Renovated Kelley Park to Celebrate Grand Opening With Food Trucks, Live Music and New Purple Bear Playground
Published: August 31, 2026
APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA: The City of Apple Valley is preparing to celebrate the completion of a major transformation of Kelley Park, with city leaders officially proclaiming Saturday, Sept. 26, as the “Kelley Park Grand Opening Festival.”
The proclamation was approved by the Apple Valley City Council on Thursday, August 27, 2026, recognizing a community celebration that will combine the city's third annual Fall Food Truck Festival, family activities, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and live music to mark the completion of the reconstruction of Kelley Park. The Kelley Park Grand Opening Festival will take place Saturday, Sept. 26, from noon to 7:30 p.m. at Kelley Park, 6855 Fortino Street in downtown Apple Valley.
The celebration comes after a substantial investment in the 5.6-acre park, which was among the projects included in Apple Valley's 2023 parks referendum.
During the August 27th City Council meeting, Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Director Eric Carlson said the city is investing approximately $10.9 million in Kelley Park.
"Kelley Park was part of the 2023 parks referendum," Carlson said. "At Kelley Park, we have a new stage, a new playground."
Carlson also highlighted a community splash pad sponsored by George Fischer Industries, three new restrooms and a shelter among the improvements. Earlier project information from the city listed an $8.6 million budget for Kelley Park improvements, while Carlson's presentation to the City Council placed the total investment in the park at approximately $10.9 million.
Photo Credit: City of Apple Valley City Council Meeting - August 27, 2026.
City Proclamation Recognizes Community Celebration
The August 27th proclamation formally recognizes the grand opening as a community festival and encourages Apple Valley residents to attend. City officials noted that the Parks and Recreation Department is combining the third annual Fall Food Truck Festival and family activities with the ribbon cutting celebrating the completion of Kelley Park's reconstruction.
The proclamation also recognizes the Apple Valley Arts Foundation for arranging and sponsoring the festival's closing musical performance. It further credits the Arts Foundation, residents, civic organizations, the business community and Parks and Recreation Department for working together to develop the free community celebration.
The City Council officially proclaimed September 26, 2026, as "Kelley Park Grand Opening Festival" and encouraged residents to support and attend the event.
Major Changes Reshape Downtown Park
Kelley Park sits on approximately 5.6 acres in downtown Apple Valley, with multifamily housing located on three sides. The redevelopment represents a significant overhaul of the existing park rather than simply the addition of a single new amenity. The project includes moving the park's performance area to the west side and constructing a larger stage designed to provide a better experience for performers and audiences.
Other improvements have included a larger restroom facility, a new playground and interactive splash pad, a basketball court, public art, and additional on-site parking. A new Purple Bear Playground is expected to be completed in time for the September 26th celebration. The city is inviting families attending the festival to be among the first to try the playground's new features.
The city is also holding a "Big Purple Bear" coloring activity ahead of the event. You can download the coloring sheet and submit it at the following site: Show Your Art at Kelley Park! Completed coloring sheets submitted by Thursday, September 24th, may be shown on a large screen during the festival.
New Mobile LED Screen Adds Citywide Event Capability
Another component of the city's investment isn't permanently tied to Kelley Park. Carlson announced during the August 27th meeting that Apple Valley has purchased a 17-by-10-foot mobile LED screen.
"Not only can we use it at Kelley Park for the concerts and for movies in the park, but we can also use it all over our city, um, for different events," Carlson told council members.
The mobile design will allow Apple Valley to use the screen for programming at Kelley Park and transport it to other community events throughout the city. Festival attendees will get an early look at the city's expanded event capabilities, with a sports game scheduled to be broadcast on a large screen during the afternoon.
Photo Credit: City of Apple Valley City Council Meeting - August 27, 2026.
Fall Food Truck Festival Joins Kelley Park Celebration
Food will be a major part of the festivities, with Apple Valley combining the park celebration with its third annual Fall Food Truck Festival. Food trucks are scheduled to begin serving at noon. The announced lineup includes Ray's BBQ, Tikka Flavors, Tono, Kenny's Meatball Wagon, Dearest Baker Macarons, andFirefly Smores.
The current festival schedule calls for a kids DJ from noon to 1:30 p.m., followed by theContinuing Education Band from 1:30 to 3 p.m.
A sports game broadcast is scheduled from 3 to 5:30 p.m., followed by the official ribbon-cutting ceremony from 5:30 to 6 p.m.
The ribbon-cutting will formally celebrate the completion of the reconstruction of Kelley Park before live music closes out the evening.
Urban Classic to Close Festival on New Stage
The Apple Valley Arts Foundation is sponsoring the festival's headline musical performance, Urban Classic Presents: The Music of Earth, Wind & Fire.
Minneapolis-based Urban Classic, led by Michael Bland, is scheduled to take the stage from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Featuring a full horn section, the group will perform a high-energy tribute centered around the funk, soul and R&B music of Earth, Wind & Fire.
The concert will also serve as a showcase for Kelley Park's newly constructed performance area, one of the signature components of the park redevelopment.
Free MVTA Shuttle Begins at 4 p.m.
Additional parking and transportation will be available for people attending the later portions of the festival. Beginning at 4 p.m., visitors can park at the Apple Valley Municipal Center, 7100 147th Street W., and ride a free Minnesota Valley Transit Authority shuttle to Kelley Park.
Shuttle pickups are planned approximately every 15 minutes, providing transportation between the Municipal Center and festival grounds. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs for the day's activities and evening concert. Glass containers are prohibited.
The festival will serve as both the official opening of the reconstructed park and a celebration of the community partnerships behind the project. The Kelley Park Grand Opening Festival runs from noon to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, September 26th, at Kelley Park, 6855 Fortino Street.
Additional event information is available through the City of Apple Valley's Kelley Park Grand Opening Festival page or the Facebook event page.
Written By: Will Wight
Photos Provided By: The City of Apple Valley and City of Apple Valley City Council Meeting - August 27, 2026.
