Fete des Lacs or "Festival of Lakes" is a week-long community festival in Centerville, MN. This event honors our history and takes advantage of the beautiful parks, lakes and trails that surround us.

It is an annual tradition that reminds us of our French-Canadian beginnings. Our ancestors followed the Dakota Indians to this area who already knew it was rich with wild rice, wildlife, and fish.

A bit of history:

The Dakota Sioux lived here in the 1600s and 1700s.  In the late 1700's they abandoned the village but returned to harvest wild rice, which was abundant.

The city of Centerville was first platted and laid-out in 1854 by French settlers Peltier, LaMotte, and LaValle.  The name was chosen because of its central location - halfway between Stillwater, Anoka, and St. Paul - and because it was a very popular rest stop for pioneers traveling through the area in the earliest days of the Minnesota Territory.  It was officially established in 1857 before Minnesota became a state.  Its rich French and Canadian heritage is celebrated during the annual Fete Des Lacs Festival.

Centerville is a small, quiet, historic town with two very popular lakes - Peltier Lake and Centerville Lake.  The adjacent Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park Reserve provides many outdoor activities and is connected to the regional county trail system.

Come celebrate 161 years of history with us! Proceeds from the festival go to Centerville Lions and Centerville Parks and Trails which help us with park improvements, amenities, maintenance and more.

This festival is a joint effort put on by the City of Centerville and the Centerville Lions.