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Lakeville to revive Activities and Sports Festival Feb. 21, 2026 at Kenwood Trail
Summary
District staff proposed reintroducing the Activities and Sports Festival in February 2026 to reconnect families with school and community programs; organizers estimate costs at $7,000–$10,000 and plan vendor criteria that favor nonprofits and youth-focused groups.
Steve Porter, the district’s director of community education, told the Lakeville Area School Board on Aug. 12 that the district plans to reintroduce its Activities and Sports Festival on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at Kenwood Trail Middle School.
Porter said the festival — last run annually from 2018 through February 2020 and paused during the pandemic years — brings district programs and community groups together for interactive, family-oriented activities. “It wasn't a typical expo with people sitting behind tables handing out brochures. Every single one of those areas had something that was engaging, interactive for a wide variety of age groups,” Porter said.
The nut of the proposal: the festival is intended to increase community connectedness and program visibility for families who may not otherwise learn about district activities. Porter said organizers will prioritize accessibility — including interpreter services and a mother’s room — and try to target historically underrepresented families. He said the event is free and designed to be highly interactive and family friendly.
Board members asked how vendors will be selected and whether for-profit groups could participate. Porter said selection criteria will focus on local, nonprofit groups oriented to activities, sports, or youth educational opportunities. “We do have people that are, like, for-profit businesses that approach us or want to be a part of it. And for them, we have sponsorship opportunities, but not necessarily participating as what we call vendors,” Porter said.
Cost and staffing: Porter recalled that the district’s total expense for the festival in 2020 was about $7,000 and said this year’s estimate is closer to $10,000, depending on contracts and internal support. He said some offset would come from vendor fees and sponsorships and that community education would absorb festival costs within its approved budget. “There is a cost to that. I’ve been working with director Holmgren as well to kind of look at those costs and how do we, minimize those as well,” Porter said.
Board members praised the event’s accessibility features and student engagement elements. Director Anderson said the festival had been effective in connecting families with special education and other supports: “It was one of the best events I found that our district did, positive interaction with family.” Director Thompson pushed back on whether the district, rather than the city or chamber, should be the primary sponsor of an event that includes outside clubs; Porter replied that many participants historically have been district programs, advisory councils, Lakeville Park and Rec and similar nonprofit partners.
Organizers hope to reserve Kenwood Trail Middle School as the site for Feb. 21, 2026, and to begin advertising and accepting applications from community groups later this year.
Ending: Porter said he is ready to lead the event and will return to the board for questions and updates as planning proceeds.
