The next time you drive south on Eden Prairie Road from Highway 5, passing the Ellie Apartments, Smith-Douglas-More House, across Highway 212 to the Eden Prairie Cemetery, and to Pioneer Trail, try to imagine what that short trip might have looked like in 1850.
On your left, there would be no Ellie Apartments or Smith-Douglas-More House. It wasn’t until 1877 that Sheldon Smith became one of the earliest settlers in Eden Prairie and built the red brick home near what was then the center of town, according to the Eden Prairie Historical Society.
Even the Eden Prairie Cemetery wasn’t established until 1864.
Eventually, settlers began moving in. Many of them worked the rich farmland, and Eden Prairie was born. That transition has continued over the decades, and Eden Prairie continues to become more diverse in its economy, schools and people.
When the Dakota and Ojibwe walked the prairies of central Minnesota in the 1800s, they couldn’t have imagined the diversity of people who would follow them in the coming century.
And that diversity led a group of people at Eden Prairie Schools, the city of Eden Prairie and many community members to create an annual event called PeopleFest!, which kicks off Sunday, July 28, and runs through Aug. 4.
PeopleFest!, held for the first time in 2018, is intended to bring residents together, said Molly Malone, Eden Prairie Schools’ community education director of adult and community engagement programs.
“We want to make everyone feel welcome and that their cultural identity is celebrated and highlighted and appreciated and create an opportunity for folks to learn about other people,” she said.
By bringing people together, they learn a little more about their community, Malone said. “(It builds) pride among residents that we are a really beautifully diverse community in a variety of ways.”
Since the pandemic, “I think people are just really hungry for a sense of community and where there’s a safe space for them to be seen and heard and celebrated and a safe space to learn.”
Eden Prairie schools are especially attuned to the diversity reflected in student enrollment.
In Eden Prairie Schools, 54% of students in the 2020-21 school year were white, according to data in the 2024 Minnesota Department of Education Minnesota Report Card. At the beginning of the 2023-24 school year, that share was 49.9% of the 8,963 students enrolled.
Increases were seen in the enrollment of Black or African American students (+1.5%), Asian (+2%), Hispanic/Latino (+1%) and two or more races (+1%). Another 1.6% identified themselves as American Indian.
Eighty-nine languages are spoken by Eden Prairie families, including more than 1,400 students who speak Somali or Spanish when at home, Malone said.
Statistics prove Eden Prairie is diverse, but it is its people who bring with them their rich cultural backgrounds, including food, music, art and more. And that’s why PeopleFest! organizers work hard to include as many cultures as possible, and the group is always looking for people interested in working to plan for next year, Malone said.
“Through treaties the U.S. government seized Ojibwe and Dakóta land in Minnesota. Specifically, (the) signing of the treaties of Traverse des Sioux and Mendota in 1851 opened land located to the west of Ȟaȟáwakpa/Wakpá Tháŋka (Mississippi River), allowing pioneers to settle in what is now Eden Prairie.
“We acknowledge this land has a complex and layered history, and pay respect to the elders who have stewarded the land throughout the generations and continue to do so. We offer this statement as a step toward healing and make a commitment to learn the history of the land Eden Prairie is built on, to recognize, support, collaborate with and advocate for Indigenous People, and to consider the convergence of legacies that bring us to where we are today.”
– Eden Prairie Land Acknowledgment Statement
The Eden Prairie Land Acknowledgement Statement is the first order of business at the opening night PeopleFest! Party, said Lori Brink, Eden Prairie’s recreation services manager.
The statement was developed by the city’s Human Rights and Diversity Commission, with input from indigenous peoples, Brink said. The City Council approved it in November 2020.
“It’s been a cornerstone of our festival since the beginning,” Brink said.
She emphasized the collaborative effort of the PeopleFest! event.
“The city is a partner in this event, but it’s really a community-based effort,” Brink said. “It’s a coming together of a number of organizations and agencies and community volunteers to put this kind of festival on. I think that’s what is special about this. It’s not just a city event. It’s not just a school district event. It’s really a community-based event.”
PeopleFest! Schedule of Events
Sunday, July 28 – The PeopleFest! Party
3-7 p.m., Staring Lake Park, 14800 Pioneer Trail (rain/weather backup location is Central Middle School, 8100 School Road). Free; no registration required.
The PeopleFest! Party is the celebration’s main event, kicking off a week of opportunities to explore some of the many cultures that make Eden Prairie a diverse community.
The PeopleFest! Party features live music and dance performances, food trucks, demonstrations and art experiences, as well as booths with a variety of cultural and educational organizations sharing their stories, activities and outreach. Though more organizations continue to be added to the program as the planning committee seeks to fill gaps in representation, a list of confirmed participants is below.
- Windy’s Dance Program (traditional Hmong dance)
- YallaDrum! Ensemble (New Arab American Theater Works)
- Taraangini School of Dance (Bharatanatyam dance)
- Lipa Carpatho-Rusyn Slovak Folk Dance
- Ha Family Entertainment (traditional Chinese lion dance)
- Mexico Azteca (Mexican folkloric dance)
- Makam Baklava (Turkish performer)
Monday, July 29 – Duniya Drum & Dance
7 p.m., Staring Lake Amphitheatre, 14800 Pioneer Trail. Free; no registration required.
For all outdoor events, it is suggested that you bring a lawn chair or blanket. Concessions are available for purchase (debit card/credit card only), or you can bring your own picnic and refreshments.
Tuesday, July 30 – Riffin’ Griffin
10:30-11:15 a.m., Staring Lake Amphitheatre. Free; no registration required.
Riffin’ Griffin brings family-oriented rock music. Even more powerful than their riffs are their story-driven songs that promote love and acceptance of people of all abilities.
Tuesday, July 30 – Sepak Takraw (Foot Volleyball 101)
6-7:30 p.m., Central Middle School’s West Gym. Free; registration required.
Join Kerr Cha of the USA National Sepak Takraw Team for an introduction to the sport of sepak takraw, native to Southeast Asia. This sport combines elements of soccer and volleyball. Played on a badminton-sized court, teams of three players use their feet, knees, chest, and head to hit a rattan ball over a net. Kerr will share some history of the sport and the rules of the game. The second part of the class will feature a skills demonstration.
Wednesday, July 31 – Asia Mall Tour
6-7 p.m., Asia Mall, 12160 Technology Drive. Free; pre-registration* required.
Join Tracy Tran, director of public relations at Asia Mall, for a tour of Eden Prairie’s Asia Mall. Explore its diverse shops and restaurants and learn about its impact on the community.
*Due to a limited number of spots, each participant needs to be registered. This informational tour is recommended for adults and teens 14 and older and may not be suitable for children. Attendees 13 and under must be accompanied by a registered adult.
This is a self-drive event.
Thursday, Aug. 1 – Dred I Dread
7-8:30 p.m., Staring Lake Amphitheatre. Free; no registration required.
Dred I Dread is a Minneapolis-based reggae band. The band features musicians from Jamaica, New Orleans, Minnesota, and Turkey. The diverse heritage of these band members echoes in the sound of Dred I Dread.
Concessions are available for purchase (debit card/credit card only), or bring your own picnic and refreshments.
Friday, Aug. 2 – Family Field Trip to the Science Museum of Minnesota
9:15 a.m.-1:45 p.m., Science Museum of Minnesota. Free; pre-registration required.
Visit the Science Museum and explore the “RACE: Are We So Different?” and “Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed” exhibits (among others). Free busing from Central Middle School and admission is available for Eden Prairie Schools’ families with students entering kindergarten through 12th grade, as well as for all Eden Prairie residents in celebration of PeopleFest! Space is limited to the first 100 people. All children must be accompanied by a registered adult.
Friday, Aug. 2 – Two Sundays performance and Disney’s “Princess and the Frog!“
7:30-10:30 p.m., Staring Lake Amphitheatre. Free; no registration required.
Two Sundays is a group of musicians ages 15 to 25 who share a love for traditional big-band jazz.
Following Two Sundays is an outdoor presentation of Disney’s “Princess and the Frog” (PG)
Sunday, Aug. 4 – The Story of Red Rock: Honoring the Sacred Sites of Eden Prairie & Beyond
4 p.m., Staring Lake Park building. Free; pre-registration requested.
Hear the story of how the Sacred Red Rock was reunited with the Dakota people. Documentarian Sheldon Peters Wolfchild (Dakota) and Kathie Case of the Eden Prairie Historical Society will share local history. Elder LeMoine LaPointe will speak to a better understanding of Native Americans today. Learn about the spiritual significance of the Red Rock, the Sioux’s sacred connection to land and the Dakota origin story. Interfaith Circle is partnering with Community Education and the City of Eden Prairie to offer this free event.
Teens 14 and older are welcome to enroll on their own. Youth under 14 are welcome but must be registered and attend with a participating adult. Free onsite programming is available for children whose caregivers are attending this presentation. Pre-registration is required. Enroll the adult/caregiver and indicate the name and age of children during the enrollment process.
Sunday, Aug. 4 – Salsa del Soul
6 p.m., Staring Lake Amphitheatre. Free; no registration required.
Salsa del Soul is a Twin Cities-based, nine-piece orchestra performing various styles of dance music from the Spanish-speaking regions of the Caribbean.
Concessions will be available.
Thursday, Aug. 1-Sunday, Aug. 4 – Lovely Story Stroll
Eden Prairie Library, 565 Prairie Center Drive, during library hours. The Reading Garden on the west side of the library. Free; no registration required.
Participate on your own time. Stop by the Reading Garden at the Eden Prairie Library anytime during library hours for the Lovely Story Stroll, featuring the book by Jess Hong. Each page is displayed on a different sign throughout the garden. Walk through and follow this story that explores a world of differences.
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