About the Burnsville Festival
and Fire Muster
BURNSVILLE FESTIVAL AND FIRE MUSTER IS A FREE, FOUR-DAY DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTING THE UNIQUE QUALITIES OF BURNSVILLE TO AND RAISING FUNDS TO GIVE TO LOCAL NON-PROFITS.
THE FESTIVAL PROVIDES A VARIETY OF MULTICULTURAL ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES WITH LOCAL AND REGIONAL MUSIC AND ARTS, HISTORY AND CULTURE, ALONG WITH NATURAL RESOURCES, EDUCATION, AGRICULTURE, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND MUCH MORE ALL WHILE HAVING SOME FUN ALONG THE WAY! THE FESTIVAL IS FOR FAMILIES OF ALL AGES!
Our nearly 100 people who are 100% volunteer, partnering with the City of Burnsville, plan and execute the Cities largest and oldest Festival to raise money to give back to a long list of local area non-profits groups who help us put on the event!
in 2022 we donated to:
360 Communities –
The Youth Garage/Twin cities Catalyst Music
Burnsville Rotary Clubs
MN Fire Engine Club
Partners in Excellence
BV Nicollet Knights Chess Club
Scout Troop 471
Grace United Methodist Church
Burnsville Lions Club
Burnsville United Soccer Club
Burnsville Boys Lacrosse Club
Burnsville Boys Hockey Club
Burnsville Hockey Moms
Apple Valley Womens Hockey Club
Apple Valley Womens Softball Club
If your non-profit organization in Burnsville and surrounding area is interested in getting involved in the Burnsville Festival,
please contact the President & Board Chair- Dan Kealey- Burnsvilleparade@gmail.com
The History
Burnsville, MN’s community celebration officially began in 1980, evolving from a smaller neighborhood-based gathering. During the late 1970s, Burnsville resident and fire equipment collector Roger Jackson and some of his friends entertained children each summer by displaying his collection at what was known then as Diamond Head Mall, capping the day with a short parade of equipment down Nicollet Avenue.
In 1980, as the community considered the possibility of a citywide celebration, Jackson suggested to a group of interested residents and business people that perhaps a fire muster patterned after fire musters popular in New England might work. City officials liked the idea and the Burnsville Fire Muster & Community Celebration became an official city event.
A nonprofit corporation was formed to organize the celebration. Dedicated volunteers, augmented by nonprofit groups in town organized, promoted and staged the event. Business donations, button sales and income from concessions became vital funding sources and continue, largely, to this day.
Founding members of the 1980 Burnsville Fire Muster:
- Roger Jackson – President
- Glen McKee – VP of Community Activities
- Dan Hendrickson – VP of Fire Activities
- Kirk Detlefsen – Secretary/Treasurer
- Susan Flecker – Director
- Liz Manning – Director
- Dennis Pearson – Director
- Edward Carducci – Director
Fire equipment comes from throughout the Midwest, ranging from the horse-drawn hand pumpers (circa 1900) to the latest in firefighting machinery. In 2004, the Fire Muster’s Fire Truck Parade was cited in the Guinness Book of World Records for holding the longest fire truck parade in the world with over 120 fire trucks.
