Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
The Associated Press
St. Paul

Taste of Minnesota festival calls it quits

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Taste of Minnesota
The food-and-music festival has had a rocky last few years. It shut down after declaring bankruptcy but was revived in 2014, only to move from Harriet Island to Waconia due to flooding.
MPR file

The Taste of Minnesota festival is calling it quits.

Festival general manager Linda Maddox issued a statement Thursday announcing her retirement from the annual Fourth of July event.

The food-and-music festival was started by her late husband, Ron Maddox, in 1983. The couple managed it together from 1996 to 2008. The festival was sold to a management group and Ron Maddox died in 2010. The new management tried to bring in bigger acts and began charging an entry fee, which didn't sit well with fans accustomed to the free entry.

The Taste of Minnesota declared bankruptcy and shut down — until Linda Maddox and the event's founders revived it in 2014. That year, flooding forced the festival to move from Harriet Island to Waconia. It returned to Waconia in 2015.