Explore Minnesota Events Report
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This is the Explore Minnesota Events Report as of Wednesday, May 28, brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.
Check out our events calendar for more information on many of these and other upcoming events.
Southern Minnesota
The Mayowood Mansion in Rochester will offer Mayowood Mansion Tours on Saturday, May 31, as well as June 3-5, 7, 10-12 & 17-19. This National Historic Site was home to three generations of the Mayo family, including Drs. C.H. and C.W. Mayo. It is a three-story Italian villa, with various gardens, heirloom collectibles and furnishings. Please call for tour times and availability. For more information, dial 507/282-9447, or check out www.olmstedhistory.com
A Historic Forestville Open House & Visitor Appreciation Day will be offered Sunday, June 1, at Historic Forestville in Preston. Come enjoy an open house and tour Historic Forestville free of charge. Visitors will experience the settlement village as it was in 1899, and can browse the general store, enjoy the aroma of a working 19th-century kitchen, and visit with costumed interpretive staff. No state park vehicle permit is required this day. To find out more, dial 507/765-2785, or visit www.mnhs.org/places/sites/hf
Sibley State Park, located 15 miles north of Willmar, will offer a Woodland Wildflower Walk at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 1, with a PowerPoint presentation, followed by a short walk to experience Sibley’s wildflowers. Visitors are encouraged to stay for a picnic lunch, and then attend the Bluebird Conservation Story program at 2:00 p.m. to listen to the bluebird’s story and find out what you can do to help it survive and thrive. There will also be a free bluebird poster drawing. All visitors will be admitted free on June 1. To learn more, dial 320/354-2055, or check out www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/sibley/index.html
The Hutchinson Dairy Day Celebration will be held Friday, June 6, at Library Square in downtown Hutchinson. Highlights will include a cow milking contest, children’s coloring and activities, face painting, live music, live animals, an antique tractor display, visits with area legislators, cheese samples, and a chance to register for various prizes. For more information, dial 1-800-572-6689, or visit www.explorehutchinson.com
The Kandi Mall in Willmar will be the site of the Kandi Mall Antique Power Show, Friday through Sunday, June 6-8, when the West Central Antique Power Collectors will display their antique tractors and farming equipment. Admission is free. And on Friday, June 6, visitors will want to check out the many Citywide Garage Sales offered in the nearby town of Kandiyohi! For further information, dial 1-800-845-TRIP, or check out www.kandiyohi.com
The 3rd Annual Great Camden Campout–the Pioneer Way will be held at Camden State Park in the city of Lynd, Friday through Monday, June 6-9. Activities taking place this weekend include campfire storytelling, a MinnAqua children’s fishing clinic, pioneer camp cooking, pioneer toys and games, and a search for the lost Camden History Medallion. To learn more and to reserve a campsite for this weekend only, dial 507/865-4530, or visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/camden/index.html
Whitewater State Park in Elba will offer a Take-A-Kid Trout Fishing program on Saturday, June 7, to introduce youngsters ages five to 15 years to trout fishing. Guides will take small groups of children and their parents fishing, and lunch will be provided. Bring a spinning rod and reel if available. One adult must sign up for each youth participating in the program. To learn more, dial 507/932-3007, or check out www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/whitewater/index.html
Kandi Is Dandy Days will be held Friday and Saturday, June 13 & 14, in the town of Kandiyohi, located just east of Willmar. Featured will be a pancake breakfast, family entertainment, a street dance, games for the kids, a parade, antique tractor pull, and a business appreciation supper. To find out more, dial 320/382-6100, or visit www.kandiyohi.com
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts will present the 2008 Flint Hills International Children’s Festival through Sunday, June 1. The entire family will enjoy incredible international performers inside, and free activities outside, including take-home art activities, a parade, art walks, and international foods, dancing and singing. This is a great way to introduce young children to the performing arts. For further information, dial 651/224-4222, or check out www.ordway.org
The James J. Hill House in St. Paul will be the starting point for Summit Avenue Walking Tours each Saturday and Sunday, through September 28, with guided tours focusing on the architecture, original owners, social history, and current preservation issues facing this nationally-recognized historic district. For rates and times, dial 651/297-2555, or visit www.mnhs.org/hillhouse
The 24th Annual Midwest Mopars in the Park National Car Show & Swap Meet will be held at the Dakota County Fairgrounds in Farmington on Saturday and Sunday, May 31 and June 1. This is the largest all Mopar car show in the Upper Midwest, offering more than 500 Mopar show cars, an arts and craft show, live music, non-stop entertainment, children’s coloring contests, remote control car racing, tire bowling, a human puzzle, KQRS Welcome with Terri Traen, and an Elvis lip sync contest. There will also be free trolley rides to all areas of the fairgrounds. To learn more, dial 651/260-5261, or check out www.midwestmopars.com
Historic Fort Snelling in St. Paul will offer a free Open House on June 1, with a chance to tour the fort, meet costumed history players, hear the cannon’s roar, and take part in the fort’s everyday life by shouldering a musket, mending clothes and singing along with the soldiers. Admission to Fort Snelling State Park is also free this day only. To find out more, dial 612/726-1171, or visit www.mnhs.org/places/sites/hfs
The 35th Annual Grand Old Day celebration will be held Sunday, June 1, along Grand Avenue in St. Paul. Just some of the highlights include the Grand Old Day Parade, a family fun area, the Teen Battle of the Bands, live music on seven stages, a festival gardens, various sporting events, an art fair, and over 140 outdoor food and merchandise vendors. For more information, dial 651/699-0029, or check out www.grandave.com
The Minnesota History Center in St. Paul will offer a free Open House on June 1. Visitors will have a chance to listen to the stories of Minnesota’s past, explore museum exhibits, uncover your house’s history or trace your family’s heritage, and shop in the two museum stores. And from noon until 4:00 p.m., attend "We Couldn’t Live at Home," with live music and performances to highlight the plight of Minnesota’s children and youth who must live away from home. To find out more, dial 651/259-3000, or visit http://events.mnhs.org/calendar
And just some of the upcoming concerts and performances will include:
Monty Python’s Spamalot at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, through June 1
Jay Leno at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, May 31
Death Cab for Cutie at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, June 2
R.E.M. at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, 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 in Minneapolis, 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
Aimee Mann at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater in Apple Valley, June 12
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 in Minneapolis, June 28
Lucinda Williams at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, June 30
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
Coldplay at the Xcel Energy Center, July 8
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
Marc Cohn at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, July 22
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers at the Target Center, July 23
Dave Koz and Friends at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, July 25
Peter Frampton at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, July 25
Bill Maher at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, July 26
Hootie and the Blowfish at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, July 27
The Gear Daddies at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, August 1
Nine Inch Nails at the Target Center, August 2
Los Lobos and Los Lonely Boys at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, August 4
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
Chris Isaak at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, August 13
Jerry Jeff Walker at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, August 23
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
Pop-Tarts Presents American Idols Live at the Target Center, August 31
Toby Keith at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, September 1
My Morning Jacket at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, October 2
Kathy Griffin at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, October 3
The Music Builds Tour featuring Third Day and Switchfoot at the Target Center, October 10
Playhouse Disney Live! On Tour at the Xcel Energy Center, October 12
The Loft Literary Center presents David Sedaris at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, 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
A Birders’ Spring Rendezvous will be held at Voyageurs National Park in International Falls on Friday and Saturday, May 30 & 31, in a celebration of the spring migration, with naturalist-led birding walks, campfire talks and boat tours. For further information, dial 218/283-9400, or check out www.rainylake.org
El Rancho Mañana Campground in Richmond will be site of a Minnesota Homegrown Kickoff, Friday through Sunday, May 30 through June 1. This three-day outdoor music and camping festival features stage shows by more twenty regional bluegrass, old-time, and related bands. There will also be workshops, dances, food vendors and jam sessions. The campground also has horseback riding, boat rental, fishing, and a swimming beach. For rates and times, dial 612/285-9133, or visit www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org
The 8th Annual Street Faire At The Lakes will be held Saturday and Sunday, May 31 & June 1, in Detroit Lakes. This juried arts and crafts show will feature over 125 artists and crafters from across the country, as well as strolling entertainment, a street dance, street bingo, great food and a beer garden. To learn more, dial 1-800-542-3992, or check out www.dlstreetfaire.com
The North West Company Fur Post in Pine City will offer Historic Fishing with the Kids on Saturday, May 31. Come sit on the banks of the Snake River, learn about historic fishing methods, and try your hand at using a cane pole and cork bobber. Other methods used during the era will be discussed as well. All adults wanting to fish are required to have a Minnesota Fishing License. And on Sunday, June 1, the North West Company Fur Post will offer an Open House, with guided tours, exhibits and hands-on activities at this reconstructed 1804 wintering post. Admission is free on June 1. To find out more, dial 320/629-6356, or visit www.mnhs.org
A Family Fun Day and Free Open House will be held at various locations in Little Falls on June 1, when museums and attractions offer free admission and special programming to visitors on the first Sunday in June. Just some of the Open House locations include the Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site, Linden Hill, the Minnesota Fishing Museum, Charles A. Lindbergh State Park, and the Pine Grove Zoo. For more information, dial 320/616-5421, or check out www.littlefallsmn.com
The FargoDome, located just west of Moorhead, will be the site of Rib Fest 2008, from Wednesday, June 4 through Saturday, June 7. Highlights include great food by some of the best ribbers from throughout the country, as well as the Games Garlore Midway, a Riblet Fest for the kids, and live entertainment by national acts each evening at the Miller Time Stage. For further information, contact the Fargo-Moorhead Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-235-7654, or visit www.fargoribfest.com
The 3rd Annual Birding Festival will be held Friday through Sunday, June 6–8, at the Audubon Center in Sandstone. Participants will have a chance to view over 200 species of birds. There will also be live raptor presentations, observation hikes, field trips to various sites, interesting speakers, bird banding, and more! All-inclusive weekend packages are available. Please call ahead for rates, times and availability at 1-888-404-7743, or check out www.audubon-center.org/birding_festival.htm
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 28 2008 | Tagged as: Events