Williston's Chokecherry Festival is August 11-12

In 2006, sixth-graders in Williston wrote a compelling letter to North Dakota politicians urging them to declare the chokecherry the state fruit. Since 2007, Williston has celebrated the North Dakota Chokecherry Festival in honor of the letter, which served as the impetus for new law. With each passing year, the celebration has evolved into the enjoyable, family-friendly occasion it is now. Thousands of people and many young families attend each year.

This year's Chokecherry Festival is set for Friday, August 11, and Saturday, August 12 at Davidson Park. Come for live music, live entertainment, food, craft and product vendors, train rides, story time and so much more. There will be a Pit Spitting Contest, Ball Pit, and the Inflatable Jumper area too!

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Check out shows from the All-Star Stunt Dogs, professional electric violinist Austin Lightfoot from Las Vegas, Nevada, WeFlip jump rope entertainers and athletes from Orlando, Florida, and professional magician and mentalist Kent Axell from Las, Vegas, Nevada.

The ND Chokecherry Festival 5k/1 Mile Fun Run is back at its morning time this year! Start your Saturday out right with a friendly jog around the neighborhood.

or on the morning of the run at 7:45a at Aafedt Stadium. Event swag will be available to preregistered participants and while supplies last to walk-on registrants. Fun run begins at 8:00a. Parking is available at Raymond Center, the library, or in the neighborhood surrounding Davidson Park.

The 6th Annual Cornhole Tournament is Saturday. The tournament is split into three groups: a competitive division, an intermediate division, and a beginner/family/casual division for all ages. Each league will have prizes for top places.

Online registration will close August 10. After August 10, only walk-up registration will be available and it will be Cash Only for day-of registration.
You can register online at this link: https://www.visitwilliston.com/.../2023ChokecherryFestiv.../

Competitive League
Start Time: 10a
*limited amount of teams allowed

Early Online registration fee per team is $40
Day Of registrations per team is $60. Registration will begin at 9:30a at the tennis courts in Davidson Park.
Teams are guaranteed 2 games.
Depending on time, a blind draw round will be played (up to tournament officials' discretion).

1st: $1,000
2nd: $500
3rd: $250

Intermediate League for all Ages
Start Time: 10a

Early Online registration fee per team is $20
Day Of registration per team is $40. Registration will begin at 9:30a at the tennis courts in Davidson Park.
Teams are guaranteed 2 games

Prizes: to be determined!

Family League- Parent/Child or Child/Child (Atleast 1 or both participants must be under the age of 12. If both participants are under the age of 18 they must be accompanied by an adult.)
Start Time: 1p

Early Online registration fee per team is $20
Day Of registration per team is $40. Registration will begin at 12:30p at the tennis courts in Davidson Park.
Teams are guaranteed 2 games

Prizes: to be determined! We will update the page.

Other Rules:
There will only be 1 game played per set (no "best 2 out of 3 games")
Race to 21
Teams may register the day-of but only cash will be accepted. Day-of registration for Competitive and Intermediate begins at 9:30a and closes at 10a. Day of registration for Family/Youth begins at 12:30p and closes at 1p.

Teams will be required to have a free ACL account set up to play. Set up information can be found at iplaycornhole.com.

All teams must check-in at the tennis courts.

Official rules will be posted at the registration table for the duration of the tournaments. It is up to the participants to read the rules posted and play accordingly.

Please bring your own chairs and shade

Attention vendors! If you would like to be part of the North Dakota Chokecherry Festival please get in touch! You can apply online here:

https://www.visitwilliston.com/.../2023NDChokecherryFest.../

Chokecherry Festival 2023

Quiz: Do you know your state insect?

Stacker has used a variety of sources to compile a list of the official state insect(s) of each U.S. state, as well as their unique characteristics. Read on to see if you can guess which insect(s) represent your state.