This year marks the 38th annual Osseo Lions Roar Festival (September 5 and 6) in downtown Osseo! This is an all ages, family friendly event put on by the local Osseo Lions Club to celebrate the City of Osseo held each year during the first weekend after Labor Day. The Osseo Lions have been active in the community for over 70 years, and take great pride in serving the community in which they live and work. The Lions Roar Festival is a time to bring the community together, let your hair down, and have some good old fashioned fun!
The event takes place in downtown Osseo, located in 3rd Street NW. Event set-up begins next week as crews block off the west end of 3rd Street NW starting on Friday, September 5 to prepare for the festival. Crews will also begin setting up the carnival area (located in the Premier Bank parking lots) on Friday afternoon. Business access will be available until 12:00 Noon on Friday and the street will be closed to all traffic through Saturday, September 6.
The festival kicks off on Friday afternoon at 4:00 PM and into the evening, as the Papa Nut Band takes to the music stage from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM. The music stage will be located at the intersection of 3rd Street NW and 1st Avenue NW. The Lions Club will also host the annual food tent. The menu includes all the local favorites: grilled pork chops, hot dogs, Polish sausage, roast beef sandwiches and huge turkey legs. Coke products and bottled water will be served by Boy Scouts Local Troop 211.
The ever-popular Beer Garden (located in 3rd Street NW) will feature strong beer and wine (including Budweiser, Michelob Golden Light, Lime-A-Rite and Straw-Ber-Rita, Barcardi Silver Raz, a selection of wines, and non-alcoholic Sprecher Root Beer). Of course, you must be 21 years of age to drink, and all beer/liquor vendors will card each patron.
The Lions Roar community parade, considered the highlight of the Lions Roar Festival, will begin at 12:00 Noon on Saturday. The parade features over 100 groups from local and area businesses, Osseo city leaders, marching bands, and much more. The parade route follows the same route each year, starting at the intersection of 5th Ave SE and 2nd Street SE. The route travels north along 5th Ave SE to 1st Street NE, where it turns west and travels along 1st Street NE. When the route reaches Central Ave, it turns north and travels through downtown Osseo, before turning west again at 6th Street NW. The parade ends at the OsseoSenior High School parking lot. There will also be a free ice cream social following the parade in the OHS parking lot, from 3:00-4:00 PM, compliments of the Osseo Lions Club and Kemps Ice Cream. New this year, the Classic Car Show (following the parade) will be showing vintage and classic cars on Central Ave until 6:00 PM. Be sure to check out some of the great and beautiful classics from years past!
The party continues Saturday afternoon and into the evening, as two more musical acts take center stage. The Scott Koffman Band will play at the music stage from 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM, followed by the Urban Myth Band from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
As always, the kid-friendly carnival with rides, games, and concessions will be located in the Premier Bank parking lot (located just north of 3rd Street NW). This year event organizers have expended the carnival to include new rides and attractions!
In addition to those great events, the Lions Roar Festival will host a wide range of new activities this year. This year the Festival includes a Kids Corral featuring a petting zoo, hair and face painting, character appearances and much more! Craft stations will be available and a fun cake walk event (provided by the Osseo Church of the Nazarene) will be on hand. The Kids Corral will be open from 2:00-4:30 PM on Saturday located in the Osseo Church of the Nazarene parking lot right behind the food tent. The Festival also features a Medallion Hunt, presented by the Osseo/Maple Grove Press. Check out the Press newspaper for clues to find the Medallion and win the cash prize! (Update: The Medallion has been found!)
Additionally, the following events will take place during the 2014 Lions Roar Festival:
Bingo under the Premier Bank Drive Thru, Saturday 3:00-7:00 PM, Presented by the Osseo Band Boosters.
Art in the Park and Sidewalk Sale, Friday 12:00 Noon-5:00 PM & Saturday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Located at Boerboom Park and along Central Ave, Presented by the Osseo Business Association.
Book Sale at Osseo/Hennepin County Library, located at the Hennepin County Library in Osseo City Hall, Friday 12:00 Noon – 4:00 PM & Saturday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Presented by the Friends of the Osseo Library.
Lions Roar 5K Run/Walk, Saturday 11:00 AM start, Presented by the OSH Boys and Girls Cross Country Teams.
The Lions Roar weekend is always a festive and fun event showcasing the City of Osseo. Lions Roar helps build community involvement and makes Osseo a fantastic place to live, work or shop. Hope to see you at this year’s 38th Annual Osseo Lions Roar Festival!
Riley Grams, City Planner, City of Osseo
