Image: Minnesota Marine Art Museum, MN
The Minnesota Marine Art Museum is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a three-day weekend of public programming, gallery admission discounts and outdoor festivities in Winona from July 24 to 26, 2026. The museum’s anniversary weekend combines art-viewing with family activities, live music, food and beverages, birthday treats and a special appearance by the World's Largest Rubber Duck on the museum grounds.
According to the museum’s event page, galleries will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the weekend, with admission reduced to $6 in a throwback rate that matches MMAM’s opening-year price in 2006. The museum describes the weekend as a celebration of the people, exhibitions and experiences that have shaped its first two decades. The anniversary programme is centered on the museum itself; the source material identifies the venue as Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona.
The weekend’s main public day is Saturday, July 25, when the museum has scheduled an anniversary party from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Inside the galleries, visitors can take part in 'Big Duck Bingo', a search-and-find game included with admission. A silent auction is listed as running from Wednesday, July 22, through 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, and the museum says it can be bid on in person or online. The museum’s grounds will also host the World's Largest Rubber Duck throughout the weekend, with free outdoor access during open hours.
The Saturday programme extends beyond the galleries into the museum gardens, where a block of anniversary remarks and birthday treats is set for 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. The schedule names speakers from the museum, city government, regional cultural institutions and community organizations, including MMAM Development Director Mike Linnemann, Executive Director Scott Pollock, Minnesota State Arts Board Executive Director Sue Gens, and Winona officials Scott Sherman and Steve Young. Other listed participants include founding board member John Anfinson, Visit Winona’s Pat Mutter and Kate Carlson, and several additional local leaders and former museum executives.
The event also points to the museum’s wider community ties. The museum says a complimentary shuttle will run on Saturday, July 25, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. if the parking lot fills, with overflow parking directed to the Fastenal lot at 267 W. Third St. in Winona. Food and beverage offerings listed for the day include a $6 lunch deal, cocktails from La Crosse Distilling Co., a mimosa bar, drip coffee, snow cones and live music, including performances from KQAL and the Beavers.
Alongside the anniversary weekend, MMAM is using the duck theme for a community-wide scavenger hunt running Monday, July 20, through Friday, July 24. The museum says the hunt was inspired by its exhibition 'Splish, Splash, Story: Selections from The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art' and will unfold across the Winona and La Crosse area. The museum’s announcement also notes that the 20th anniversary activities are supported by a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, with funding made possible by Minnesota voters through the arts and cultural heritage fund.
