MMAM’s 20th Anniversary Weekend

July 24–26, 2026 | $6 Throwback Gallery Admission   |  10a - 5p daily

Join us as we celebrate 20 years of great art inspired by water at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum. This milestone weekend will honor the people, exhibitions, and experiences that have shaped MMAM over the past two decades, and we are inviting you to be part of the celebration!

The festivities will feature special activities for all ages, live music, food and beverages, birthday treats, and a chance to explore our galleries at a special throwback admission price of just $6, reflecting MMAM's opening-year admission rate. Adding to the excitement, the World's Largest Rubber Duck will make a special appearance on MMAM's grounds throughout the weekend, creating the perfect backdrop for photos, family fun, and unforgettable memories. 

 

World's Largest Rubber Duck

Friday, July 24 – Sunday, July 26

Big Duck Info

Anniversary Party

Saturday, July 25

Anniversary Party Info

Big Duck Scavenger Hunt

Monday, July 20 - Friday, July 24

Scavenger Hunt info

Silent Auction

Open through Saturday, July 25 at 3p

Start Bidding
 

Anniversary Party

Saturday, July 25 | 10a - 6p

Spend the day celebrating with special activities and festivities throughout the museum:

Inside the Museum:

  • The Minnesota Marine Art Museum’s galleries will be open from 10a - 5p at a special throwback discounted rate of $6 admission - the same price as the year we opened in 2006! To learn more about what is on view, please visit our current exhibition page.

  • Play Big Duck Bingo in the MMAM galleries! This search-and-find game is perfect for all ages and is included in your $6 gallery admission. Make sure to pick up your prize at the end!

  • Make sure to check out the silent auction either in-person or online. In begins Wednesday, July 22, and runs through 3p on Saturday, July 25.

    Start bidding here.

MMAM Gardens:

  • 1p Gather
    Mike Linnemann, Minnesota Marine Art Museum, Development Director

    1:05p Drawing Up The Playbook - 20 Years In 10 Sketches
    Scott Pollock, Minnesota Marine Art Museum, Executive Director 

    1:10p Arts Impact In Minnesota, For All Minnesotans
    Sue Gens, Minnesota State Arts Board, Executive Director 

    1:15p Shoring Up Community Vitality
    Mark Peterson, City of Winona, Mayor (2013-2020)
    Scott Sherman, City of Winona, Mayor (2021-Present)
    Steve Young, City of Winona, 1st Ward Council Member 

    1:20p Shaping A National Story, Right Here In Winona
    John Anfinson, Founding Board Member and Mississippi River Parkway Commission, Chair

    1:25 Only In Winona - Then, Today and Tomorrow! 
    Pat Mutter, Visit Winona, Executive Director (2002-2022)
    Kate Carlson, Visit Winona, Executive Director (2023-Present) 

    1:30p Creating Healthy and Welcoming Communities 
    Anna Sibenaller, Foundation Community Coordinator, Winona Health,
    Fatima Said, Project FINE, Executive Director
    Katherine Sublett, Erase The Stigma, Executive Director

    1:35p Steering The Ship For The First 20
    Betsy Midthun, Minnesota Marine Art Museum, Executive Director (2009-2010)
    Andy Maus, Minnesota Marine Art Museum, Executive Director (2011-2016)
    Nicole Chamberlain-Dupree, Minnesota Marine Art Museum, Executive Director (2017-2021)

    1:40p Planting Seeds For The Next Generation
    Justin Hanson, Winona Public Schools WK Elementary Principal
    Patrick Marek, Winona Post, Publisher 

    145-150 Waterways, Winona Visionaries, and A Canoe

    Bill Hoel, MMAM Board Member 

    150-155 Community Chorus - Happy Birthday MMAM 

    Alan Dunbar, Winona Symphony Orchestra 

    2 Cupcakes For All and Big Duck Community Picture

  • The World's Largest Rubber Duck will make a special appearance on MMAM's grounds throughout the weekend, creating the perfect backdrop for photos, family fun, and unforgettable memories. The Big Duck is free to visit on the MMAM grounds during open hours on Saturday, 10a - 6p.

  • $6 Lunch [10a - sold out]
    A $6 lunch deal will be available outside in the MMAM garden, and will include a hot dog, chips, and a soda. No substitutions. Available at 10am until we are sold out.

    Cocktails from La Crosse Distilling Co. [10a - 6p]
    The La Crosse Distilling Co. will be onsite all day! Swing by their outdoor bar to see what’s new.

    $5 Mimosa Bar + $2 coffee [10a - 12p] 
    Make sure to swing by the Waterbar Cafe’s outdoor bar for a $5 Mimosa Bar and $2 drip coffee, available from 10a - 12p.

    Snow cones [11a - 4p]
    Cool off with snow cones outside!

  • Music from KQAL [10a - 4p]
    Enjoy music outside from KQAL!

    Puppet show from Dr. Bob [11a - 2p]
    Enjoy puppet shows from Dr. Bob in the MMAM gardens.

    Duck pull fundraising game [10a - 5p]

    Live music from the Beavers [4p - 6p]

  • Join us for Happy Hour outside in the MMAM gardens from 4p - 6p. Featuring live music from the Beavers, cocktails from La Crosse Distilling Co., and beverages from MMAM’s own Waterbar Cafe.

Transportation + Overflow Lot:

To help accommodate visitors, a complimentary shuttle service will be available on Saturday, July 25, from 10a - 6p. If the MMAM parking lot reaches capacity, guests are encouraged to use the Fastenal lot at 267 W. Third St. Winona, MN 55987. The shuttle will transport visitors between the parking lot and MMAM from 10a - 6p free of charge. 

 
 
 

World's Largest Rubber Duck

Friday, July 24 – Sunday, July 26 | 10a - 5p daily

Don't miss your chance to see the World's Largest Rubber Duck up close as it takes over the museum grounds for the entire weekend. Whether you've been with us since the beginning or are discovering MMAM for the first time, we hope you'll join us for this once-in-a-generation celebration of 20 years of making waves. It is free to visit the duck outside.

 
 

Big Duck Scavenger Hunt

Monday, July 20 - Friday, July 24

Get ready for a week of duck hunting fun! As part of the Minnesota Marine Art Museum's 20th Anniversary Weekend (July 24–26, 2026), MMAM is welcoming the World's Largest Rubber Duck to Winona. Inspired by our exhibition Splish, Splash, Story: Selections from The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, we're celebrating with a community-wide Big Duck Scavenger Hunt across the Winona and La Crosse area.

Each morning from Monday, July 20, through Friday, July 24, a new clue will be released at 6:00 a.m. Tune in to WXOW's morning show, visit mmam.org/duck, or follow MMAM on social media to discover the clue of the day. Then head out to see if you can find one of our hidden ducks!

Every duck is uniquely painted, so keep your eyes open, you never know what you'll discover.

Important: Please leave the ducks where you find them so everyone has a chance to participate. If you find one, snap a selfie with the duck (or take a photo of the duck), post it on social media, tag the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, and use #MMAMBigDuck to be entered into our prize drawing. Each photo you submit is another chance to win! 


Prizes:

  • First Prize: One-year MMAM Household Membership (free admission year-round) plus two tickets to MMAM's October Masquerade Party

  • Second Prize: One-year MMAM Household Membership (free admission year-round)

  • Third Prize: Four admission passes to MMAM

Gather your friends and family, follow the clues, explore the community, and join us in celebrating 20 years of the Minnesota Marine Art Museum. Happy hunting! We can't wait to see your duck discoveries!

Big Duck Scavenger Hunt Clues
 

Support comes from:

 
 
 
 
 

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.