Minnesota Events Report May 5

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 Minnesota Events Report May 5

Just some of the highlights this week include the Carley Bluebell Festival at Carley State Park, located just northeast of Rochester; the 2009 Governor’s Fishing Opener Community Picnic in White Bear Lake; Saint John’s Arboretum Spring Birding Day in Collegeville; and Shorebirds of Northwest Minnesota at Old Mill State Park, located northwest of Thief River Falls.
Southern Minnesota

Villa Maria in the town of Frontenac will be the site of the St. Paul Audubon’s Annual Spring Warbler Weekend, Friday through Sunday, May 8-10. The Mississippi River’s north-south flyway offers a chance to view an abundance of warblers. Enjoy birding tours through the area by car, or along the trails at Frontenac State Park and other nearby Mississippi River parks. In addition, enjoy a Friday evening meal, birding games and prizes, a Saturday evening speaker, owl walks both evenings, and the traditional counting of the Chimney Swifts as they swirl around and enter the Villa’s chimney at dusk. For more information, dial 651/690-4130, or check out http://saintpaulaudubon.net

The Carley Bluebell Festival will be held Saturday, May 9, at Carley State Park, located just northeast of Rochester. Come view the abundant bluebells in bloom, and enjoy bluebell walks, a youth trout fishing clinic, Mothers-Day card-making activity, bluebell fairy tales, and pioneer games and craft activities. Also on May 9, head to nearby Plainview for a Pancake & Sausage Breakfast, live music, a plant sale, and a Women’s Expo. To find out more, dial 507/534-2229, or visit www.plainviewcvb.com

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Windom Wetlands Management District Headquarters, located just one mile east of the city of Windom, will be the site of the Eighth Annual Wings on the Prairie in celebration of International Migratory Bird Day on Saturday, May 9, from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Highlights include retriever demonstrations, a raptor program, bird walks, wood duck box construction, various children’s activities, a duck calling program, a raffle drawing, and trumpeter swan release. A Bison Burger lunch will rap up the festivities. An early bird walk will also be offered at 6:30 a.m. To learn more, dial 1-800-577-2875, or check out www.fws.gov/midwest/windom/

The 12th Annual Stand-Still Parade will be held in the town of Whalan on Saturday, May 16, when parade units will remain stationary for spectators to walk around and admire. In addition, enjoy live music, games and great food. The town of Whalan is located just five miles east of Lanesboro on Hwy 16. And on Friday and Saturday, May 15 & 16, enjoy the Bluff Country Gathering at the Lanesboro Community Center, with live music, calling, and lessons. For more information, dial 1-800-944-2670, or visit www.lanesboro.com
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity

The 2009 Governor’s Fishing Opener Community Picnic will be held Friday, May 8, at Railroad Park in downtown White Bear Lake, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., with free food, live music, demonstrations, children’s activities, special appearances, and a raffle drawing to win a pontoon, trailer and motor. To find out more, dial 651/429-5393, or visit www.ExploreWhiteBear.org

The Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul will be the site of numerous fun and informative shows this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, May 9 & 10. Highlights include the FASH Saddlebred Horse Show at the Warner Coliseum and Livestock Area, May 7-10, where amateurs and professionals show American Saddlebreds, Morgans and Hackney Ponies; the 21st Annual Minnesota Antique Motorcycle Auction at the Progress Center, May 8 & 9, with 125 vintage and special interest motorcycles; and the Friends School of Minnesota Plant Sale at the Grandstand, May 8-10. For more information on any of these events, dial 651/288-4400, or check out www.mnstatefair.org

The Minnesota Scottish Fair & Highland Games will be held at the Dakota County Fairgrounds in Farmington on Saturday, May 9, with a chance to visit Scotland in your backyard! Visitors will enjoy everything Scottish, including Highland & Country dancing, living history, free children’s activities and prizes, Scottish vendors and clans, pipers, dancers, and more! For further information, and for rates and times, dial 952/470-6300, or visit www.mnscottishfair.org

Randolph School & Museum in the city of Randolph will be the site of the 4th Annual Randolph Railroad Days, May 9, with a real engine and caboose, a Gopher State Railroad Museum display, operating RR crossing and lights, Chicago Great Western artifacts and history, a train show, model train swap meet, operating layouts and displays, railroad collectibles, books, magazines and antique toys, and a bake sale. To find out more, dial 507/263-3199, or check out www.hamptonnews.net/Hampton_News/Randolph_News.html

And just some of the upcoming concerts and performances will include:
Music as a Weapon Tour featuring Disturbed at the Target Center in Minneapolis, May 8
Tony Bennett at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, May 10
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, May 11
Keith Urban–Escape Together World Tour at the Xcel Energy Center, May 14
Walking with Dinosaurs - The Live Experience at the Target Center, May 14-17
Fall Out Boy with All Time Low, Cobra Starship, & Metro Station at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium, May 17
Andre Rieu at the Target Center, May 23
Soundset ‘09 at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, May 24
Yanni Voices at the Target Center, May 28
Bill Gaither & Friends at the Target Center, May 30
The Phantom of the Opera at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, June 3
Dane Cook at the Target Center, June 13
Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood at the Xcel Energy Center, June 18
Three Doors Down at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake, June 18
Bill Cosby at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis, June 27
Robin Trower at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, June 28
Earth, Wind and Fire & Chicago at the Target Center, July 1
No Doubt with Paramore at the Xcel Energy Center, July 5
An Evening With Il Divo at the Xcel Energy Center, July 8
The Jonas Brothers World Tour 2009 at the Target Center, July 8
Arlo Guthrie at the Fitzgerald Theater, July 16
Beyoncé at the Target Center, July 16
The Fray with Jack’s Mannequin at the Target Center, July 21
Lyle Lovett at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, July 23
Godsmack at The Myth in Maplewood, July 24
Vans Warped Tour at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, August 2
The Moody Blues at the Target Center, August 6
Rod Stewart at the Target Center, August 18
Jackson Browne at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand in St. Paul, August 31
Loggins & Messina at the Historic State Theatre, September 1
Aerosmith and ZZ Top at the Xcel Energy Center, September 8
Metallica at the Target Center in Minneapolis, October 13
For further information on any of these performances or events, please contact Ticketmaster at 651/989-5151
Central Minnesota

Saint John’s Arboretum Spring Birding Day will be held Saturday, May 9, at Saint John’s Arboretum in Collegeville. Early risers will be stunned by the abundance of active birds early in the day. Groups are led by experienced birders and people who know the area. Another group will tour the area surrounding the city of Avon in the afternoon. To pre-register, and for rates and times, dial 320/363-3163, or check out www.csbsju.edu/arboretum

The Brainerd High School will be the site of a Spring Arts & Craft Festival on Saturday, May 9, with more than 150 exhibitors participating. And, just to the north, businesses and residents will participate in a Citywide Garage Sales in Pequot Lakes, Thursday through Saturday, May 7-9. To learn more, dial 1-800-450-7247, or visit www.visitbrainerd.com

International Migratory Bird Day will be held at the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge in Zimmerman, on Saturday, May 9, with guided bird tours to celebrate the return of millions of migratory birds to their breeding areas. A Songbird Search will begin at 7:00 a.m. for experienced birders, and Birds of the Wetlands will be offered to beginning birders and families at 8:30 a.m. Pre-registration is required. A plant sale will also be offered. To find out more, and to register, dial 763/389-3323, or check out www.fws.gov/midwest/sherburne

The city of Willmar will offer a Syttende Mai Celebration on Saturday, May 16, with trolls, music, and activities for the entire family at The Sons of Norway Lodge # 59. And on Sunday, May 17, head to the town of Sundburg for the 5th Annual Syttende Mai Celebration, for a parade, and various family activities throughout the community of Sunburg. For more information, dial 320/235-3552, or visit www.willmar.com
Northern Minnesota

Old Mill State Park, located northwest of Thief River Falls, will be the site of Shorebirds of Northwest Minnesota on Saturday, May 9 from 1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. Come learn about the beautiful species that pass through the area, as well as those that call this area home. Bird-watching enthusiasts of all abilities will learn how to identify these birds by sight and sound, and discover some local viewing hot spots. To find out more, dial 218/437-8174

The Detroit Lakes Festival of Birds will be held at the Minnesota State Community & Technical College in Detroit Lakes, Thursday through Sunday, May 14-17. Celebrate the spring bird migration in a unique transition zone of tallgrass prairie, northern hardwood and conifer forests, with 190 bird species identified just last year! Highlights include daily field trips, workshops, socials, and exhibitors. To register, and for a full online program, visit www.visitdetroitlakes.com, or dial 1-800-542-3992

The Glensheen Mansion in Duluth will honor mothers with three occasions on Mother’s Day at the Glensheen on Sunday, May 10. Come tour the Glensheen and enjoy a fine buffet on her special day. For rates and times, dial 218/726-8910, or check out www.glensheen.org. Additional Mothers’ Day activities in Duluth on May 10 include Mother’s Day at the Fairlawn Mansion, and a Mother’s Day Cruise aboard the Vista Fleet. To learn more about any of these events, dial 1-800-4-duluth

The North West Company Fur Post in Pine City will be the site of The War of 1812 on Saturday, May 16. Learn how the Northwest Company prepares to protect their interests in the West by raising a corps of voyageurs to rally for the cause. Come prepared to march, make your own militia hat, experience camp life, and talk with soldiers about military life. For rates and times, dial 320/629-6356, or visit www.mnhs.org

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