Explore Minnesota Events Report 6.2.08

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Explore Minnesota Events Report 6.2.08

Southern Minnesota

The city of Austin will host Grand Old Fourth festivities from Thursday, July 3 through Saturday, July 5. Just some of the highlights include music and games at Bandshell Park, a parade, fireworks display, the Austin Hog Jog, a bike race, fishing contest and a street dance. To find out more, dial 1-800-444-5713, or visit www.austincvb.com

The Waseca Lake Fest Celebration will be held July 3-5 throughout the city of Waseca, with a downtown street dance, a parade, ice cream social, live music, a 4K Run, boat parade, canoe paddlefest, and fireworks display. On Saturday, July 5, head to Maplewood Park for Chatauqua 2008, when live entertainment will be offered all day under a big tent. To learn more, dial 507/835-3260, or check out www.wasecamncc.com

The city of St. Peter will be the site of the 38th Annual Old-Fashioned 4th of July Celebration on Friday, July 4, with a Freedom Fun Run & 5K Walk, a Toddler Trot, parade, an Art Fair in the Square, a picnic, live music, pony rides, a kiddie train, and a biodiesel modified truck & tractor pull. The Art Fair in the Square will also be offered July 5th. For more information, dial 1-800-473-3404, or visit www.tourism.st-peter.mn.us

An Old Fashioned 4th of July will be offered in the town of Harmony from Friday, July 4 through Sunday, July 6, with a parade, fireworks display, ice cream social, games, music, an open market, a kids’ carnival, toad races, food booths at Selvig Park, reptile and amphibian show, car show, peddle pull, ecumenical services, woodworkers show, and much more! For further information, dial 1-800-445-6481, or check out www.harmony.mn.us

The city of Spicer will host 4th of July Festivities, July 4-6. Highlights include an arts & crafts fair, flea market, a petting zoo and pony rides, a kiddie parade, Grand Day parade, historical society Sesquicentennial displays, band concert, fireworks on the 4th, a pedal pull competition, street dance, Dad’s Belgian waffle feed, Church on the Beach, wine & cheese cruises, and the Green Lake Road Race. To learn more, dial 320/796-8066, or visit www.spicermn.com

To learn of other 4th of July festivities in southern Minnesota, click here.

Giant Days will be offered Friday and Saturday, July 11 & 12, throughout the city of Blue Earth, with a car show, food vendors, historical tours, sidewalk sales, children’s entertainment, tournaments, a parade, karaoke contest, a street dance, a Giant Days Run, and the Nicollet South bike ride. To find out more, dial 507/526-2916, or check out www.blueearthchamber.com

The city of Worthington will hold an International Festival on July 11 & 12. Featured will be opening ceremonies, Middle Eastern music and dance, mural painting for the kids, a local talent contest, African American dance, music and storytelling, polkas, waltzes, and Latin, country and bluegrass music. For further information, dial 1-800-279-2919, or visit www.worthingtonmnchamber.com
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity

The Minneapolis Mosaic, a celebration of cultural diversity through the arts, will be held at venues throughout the city of Minneapolis all summer long, with over 100 music, dance, theater, visual arts, film and literary arts events offered. For more information, please check out www.minneapolismosaic.com

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

A Morgan Horse Show will be held Thursday through Sunday, July 3-6, at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul, with competitions in various riding styles. There will also be a special benefit performance for the Children’s Hospital on Saturday. For further information, dial 651/635-9746, or check out www.northstarmorgan.com

Harriet Island on the Mississippi River in downtown St. Paul will be the site of the 26th Annual Taste Of Minnesota, the state’s largest free festival, July 3-6. Featured will be a wide array of music on the Taste Stage, Minnesota Stage and Christian Music Stage, including performances by Eddie Money, REO Speedwagon, The Trashmen, Seether, Badfinger, and The Zombies. In addition, enjoy food by more 25 restaurants and vendors, as well as events, giveaways, and fireworks each evening! To find out more, dial 651/772-9980, or visit www.tasteofmn.org

To learn of other 4th of July festivities in the Twin Cities vicinity, click here.

The 14th Annual Cities 97 Basilica Block Party will be held Friday and Saturday, July 11 & 12, at the Basilica of Saint Mary in downtown Minneapolis. Come hear performances by a dozen popular acts, including Ziggy Marley, The Gin Blossoms, Gavin Rossdale, and One Republic. To learn more, check out www.basilicablockparty.org. For tickets, contact Ticketmaster at 612/317-3511

And just some of the upcoming concerts and performances will include:
The Steve Miller Band at the Target Center in Minneapolis, July 3
George Michael at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, July 7
Crosby, Stills and Nash at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, July 11
Mark Knopfler at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, July 12
Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, July 14
Chris Rock at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, July 18
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 in Apple Valley, 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
Judas Priest at The Myth in Maplewood, August 2
Nine Inch Nails at the Target Center, August 2
Los Lobos and Los Lonely Boys at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, August 4
Chaka Khan at The Epic in Minneapolis, August 5
The Wiggles at the Target Center, August 7
Larry the Cable Guy at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, August 8-10
Melissa Etheridge at The O’Shaughnessy Auditorium in St. Paul, August 9
Chris Isaak at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, August 13
Three Doors Down with Special Guests Staind and Hinder at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand in St. Paul, August 21
Brad Paisley, Jewel and Chuck Wicks at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, August 22
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
The Counting Crows and Maroon 5 at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, August 26
The PRCA Championship Rodeo at the Minnesota State Fair, August 28
A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, August 29
NBC’s Last Comic Standing at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, August 29
The Black Crowes at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, August 30
Donna Summer at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, August 31
Pop-Tarts Presents American Idols Live at the Target Center, August 31
Toby Keith at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, September 1
Chicago at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, September 9
Wayne Brady at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, September 10
Journey at the Target Center Minneapolis, September 16
Cirque Du Soleil-Saltimbanco at the Target Center, September 24
Defending the Caveman at the Hennepin Stages in Minneapolis, October 1
My Morning Jacket at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, October 2
Kathy Griffin at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, October 3
The Music Builds Tour with Third Day and Switchfoot at the Target Center, October 10
Tegan and Sara at the Historic State Theatre, October 11
Playhouse Disney Live! at the Xcel Energy Center, October 12
The Loft Literary Center presents David Sedaris at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, October 19
New Kids On the Block at the Xcel Energy Center, October 21
Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, October 23
Cinematic Titanic: Live! at the Historic State Theatre, October 25
Celine Dion at the Target Center in Minneapolis, 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 in St. Paul, November 6
The Moscow Ballet at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, December 12 & 13
Celtic Thunder at the Target Center in Minneapolis, December 15
For further information on any of these performances or events, please contact Ticketmaster at 651/989-5151
Northern Minnesota

The 64th Annual Bemidji Jaycees’ Water Carnival will be held Wednesday through Sunday, July 2-6, throughout the city of Bemidji. Highlights will include a parade, fireworks, a midway, bingo tent, Devotion Paintball, a live entertainment tent, arts and crafts show, water ski show, and lots of family activities. For more information, dial 1-800-458-2223, or check out www.bemidjijaycees.com

The Duluth Fourth Fest will be held Friday, July 4, at Bayfront Festival Park, with live music, food and craft vendors, children’s games, a performance by Martin Zellar and the Hardway’s, a fireworks extravaganza, and a patriotic "fly-by" from the 148th Fighter Wing of Duluth. For further information, dial 1-800-4-DULUTH, or visit www.visitduluth.com

Hill City will hold its 100th Annual 4th of July Celebration from Friday, July 4 through Sunday, July 6, with festivities including a parade, street games, fireworks, street dances, a flea market, fun run, concert under the stars at Park Ex, turtle races, crafts in Bear Park, and a Texas Holdem tournament. To find out more, dial 1-800-519-6939, or check out www.hillcitymnchamber.com

Freedom Fest will be held July 4-6 throughout Pine City. Featured will be live music, street dances, the "Lights For Life" event, children’s activities, a money scramble, bike parade, mini triathlon, and a boat parade. To learn more, dial 320/629-4565, or visit www.pinecitychamber.com

The city of Brainerd will be the site of the Brainerd Lakes 4th of July Celebration, July 4-6. Just some of the highlights include a parade, live entertainment, free corn-on-the-cob, fireworks, the 34th Annual Arts in the Park, the Brainerd Lakes Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure, and the Century of Cars Show. For more information, dial 1-800-450-2838, or check out www.explorebrainerdlakes.com

To learn of other 4th of July festivities in northern Minnesota, click here.

Moondance Jam will be held Wednesday, July 9 through Saturday, July 12, at Moondance Ranch in Walker, with live music by national and regional acts including Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Otis Day & the Knights, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Boz Scaggs, Sammy Hagar, The Guess Who, Poison, George Thorogood & the Destroyers, and Styx. For further information, dial 218/547-1313, or visit www.moondancejam.com

The Phelps Mill festival grounds in Fergus Falls will be the site of the annual Phelps Mill Festival, Saturday and Sunday, July 12 & 13. Just some of the highlights include 165 arts and craft exhibitors, a variety of foods, a children’s activity area, and live music. To find out more, dial 218/739-5377, or check out www.phelpsmillfestival.com

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