Posted August 11, 2009 9:50 pm
Explore Minnesota Events Report: August 11, 2009
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This is the Explore Minnesota Events Report as of Tuesday, August 11, brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.
Check out our events calendar for more information on many of these and other upcoming events.
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Just some of the highlights this week include Ox Cart Days in Crookston, Vergas Looney Daze will Vergas, the 34th Annual Heritage Days in Vadnais Heights, and Dobie Days-A Salute to Veterans in the city of Harmony.
Northern Minnesota
Ox Cart Days will be held in Central Park and throughout downtown Crookston from Thursday, August 13 through Sunday, August 16. Highlights will include the Battle of the Bands, a street fair, bed races, fireworks display, torchlight parade, corn feed, pedal tractor pull, dances, 10K and 2-mile runs, a canoe race, and classic car show. To find out more, dial 1-800-809-5997, or visit www.visitcrookston.com
Downtown Ulen will be the site of Turkey Days, Friday evening and all day Saturday, August 14 & 15, with children’s theatre, a talent show, teen dance, fireworks display, walks and runs, an old-timers softball game, street fair, car show, parade, and more! Ulen is located north of Hawley on Minnesota Hwy 32. For further information, dial 218/596-8849, or check out www.ulenmn.com
The Glensheen Festival of Fine Arts and Crafts will take place Saturday, August 15 at the Glensheen Mansion in Duluth, with the region’s finest artists exhibiting in this beautiful setting. Admission is free! To find out more, dial 1-888-454-GLEN, or visit www.glensheen.org
Heritage Village in East Grand Forks will present Heritage Days, Saturday and Sunday, August 15 & 16. Just some of the highlights include a parade, displays, craft and old-time skill demonstrations, steam engines, lumber mill, a Threshers’ Breakfast, antique tractor pull, musical entertainment, a community dinner and dance. To learn more, dial 218/773-3952, or check out www.egfheritage.com
The Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival will take place at Lake Superior Bay in the city of Duluth, Friday and Saturday, August 21 & 22, with a traditional dragon boat race, as well as live music by popular regional acts, fireworks, and other entertaining festivities. For more information, dial 218/722-4011, or visit www.lakesuperiordragons.com
The Forest History Center in Grand Rapids will host a Minnesota Music and Story Telling Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, August 22 & 23. At the end of the 19th-century and during the beginning of the 20th-century a battle over the best use of the forestlands raged across the country. Come see costumed characters present their stories and arguments to influence the public of 1900, and enjoy lumberjack music and more! For rates and times, dial 218/327-4482, or check out www.mnhs.org/places/sites/fhc
Central Minnesota
Vergas Looney Daze will be held Thursday, August 13 through Sunday, August 16, throughout the town of Vergas. Highlights include the Miss Vergas Scholarship pageant, karaoke, community rummage sales, live music, water fights, a Loon Calling contest, road rally, parade, a search for the legendary Long Lake Loon’s “Missing Emerald Egg,” and more! For further information, dial 218/234-1175, or check out www.govergas.com
The Deerwood Summerfest will take place Friday and Saturday, August 14 & 15, throughout the city of Deerwood. Events will include an arts and crafts sale, merchant sales, rummage sales, a silent auction, kids’ pedal tractor pull, kids’ carnival, the Wheel of Fortune, balloon twisting, a Coaches Corner street dance, and fireworks display. For more information, dial 218/546-8131, or visit www.cuyunacountry.net
The town of Vining will hold its annual Watermelon Day celebration on Saturday, August 15, with a craft show featuring more than 70 vendors, as well as children’s games, a petting zoo, great food, bingo, musical entertainment, free watermelon, a parade and dance. To learn more, dial 218/769-4432, or check out www.prtelweb.com/vining
A Chokecherry Festival will be offered at Trailside Park in Pequot Lakes on Saturday, August 15. Featured will be a firemen’s pancake breakfast with lots of chokecherry syrup. In addition, enjoy an arts and crafts fair, children’s games and activities, a chokecherry culinary contest, pit spitting contest, water wars, bocce ball, and a talent show. To find out more, dial 1-800-450-2838, or visit wwww.chokecherryfestival.com
The McLeod County Fairgrounds in Hutchinson will be the site of the Minnesota Garlic Festival, August 15, with local foods, Minnesota chefs, live music, artisans, games, competitions, and lots of garlic! For rates and times, dial 320/543-3394, or check out www.sfa-mn.org
The Otter Tail County Historical Society’s Home Brewers’ Festival will be held Friday evening, August 21 at the Fergus Falls VFW, with samples from more than 20 wine and beer makers. There will also be a beer making information and demonstrations, a silent auction of homemade wine and beer, and delicious appetizers. For rates and times, dial 218/736-6038, or visit www.otchs.wordpress.com
Heritage Days and the Serpent Lake Arts Festival will be held in the city of Crosby, Friday and Saturday, August 21 & 22. Highlights include arts and craft vendors, a car show, pet show, live music, a pie social, and lots of other great food! For more information, dial 218/546-8131, or check out www.cuyunacountry.net
The town of Verndale, located just southeast of Wadena, will be the site of the England Prairie Pioneer Club Show Days, Friday through Sunday, August 21-23. Events include a Gospel Music show, oat threshing and lumber sawing, a kiddie coin hunt, tours of the museum and exhibit buildings, blacksmith demonstrations, a petting barn, barrel train rides, a steam engine, pottery making, rug weaving, and a flea market. Camping is available. For further information, dial 218/631-1345, or visit www.england-prairie.org
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
The Titanic – The Artifact Exhibition will be open through January 3 at the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul, with a chance to discover the unforgettable story of this 1912 ship. Highlights include photographs, sound, and over 200 genuine artifacts. You can also explore first-class and third-class accommodations, see recovered personal items, learn about the science of preserving these artifacts, and view the Omnitheater film that takes you to the wreck of the Titanic, almost three miles beneath the surface. To learn more, dial 651/221-9444, or check out www.smm.org
The Community Park in Vadnais Heights will be the site of the 34th Annual Heritage Days celebration from Wednesday, August 12 through Sunday, August 16. Events include a pig roast, bingo, old-fashioned games, a car show, food and merchandise vendors, a pancake breakfast, outdoor concerts, fireworks display, a Booya, dunk tank, inflatables, a kiddie parade, parade, a Beatles Tribute, and water ski show. To find out more, dial 651/204-6000, or visit www.cityvadnaisheights.com
Art and All That Jazz will take place at Nicollet Commons Park in Burnsville on Saturday, August 15, with local, regional, and national jazz talent, dozens of artists, great food and beverage! For rates and times, dial 952/201-3507, or check out www.burnsvilleartjazz.com
Elim Lutheran Church in Scandia will be the site of Spelmansstämma on August 15. Highlights will include fiddlers and other musicians, dancers, arts and craft vendors, and a variety of foods, all outside amidst 1850’s Swedish log buildings. For more, dial 651/433-5053, or visit www.gammelgardenmuseum.org
The Twin Cities Polish Festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, August 15 & 16, along old Main Street across from Riverplace and St. Anthony Main in downtown Minneapolis. Come see why Poland is considered by many to be the world’s most hospitable and welcoming culture, and enjoy traditional folk music and dance, educational displays, Polish cinema and visual arts, authentic Polish foods, and more! For further information, dial 612/310-0989, or check out www.tcpolishfestival.org
And just some of the upcoming concerts and performances will include:
Tracy Chapman at The O’Shaughnessy in St. Paul, August 15
Rod Stewart at the Target Center in Minneapolis, August 18
The Pretenders at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, August 19
Dar Williams at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater in Apple Valley, August 21
BonTaj Roulet: Bonnie Raitt & Taj Mahal at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand in St. Paul, August 27
Kid Rock & Lynyrd Skynyrd at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, August 29
Kelly Clarkson at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, August 30
Jackson Browne at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, August 31
American Idols Live! Tour 2009 at the Target Center, September 1
Lil Wayne at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, September 1
Loggins & Messina at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, September 1
Randy Travis at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, September 1
O.A.R. with special guests Slightly Stoopid and Brett Dennen at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, September 2
Casting Crowns at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, September 3
Mary Poppins at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, September 3-20
REO Speedwagon & Styx at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand in St. Paul, September 5
WWE Presents Raw Live at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, September 5
Aerosmith and ZZ Top at the Xcel Energy Center, September 8
Regina Spektor at the Myth in Maplewood, September 11
Hank Williams, Jr. at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, September 13
Todd Rundgren at the Historic State Theatre, September 15
Pet Shop Boys at the Historic State Theatre, September 16
Insane Clown Posse at First Avenue in Minneapolis, September 17
Rascal Flatts at the Xcel Energy Center, September 19
Boz Scaggs at the Historic State Theatre, September 24
Kings of Leon at the Target Center, September 28
Moby at The Myth in Maplewood, October 1
Wilco at Roy Wilkins Auditorium at the St. Paul RiverCentre, October 2
Creed at the Target Center, October 6
So You Think You Can Dance Live Tour at the Target Center, October 7
Rob Thomas at the Xcel Energy Center, October 11
Metallica at the Target Center, October 13
David Sedaris at the Historic State Theatre, October 14
Howie Mandel at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, October 18
Celtic Thunder at the Historic State Theatre, October 29
Miley Cyrus at the Target Center in Minneapolis, October 29
Monsters of Folk – Mike Mogis, Conor Oberst, M. Ward, & Jim James at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, October 29
David Gray at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, October 30
The Tragically Hip at the O’Shaughnessy Auditorium in St. Paul, November 3
Joan Rivers at The O’Shaughnessy in St. Paul, November 4
Wynonna at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, November 6
An Intimate Christmas with Lorie Line – The 20th Anniversary Show at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, December 1
An Intimate Christmas with Lorie Line – The 20th Anniversary Show at the Historic State Theatre, December 12 & 13
Loyce Houlton’s Nutcracker Fantasy at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, December 18-20
For further information on any of these performances or events, please contact Ticketmaster at 651/989-5151
Southern Minnesota
Corn on the Cob Days will be held at Wedgewood Park in Plainview, Wednesday through Sunday, August 12-16, with dances, children’s games, a large parade, live music, BBQ Chicken dinner, a Gopher Count reunion, and quirky tractor games. And don’t miss the free sweet corn, dripping with butter, on Sunday! To find out more, dial 507/534-2229, or visit www.plainviewcvb.com
Various venues in downtown Northfield will be the site of the 6th Annual ArtSwirl, Thursday through Sunday, August 13-16, in a celebration of the richness of art in and around Northfield. In addition, enjoy a two-day Jazz Fest with headliner Butch Thompson. For more information, dial 507/663-0319, or check out www.nddc.org
Dobie Days, a Salute to Veterans will be held in the city of Harmony, August 13-16, with modern and classic rock, country, blues and soul music, as well as sky diving, helicopter rides, a motorcycle rodeo, and volunteer firefighters water barrel fights. Free admission soldiers with an ID that served in Iraq or Afghanistan. For more, dial 1-800-247-6466, or visit www.harmony.mn.us
The Butterfield Steam & Gas Engine Show will take place at Voss Park in Butterfield, Friday through Sunday, August 14-16, with steam threshing, antique tractors and engines, a tractor pull, wood sawing, pioneer buildings, ethnic foods, bluegrass music, and arts and crafts! For further information, and for rates and times, dial 507/956-3981, or check out www.butterfieldmn.com
The Olmsted County Fairgrounds in Rochester will be the site of the Original Olmsted County Gold Rush, August 14-16, with 1,500 dealers from across the United States displaying their antiques and collectibles. And an additional 500 vendors will display their wares in nearby downtown Oronoco during Oronoco Gold Rush Days, August 14-16! Visit www.iridescenthouse.com and www.goldrushmn.com for more information.
The 48th Annual Buttered Corn Days Celebration will be held Friday and Saturday, August 21 & 22, in Sleepy Eye. Highlights include free buttered corn, live entertainment, children’s games, crafters, vendors, a parade, corn-eating contest, bingo, and a raffle. To find out more, dial 1-800-290-0588, or check out www.sleepyeyechamber.com
The Paradise Center For The Arts in Faribault will be the site of the Paradise Blue Collar BBQ & Arts Fest on Saturday, August 22, with a BBQ contest, an Ugly Grill contest, large block party, bar stool racing, live music, a community talent contest, dunk tank, mullet contest, bingo, a beer garden, original artwork and unique creations! Admission is free. To learn more, dial 507/332-7372, or visit www.paradisecenterforthearts.org
The 1st Annual Henderson Hummingbird Hurrah will be held Friday through Sunday, August 28-30, in the city of Henderson to celebrate the migration of the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird as it heads to Central America for the winter. Featured will be bird-banding, tours of area hummingbird gardens, presentations and information about landscaping with native plants. There will also be children’s activities, book signings, and a vendor mart. Admission and parking are free. For more information, dial 507/248-3824, or check out www.hendersonmn.com
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.
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