Explore Minnesota Events Report: May 13
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This is the Explore Minnesota Events Report as of Tuesday, May 13, 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
A Bluff Country Gathering will be held Friday and Saturday, May 16 & 17, at the Lanesboro Community Center. Featured will be old-time musicians and students from all over the country, with workshops, a Friday night concert, and a Saturday night Barn Dance with great fiddle, banjo, and guitar music. The 12th Annual Stand-Still Parade will also be held on Saturday, May 17, at the nearby town of Whalan. Come stroll along and view the parade exhibits, and enjoy lots of interesting floats, games, live entertainment, and good food. For more information, dial 1-800-944-2670, or check out www.lanesboro.com
The city of Preston will host their annual Trout Days celebration, Friday through Sunday, May 16–18, with adult and children’s fishing contests, a chicken bar-b-que, city-wide garage sales, a Lions Club pancake breakfast, grand parade, street dance, and firemen’s beer tent. For further information, dial 1-888-845-2100, or visit www.prestonmn.org
The 10th Annual Spring Bluegrass Festival will be held May 16-18 at Cushon’s Peak Campground in Houston. Highlights include six bands, various workshops, jam sessions, a potluck dinner, and food booths. To learn more, and for rates and times, dial 507/864-8109, or check out www.semba.tv
The Jay C. Hormel Nature Center in Austin will be the site of the Oak Savanna Birding Festival, Friday through Sunday, May 16–18, with a full weekend of special birding tours, educational seminars and student activities. Participants may also want to check out the Mower County Horticulture Society Sale at Oak Park Mall on May 17. And on May 16 & 17, the Mower County Fairgrounds in Austin will host a BBQ Championship Cook-off Contest. To find out more, dial 507/437-4563, or visit www.ci.austin.mn.us
The city of Hutchinson will be the site of the 13th Annual DQ Motorcycle & Classic Car Run on Saturday, May 17, with a day of riding, fellowship and games to raise money for challenged children. Visitors will also enjoy the International Dog Show at the McLeod County Fairgrounds, and the Heart of Minnesota Paws on Parade walk and events at the Heart of Minnesota Animal Shelter on May 17 in Hutchinson. For further information, dial 320/587-5252, or check out www.explorehutchinson.com
A Syttende Mai Celebration will be held in downtown Willmar on Saturday, May 17, with a parade, trolls, live music, and activities for kids and adults to celebrate Norway’s Constitution Day. And on Sunday, May 18, head to Kennedy Elementary School for the Willmar Car Club Car Show and Swap Meet, featuring 41 classes, as well as dash plaques, goodie bags and ’50s music. For more information, dial 1-800-845-8747, or visit www.seeyouinwillmar.com
Olsen Farms in Lake Benton will be the site of Larry Olsen’s 13th Annual Polka Fest from Thursday, May 22 through Sunday, May 25. Highlights include concerts by numerous polka bands, dancing on wooden dance floor, daily Parade of Musicians, prize drawings, and a Sunday Polka Worship. Camping is available on the Music Fest grounds. To find out more, dial 507/368-9627, or check out www.visitlakebenton.com
The Key City Kennel Club Dog Show will be held Saturday and Sunday, May 24 & 25, at the Nicollet County Fairgrounds in St. Peter, with approximately 150 different AKC registered breeds totaling roughly 1,000 dogs. To learn more, dial 1-800-473-3404, or visit www.tourism.st-peter.mn.us
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
The Declaration of Independence will be on display at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul 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
The Conservatory’s Summer Flower Show in the Sunken Garden will be offered at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at the Como Zoo in St. Paul through October 5. Come enjoy the beautiful and abundant flowers, representing a rainbow of colors, bloom sequence, form and fragrance. To find out more, dial 651/487-8200, or check out www.comozooconservatory.org/cons
The Mall of America in Bloomington will be the site of Celebrating 150 Years of Tourism in Minnesota, on Wednesday, May 14, at 11:00 a.m. The program will include historical narratives of each decade from the 1850s through today, with special appearances by celebrities and characters representing key attractions or events that have enhanced the region as a major tourism destination. Just some of the special guests include lumberjacks, fur traders, jockeys, race car drivers, royalty and superstars, with a special appearance by characters from Nickelodeon Universe. Sesquicentennial cake and refreshments will be served following the program. Items commemorating tourism events in 2008 will also be collected for a Tourism Time Capsule to be opened during Minnesota’s Bicentennial. For further details, dial 952/883-8800, or visit www.mallofamerica.com
The Minneapolis Home, Building and Remodeling Expo will be held Friday through Sunday, May 16-18, at the Minneapolis Convention Center in downtown Minneapolis. Featured will be everything needed to build, remodel and update your home, with hundreds of exhibits, as well as the newest products and services. For more information, dial 952/881-5030, or check out www.homeshowcenter.com
Seegwan-A Celebration of Spring, featuring American Indian history, will be held on Saturday, May 17, east of North Branch at Wild River State Park. This is the 25th annual Seegwan event, featuring a full day of programs related to American Indian history in Minnesota. In addition to the many programs, visitors will also enjoy hands-on activities, and evening entertainment. Admission is free. To find out more, dial 651/583-2125, or visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/wild_river
The Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul will offer a Statehood Festival & Expo on Saturday and Sunday, May 17 & 18, with visits with historical characters from Minnesota’s past, a ceremonial lighting of the rotunda chandelier, performers, live music, exhibits, great food, trips to view the golden horses on the roof of the capitol (weather permitting), and a fireworks display. Visitors may also take a free trolley between the Capitol and the History Center during afternoon hours each day. To learn more, dial 651/296-2881, or check out http://events.mnhs.org/calendar/hours.cfm?VenueID=15
And just some of the upcoming concerts and performances will include:
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 in St. Paul, May 16
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, 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 in Minneapolis, May 27-June 1
Jay Leno at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, May 31
Death Cab for Cutie at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, June 2
R.E.M. at the Xcel Energy Center, June 5
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
A Prairie Home Reunion Show with Garrison Keillor at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, June 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
John Hiatt at the Pantages Theatre, June 28
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
Neil Diamond at the Xcel Energy Center, July 20
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
Nine Inch Nails at the Target Center, August 2
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
Jonny Lang and Buddy Guy at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, August 24
Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, August 25
Toby Keith at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, September 1
Kathy Griffin at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, October 3
Playhouse Disney Live! On Tour at the Xcel Energy Center, October 12
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 11th Annual Detroit Lakes Festival of Birds will be held Thursday, May 15 through Sunday, May 18 in Detroit Lakes. Come celebrate the spring bird migration in this transition zone of tallgrass prairie, northern hardwood and boreal forest. Highlights include daily field trips, workshops, exhibitors, socializing with fellow birders, and a chance to see a tremendous variety of species, with 190 species sighted in 2007. The festival headquarters is located at the Minnesota State Community and Technical College. For more information, dial 1-800-542-3992, or check out www.visitdetroitlakes.com
The city of Starbuck will hold the 22nd Annual Lefse Dagen celebration on Saturday, May 17, to commemorate the creation of the world’s largest lefse. Festivities will include musical entertainment and sing-alongs, a gathering of the original bakers, lots of lefse rolling and samples, a Scandinavian lunch, and an open house at the Starbuck Depot Square. To find out more, dial 320/239-4604, or visit www.starbuckmn.org
Arts in Aitkin will be held May 17, with several artists displaying artwork and offering demonstrations in downtown Aitkin. Afterwards, enjoy an artists’ reception at Moose Lodge, with a comedy & magic show, and live music. To learn more, and for specific rates and times for the artists’ reception, dial 218/927-2316
The Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site and State Park in Little Falls will be the site of the Natural Environment of Charles A. Lindbergh on May 17. Highlights include guided wildflower walks, information about the history of preservation and the environmental movement today, hands-on museum experiences, exhibits, a program on Lindbergh’s flight in the Spirit of St. Louis, guided tours of Lindbergh’s boyhood home, and a special environmental film. For rates and times, dial 320/616-5421, or check out www.mnhs.org/places/sites/lh
Breakfast with the Birds will be offered the morning of May 17 at Lake Bemidji State Park in Bemidji, with a walk through aspen and jackpine woods from Lake Bemidji to the Bog Walk. A camp breakfast with fellow birders will also be offered. Later that day, enjoy an “Ice Out” Ice Cream Social at Lake Bemidji State Park, when lake ice will be used to make genuine, hand-cranked, homemade ice cream! For rates and times, dial 218/308-2300, or visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/lake_bemidji
Various locations throughout the city of Hibbing will be the site of Dylan Days festivities from Thursday, May 22 through Sunday, May 25, when Hibbing will honor hometown musician Bob Dylan. Events include creative writing, visual arts and songwriter contests, guided tours of “Dylan’s Hibbing”, a youth talent competition, live music performances, and many other events. For more information, dial 1-800-444-8846, or check out www.dylandays.com
Awake the Lakes will be held Friday, May 23 through Monday, May 26, throughout the city of Alexandria. Various events are offered each day, including a Rib Fest, beer garden, live music, a Breakfast with Big Ole at the Runestone Museum, Heritage Fest, a Native American Pow Wow, a Show N Shine Car Show, outdoor worship service, boat parade, the Habitat for Humanity Motorcycle Ride, and the annual Memorial Day parade. For further information, dial 1-800-235-9441, or visit www.alexandriamn.org
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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Posted on May 13 2008 | Tagged as: Events, Field Reports