Small Town, Big Dreams - Notice Festival Cultivates New Energy In Rural Minnesota

Every small town has stories that shape its identity, but few include a festival that brings everyone together to awaken to spring through mindfulness practices. Our Notice Festival started as a simple, borrowed idea and grew into a powerful force that's transformed the spring spirit of our town. This is the story of how a small yoga studio with big dreams created a celebration that's changing everything.

The heart of the Notice Festival in Nisswa City Park-- alive with community joy!

The Spark That Ignited Our Festival

The idea for the Notice Festival came from lived experience and shared desire to reconnect, run, dance, and live boldly. Having attended Wanderlust 108 multiple times when living in San Francisco, I could not imagine a life without these types of embodied experiences. I realized there were no existing events like the ones I'd frequented and loved, and had played a vital role of transforming me. I knew that if I was longing for this experience, others probably were too! Our yoga studio decided to create an event that would bring people together for yoga, breathwork, meditation, and gather in a way of presence that didn't currently exist.

The goal was simple: build a festival that invited participants to notice the new buds on trees, hear newly returned birds, to feel the brightening sunshine on their skin, and to embody loving movement; coming together with familiar and newly found friends. After the pandemic, I knew that people were longing for this type of energy more than ever. The festival would showcase how amazing it feels to come together to be mindful.

Building the Festival from the Ground Up

Starting a festival in a small town is no small task. The first step was simply being bold enough to just go for it even not knowing if this was something anyone else would want to attend. After all, I was used to attending events like this in big cities, not rural, up north towns.

• Local vendors for marketplace

• Community groups for volunteers

• Town officials for permits and safety plans

• Collaboration and teamwork with others who saw the vision

  
  

I took from my own experiences, but also looked forward to what it was that I wanted to uniquely create just for us!

Festival Highlights That Brought Us Together

The Notice Festival features a variety of activities designed to engage all!

• Mindful 5K: Participants can walk or run the Paul Bunyan Trail which wraps through the forest and around the lake; showcasing the beauty of our small town and highlights the invitation to slow down and be mindful

• Vendor Market: Homemade goods, elevated experiences, and food/drink vendors provide nourishment and support local small businesses

• Live DJ Music: DJ Taz Rashid, world renowned music producer and global event DJ and musician provides a once in a lifetime experience-- where music becomes your heartbeat

• Festival Partners: Inviting teachers from other studios to teach and share their talents

• Yoga: A yoga flow to embody the wind and move like spring-- connecting to breath and intention

  
  

These activities encourage people to explore different parts of themselves.

The Impact on Local Businesses

One of the wonderful effects of the Notice Festival is the promotion of local businesses.

Strengthening Community

At the core of the Notice Festival is bringing people together.

Overcoming Challenges

Organizing the Notice Festival is not without obstacles. Weather concerns, budget limits, and coordinating vendors and volunteers requires careful planning, failing, and pivoting. Leading a major event when you're not an event planner is something else! Feeling brave to get rejected over and over again allows me opportunity to practice my yoga. Embodying resilience to keep asking, keep sharing, keep trying even when others aren't able to see the mission.

Having a small team and a handful of others who understand the value of this event is key.

The Festival’s Growing Legacy

Since its first year, the Notice Festival has become an annual tradition. Each year, it grows in size and scope, attracting visitors from far away and nearby towns. We've been fortunate enough to attract a world renowned musician and global event performer DJ Taz Rashid. Him believing in the power of the Notice Festival and wanting to be a part of it has been incredible.

How You Can Start a Festival in Your Town

If you’re inspired by our story and want to create a similar event, here are some practical steps:

• Identify a clear purpose

• Engage local businesses and organizations early for support and resources

• Plan activities that you love and know others likely will too

• Prepare for challenges by having backup plans. Deep breaths are your best tool!

• Celebrate successes and gather feedback to improve future events

  
  

Starting small and focusing on connection can create a festival that grows naturally over time.

Heart centered. Energizing. Connecting.

With peace, gratitude & EXCITEMENT-

Let's do this!

Danielle

CEO of Notice Wellness, Founder & Director of Notice Festival