International Festival of Minnesota revives tradition of multicultural celebration



If you grew up in Minnesota or had kids in school in Minnesota, you may remember the Festival of Nations. Formerly organized by the International Institute of Minnesota, it ran nearly 90 years and was the Midwest’s oldest and longest-running annual multicultural celebration. In 2019, when the festival was last held, it drew 30,000 people to the RiverCentre in St. Paul.

Due to the pandemic and rising costs, the event came to an end. It’s now back this weekend with a new name, the International Festival of Minnesota, and a more modern feel.

“We're going to expand that definition of what makes us and who we are as cultures,” the festival’s executive director Steve Heckler told MPR News host Emily Bright. “We're in a different place, and we should be. We're moving forward.”

There are some traditions that will carry over from the former festival, including the passport. Attendees can get a festival passport and get them stamped at 27 different exhibits.

Overall, 67 nations and ethnic communities will be represented at the festival, which includes food, exhibits and performances.

The theme of the event this year is “Imagine IF… We All Belonged. One festival. Many cultures. A shared home.” Heckler said that after the surge of federal agents in the state, he hopes the festival will bring people together.

“The takeaway is that we become more familiar with our community, and I think in a positive way. And I think by doing so, we become a stronger community, not a weaker one,” he said.

More than 5,000 students from across Minnesota and three additional states will be attending the festival, primarily on Friday. Advance tickets are available until Thursday and are $21 for ages 15 and over and $10 for ages 8-14. Day-of tickets are available at the RiverCentre box office.

Metro Transit will be providing free bus and light rail rides for festival attendees.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation between Heckler and MPR News host Emily Bright.

Subscribe to the Minnesota Now podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.



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A Republican lawmaker charged in an alcohol-related driving offense won’t have to appear in court again until after the Legislature adjourns for the year.

A June 10 arraignment hearing is set for Rep. Elliott Engen, a Lino Lakes Republican who faces three misdemeanor charges following an arrest early Friday. He was stopped for speeding and other infractions in White Bear Lake; officers detected alcohol and he later tested well above the legal limit for driving, according to a citation.

Engen has apologized for a lapse in judgment; he promised to learn from his actions and “do better.” Aside from being a second-term legislator, he is also a candidate for state auditor.

A second lawmaker, GOP Rep. Walter Hudson, was in Engen’s truck at the time of the stop and an open bottle of alcohol was found in a rear seat. Hudson, a second-term legislator from Albertville, was in possession of a permitted handgun, which could cause him legal problems if he is determined to have been intoxicated.

Police officers wrote in their report that Hudson disclosed he had the gun as the truck was being searched. The report said police took the firearm for safekeeping and said he could pick it up at a later time, which Hudson agreed to.

“I regret the poor decisions that were made during this incident, and commend the White Bear Police Department for their professional response,” Hudson said in a written statement. “I’m grateful that no harm was done to ourselves and others.”

Two lawmakers stand and look around
Rep. Walter Hudson, R-Albertville, (center) and Rep. Bidal Duran, R-Bemidji, (right) join other Republican lawmakers gather in the House chambers Jan. 27, 2025.
Tim Evans for MPR News file

A third, unidentified passenger was in the truck as well, according to police. Hudson and that person were transferred to the police department until they could arrange rides.

The Minnesota lawmakers had been at the Capitol late into the evening Thursday as the House debated procedural motions on gun, immigration and social media legislation. The motions failed on 67-67 votes.

There is no indication yet that either Hudson nor Engen had been drinking on Capitol grounds, which would be a violation of a House rule against consumption of alcohol or drugs in spaces under that chamber’s control.

According to a White Bear Lake Police report, Engen initially said he had not been drinking when asked by the police officer who pulled him over — “nothing at all,” he is quoted as saying. He performed a field sobriety test, which the report says showed signs of impairment.

Engen gave a preliminary breath sample there, the report says, which estimated a 0.142 blood alcohol level. After he was taken by squad car to the police department “Engen spontaneously stated, ‘Sir, I had a drink three hours ago,’” the report says.

He told the Minnesota Star Tribune in an interview Monday that he had also consumed alcohol in the afternoon on Thursday as well.

Engen is charged with two impaired driving offenses and speeding. White Bear Lake police also said he was driving a vehicle with expired registration and an inoperable headlight.

Engen has not returned calls from MPR News. A court docket lists a “notice of appearance” on Tuesday.

He is being represented in the criminal case by Chris Madel, an Excelsior attorney who waged a brief Republican campaign for governor.



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