Good morning, Minot.

The Northern Sentry Community Calendar now offers paid promotion upgrades—Event of the Week, Featured Calendar Spot, and Newsletter Feature—to boost event visibility for local and base audiences.

Organizers can choose individual upgrades or bundle them to increase attendance at fundraisers, concerts, and workshops.

On June 27, Minot AFB hosted Freedom Fest with games, food, and activities for families, and the 5th Civil Engineering Squadron Fire Department — in partnership with the 5th Force Support Squadron — launched a fireworks display that celebrated military pride and community spirit on base. The events brought together Airmen and their families for a memorable day of fun.

Minot Aircraft Modelers club recently hosted a public event for families+ featuring both vintage and modern model planes and offering a free three-month trial membership for beginner pilot training.

The club is less than 10 miles east of Minot AFB + has two 600-foot grass runways along with an RV park, playground and clean restrooms.

Josiah Hunter from Bottineau earned a gold medal in the Electrical Construction Wiring competition at the National SkillsUSA Championships in Atlanta (according to North Dakota State College of Science) by competing in written tests, conduit bending and hands-on electrical installations. His win joins top national rankings earned by two other students, including Minot's Isabella Roll (who placed ninth in Automotive Refinishing Technology).

The DEFO program at Minot Air Force Base has given enlisted Airmen tools and mentors to explore officer commissioning paths since it began last year.

Tech. Sgt. Portillo was recently chosen for Officer Training School after a long career effort — his selection shows the program's early success.

The 5th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron (5OMRS) has provided medical care for 5,900 active-duty Airmen with a team of roughly 150 delivering vital services like mental health, optometry and physical therapy while supporting the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing.

The squadron partnered with the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine on local testing for a missile community cancer study and earned top awards for personnel reliability and operational excellence.

Airman First Class Williams Sullins at Minot Air Force Base won the Classic Physique division at the OCB Natural Competition in Fargo on June 7 and earned his pro card; his win qualifies him to compete in professional shows with his next contest set for Tampa Pro in November.

Over a century ago, diseases like diphtheria, tuberculosis and typhoid fever claimed many children's lives in North Dakota, with 99 deaths reported from one diphtheria outbreak in 1898—today, vaccines and better sanitation have greatly reduced these risks.

Health officials now are monitoring a measles outbreak with 25 cases in Williams, Cass and Grand Forks counties and advise quarantine for any exposure.

Minot State junior forward Colby Joseph was named assistant captain by coach Wyatt Waselenchuk for the upcoming season after posting 27 goals and 42 points last season—he is the only junior in the leadership group and values his strong local ties.

Breakthrough Basketball Essential Skills Camp

Have fun improving your game — Tue, Jul 8 – Thu, Jul 10 — Minot Family YMCA — $97 observing coach fee — Enjoy a high-intensity youth basketball camp focusing on skill development and confidence building.

Arts in the Park: Minot City Band

4-8 p.m. — Oak Park — Free to attend — Enjoy a summer evening filled with classic tunes under the beautiful oak trees.

North Dakota State Fair

All day — North Dakota State Fair Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience nine thrilling days of entertainment and grandstand performances.

NDSF Run the Route 5K

8:45-10:00 a.m. — North Dakota State Fair Center — Registration required — Kick off the North Dakota State Fair with a fun run along the parade route.

Arts in the Park: 188th Army Band Concert

7-9 p.m. — Oak Park — Free entry — Experience a timeless summer tradition with live music under the oaks in Minot.

Demolition Derby Showdown

7-9 p.m. — North Dakota State Fair Center — Ticket included with Grandstand Showpass — Experience the adrenaline of cars colliding in a battle for the ultimate title.

North Dakota State Fair - Sawyer Brown Concert

6-9 p.m. — North Dakota State Fair Grandstand — Ticket on sale March 1 — Celebrate 40 years of Sawyer Brown with lively performances of their classic hits.

Limp Bizkit Concert

8:00–9:30 p.m. — North Dakota State Fair Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience the electrifying performance of Limp Bizkit live.

North Dakota State Fair Parade

9:15 a.m. — North Dakota State Fair Grounds Red Lot Campground — Free entry — Don’t miss the largest parade in North Dakota as it winds its way to the Fairgrounds.

Black Stone Cherry Concert

6-8 p.m. — The Original — Ticket prices vary — Kentucky rockers Black Stone Cherry bring their new album to life with a powerful performance.