Traveler’s Guide to the 40th Anniversary of Buffalo Bill Days in Lanesboro, Minnesota
July 26, 2024
The 40th Annual Buffalo Bill Days takes place in Lanesboro, MN from August 1-4!
Welcome to the milestone 40th anniversary of Buffalo Bill Days in Lanesboro, Minnesota, where the spirit of the Wild West meets the charm of an inviting historic community. As you explore our vibrant town nestled amidst the picturesque bluffs of southeastern Minnesota, you'll discover a celebration that not only honors the legacy of Buffalo Bill Cody, but also reflects the resilience and revitalization of Lanesboro itself. Here's your guide to experiencing this landmark event and its significance in the context of Lanesboro's storied past.
This festival is steeped in the history and heritage of the American West.
The connection between Buffalo Bill Cody and Lanesboro is deep; he used to love coming here to meet up with his old army buddy Doc Powell and it was, as the tales tell it, when those two were a smidge to far in their cups when the legendary showman reportedly performed the first-ever dress rehearsal of his world-famous Wild West show.
Our three-story history museum is as good a place as any to start your Lanesboro journey.
The exhibits at the Lanesboro History Museum that highlight Buffalo Bill's ties to the town and his role in shaping the mythology of the Wild West are just the start of Lanesboro’s long history. From the original vision as a resort town, complete with a 5 star hotel, and Whalan’s tobacco farms, to the height of the rail days, all the way to today, where Buffalo Bill is adopted full force by a community that supports innovative ideas, fun activities, and putting on one heck of a show. Lanesboro and Whalan have amazing stories to tell and many of them can be found at the History Museum.
History is important and we take our history quite seriously in Lanesboro, but do not forget: Buffalo Bill Days is a great party!
Sylvan Park is packed with vendors of all sorts, selling goods and hand-made crafts as well as food, glorious food. And for the competitive folks in the family there are all kinds of opportunities to test your metal. We’ve got a 2-person best shot golf tournament going on all weekend long. There's co-ed beach volleyball right next to the center of it all-the Brat and Beverage Tent. There’s a men's slow-pitch softball tournament, a 5k/1 mile fun run and family activities, like a movie in the park, bouncy houses and water wars. Food vendors, in truck and stand form, populate the park amidst live music all day long in the Sylvan Park Gazebo. And don't forget to make your way to downtown Lanesboro to stroll along Main Street to view our historic buildings and visit all the great shops and restaurants.
There’s a lot going on any given weekend in Lanesboro but that is especially true over Buffalo Bill Days weekend
And a lot of what happens, in one way or another, goes back to the community. The Brat and Beverage tent is staffed with a variety of booster clubs, local organizations and a percentage of sales while they staff it go to said organization. In addition, the street dance on Friday night is a fundraiser for our volunteer firefighters. So be sure to attend, the Blueringers put on an amazing show, rocking out all your favorite hits, and with sober cabs provided by Bluffscape Amish Tours’ Jeff Sanders. And the fact that the drink tickets go to the volunteer firefighters as well means it’s OK, charitable even, to let loose and dance the night away!
And for folks on a budget, there’s also a free concert Saturday night at the Brat and Beverage tent, and this year it’s Clay Fulton and the Lost Forty. Clay Fulton is a Rochester based singer-songwriter who always puts on a great show when he’s in town. With the full Lost Forty rocking out the free dance it’s sure to be a great time! And they’ll be playing Sunday afternoon at the High Court Pub, playing a regular set, so be sure to check them out!
40 years of Buffalo Bill Days is a testament to the resilience, creativity, and camaraderie of this town, and the folks who call it home.
And in fact you’ll find, Buffalo Bill Days can be a bit of a homecoming, with old friends and new, old neighbors and young ones who’ve gone off to the world, come home. But it’s also a great weekend for folks who love to visit, and for folks who have never visited before. There’s nothing like experiencing the festivities firsthand, from lively parades and live music performances to family-friendly activities, you just gotta come see it for yourself.
The legacy of Buffalo Bill Cody and the Wild West, these spirits live on in the heart of Lanesboro and continue to inspire future generations.
As we mark this milestone anniversary, let us come together to honor the past, celebrate the present, and embrace the promise of the future, party on, and be excellent to each other.
Come join us for a historic celebration at the 40th Anniversary of Buffalo Bill Days in Lanesboro, Minnesota.
Experience the magic of this beloved festival and discover the timeless beauty of a town where the spirit of the Wild West meets the warmth of Midwestern hospitality. We look forward to welcoming you to our vibrant community and sharing in the joy of this special occasion!
See you at the 40th annual Buffalo Bill Days!
For a full list of events and vendors check out our Buffalo Bill Days event page here.