This is the Explore Minnesota Events Report as of Tuesday, April 22, brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.

Check out our Explore Minnesota Events Calendar for more information on many of these and other upcoming events.

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Northern Minnesota

The Rainy Lake Visitor Center within Voyageurs National Park at International Falls will offer a National Park Week Open House on Saturday, April 26, with various activities for the entire family, including the 5th Annual Kids Art Contest, Wildlife Bingo, cake and refreshments, and an awards ceremony. For more information, dial 218/283-6670, or visit www.nps.gov/voya

A Boy Scout Exposition will be offered Sunday, April 27 at the Huck Olson Memorial Civic Center in Thief River Falls. Come see 30 different scouting and hobby booths, and experience scouting in action. Admission is free. For further information, dial 218/681-1624, or check out www.visitthiefriverfalls.com

The city of Eveleth will be the site of a Citywide Rummage Sale on Friday and Saturday, May 2 & 3. To find out more, dial 218/741-2717, or check out www.evelethmn.com

The Gunflint Green Up will be held Friday and Saturday, May 2 & 3, along the Gunflint Trail, northwest of Grand Marais. This event takes place on the first anniversary of the Ham Lake Fire, which burned more than 35,000 acres at the end of the Gunflint Trail. This is also a celebration of Minnesota’s 150 years of statehood. Highlights include educational activities, live music, lots of food, and the planting of 75,000 red and white pine seedlings. To learn more, dial 218/387-3191, or visit www.gunflintgreenup.com

Robinson Park and Banning State Park in Sandstone will be the site of the Kettle River Paddle Fest, Friday through Sunday, May 2-4, with a full weekend of paddling activities for white water and flat water paddlers. Participants will enjoy paddling on the upper or lower Kettle River, a paddlers dinner, fireworks display, Kayak Rodeo, boat demonstrations, paddling clinics, and more! For further information, dial 320/245-5344, or check out www.kettleriverpaddlefest.com

The Granite City Train Show will be held Saturday, May 3, at the National Guard Armory in St. Cloud. Featured will be operating model and toy train layouts and displays, vendors selling and buying trains, accessories, books, videos, railroad collectibles & memorabilia, antique trains & toys, and hobby items. There will also be a Children’s Railway play area, and door prizes and drawings. For more information, dial 320/255-0033, or visit www.granitecitytrainshow.com

Spirit Mountain Recreation Area in Duluth will be the site of the Premiere Duluth Wellness Expo: Living Well in the Northwoods on Saturday May 3, with 100 exhibitors, including healing therapists, intuitive consultants, health & wellness resources, specialty gift products, art, and spirituality resources. In addition, there will be 15 speakers covering various wellness-related topics, as well as live entertainment, door prizes, and gift bags for the first 40 participants. And while in Duluth on May 3 head to the First United Methodist "Coppertop" Church located on East Skyline Parkway for the Dulcimer Day Folk Music Festival, when master dulcimer musicians will teach and perform. To find out more, dial 1-800-4-DULUTH, or check out www.visitduluth.com

The 3rd Annual ATV Fair & Swap Meet will be held Saturday and Sunday, May 3 & 4, at the Benton County Fairgrounds in Sauk Rapids. Highlights include ATV manufacturers and dealers, accessories, ATV test rides, and tricks by Team Extreme. Bring your own ATV to compete in the Quadmasters competition and the ATV pull! To learn more, dial 1-888-442-8826, or visit www.ATVfair.org

The Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, located just southeast of Little Falls, will be the site of the Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge Field Trip on Sunday, May 4. Birders will meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Platte River lookout deck for a morning of birding. Lunch will be provided, followed by afternoon birding trips to off-refuge sites, including the Schoessling Unit, Lindbergh State Park, and other nearby sites. This event is free and open to the public. To register, and for further information, check out www.mcbirding.org, or call the Little Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau at 320/616-4959

Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan Vicinity

The Spring St. Paul Art Crawl will be held Friday through Sunday, April 25–27. This self-guided tour includes over 250 art studios and galleries located in more than 26 buildings in Lowertown and other St. Paul neighborhoods. In addition to a wide array of fine art, visitors will enjoy special events, live music, and discounts at participating restaurants and clubs. Free bus transportation will be offered to various buildings and parking lots. For a complete list of participants, and a map identifying locations and bus routes, check out www.artcrawl.org. For further information, dial 651/292-4373

The Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul will present the 9th Annual Amantes de la Ciencia, or a Lovers of Science event, on Saturday afternoon, April 26. This special event recognizes the talents and contributions of local scientists, engineers, mathematicians and educators who are from Spanish-speaking backgrounds. Come see dozens of presenters who will share their knowledge, work and personal stories, and enjoy entertainment with a Latin flair! This event is free with museum exhibit admission. For more information, dial 651/221-9444, or visit www.smm.org

Randolph Railroad Days will be held April 26 at the Randolph Area Historical Society Museum and High School in the town of Randolph. Highlights include a model train swap meet, operating layouts and displays, railroad collectibles, railroad books & magazines, antique toys, barrel train rides for the kids, Chicago Great Western artifacts and history, a bake sale, and free museum admission. To find out more, dial 507/263-3199, or check out www.trains.com/trc/community/events

The Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul will be the site of the St. Paul Craftstravaganza on Saturday, April 26. This one day market features all kinds of artists, crafters and designers, as well as live music by local bands, and hands-on workshops. The first 100 shoppers will receive free swag bags. To learn more, dial 651/291-5327, or visit www.craftstravaganza.com

The 2008 Festival of Nations will be held Thursday through Sunday, May 1–4, at RiverCentre in St. Paul, to celebrate the many cultures that make up our communities. Highlights include shopping at the International Bazaar, ethnic demonstrations, dining at 35 ethnic cafés, musical entertainment, over 90 adult and children’s dance groups, flag unfurling, and 60 cultural exhibits, with an emphasis on the arts and architecture. Originated in 1932, the Festival of Nations has become one of the largest multi-cultural events in the United States. For more information, dial 651/291-5327, or check out www.festivalofnations.com

The District del Sol neighborhood of St. Paul will be the site of the annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta-Minnesota’s Spiciest Celebration on Friday and Saturday, May 2 & 3, to celebrate Hispanic/Latino culture. This is one of the 10 largest festivals of its kind nationwide, with over six blocks of food, music and dancing, as well as children’s activities, a lowrider car show, colorful parade, “People’s Choice” salsa tasting contest, and more! For further information, dial 651/222-6347, or visit www.districtdelsol.com/cinco.html

And just some of the upcoming concerts and performances will include:
Casting Crowns at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, April 26
The Minnesota Vikings Draft Party at the Minnesota Vikings Winter Park Facility in Eden Prairie, April 26
Michael and Friends Benefit Concert at the Fine Line Music Cafe in Minneapolis, April 27
Alicia Keys at the Target Center in Minneapolis, April 30
Greg Brown at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, May 2
Jesus Christ Superstar at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, May 2-4
Dan Zanes at the Fitzgerald Theater, May 4
Trampled By Turtles at the Cabooze in Minneapolis, May 9
The Minnesota Boychoir with Alison Scott at the Fitzgerald Theater, May 10
Engelbert Humperdinck at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, May 11
KT Tunstall at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, May 14
Bryan Adams at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis, May 16
The Minnesota Dance Festival at the Fitzgerald Theater, May 16
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, May 17
Rush at the Xcel Energy Center, May 22
Kid Rock at the Target Center, May 24
Soundset 08 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, May 25
Eddie Izzard at the Historic State Theatre, May 27
The Honda Civic Tour: Panic at the Disco at the Myth in Maplewood, May 27
Monty Python’s Spamalot at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, May 27-June 1
Jay Leno at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, May 31
Death Cab for Cutie at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, June 2
The Stone Temple Pilots at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul, June 6
True Colors: Cyndi Lauper, The B-52s, and Very Special Guests at the Target Center, June 9
The Kanye West - Glow in the Dark Tour at the Target Center, June 11
Walking with Dinosaurs - The Live Experience at the Xcel Energy Center, June 11-15
Peter Murphy at the Fine Line Music Cafe, June 16
Return To Forever at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, June 19
Merle Haggard at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, July 1
Rick Springfield at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, July 1
The Steve Miller Band at the Target Center, July 3
George Michael at the Xcel Energy Center, July 7
Crosby, Stills and Nash at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, July 11
Mark Knopfler at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, July 12
Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, July 14
Ween at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul, July 19
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers at the Target Center, July 23
Peter Frampton at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, July 25
Bill Maher at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, July 26
Larry the Cable Guy at the Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, August 9
Melissa Etheridge at The O’Shaughnessy Auditorium in St. Paul, August 9
Brad Paisley, Jewel and Chuck Wicks at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand in St. Paul, August 22
The Backstreet Boys Concert at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, August 23
Toby Keith at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, September 1
The Loft Literary Center presents David Sedaris at the Historic State Theatre, October 19
Celine Dion at the Target Center in Minneapolis, October 30
Menopause, the Musical at the Pantages Theatre, November 5-9
The Moscow Ballet at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, December 12
For further information on any of these performances or events, please contact Ticketmaster at 651/989-5151

Southern Minnesota

The Pioneer Power Showgrounds, located just east of Le Sueur, will be the site of the 31st Annual Pioneer Power Swap Meet, Friday through Sunday, April 25-27. This is the largest event of its type in the United States, with over 1,000 vendors offering antique machinery, farm collectibles, flea market items and crafts. Featured in 2008 will be M, Super M, and MTA IH tractors, and Wheel Horse tractors. For further information, dial 507/931-2296, or check out www.pioneerpowershow.com

The 8th Annual Bluff Country Studio Art Tour will be held April 25–27 at studios located in the hills and valleys of southeastern Minnesota’s Bluff Country region. In addition to an abundance of fine art, visitors will enjoy bead-making, wood-carving and pottery demonstrations. Galleries located in Harmony, Spring Grove, Lanesboro and Winona will also participate. For more information, dial 1-800-428-2030, or visit www.bluffcountryarttour.com

Various locations within and near the cities of Madison and Marietta will be the site of the Salt Lake Birding Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, April 26 & 27, with birder’s from around the country visiting Salt Lake and the surrounding area to view over 125 species of migrating birds. And, the Lac qui Parle Fairgrounds, located in Madison, will be the site of the 2nd Annual Lac qui Parle Outdoor Expo, April 26 & 27. This family-oriented event is designed to increase awareness of the relationships between people, wildlife and a healthy environment, and to raise awareness of Western Minnesota’s vast resources. Highlights include nature, hunting and conservation exhibits, as well as educational seminars, activities and presentations. To find out more, dial 320/598-7301, or check out www.prairiewaters.com

The annual 100-Mile Garage Sale will be held Friday through Sunday, May 2-4, with garage sales at thirteen communities located all around Lake Pepin. Sales start early Friday morning, and end each day at 5:00 p.m. Maps showing registered sales can be found at some area convenience stores. For more information, visit www.mississippi-river.org/garage.html, or dial 1-877-525-3248

German Park in the city of New Ulm will be the site of Mai Fest on Saturday, May 3. This German May festival features an outdoor play, Renaissance Faire, games and vendors. There will also be other activities held throughout New Ulm, including a Kid’s Mai Fest Fun Run, and the Putting Green Environmental Adventure Park season opener. To learn more, dial 507/354-8221, or check out www.newulm.com

The 7th Annual Wings on the Prairie will be held Saturday, May 3, at the Windom Wetland Management District in the city of Windom, to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day. Featured will be Early Riser’s bird walks, Prairie Ecology Bus Center activities, a Bluebird Recovery Program, "Remarkable Reptiles," a Trumpeter Swan release, Bison Burger lunch, raffle drawings, and children’s activities, including wood duck house building, duck stamp coloring, wetland critter exploration, and nature hike bingo! For further information, dial 507/831-2220, or visit http://midwest.fws.gov/windom

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Please Note: Information has been provided by event contacts. Please confirm dates, location and event status prior to travel. Explore Minnesota Tourism grants you permission to distribute this information freely to friends, family and others for personal use. However, any republication of the materials, full or partial, in electronic, print or other format, must prominently include the following statement: "The information in this report is provided courtesy of Explore Minnesota Tourism."

Posted by Chris Lawton / Events