Burnsville Festival and Fire Muster

Burnsville Festival and Fire Muster is a free, four-day community festival highlighting the unique qualities of Burnsville to visitors and residents, which promotes the city as an excellent place for families and businesses.  The festival will provide a variety of activities for all ages by exploring the local and regional music and arts, history, culture and natural surroundings of Burnsville in an entertaining and educational atmosphere.

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.