Minnesota Events Report as of Tuesday, September 23

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Minnesota Events Report as of Tuesday, September 23

Just some of this week’s highlights include the Crossing Borders Studio Tour, Eple Tiden Festival, the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, a Fall Raptor Release, Halloween Haunt at Valleyscare, the Zumbro Bend Rendezvous, and Women’s Show 2008.
Northern Minnesota

The North House Folk School in Grand Marais will be the site of Unplugged IV - The Northern Harvest, Friday through Sunday, September 26-28. In addition to an abundance of beautiful fall color, visitors will enjoy a weekend filled with live music, great food, a traditional fish boil, and old-time crafts demonstrated by guest artisans. The North House Folk School promotes learning and preserving knowledge, skills and crafts of the past and present. For more information, dial 1-888-387-9762, or visit www.northhousefolkschool.com

Crossroads Shopping Center in St. Cloud will be the site of the annual Gingerbread Arts and Craft Show, Friday through Sunday, September 26-28. To find out more, dial 651/457-8980, or check out www.gingerbreadshows.com

The 12th Annual Crossing Borders Studio Tour will be held Friday, September 26 through Sunday, October 5, at artist studios located along or near Highway 61 from Two Harbors to Thunder Bay. This self-guided tour of 17 artists’ studios offers a chance to learn about artists’ methods and purchase art in various media from pottery to fabrics to fine jewelry. Brochures with maps will be available at various businesses. For further information, dial 1-888-616-6784, or visit www.crossingbordersstudiotour.com

The annual Eple Tiden Festival will be held Saturday, September 27 at the Starbuck Depot in Starbuck. Eple Tiden is an autumn market celebration, with lots of apples and other fall produce, lots of apple pie, ice cream and lefse, and a variety of musical entertainment, displays, and artist demonstrations. To learn more, dial 320/239-4220, or check out www.starbuckmn.org

The Audubon Center of the North Woods, located in Sandstone on the east side of Grindstone Lake, will host the 40th Anniversary Open House and Arts & Craft Fair on September 27, with free, fun activities for all ages! Highlights will include a variety of exhibits and demonstrations, information about on-site renewable energy systems, visits with resident birds of prey, and an arts and craft fair. Lots of fun adventures and activities will also be offered, including fall walking tours, a climbing wall, zip line, nature scavenger hunt, and recycled art projects. For more information, dial 320/245-2648, or visit www.audubon-center.org/openhouse.html

GeoFest Midwest will take place Saturday and Sunday, September 27 & 28, in and around Fergus Falls. This two-day weekend revolves around 25-30 cache sites, each with a clue to help solve a mystery. In addition, enjoy family activities, a barbecue, bonfire, an awards celebration with prizes, and gorgeous fall color! For further information, dial 1-800-726-8959, or check out www.geofestmidwest.com

The William A. Irvin Ore Carrier in Duluth will be transformed into a Floating Ghost Ship on Friday and Saturday, October 3 & 4. No child under the age of 12 will be admitted without a parent. Tours will also be offered October 9-11, 15-18, 23-26, and October 29 through November 1. For rates and times, dial 218/722-5573, or visit www.decc.org

A Wildlife Festival will be offered Saturday, October 4, at the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge in Zimmerman. Come celebrate birds and other wildlife during National Wildlife Refuge Week, and enjoy exhibits, a guided nature walk, archery and air rifle workshops, hay rides, a bonfire, nature crafts, a live raptor program, and a special performance. Refuge service roads will be open to vehicle traffic. To learn more, dial 1-877-721-4295, or check out www.fws.gov/midwest/sherburne

The East Grand Forks Civic and VFW arenas will be the site of the 36th Annual East Grand Forks Art & Craft Fair on Saturday and Sunday, October 4 & 5. This is the largest juried craft fair in the region, with free bus service offered between the two arenas. To find out more, dial 218/773-6525, or visit www.gochamber.org
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival will be held at a recreated 16th-century European village, located just south of Shakopee off Hwy 169, each Saturday and Sunday, through September 28, including Friday, September 26. This is the largest Renaissance Festival in the United States, with more than 500 entertainers on 15 stages, 275 crafters, 120 food booths, and old-time games and competitions, as well as belly dancing lessons, an Arabian horse show, yoga lessons, the World Amateur Highland Heavy Games, and much more! Each weekend will feature a different theme, including the Silk Road, Irish Heritage, Italian Carnival, and Chocolate and Romance! To find out more, dial 1-800-966-8215, or check out www.renaissancefest.com

The Carpenter Nature Center in Hastings will be the site of a Fall Raptor Release on Saturday, September 27, with a chance to see raptors returned to the wild! In addition, meet The Raptor Center’s education birds, learn about eagles, owls, hawks, and falcons, and enjoy hands-on children’s activities, educational displays, and live music. To learn more, dial 612/624-4745, or visit www.TheRaptorCenter.org

A Fall Harvest Festival will be offered at Central Park in North Branch on September 27. This art, craft and commercial fair features hand-crafted items, unique gifts, delicious foods, and fun activities for everyone. For more information, dial 651/674-4077, or check out www.NorthBranchChamber.com

The Alpacas of Minnesota Farm Tour will be held Saturday and Sunday, September 27 & 28, at alpaca farms throughout the state, including at many located in the Twin Cities vicinity. Visitors will enjoy alpaca products, activities, demonstrations and education. To locate metro area farms, dial 651/583-2915, or visit www.ExploreAlpacas.com

Valleyfair in Shakopee will be transformed into Halloween Haunt At Valleyscare, September 27 & 28. Just some of the highlights include over 200 ghosts, goblins, mutants and other strange creatures lurking in the fog, horrifying mazes, shocking scare zones, and Fright Feasts. Valleyscare will also be open October 3-5, 10-12, 15-19, 24-26, and October 31 and November 1. For rates and times, dial 1-800-FUN-RIDE, or check out www.valleyscare.com

Fall Color Chairlift Rides will be offered at Hyland Hills Ski Area in Bloomington on Friday and Saturday, October 3 & 4, with rides to the top of one of Hennepin Counties highest points. Come enjoy the beautiful fall colors or evening stargazing, meet live raptors, enjoy a BBQ dinner, or roast marshmallows over a campfire. Admission is $5.00. To find out more, dial 763/694-7676, or visit www.threeriversparkdistrict.org

And just some of the upcoming concerts and performances will include:
Cirque Du Soleil-Saltimbanco at the Target Center in Minneapolis, September 24
The Robert Cray Band at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, September 26
WWE Monday Night Raw at the Target Center, September 29
Beck with MGMT at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul, September 30
The Eagles at the Target Center, September 30
Defending the Caveman at the Hennepin Stages in Minneapolis, October 1
My Morning Jacket at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, October 2
Ani DiFranco at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, October 3
Kathy Griffin at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, October 3 & October 5-7
Kenny Rogers at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, October 3
Weezer with Angels, the Airwaves, & Tokyo Police Club at the Xcel Energy Center, October 3
Alanis Morissette at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, October 4
A Prairie Home Companion at the Fitzgerald Theater, October 4
Joe Satriani at the Historic State Theatre, October 7
David Wilcox at the Fitzgerald Theater, October 9
Magnetic Fields at the Historic State Theatre, October 10
The Music Builds Tour with Third Day & Switchfoot at the Target Center, October 10
Rascal Flatts at the Xcel Energy Center, October 10
Tegan & Sara at the Historic State Theatre, October 11
Playhouse Disney Live! at the Xcel Energy Center, October 12
Taj Mahal at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, October 12
David Byrne at the Historic State Theatre, October 14
Jackson Browne at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, October 16
Rufus Wainwright at the Historic State Theatre, October 16
Ben Folds at The Myth in Maplewood, October 17
The Minneapolis Shrine Circus at the Target Center, October 17
Minnesota Roller Girls at the St. Paul RiverCentre Roy Wilkins Auditorium, October 18
K.D. Lang at the O’Shaughnessy Auditorium in St. Paul, October 19
So You Think You Can Dance Live Tour 2008 at the Xcel Energy Center, October 19
The Loft Literary Center presents David Sedaris at the Historic State Theatre, October 19
Rock Band Live with Panic at the Disco & Dashboard Confessional at the Target Center, October 21
New Kids On the Block at the Xcel Energy Center, October 21
Matthew Sweet at First Avenue in Minneapolis, October 22
Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, October 22 & 23
Little Feat at the Fitzgerald Theater, October 24
Reba & Kelly Clarkson: 2 Worlds 2 Voices Tour at the Target Center, October 24
Cheech & Chong Light Up America at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, October 25
Cinematic Titanic: Live! at the Historic State Theatre, October 25
Loretta Lynn at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, October 25
Celine Dion at the Target Center, October 30
Wicked-A New Musical at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, November 5
Menopause, the Musical at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis, November 5-9
Martin Sexton at the Fitzgerald Theater, November 6
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular at the Target Center, November 7
The 2008 World Tour of Gymnastics Superstars at the Xcel Energy Center, November 9
Amos Lee at The O’Shaughnessy Auditorium, November 10
Joan Baez at the Historic State Theatre, November 13
Brian Wilson at the Historic State Theatre, November 15
Susan Tedeschi at the Pantages Theatre, November 21
AC/DC at the Xcel Energy Center, November 23
Leo Kottke at the Historic State Theatre, November 29
The Blenders at the Pantages Theatre, December 4
Lorie Line at the Historic State Theatre, December 6-13
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra at the Xcel Energy Center, December 7
For further information on any of these performances or events, please contact Ticketmaster at 651/989-5151
Southern Minnesota

The Mankato Alltel Center will be the site of Women’s Show 2008 on Saturday, September 27, with a full day of shopping and information by over 100 exhibitors, as well as great food, free health screenings, massages, makeovers, seminars and performers on various stages, gifts and giveaways! And on Sunday, September 28, enjoy Intergeneration Day at Old Main Village in Mankato, with dancing by the Summit Center Stompers, an old-fashioned "Fishing Pond" with prizes for the kids, slinky races down the staircase, Make-and-Take family tree projects, storytelling and magic, fun treats, and an open swim in the swimming pool. For further information, dial 1-800-657-4733, or visit www.greatermankato.com

A Latino Fest will be offered at Soldier’s Field in Rochester on Saturday, September 27, with activities for children and their families, good food, family fun and helpful information. For more information, dial 507/328-7521, or check out www.cityTvO.com

Rose Crest Farms, in the town of Webster, located just southwest of Elko/New Market, will be the site of the Rose Crest Alpacas Open House Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, September 27 & 28. Featured will be presentations on alpaca care, as well as hay rides, children’s activities, spinning demonstrations, and various alpaca retail items. To learn more, dial 952/652-6065, or visit www.RoseCrestAlpacas.com

The Zumbro Bend Rendezvous will be held September 27 & 28 at Riverside Park in Mantorville. Visitors will have a chance to experience life in a fur trading camp, meet costumed re-enactors, participate in demonstrations, purchase unique items at the trade lodges, and taste authentic foods at the camp kitchen. To find out more, dial 507/634-7092, or check out www.dodgecountyhistorical.org/events/rendezvous.html

The Nelson Family Farm in Litchfield will host a Pumpkin Festival on Saturday and Sunday, September 27 & 28. Just some of the highlights include tractor drawn wagon rides, make-your-own scarecrows, pony rides, a gift shop, a straw maze, farm animals, and home-grown pumpkins, squash, corn shocks, decorative corn and other fall decorations for your yard. Walks through a corn maze are also offered. Grandparents receive free admission with each paying grandchild on September 27 & 28. The Pumpkin Festival will also be held each Saturday and Sunday, through October 26, including Thursday and Friday, October 16 & 17. For further information, dial 320/693-7750, or visit www.nelsonfarm.com

An Oktoberfest celebration will be offered at the Holiday Inn and throughout downtown New Ulm, Friday and Saturday, October 3 & 4. This festival features musical entertainment, including New Ulm’s Concord Singers and bands from Germany, as well as dancing, and lots of German merchandise, food and drink. This event will also be held October 10 & 11. For more information, dial 1-877-359-2941, or check out www.newulmoktoberfest.com

The city of Lanesboro will present the Lanesboro Fall Fest on Saturday, October 4, with harvest activities, wagon rides, special promotions, a farmer’s market, cookie walk, used book sale, wine testing at Scenic Valley Winery, Lanesboro trolley tours, and live professional theatre performances. And head to nearby Historic Forestville, an 1899 village, for Harvest Day Saturday, and participate in the corn harvest, quilting bee, seed threshing, cider pressing and more! For further information, dial 1-800-944-2670, or visit www.lanesboro.com

The Scarecrow Fall-ies will be held throughout the city of Cannon Falls on Saturday, October 4. Highlights include a scarecrow contest, street arts & craft vendors, a farmer’s market, concessions, children’s activities, and a Harvest Dance. To learn more, dial 507/263-2289, or check out www.cannonfalls.org

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