On May 17, Belwin will host its annual Bison Festival, celebrating the release of the 2025 NorthStar Bison herd onto the Bison Prairie. This beloved event includes food trucks, live music, eco-art, a 5K “Run with the Bison” Fun Run and more.
New this year: To help streamline your entry into the festival, tickets can be purchased in advance. Tickets are available on a sliding scale of $10, $20, or $35 per car and can be purchased at belwin.org/bisonfest.
The bison release has been a cornerstone of Belwin’s prairie restoration work since 2008, when NorthStar Bison partnered with Belwin to return bison to their native habitat. Each spring, hundreds of visitors from across the Twin Cities and eastern Wisconsin gather to witness their release on Belwin’s 130-acre Bison Prairie.
In addition to the release, the Bison Festival offers engaging, family-friendly activities and educational experiences:
Before the release of the Bison onto the prairie there will be a ceremonial welcome by the Imnizaska Dakota Drum Group, honoring the return of the bison to the land.
Visitors can also participate in eco-art activities led by artists Madeline Cochran, Owen Donohue, and Gordon M. Coons.
Local food vendors include Youniverse Foodie, Twin Cities Pita, and Trickster Tacos.
For those eager to hit the trail, the 5K “Run with the Bison” Fun Run will take place in the morning, allowing participants a rare opportunity to run on the Bison Prairie before the herd is released. Check-in is at 9 a.m., and the run begins at 10 a.m.