Explore Minnesota Events Report , 8.01.07

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Explore Minnesota Events Report ,  8.01.07
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NORTHERN MINNESOTA

The Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes will be the site of WE FEST-HEAVEN IN 2007, Thursday through Saturday, August 2?4. This 25th annual country music fest features Keith Urban, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Willie Nelson, Carrie Underwood, Trace Adkins, Sheryl Crow and Sawyer Brown. A We Fest Karaoke Roundup will also be offered. For more information, dial 218/847-1340, or check out www.wefest.com

The annual FISHERMAN'S PICNIC will be held Thursday through Sunday, August 2?5, throughout the city of Grand Marais. Highlights include various sports and fishing tournaments, a kid's carnival, live music, a parade, fireworks, the Famous Fishburger Stand and other food vendors, rock skipping and log sawing contests, fun family activities, and a $10,000 grand prize raffle! For further information, dial 218/387-2524, or visit www.gmlions.com

The city of Braham will host the annual BRAHAM PIE DAY on Friday, August 3. Braham, the "Homemade Pie Capital of Minnesota," celebrates its status each year with an arts and crafts fair, live entertainment, a quilt show, a four-person pie relay race, children's activity tent, a collectors' car show, pie baking contest, two pie eating contests, an evening street dance, and over 1000 homemade pies in all! To learn more, dial 320/396-4956, or check out www.pieday.com

The 19TH ANNUAL WHITE OAK RENDEZVOUS will be held Friday, August 3 through Sunday, August 5, at the White Oak Learning Centre & Fur Post in Deer River. Highlights include live music, great food, story-telling, traders selling their wares, period family camps, demonstrations, a blackpowder shooting range, a primitive archer & atlatl range, Ojibwa Villages, and a replica of a 1798 Northwest Company Fur Post. To find out more, dial 218/246-9393, or visit www.whiteoak.org

The city of Roosevelt, located on Lake of the Woods, will be the sie of the 35TH ANNUAL STEAM & GAS SHOW, Saturday and Sunday, August 4 & 5, with a parade of antique machinery, exhibits, demonstrations, a flea market, threshing bee, food booths and live entertainment. For more information, dial 218/442-7455, or check out www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

The CAMBRIDGE ANTIQUE FAIR will be held August 4 & 5 at the Isanti County Fairgrounds in Cambridge, with roughly 800 dealers participating. This show is strong in collectibles such as postcards, paper goods, souvenir glass, advertising items, toys, glassware, pottery, primitives and photography. For further information, dial 651/735-0113, or visit www.CambridgeAntiqueFair.com

The town of Dorset, nicknamed "the Restaurant Capital Of The World," will be the site of the annual TASTE OF DORSET on Sunday, August 5. Highlights include a food fest, minnow races, live music and games. To find out more, dial 218/732-4111, or check out www.dorsetmn.com

The 22ND ANNUAL LARSON'S BARN POLKA FEST will be held Thursday, August 9 through Saturday, August 11, at Larson's Barn in McGregor, with live country, variety, old-time and polka music under the big tent and in the barn. Food and camping are also available. To learn more, dial 218/426-3648, or visit www.larsonsbarn.com

Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth will be the site of the 19TH ANNUAL BAYFRONT BLUES FESTIVAL, Thursday through Sunday, August 9?12. This outdoor blues festival is one of the largest annual outdoor music festivals in the Midwest, and features over 30 international, national and regional music acts on two concert stages. For more information, dial 218/722-4011, or check out www.bayfrontblues.com

The 28TH ANNUAL MINNESOTA BLUEGRASS & OLD-TIME MUSIC FESTIVAL will be held August 9?12 at El Rancho Mañana Resort in the city of Richmond. Visitors will enjoy four days of professional bluegrass and old-time string band music on five stages, as well as workshops, instrument showcases, dances, children's activities and family friendly shows in the Family Area, demonstrations, arts & crafts and a variety of foods in the Marketplace, and plenty of campground jam sessions in camping areas that circle the festival grounds. For further information, please dial 612/285-9133, or visit www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org

The city of Vergas will hold VERGAS LOONEY DAZE, Thursday through Sunday, August 9?12, with a Miss Vergas Scholarship Program, fine arts & crafts fair, a flea market, area wide and church rummage sales, royalty pageants, a pig roast, kiddie rides & games, loon calling contests, acoustic music at the beer gardens, children's and adult karaoke, a car show, outdoor church service, the Vergas Looney Daze Parade, turtle races, and raffles. To find out more, dial 218/234-1175, or check out www.GoVergas.com

GRAND PORTAGE RENDEZVOUS DAYS will be held Friday, August 10 through Sunday, August 12 at the Grand Portage National Monument in Grand Portage. This celebration of Chippewa culture includes a weekend of Pow-Wow dancing, games, and unique gifts, crafts and traditional foods. To learn more, dial 218/475-2401, or visit www.grandportage.com

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TWIN CITIES GREATER METROPOLITAN VICINITY

The MINNESOTA FRINGE FESTIVAL will be held Thursday, August 2 through Sunday, August 12, at various venues throughout Minneapolis. This performing arts festival features drama, comedy, dance, aerial work, musical theater, the Kids' Fringe, a Teen Fringe, site-specific work, spoken word, sketch comedy and more. This is the largest non-juried theater festival in the nation. To learn more, dial 612/872-1212, or visit www.fringefestival.org

Little Canada will present LITTLE CANADA CANADIAN DAYS from Friday, August 3 through Sunday, August 5, to celebrate the city's sister-city relationship with Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Head to Spooner Park for a corn feed, pancake breakfast, classic car show, kiddie and grand parades, a carnival, LC's Playland, fireworks, kittenball, and performances by the Rockin' Hollywoods, the Wombats, Splatter Sisters, and others. For more information, dial 651/766-4029, or check out www.canadiandays.org

August 3-5 is AUGUST ARTS WEEKEND in Minneapolis, when three major art fairs will be offered: the Loring Park Art Festival, the Powderhorn Art Fair, and the Uptown Art Fair. The UPTOWN ART FAIR, held August 3?5 in the vicinity of Lake Street and Hennepin Avenue, is considered to be one of the top ten art fairs in the Nation, with 350 fine art and fine craft artisans, 20 food vendors, night time entertainment, and more. The POWDERHORN ART FAIR, held August 4 & 5 at Powderhorn Park, is a regional fine arts and crafts fair featuring 180 artists, as well as acoustic music, good food and fun children's activities. And, the LORING PARK ART FESTIVAL, held August 4 & 5 at Loring Park, presents a broad range of high quality artwork in all media, with 140 artist booths circling the large pond. Acoustic music and other live entertainment are also offered. To learn more, check out www.uptownminneapolis.com, www.powderhornartfair.org, and www.loringparkartfestival.com

TWIN CITIES PUBLIC TELEVISION'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL will be held at the Twin Cities Public Television studios in St. Paul on Saturday, August 4. This free street fair features a children's activity tent, Rudy Maxa from Smart Travels, Sesame Street characters and other popular children's characters, a live music stage, dance and other stage performances, station tours, and much more! For further information, dial 651/222-1717, or visit www.tpt.org

Long Lake Regional Park in New Brighton will be the site of the 27TH ANNUAL NEW BRIGHTON STOCKYARD DAYS celebration from Sunday, August 5 through Sunday, August 12. This community festival includes a parade, street dances, crafts, live entertainment, games, rides, fireworks, the Antique Car Run Finish Line, performances by "Shadows of the Old West," a pageant, classic car show, and a 2007 Ford Mustang GT Convertible raffle! To find out more, dial 651/638-2100, or check out www.newbrightonmn.gov

The BURNSVILLE FIRE MUSTER will be held at Civic Center Park in Burnsville, Wednesday through Sunday, August 8?12, with the World's Longest Fire Truck Parade, recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2004! Other highlights include block parties, bands, fireworks, a community parade, rides, games, lots of children's activities, and traditional fire fighter games and competitions. For more information, dial 952/895-6714, or visit www.burnsvillefiremuster.com

St. Paul's Harriet Island will be the site of the IRISH FAIR OF MINNESOTA, Friday through Sunday, August 10?12. Activities include international, regional and local Irish music, dance, theater, sports, food, vendors, children?s activities, contests, games and workshops. This festival is recognized as one of the most authentic Irish festivals in the nation! To learn more, dial 952/474-7411, or check out www.irishfair.com

The 2007 ANOKA COUNTY GAME FAIR will be held Friday through Sunday, August 10-12, and August 17-19, at Amstrong Ranch in Anoka. Highlights include over 300 outdoor exhibits, free seminars, sporting and dog clubs, shooting events, special kids' events, fun dog events, WaterFowler's Hill, a 3-D archery range, duck and goose calling contests, and much more! For further information, dial 763/427-0944, or visit www.gamefair.com

And just some of the upcoming concerts and performances will include:
POP-TARTS PRESENTS AMERICAN IDOLS LIVE at the Xcel Energy Center in St.Paul, August 4
SUSAN TEDESCHI at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater in Apple Valley, August 4
THE KINGS OF COMEDY at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, August 4
PATTI SMITH at the Historic State Theatre, August 6
PETER HIMMELMAN at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, August 6
JOHNNY WINTER at the Cabooze in Minneapolis, August 10
JOSH GROBAN at the Xcel Energy Center, August 10
MARILYN MANSON & SLAYER at the Xcel Energy Center, August 14
MACY'S GLAMORAMA 2007: THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE BEAUTIFUL at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, August 17
THE WIGGLES at the Target Center in Minneapolis, August 17
HILARY DUFF at the Target Center, August 23
THE BANGLES at First Avenue in Minneapolis, August 23
CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVISITED at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, August 25
THE COUNTING CROWS, LIVE, AND COLLECTIVE SOUL at Midway Stadium in St. Paul, September 1
CROWDED HOUSE at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, September 9
RUSH at the Xcel Energy Center, September 9
GORDON LIGHTFOOT at the Historic State Theatre, September 22
JIM GAFFIGAN at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, October 12
DISNEY PRESENTS THE LION KING at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, October 25-November 25
MOSCOW BALLET'S GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, December 1
DISNEY'S HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: THE ICE TOUR at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, December 14
For further information on any of these performances or events, please contact Ticketmaster at 651/989-5151

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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA

Downtown Mankato will be the site of the 10TH ANNUAL HICKORY STREET RIBFEST, Thursday, August 2 through Sunday, August 5, featuring Soul Asylum and The Gear Daddies! In addition, enjoy another 25 popular acts on two stages, a variety of games, and the best ribs from across the country! To learn more, dial 507/345-4519, or check out www.midwestwirelesscenter.com

ARTSWIRL will be held August 2?12 throughout the city of Northfield, with ten days of music, theater, film, poetry, dance and studio tours. In addition, there will be Japanese Garden Tours, an artist marketplace, and an art car parade. For a complete list of activities and events, visit www.northfieldartsguild.org, or dial 507/645-8877

The SONG OF HIAWATHA PAGEANT will be held Friday and Saturday, August 3 & 4 in Pipestone, with spectacular lighting and Native American music in an outdoor ampitheater. The ampitheater is located adjacent to the Pipestone National Monument. To find out more, dial 1-800-430-4126, or check out www.pipestoneminnesota.com

The city of Lanesboro will be the site of BUFFALO BILL DAYS, Friday through Sunday, August 3-5. Highlights include performances by the Cannon Old West Society, children's games, theater performances, a beer and brats tent, marketplace, food booths, live entertainment, dances, tournaments, and a grand parade. For more information, dial 507/467-2696, or visit www.lanesboro.com

CRUISIN' DAYS will be held August 3?5 throughou the city of Cannon Falls, with an evening car cruise on scenic country roads, the annual Fireman's Street Dance, a classic car show, and a swap meet. For further information, dial 507/263-2289, or check out www.cannonfalls.org

The town of Berne, located just northwest of Rochester, will hold their 54TH ANNUAL BERNE SWISSFEST on Saturday and Sunday, August 4 & 5. The Berne Swissfest celebrates the community's Swiss heritage, and features Swiss entertainment, woodcarvers, wrestling, stone throwing, folk dancers, an alphorn quintet, Swiss bands, stage programs, artist demonstrations, flag throwing, a historical village, Kinder Corner, story-telling, a Swiss style show, yodelers, and more! Visitors come from various states and even other countries to attend this festival! To learn more, dial 507/356-4340, or check out www.swissfest.org

The 40TH ANNUAL CHATFIELD WESTERN DAYS will be held Wednesday through Sunday, August 8?12, at parks throughout the city of Chatfield. Highlights include two parades, a horse pull, horse show, musical theater production, band concerts, a street dance, teen dance, carnival, tournaments, fireworks, carnival rides, a craft & flea market, tractors & implement show, a classic car & truck show, and the 13th Annual Western Days Stampede. To find out more, dial 507/867-3810, or visit www.ci.chatfield.mn.us

Hole-in-the-Mountain Park and Snyder's Flats in Lake Benton will be the site of BENTON/FREMONT DAYS, August 10?12. This historical rendezvous includes live entertainment, muzzleloading shoots, historic games, arts and crafts, music, reenactments of a bank robbery, historic old west legends, and food cooked over an open flame. For more information, dial 507/368-9484, or check out www.itctel.com/lbenton

GOAT RACES will be offered on Saturday and Sunday, August 11 & 12, in the town of Jasper. In addition to goat races, visitors will enjoy a kids' pedal-pull contest, an adults pedal-pull race, a street dance, church service in the park, mud races, family train rides, and a parade. For further information, dial 507/348-3362

The Olmsted County History Center in the city of Rochester will be the site of DAYS OF YESTERYEAR DEMONSTRATIONS & ACTIVITIES, August 11 & 12, with threshing, spinning, maple syrup-making, blacksmithing, butter-churning, quilting, a flea market, antique cars and trucks, and a tractor pull. To learn more, dial 507/252-0343, or visit www.visitrochestermn.com

HARTLAND HARVEST DAYS will be held August 11 & 12, in the city of Hartland. Highlights include a parade, medallion hunt, a kiddy carnival, tournaments and games in the park, a street dance, ice cream social, bed races, a petting zoo, and community picnic. To find out more, dial 507/845-2280, or check out www.cityofhartland.org/hartlandharvest.html

The Minnesota Machinery Museum in Hanley Falls will host the 33RD ANNUAL PIONEER POWER THRESHING SHOW, August 11 & 12, with antique tractors and engines, a pedal tractor pull, antique automobiles, toy show, craft show, flea market, parade each day, barrel races, garden tractor pulls, musical entertainment, homemade ice cream, and lots of demonstrations! Camping is also available. For more information, dial 507/485-3161, or visit www.mnmachinerymuseum.com

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"The information in this report is provided courtesy of Explore Minnesota Tourism."