July 4th celebrations draw crowds to Tofte, other parts of the county
Jul 07, 2025 10:58AM ● By Content Editor
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - July 7, 2025
Community members and visitors from all over the state gathered in Tofte, MN, and other portions of the county for July 4th celebrations.
In Tofte, MN, the day kicked off with a pancake breakfast in Schroeder, a fundraiser for the Schroeder Fire Department, while runners and walkers alike participated in the Tofte Trek, hosted by the Sugarbush Trail Association. The race consisted of a 10k run, 10k walk, and a kid-friendly 1-mile run. Top three race winners are listed below by category and race.
10k run men's race results:
- 1st place: Finn Duncan, Evergreen, CO - 42:34.7
- 2nd place: Manny Runsloe, Duluth, MN - 42:45.7
- 3rd place: Leif Lindstrom, Grand Marais, MN - 44:27.1
10k run women's race results:
- 1st place: Sydney Patterson, Duluth, MN - 48:01.7
- 2nd place: Melissa Drown, Minneapolis, MN - 53:12.1
- 3rd place: Ezme Mundell, Lutsen, MN - 53:46.5
10k walk men's race results:
- 1st place: Andrew Prokop, St. Paul, MN - 1:22:40
- 2nd place: Bear Hagen, Austin, TX - 1:28:44
- 3rd place: Will Loew-Blosser, Grand Marais, MN - 1:30:30
- 1st place: Ellen Andersen, Duluth, MN - 1:18:35
- 2nd place: Libby Hlavka, Minneapolis, MN - 1:27:38
- 3rd place: Sara Silence, Grand Marais, MN - 1:38:30
1-mile run boys' race results:
- 1st place: Tate Halver, Chaska, MN - 5:20
- 2nd place: Esa Huggins-Watson, Grand Marais, MN - 5:32
- 3rd place: Nikhil Pydipati, Plymouth, MN - 6:07
1-mile run girls' race results:
- 1st place: Ella Cahill, Minneapolis, MN - 5:18
- 2nd place: Amelia Halver, Chaska, MN - 6:09
- 3rd place: Beatrice Mundell, Lutsen, MN - 6:17
To see the full list of race results, click here.
Around 11 a.m., Tofte Park began to fill with attendees looking to listen to live music, enjoy food from vendors, beer from the beer garden, and shop among crafters and other makers. Kids could enjoy bouncing in bounce houses and digging for coins in the dirt pile. Before long, people started claiming spots along Tofte Park Road for the parade.
Across the county, other activities took place, including a Gunflint Trail paddle parade from White Pine Lodge to Poplar Haus and back, a boat parade on Devil's Track Lake, and a fishing derby and music festival in Grand Portage.
Later that evening, those throughout the county could choose to watch fireworks in Tofte, Grand Marais, or Grand Portage.
A Tofte firetruck and American flag greet attendees as they enter Tofte Park.
Shoppers walk amongst local artists, crafters, and food vendors.
Hundreds of people gathered to listen to live music, enjoy good food, and beverages before the parade.
Kids test their luck digging through a pile of dirt, hoping to find coins.
Hungry attendees wait in line for food from local vendors.
The day began cool and cloudy, but just as the parade started, the sun emerged to warm the large crowd.
Tofte First Responders
North Shore Winery
Zoar Lutheran Church
The Heritage at Superior National Homeowners Association
The Tofte Citizen of the Year was announced directly after the parade, according to event organizers.
The "Shriners" were a crowd favorite.
Arrowhead Cooperative
Grand Marais State Bank
The US Forest Service and Smokey the Bear
Tofte Circle K/Holiday
Bluefin Bay had a northern "Minecraft" themed float.
Bluefin Bay had a northern "Minecraft" themed float.
Later in the evening, people gathered in Tofte, Grand Marais, and Grand Portage to watch fireworks.
The Hjordis sails through Grand Marais Harbor before the fireworks show.
