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This is the Explore Minnesota Events Report as of Tuesday, April 29, 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.

Southern Minnesota

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

The Jeffers Petroglyphs Historic Site in Comfrey will present Adventures in Nature: Travois, May 2-4 at 2:00 p.m. Participants will learn about American Indian culture, prairies and archaeology, with a chance to search rock outcroppings for carvings of buffalo, turtles, thunderbirds and human forms. And on Saturday, May 3, Jeffers Petroglyphs will also be the site of Clay Creations: Traditional American Indian Pottery, with a chance to make traditional pottery throughout the day. Techniques covered include coil and pinch pots. For further information on either event, dial 507/628-5591, or check out www.mnhs.org/places/sites/jp/index.html

The annual Ibsen Festival will be held May 2-4 throughout the city of Lanesboro, with more than 30 events celebrating Scandinavian theatre, art, music and dance. To find out more, dial 507/467-2905, or visit www.ibsenfest.org

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 more information, dial 507/831-2220, or visit http://midwest.fws.gov/windom

The annual Austin Area Rummage Sale & Spamburger Day celebration will be held Saturday, May 10, throughout the city of Austin. Visitors will enjoy bargains at over 100 garage sales, as well as a chance to try a Spamburger at all participating restaurants! To find out more, dial 507/437-4563, or check out www.austincvb.com

The Olmstead County Fairgrounds in Rochester will be the site of the Original Olmsted County Gold Rush on Saturday and Sunday, May 10 & 11, with more than 1,500 dealers from across the United States displaying and selling antiques, furniture, primitives, glassware, clocks & watches, lamps, coins, and more! For further information, dial 507/288-0320, or visit www.iridescenthouse.com

Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan Vicinity

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

A Spring Raptor Release will be held on Saturday, May 3, at the Hyland Lake Park Reserve in Bloomington. Visitors will see raptors returned to the wild, have a chance to observe and photograph eagles, falcons, hawks, and owls up close, and listen to live music by regional Emmy Award winning Michael Monroe. Children’s activities will also be offered, and there will be a variety of educational displays. To find out more, dial 612/624-9753, or check out www.theraptorcenter.org

The 34th Annual Walk For Animals will be held May 3 at sites located in Golden Valley and St. Paul. Both walkers and non-walkers are invited to attend festivities held before and after the walk, including games, contests, live music, celebrity appearances, and free food for humans and their pets. For further details, dial 763/432-4841, or visit www.animalhumanesociety.org

The city of Excelsior will be the site of the Lake Minnetonka Arts Tour on Saturday and Sunday, May 3 & 4, with 11 studio sites open for tours and sales. This event features the artwork of 30 participating artists. To learn more, dial 612/616-0460, or check out www.lakemtka-artstour.org

The Declaration of Independence will be on display at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul from Tuesday, May 6 through Sunday, May 18. This is a rare opportunity to see one of only 25 remaining original copies of the Declaration printed on the evening of July 4, 1776. The Declaration will be on display for free public viewing as part of the state’s Sesquicentennial celebration. For more information, dial 651/259-3000, or visit www.mnhs.org

And just some of the upcoming concerts and performances will include:
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 in St. Paul, 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 in Minneapolis, June 16
Return To Forever at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, June 19
Rick Springfield at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, June 27
Merle Haggard 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 Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, August 8-10
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

Northern Minnesota

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, and 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, located just north of 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

A Jazz Festival will be offered Friday through Sunday, May 9-11, at various locations throughout Cook County, including venues in the cities of Lutsen, Tofte, Grand Portage, Grand Marais, and up the Gunflint Trail. Visitors will enjoy performances by professional jazz soloists and groups. Tickets or a Jazz Festival Pass will be required for performances. For more information, please dial 218/663-9058, or visit www.grandmaraisjazzfest.com

The Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge in Zimmerman will be the site of an International Migratory Bird Day celebration on Saturday, May 10, with guided bird tours offered to both experienced and beginning birders. Please call for further details, at 763/389-3323, or check out www.fws.gov/midwest/sherburne

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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