Art, Fishing & Community Come Together in New York Mills
12th Annual Fish House Festival Introduces NEW Outdoor Art Market
Main Avenue in downtown New York Mills will once again become a vibrant, pedestrian-only celebration of art, fishing, music, and community during the 12th Annual Fish House Festival on Friday, July 10, 2026.
Hosted by the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center in conjunction with Lund Mania festivities, this free, family-friendly event has become one of the area’s signature summer traditions, blending local art, Minnesota fishing heritage, live entertainment, hands-on activities, and small-town hospitality.
New this year is the Outdoor Art Market, featuring more than 25 artists, makers, authors, bakers, and craftspeople selling original handmade work along Main Avenue. Visitors can browse everything from paintings, ceramics, books, woodwork, and fiber arts to baked goods, jewelry, home décor, handmade fishing lures, and more while meeting the artists behind the work.
Festival activities run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Main Avenue and at the Cultural Center and include:
- Artists painting a custom-built fish house, decoys, and more throughout the day
- NEW Outdoor Art Market featuring 25+ local artists, makers, and bakers
- Free family activities including sidewalk chalk, bubbles, outdoor games, and youth art projects
- LUNDker Lake casting game for all ages
- Youth Decoy Painting at 1 p.m. ($5 per child, ages 10+, pre-registration required)
- Live music on the Library Patio featuring Crystal & The Compass (10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.) and The Barn Cats (1–3 p.m.)
- Gallery exhibit featuring the Lund Boats Historical Exhibit
- Food and beverages available for sale throughout the day
- Fish House Festival raffle ticket sales (until sold out)
The popular Fish House Festival Raffle returns with only 300 tickets available at $10 each. The drawing will be held at 6:30 p.m. in front of the Fire Hall on Centennial 84 Drive. Participants need not be present to win.
This year’s raffle features fourteen unique prizes, including the Grand Prize custom-built artist-painted fish house, local favorites like a half-day guided fishing trip with PT’s Guide Service, Lund gear, and John Peeters painted paddle, plus new surprises like a spear house rental from The Fish Guyd and gift certificates from local businesses.
Featured artists painting during the festival include Lindsay Kennedy, Aryn Lill, John Peeters, Nancy X. Valentine, Paul Sparks, and additional guest artists.
Following the conclusion of the Fish House Festival at 4 p.m., visitors are encouraged to continue the celebration with Lund Mania activities on Centennial 84 Drive, including food vendors and family activities, the Boatville Drag Races at 4:30, fishing tournament awards at 5:30, raffle drawing at 6:30, parade at 7:00, and a street dance to following featuring regional band Whiskey Business.
“This festival celebrates what makes our community unique,” said Betsy Roder, Executive Director of the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center. “The Fish House Festival brings together artists, anglers, families, musicians, local businesses, and visitors for a day that honors both our creative spirit and our rich fishing traditions. We’re especially excited to expand the experience this year with our new Outdoor Art Market, allowing even more artists and makers to share their work with the community, as well as our “Made in Mills: The Lund Legacy” historical gallery exhibit hosted in partnership with Lund Boats.”
The Fish House Festival is held rain or shine. Activities will move indoors if necessary; check kulcher.org for updates.
Special thanks to primary sponsor Lund Boats – New York Mills, East Otter Tail Darkhouse & Angling Association, the National Fish Decoy Association, Decoy Education, Rod Osvold, Vitality Living NYM, Hubbard Radio Wadena, raffle prize donors, volunteers, artists, musicians, vendors, and community partners who make the event possible.
This activity is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Lake Region Arts Council and the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
For more information, artist opportunities, or raffle tickets, call 218-385-3339, email [email protected], or visit kulcher.org.
About the Cultural Center
The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center is a rural hub for creativity, community vitality, and lifelong learning in the arts. The Center offers visitors intimate opportunities to encounter art and artists in its 80-seat concert listening room, visual art gallery in a historic building, gift shop featuring local artists, artist residency program, sculpture park, and a variety of opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Since its incorporation in 1990, the Cultural Center has been passionate about connecting people to artists and rich cultural experiences in rural Minnesota, celebrating the local and being a window to the world. For more information, call 218-385-3339, or visit www.kulcher.org.
