcome, and the pool is limited to 25 swimmers at a time.
- Pancake Feed: 8–11 a.m. at the Morris Fire Hall. Check the official schedule for current admission details.
- Free Movie: Noon at Morris Theatre. The movie title is still to be announced.
- Glow Run Kids 1K Fun Run: 7 p.m. at UMN Morris. Registration is required.
- Cougar Homecoming Glow Run 5K Run & Walk: 7:30 p.m. at UMN Morris. Registration is required.
Gather for Monday’s Community Meal
Prairie Harvest Fest wraps up Monday with a free Morris Community Meal from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at First Lutheran Church. The meal is also a volunteer opportunity for anyone who wants to help serve the community.
What to Know Before You Go
- Dates: Friday, Sept. 25–Monday, Sept. 28, 2026
- Locations: Events take place at the Stevens County Fairgrounds and several locations throughout Morris. Check each event before heading out.
- Admission: Many events are free, but the homecoming game, Junior Sportsman Day, basketball tournament and some vendor activities have fees.
- Parking: Free parking is available at the Stevens County Fairgrounds.
- Weather: The festival takes place rain or shine, with covered areas available. Severe weather may affect the schedule.
- Food and drinks: Food vendors and concessions will be available Saturday. Outside food and beverages are not permitted at the fairgrounds.
- Pets: Please leave pets at home. Service animals are welcome.
- Schedule: Times and details may change. Review the official schedule before attending.
Make a Weekend of It in Morris
With events stretching from Friday night through Monday evening, Prairie Harvest Fest offers plenty of ways to build your own fall weekend. Choose a few favorites or join the celebration day after day.
Leave a little room in your plans to explore Morris, grab a bite and enjoy the prairie landscape while you’re here.
Plan Your Prairie Harvest Fest Visit