100 Year Schedule of Events
Aug 27 - Back to School Drive | Murzyn Hall | 3 to 7 pm
The Columbia Heights Police Department, in partnership with local organizations, is hosting a school supply distribution & supply drive on Thu, Aug 27, at Murzyn Hall. The event is scheduled for 3 to 7 pm, rain or shine.
Participating organizations will be giving away backpacks filled with school supplies, housing assistance resources, informational handouts, and free pizza courtesy of T-Rock Pizza. Attendees are encouraged to drive-up, but walk-ups are also welcome. Please wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines.
Sept 12 - Bike Fix-it Clinic | Columbia Heights Public Library | 11 am to 1 pm
Join volunteer bike hobbyists for a Bike Fix-It Clinic at the library’s bike fix-it station! Drop-in anytime between 11:00 and 1:00 for help with tune-ups, tire repair, changing tires, adjusting brakes and derailleurs, and any bike maintenance questions. Free. No registration required. Please wear a mask and maintain a six-foot social distance.
Sept 18 - Movie Night at McKenna | McKenna Park | Movie starts at 7:30 pm
Bring your family and a blanket to McKenna Park on Fri, Sept. 18, at 6:30 pm (movie starts at 7:30) for a showing of Abominable! Seating is limited due to COVID precautions. FREE! Pre-registration is required, please indicate # of family members attending. Check the City’s Facebook page @columbiaheightsmn or website columbiaheightsmn.gov for updates and further details. Register online www.chreconline.org Activity #1802-F20 to secure a physically distanced family space.
Sept 26 - Family Discovery: Native Pride Dancers | Huset Park East | 10:30 to 11:15 am
The Library and Rec Department have teamed up to offer socially-distanced outdoor performances in the parks. Pack your picnic blanket or folding chair and join us as we discover together at Huset Park East (3965 Jefferson St). This month we are excited to present a performance by Native Pride Dancers that will include storytelling, drumming, and dance.
Oct 21 - Bootstrap Book Online Discussion | Zoom | 6:30 pm
In honor of Columbia Heights' 100th anniversary! Please join us for a book discussion of the locally published book “Columbia Heights: Bootstrap Town,” by Irene Parsons. The book was published in 1986 by the City of Columbia Heights and the Chamber of Commerce. Bootstrap Town is available to read online at no cost at www.heights100.com, or for checkout at the library. You will need an Internet-enabled device or computer to participate via Zoom Meetings. Register online or call the library.
Oct 24 - Adopt A Highway Cleanup - 9 am and Paper Shredding - 10 am to noon | Murzyn Hall
The Columbia Heights Lions Club is hosting an Adopt A Highway Cleanup and Paper Shredding event. To help with the highway cleanup please contact Adopt a Highway Coordinator Nick Novitsky. The paper shredding is free and is done on-site. SACA will also be collecting donations at the event.
Oct 28 to Nov 3 - Bakken Museum Virtual Programming Week | Online
In honor of the Columbia Heights centennial, the Columbia Heights Public Library is partnering with the Bakken Museum for a week of virtual programming, Oct 28 to Nov 3. The Bakken Museum was founded by, Columbia Heights resident and Medtronic co-founder, Earl Bakken. Legend has it Mr. Bakken drew his inspiration from seeing Frankenstein at the Historic Heights Theater as a kid. Hopefully, the Bakken Museum virtual programming week inspires you!
Oct 29 - Boo Drive-Thru | Huset Park on Jefferson St NE, from 40th Ave and Huset Parkway | 5 to 8 pm
The City’s annual Truck or Treat event is doing things a little differently this year due to COVID precautions. The special “Boo Drive-Thru” event will take a drive-through approach along a lit path. City trucks, police cars, fire trucks, snowplows, and a number of other vehicles will be on display and showing off their lights as visitors drive along a guided route to view each of the stations. City officials will also be handing out candy! The guided drive is expected to take about 10 minutes. This is a family-friendly event.
Nov 1 - Adopt A Highway Cleanup | Columbia Heights Public Library Parking Lot | 1 pm
HeightsNEXT is organizing a fall cleanup along Central Avenue. Volunteers’ efforts will freshen up local streetscapes and prevent trash from drifting with next spring’s melting snow through storm drains into the Mississippi River.
Volunteers should meet at 1 pm, Sunday, Nov. 1, in the Columbia Heights Public Library parking lot, 3939 Central Ave. NE. Bags and safety vests will be provided. Volunteers should bring their own gloves and dress appropriately for trash cleanup.
This event will be socially distanced, with each group of volunteers dispersing to clean their own section of Central Avenue. Please wear masks when picking up and returning vests and bags. After volunteers complete their cleanup, they are invited to meet back at the library to return vests and pick up some “to go” refreshments.
The cleanup will occur “rain or shine,” so participants should dress for the weather. Sign up on the HeightsNEXT’s Facebook events page: facebook.com/HeightsNext/, email info@heightsnext.org, or simply show up on the day of the event.
Nov 14 - Family Discovery: Geocaching | Silverwood Park | 11:30 am to 12:15 pm
Meet us at Silverwood Park (2500 County Rd E, St Anthony, MN 55421) for Geocaching fun with Three Rivers Park District staff! Geocaching is a family-friendly, high-tech treasure hunt that combines respect for the environment with a sense of adventure. This activity involves placing or looking for a cache using global positioning system (GPS) equipment.
Dec 1 - Columbia Heights Inaugural Snow Sculpture Contest Begins
In 1892, the Minneapolis Improvement Company Northeast held a naming contest with 2,281 names submitted. The name of Columbia Heights was chosen, and Olive Louise Thornbergh received a $150 prize in gold. This winter, the City of Columbia Heights is hosting a snow sculpture contest for its residents and businesses.
Submission Process
Entries are limited to Columbia Heights residents and businesses only.
You can only submit one entry per division.
There will be an adult division and a youth division for entries.
The submission window is from Dec 1, 2020, to March 1, 2021.
Snow sculptures must be created during the submission window.
Please email a photo of your creation to wrottler@columbiaheightsmn.gov. Include your name, address, which division, and the title of your creation.
Judging Process
The City of Columbia Heights will post the photos of the creations in a Snow Sculpture Contest Facebook photo album.
Judging takes place March 3-10 via Facebook.
The entry with the most “likes” will be tabbed the winner, followed by second-place, and third-place.
Prizes
Adult Division
1st Place –$150 certificate to a Columbia Heights business
2nd Place –$100 certificate to a Columbia Heights business
3rd Place –$50 certificate to a Columbia Heights business
Youth Division (Under 18)
1st Place –$25 certificate to a Columbia Heights business
2nd Place –$25 certificate to a Columbia Heights business
3rd Place – $25 certificate to a Columbia Heights business
Jan 6 - Columbia Heights Centennial Coloring Page Contest Begins
Make sure to grab a copy of the Jan 13 issue of the Northeaster which will have a copy of the coloring page inside.
The contest is open to Columbia Heights residents and students at Columbia Heights daycares and schools only. Entries are limited to one per person. Forward your completed picture to The City of Columbia Heights, Attn: Will Rottler 590 40th Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421. Entries must be delivered or postmarked by March 6, 2021.
A panel of judges from the Columbia Heights Centennial Committee will be judging the entries. One winner will be selected from each of the five age groups: four and under, five to eight, nine to 12, 13 to 17, and 18 and up. Each winner will receive a $30 gift card to a Columbia Heights business or restaurant.
All winners will be notified by email or phone prior to the formal announcement taking place on March 15, 2021. In addition, the Columbia Heights school or daycare with the most entries will be awarded a $500 check from Northeast Bank, our coloring contest sponsor. If the number of entries is tied, the award will be split equally.
Jan 27 - Columbia Heights Trivia Night | Murzyn Hall | 7 pm
This event is postponed to either June or July 2021.
Jan 30 - Columbia Heights SnowBLAST | Huset Park East | 3 to 6 pm
Come one and all to the City’s newest annual winter celebration, SnowBLAST. This FREE family-friendly event will include a skating rink, music, outdoor activities, food, and drink options. Bring your own sled and send your family down the City Hall hill, then join us at Huset East to continue the fun! We will be working with Dave’s Sport Shop for specials on skate sharpening and skate rentals.
It is important to offer a safe environment for all patrons; we will encourage social distancing and the wearing of face coverings. Staff will be monitoring the number of attendees in the event area.
Feb 6 - City Services Expo - Cancelled
Feb 20 - Minnesota Streetcar Museum Presentation | Zoom | 1 pm
Aaron Isaacs, of the Minnesota Streetcar Museum, will be giving a presentation on the history of streetcars in Columbia Heights.
Columbia Heights was once home to streetcars from 1893 to 1951. One streetcar line came into Columbia Heights via Central Avenue and then turned onto 40th and ran down to 5th street. Another streetcar line turned onto Reservoir Blvd and traveled north to the Minneapolis Filtration Plant.
The town was to be served by the Central Avenue Electric Car Line on the east side, and the Electric Street Railway would be extended when and where needed. Thomas Lowry later extended a double streetcar track on Central Ave. from 29th to 40th Avenues, and a single track along 40th Ave. to 5th St. in 1916 (abandoned in 1954).
This public transportation established the intersection of 40th and Central and the stretch of land from Central west to 5th St. as the nucleus of the budding town, as planned by the Minneapolis Improvement Co. NE. A five-cent fare was the cost of a streetcar ride. Before the 1890s, streetcars were powered by horses and mules, and the grassy slopes of Columbia Heights provided pasture for many of the animals which pulled streetcars in Minneapolis.
To register for this event, please email Will Rottler (wrottler@columbiaheightsmn.gov).
March 1 - Columbia Heights Inaugural Snow Sculpture Submissions Due
Submissions for the Columbia Heights Inaugural Snow Sculpture Contest are due. Please email a photo of your creation to wrottler@columbiaheightsmn.gov. Include your name, address, and title of your creation.
March 6 - Columbia Heights Coloring Page Contest Submissions Due
Submissions for the Columbia Heights Coloring Page Contest are due. Forward your completed picture to The City of Columbia Heights, Attn: Will Rottler 590 40th Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421. Entries must be delivered or postmarked by March 6, 2021.
March 29 - Spring Family Fun Night - Postponed
April 10 - Public Safety Open House - Postponed
April 21 - Blooming Heights Zoom Presentation | 7 pm
Ag Specialist Wes Nugteren will be hosting a Zoom presentation about Blooming Heights and how residents can get involved with urban gardening. This event will take place via Zoom on Wed, April 21, at 7 pm. The presentation will also be broadcasted on Cable Channel 16. Registration is required. To register, click here.
April 23 - Brushstrokes Painting Class - Active Agers 55+ | Murzyn Hall | 10 am to noon
Express yourself at our watercolor painting class. Everyone will then create their own version of a themed project, which is "100 Years of Columbia Heights". Painters will be putting their own touch on the City's poster series. Come discover your inner Van Gogh while enjoying the company of others. All supplies are provided. Fee: $2.00
Pre-registration is required for all listed classes. Call 763-706-3730 to sign up. Classes meet in the Senior Center at Murzyn Hall, 530 Mill St NE, Columbia Heights. The fee is payable day of class.
April 30 - Sister City Tree Planting Ceremony | Lomianki Park | 2 pm
Join the City of Columbia Heights and the Sister Cities as they celebrate 30 years as an organization in the community. The event will take place on Arbor Day (April 30) at 2 pm.
In 1991, Columbia Heights received an agreement from Lomianki, Poland (next to Warsaw) that they would be proud to be in a partnership with our City and we formalized this “Sister Cities, International” friendship. Our members are dedicated to this international friendship by promoting humanitarian, educational, cultural, civic, and social events.
May 22 - Architect Avenue Zoom Presentation Presented by Kathy Kullberg | Zoom | 1 pm
Urban historian Kathy Kullberg will be hosting a presentation on the history of Architect Avenue via Zoom on Sat, May 22, at 1 pm. Registration is required to receive the Zoom login information. The presentation will also be broadcasted on Cable Channel 16. To register, click here.\
June 24 - Community Art & Info Fair | Huset Park West | 5 to 7:30 pm
Jamboree Events - Jamboree Website | Columbia Heights Recreation Website
June 23
- Tasty Pizza Medallion Hunt - Clues posted daily, 11 am & 5 pm @ Tasty Pizza and on Facebook. $1,000 prize! 763-571-2722
- Active Agers Jamboree Bingo 2 - 3 pm $2 @ Murzyn Hall
June 24
- Lions' Beer Garden 5 pm-close
- Carnival 5 pm-close **Jamboree Carnival $2 admission per person, kids FREE. No bikes, scooters, skateboards, or dogs.
June 25
- Jamboree Parade 6 - 8 pm, Begins at 45th & Central Ave., proceeds south to 40th Ave., ends at 5th St.
- Lions Beer Garden 5 pm - 12 midnight
- Carnival 12 pm-close **$2 admission, kids FREE w/paid adult
June 26
- Adult Softball Tournament @ Huset Park
- Jamboree Jammers with CH Recreation - Registration required.
- Active Agers 55+ Mixed Media Art
- Lions Car Show 5-9 pm, 4 pm registration @ Huset Park
- Lions Beer Garden 10 am - 12 midnight
- Carnival 12 pm - Close **$2 admission, kids FREE w/paid adult
- Fireworks at dusk (if rain, Sunday at dusk)
June 27
- Adult Softball Tournament @ Huset Park
- CH Lions Waffle breakfast 10 am - 1 pm @ Murzyn Hall
- Carnival 12 pm - 6 pm Family Fun Day FREE Admission
- Lions Beer Garden 12 pm - 6 pm
July 7 - Music in the Park | Huset Park East | 6:30 to 8 pm
Join the City of Columbia Heights and Wander North for night two of the 2021 Music in the Park series. This event is free. Space is limited for the Music in the Park series, so please arrive early. Please bring a folding chair or blanket. Food trucks will be attending this event.
July 17 - Centennial Celebration | Huset Park | 11 am to 2 pm
Come out to Huset Park for the City's centennial birthday party! There will be free cake, live music, games for kids of all ages, and more! This event is free. There will also be food trucks in attendance with food for purchase.
July 21 - Community Dinner - Huset Park East | 5 to 7:30 pm
It's been a long year, no question about it, and we want to bring our residents together to have a meal, play some games, and make some new friends. Join us at Huset Park East on our birthday, July 21, for a community dinner. We ask that you RSVP here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LFHVBTQ to help us get an idea of how many people will be attending. This is a free outdoor event in which you can have an evening to enjoy the company of your fellow residents. Food will not be provided by the City, but feel free to bring a meal for yourself or to share with a friend. Come on out and have a good time!
Aug 4 - Music in the Park | Huset Park East | 6:30 to 8 pm
Join the City of Columbia Heights and Mama No No and the Yes Men for the finale of the 2021 Music in the Park series. This event is free. Space is limited for the Music in the Park series, so please arrive early. Please bring a folding chair or blanket. Food trucks will be attending this event.
Aug 30 - Movie in the Park Sponsored by the Sister Cities | Huset Park West | Dusk
Join us for a free showing of The Goonies on Mon, Aug 30, at 8 pm at Huset Park West! Treats will be provided, while supplies last. This event is sponsored by the Sister Cities. The Columbia Heights Lions Club will be in attendance selling beer (cash only).
Sept 17 - Movie in the Park | McKenna Park | Dusk
Join us at McKenna Park on Fri, Sept 17, at 7:30 pm for a free showing of Moana! Please bring a blanket or a lawn chair.
Sept 18 - Architect Avenue Walking Tour hosted by Kathy Kullberg | 1 pm
Sept 18 - Roaring '20s Dinner/Dance hosted by the Columbia Heights Lions Club - Cancelled
Sept 25 - Heritage Fest hosted by HeightsNEXT
*Please note that any event listed is subject to change. Please email Will Rottler (wrottler@columbiaheightsmn.gov) for any questions.*