Roots & Wings Festival Returns To Williston's Spring Lake, July 2026

If your kids have already started saying, “There’s nothing to do!” this summer, Williston has the perfect answer. A day filled with dinosaurs, birds, bugs, rocks, wildlife, ice cream, and plenty of outdoor adventure is coming to Spring Lake Park!

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Where Curiosity Takes Root at Spring Lake Nature Center

The second annual Roots & Wings Festival will take place Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Spring Lake Nature Center in Williston. The free, family-friendly event is designed to get kids and families outside while exploring the amazing natural world right here in western North Dakota.

The festival theme is simple: where curiosity takes root and imagination takes flight. Whether your child dreams of becoming a scientist, loves searching for bugs, enjoys learning about animals, or just wants to spend a summer day exploring, there will be something to catch their attention.

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Hands-On Discoveries Bring Science and Nature to Life

Throughout the day, visitors can check out interactive exhibits and hands-on experiences from organizations across North Dakota and the surrounding region. Kids can dive into discoveries involving fossils, wildlife, soils, pollinators, prairie ecosystems, and more.

Featured exhibitors and partners include organizations such as Pheasants Forever, Lewis and Clark State Park, United States Army Corps of Engineers, the Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center, Paul Broste Rock Museum, Adrian Azar Bird Scoping, and others still to be announced.

Along with learning opportunities, the festival will offer plenty of family fun. Kids can take part in scavenger hunts and discovery activities, visit outdoor education booths, and enjoy demonstrations that bring science and nature to life.

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Oh, And There Will Be Food Too!

And because exploring the outdoors works up an appetite, guests can grab a bite from a free-will donation BBQ sponsored and operated by the Williston Rural Fire Department. Plus, everyone can cool down with free Suzie Q’s Ice Cream!

The Roots & Wings Festival is a great reminder that adventure doesn’t always require a long road trip. Some of the best discoveries can happen right in our own backyard.

Families are encouraged to bring friends, lawn chairs, sunscreen, and a sense of adventure for a full day celebrating the wildlife, natural resources, and wide-open spaces that make western North Dakota special.

Admission is free thanks to the support of sponsors including Western Cooperative Credit Union, Williston Star Fund, Williston Parks and Recreation District, Nova Oilfield Services, C&D Water, Eagle Ridge Golf Course, and more.

So, if summer boredom starts creeping in, mark your calendar for July 11. The Roots & Wings Festival is ready to help kids discover something new, explore the outdoors, and maybe even find their next favorite hobby.

Feeding the Nation: A Look at North Dakota’s Most Valuable Crops

Farming is the backbone of America—98% of the nation’s 2 million farms are family-run, feeding an average of 166 people each year. Though agriculture makes up just 1% of the U.S. economy, it’s rich in tradition and diversity, with more African American, Hispanic, and Latino farmers than ever before. One in four are new to the field, and many have served in the military.

In 2022, U.S. farm exports hit a record $191 billion. According to Stacker, here’s how North Dakota’s top crops ranked by value—and why the Peace Garden State punches above its weight in feeding the world.

Gallery Credit: Scott Haugen