After a year off, the Kabetogama Lady Slipper Festival, celebrating Minnesota’s state flower, will return July 9-10 to the Kabetogama Community Hall.

The festival will feature handcrafted goods, food, music, presentations, and fun for kids. It will be staged to celebrate one of the area’s known as the gateway to Voyageurs National Park.

Organizer Jill Kiner said folks attending this year’s event will notice something new on the schedule — a 5K fun run.

“We’re looking forward to introducing the run and seeing what kind of response we get,” Kiner said.

The fun run is scheduled for 9 a.m. July 9 with registration at 8 a.m.

An outdoor juried arts and crafts show will be in place throughout the festival and goods offered for sale include: wool products, pet toys and beds, jewelry, wood designs and signs, knit goods, wind spins, wildlife photography, paintings, prints, greeting cards and frames, willow canes, walking sticks, soaps and oils,  native bead work, needle art, weaving, quilting, log furniture and cabin decor, knives, maple syrup, and more.

The festival will play host to daily music and entertainment. On July 9, The Flyers will offer music from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.; Casey will perform from 1 to 4 p.m.; and Sela Oveson will perform in the evening.

On July 10, Cowboy Angel Blue will perform from noon to 3 p.m.

Both days will have activities for kids including pony rides, hair painting, tattoos, face painting, minnow races and more. Food vendors will also be on site daily.

On July 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Big Boys Toys Show will feature classic cars, boats, motors and motorcycles.

“I don’t want to give too much away, but this show will be pretty exciting,” Kiner said.

Kiner also encourages crowds to attend a performance by “Custer,” the trick cattle dog from Big Falls. Custer has performed at the festival before, but Kiner says this year will be his last. Custer takes the stage at 11 a.m. July 10.

“This is a really unique festival and is just so much fun,” Kiner said. “There is something for everyone. We hope everyone will come out to Kabetogama, see the wildflowers and have a good time. Stay the weekend.”