Brooklyn Park Begins Early Planning for 2026 Celebrate Brooklyn Park: Tater Daze

City launches January public survey as it prepares for one of its longest-running community traditions

The City of Brooklyn Park has officially begun preparations for its 2026 Celebrate Brooklyn Park: Tater Daze Parade and Community Gathering, signaling the early start of planning for one of the city’s most enduring and widely attended civic traditions.

Although the festival itself will not take place until late spring, city officials launched a public engagement survey on January 19, 2026, inviting residents to help shape the entertainment and overall experience for the upcoming celebration. The outreach reflects Brooklyn Park’s ongoing emphasis on resident-driven programming and inclusive community engagement.

A summer tradition with deep local roots

First established in 1964, Tater Daze began as a celebration of Brooklyn Park’s once-thriving potato-farming economy. In its early decades, the festival leaned heavily into its agricultural identity, featuring lighthearted traditions such as “Tater Mash” dances and novelty costumes made from potato sacks.

As Brooklyn Park evolved into one of Minnesota’s most diverse cities, so too did its signature festival. In recent years, the city formally rebranded the event as Celebrate Brooklyn Park: Tater Daze, a name intended to honor its history while affirming that the celebration belongs to all residents, regardless of background or connection to the city’s farming past.

Confirmed 2026 schedule and locations

City event listings confirm that Tater Daze 2026 will again follow its familiar late-May format:

• Saturday, May 30, 2026

Tater Daze Parade

• Time: 10:00–11:00 a.m.
• Route: 101st Avenue – Regent Avenue – Oak Grove Parkway
• What to expect: School marching bands, community organizations, youth groups, and Brooklyn Park public safety vehicles, continuing the parade’s role as a visual showcase of civic life.

Community Gathering

• Time: 12:00–4:00 p.m.
• Location: Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center, 5600 85th Ave. N.
• Focus: Live entertainment, food, family activities, and community connections following the parade.

Resident input at the center of planning

The January 19 survey represents a key early step in shaping the 2026 festival. According to city materials, feedback is being collected in several core areas:

• Entertainment lineup: Live music, cultural performances, and stage programming that reflect Brooklyn Park’s diverse communities.
• Vendors and food: Input on food trucks, makers-market vendors, and local businesses, often coordinated with regional partners such as the Northwest Food Truck Festival.
• Activities and attractions: Popular family-friendly features, including inflatables, magicians, youth games, and interactive experiences.

City officials have framed the survey as a way to modernize the festival while preserving the elements residents value most.

Accessibility and inclusion remain priorities

Planning documents indicate that the 2026 celebration will continue Brooklyn Park’s accessibility-first approach, including:

• A Quiet Room / Sensory Station inside the Community Activity Center
• Sensory kits available for attendees
• Wheelchair-accessible facilities and pathways

These features have become standard components of recent Tater Daze celebrations, reflecting the city’s broader commitment to inclusive public events.

How residents and organizations can get involved

In addition to the public survey, the city is maintaining an interest list for performers, vendors, nonprofits, and community organizations interested in participating in the May 30 event. Those who sign up will receive notifications when official applications open later in the planning process.

For city leaders, the message is clear: while the potatoes may be symbolic, the heart of Tater Daze remains the people of Brooklyn Park. With planning now underway, resident voices are once again being invited to shape how the city celebrates itself in 2026.

MinneapoliMedia