Raspberry FestivalHistory of the Hopkins Raspberry Festival
The Hopkins Raspberry Festival began during the depression as a way to boost
business in Hopkins. Art Plankers, a pioneer Hopkins food merchant is credited
with suggestion of "raspberries" for the theme. About 75 Hopkins businessmen
and farmers were organized and July 21, 1934 was chosen as the day to hold
the festival, to coincide with the peak of the raspberry -picking season.
The Raspberry Festival has grown over the many years from a 1 day picnic to a
9 -day long community celebration with events for all ages that draw thousands of
people into Hopkins each summer.
Mission of the Hopkins Raspberry Festival
The Hopkins Raspberry Festival volunteers and Raspberry Royal Family
dedicate their time and resources to continue the tradition as set forth by our
predecessors. The festival continues to bring area residents, the surrounding
communities, and people from around the state of Minnesota to Hopkins to help
boost the local economy and celebrate the tradition of the Hopkins. The Hopkins
Raspberry festival is made possible by our volunteer's dedication, local area
• businesses donating their time and services, and financial contributions.
Hopkins Raspberry Festival Royal Family
Each year citizens who work or live in Hopkins have the opportunity to participate
in the festival and can choose to run as Raspberry Festival Royalty. This tradition
began with the first Raspberry Festival with the crowning of a Raspberry Queen,
who was a daughter of a raspberry farmer. We now have a nine member Royal
Family that includes three young ladies, ages 17-25, four children, ages 6-9, and
two senior ambassadors who are over age 55. The Royal Family travels to other
area city celebrations representing the city of Hopkins as ambassadors and
encourages them to attend the city of Hopkins festival.
Join us for the 78th Annual Hopkins Raspberry Festival
The festival will mark its 78th year in July, 2012. The festival events include: a
grande day parade, craft fair, royalty coronations, sporting events, and live music
and entertainment. The Raspberry Festival has become a Twin Cities institution
and while the raspberry fields are long gone, the community of Hopkins
continues to celebrate its heritage, what it has become and optimism for the
future.