Bean Hole Days takes baked beans to a new level

Beans, molasses and bacon go into the pot.
Beans and other ingredients, including ground bacon, molasses and dried onions, are added to a pot. 350 pounds of dried navy beans were used during this year's Bean Hole Days in Pequot Lakes, Minn. Tuesday and Wednesday, July 8-9, 2014.
Jeffrey Thompson/MPR News

Since 1938, people in Pequot Lakes, Minn. have been gathering for the sake of beans. Bean Hole Days got its start when local businessmen held a bean feed to thank farmers for their support of area businesses. Today, thousands flock to Trailside Park to celebrate and dine on beans cooked overnight in cast iron pots covered in a wood-fired pit.

Jeffrey Thompson visited the lakes area community to document this unique summer festival.

More summer festival photo galleries, #mprsummer

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