DETROIT LAKES, Minn. (KWAD) — A century of memories, music, and milestone moments will take center stage this weekend as the Becker County Museum hosts the Pavilion Celebration on Saturday, October 11, at the historic Detroit Lakes Pavilion.

The event, which commemorates 110 years of the beloved lakeside landmark, also serves as a community sendoff before plans move forward for a new $17.3 million Pavilion and park redesign.

Festivities begin at 11 a.m. with VFW Bingo, followed by a welcome from the mayor and the Color Guard at 2:30 p.m. The celebration continues with a full afternoon and evening lineup of live music and local flavor, including:

• 3 p.m. — Polka & Pie with Cathy Erickson & MaryJo (pie by freewill donation)

• 3–5 p.m. — Pavilion History Display and City Park update

• 4 p.m. — VFW Taco Bar opens

• 4:15 p.m. — Lewy Ronken as Buddy Holly

• 4:45 p.m. — The 60’s Duo

• 6 p.m. — Romyn & Rick

• 7:15 p.m. — Dan Brekke

• 8:30 p.m.: 32 Below

Admission is $20 for adults starting at 5 p.m., while daytime events remain open to all ages. Bingo is $1 per sheet, 3 games on a sheet except for Blackout which is $1/ sheet with a single game. 21 games total.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime community moment,” said Becker County Museum director Becky Mitchell. “We’re celebrating the stories this Pavilion has held for generations—and looking forward to what comes next.”

Built in 1915, the Detroit Lakes Pavilion has been a cornerstone of the community’s social and cultural life. From wedding dances and high school proms to concerts, civic events, and reunions, the Pavilion has welcomed thousands through its doors over the decades.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2008, the building represents both the city’s rich past and its ongoing evolution. The celebration also comes as Detroit Lakes moves closer to realizing plans for a new Pavilion and City Park redevelopment, backed by the City Council earlier this year. The proposed design embraces a “Northwoods architecture” style, featuring vaulted ceilings, panoramic windows overlooking the beach, and a year-round event space capable of seating over 500 people.

Alongside the Pavilion, the City Park renovation would include a new playground, splash pad, bathhouse, stage area, and town square with artificial turf—creating a multi-use community destination. City Administrator Kelcey Klemm said the proposed project, estimated at $17.3 million, will be funded by a half-cent local sales tax pending voter approval this November.

“This facility has served Detroit Lakes for more than a century,” Klemm told DL Online earlier this year. “The new Pavilion is about ensuring the next 100 years of memories.”

Saturday’s Pavilion Celebration is more than a party—it’s a heartfelt goodbye to a structure that has shaped Detroit Lakes’ identity for generations.