Bemidji Jaycees

10/05/2026

The Bemidji Jaycees recently donated $1,500.00 to Bemidji Pioneer Volunteer Fire Department with proceeds from fundraising events during the Bemidji Jaycees 82nd Annual Water Carnival!

Pictured front row, from left: Bemidji Jaycee, Emily Elliot; Bemidji Pioneer Volunteer Fire Department representative, Tyler Johnson and Bemidji Jaycees Chapter President, Larissa Donovan.
Back row, from left: Bemidji Jaycees, David May, Chris Washington and Andrew Sundquist and Bemidji Jaycees Water Carnival Co-Chairman, Missy Malone.

09/23/2026

The Bemidji Jaycees recently donated $500.00 to the Fishing Has No Boundaries Paul Bunyan Chapter with proceeds from fundraising events during the Bemidji Jaycees 82nd Annual Water Carnival!

Pictured front row, from left: Bemidji Jaycee, Chris Washington; Fishing Has No Boundaries representatives, Susie Balstad and Vance Balstad; Bemidji Jaycees Chapter President, Larissa Donovan and Bemidji Jaycee, Emily Elliott.
Back row, from left: Bemidji Jaycee, David May and Bemidji Jaycees Water Carnival Co-Chairman, Missy Malone.

09/18/2026

The Bemidji State University Game Day Experience is Saturday, September 26th!

Stop by for fun family activities and to check out some great local organizations and businesses!

09/17/2026

Thank you Union Station Thrift for your support and donation to the Water Carnival Entertainment Tent Replacement Project Fund!

We had the honor to present a check to the Bemidji Jaycees for our August partnership! They plan to use all this money to help purchase a new entertainment tent. Theirs was destroyed by winds right before the water carnival this past summer. Thank you to all the Jaycees for the hard work they put in every year to host this event for our community, and thank you to NW MN Foundations for helping them with the funding!

09/16/2026

The Bemidji Jaycees recently held elections for their 2027 Board of Directors. Congratulations to the new Board of Directors!

From left, front row: 2nd Vice President, Alyssa Dervie; President, Larissa Donovan and Director, Emily Elliott.
Back row: Director, Justin Goose; Treasurer, Chris Washington; Secretary, Nick Kelzer and Director, Shane Baardson. Not pictured, Immediate Past President, Missy Malone.

09/09/2026

We are thankful for everyone who has donated to help us replace the Water Carnival Entertainment Tent!

We are getting closer to our goal and ask that you consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Bemidji Jaycees Tent Project Fund at Northwest Minnesota Foundation’s secure donor website at https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/donor-form/?svcid=renxt&formId=f38735f2-ea9b-4add-81a8-4a4ebf082676&envid=p-t5KFTyTSF0e1f8RnczuuQw&zone=usa

08/28/2026

****FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE****

Bemidji Jaycees, Northwest Minnesota Foundation partner on fund to replace Water Carnival Entertainment Tent

BEMIDJI — The Bemidji Jaycees are pleased to announce their partnership with the Northwest Minnesota Foundation for a project fund to replace a significant part of a generational tradition.

The Jaycees lost their Water Carnival Entertainment Tent when an unexpected low-wake wind swept across the Lake Bemidji Waterfront on June 29, 2026, three days before the 82nd Annual Water Carnival was slated to begin.

With the support of the amazing Bemidji community, a rental tent was set up in time for America 250 events over the Fourth of July. But as we look to the future, the Jaycees are seeking a replacement tent to keep the Water Carnival tradition going.

After insurance and the generous contributions collected so far, the Jaycees are within reach of ordering a new and improved tent in January 2027 to ensure delivery before the 83rd Annual Water Carnival.

Please help us reach our goal by making a tax-deductible donation to the Bemidji Jaycees Tent Project Fund at Northwest Minnesota Foundation’s secure donor website at https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/donor-form/?svcid=renxt&formId=f38735f2-ea9b-4add-81a8-4a4ebf082676&envid=p-t5KFTyTSF0e1f8RnczuuQw&zone=usa

About the Bemidji Jaycees: The Bemidji Jaycees have been developing leaders in our community since its founding in 1937. The Jaycees today are a group of active citizens between the ages of 18 and 40. Projects include the Bemidji Jaycees Annual Water Carnival, the BRRRmidji Plunge, BRRRmidji Days, Bemidji State University’s CAD Events, and the Beltrami County Fair.

About the Northwest Minnesota Foundation: The Northwest Minnesota Foundation invests resources, facilitates collaboration and promotes philanthropy to make the region a better place to live and work.

08/19/2026

The Bemidji Jaycees recently awarded Audrey Thayer for City Council the People's Choice Float for the Bemidji Jaycees 82nd Annual Water Carnival Grand Parade!