Explore Minnesota Events Report for August 21

[mudbrook]

Explore Minnesota Events Report for August 21
===================
NORTHERN MINNESOTA

The 7TH ANNUAL BOUNDARY WATERS BLUES FESTIVAL will be held Thursday through Saturday, August 23–25, just northeast of Ely at Longbranch in Winton, with three days of blues music on the shores of Fall Lake. Camping is available on-site. Dial 218/365-6123, or visit www.elyblues.com for more information.

The city of Barnesville will host the annual POTATO DAYS FESTIVAL on Friday and Saturday, August 24 & 25, to celebrate this city's potato heritage. Events include mashed potato wrestling, a potato cook-off, potato-picking contest, sewing and stacking contest, a strongman contest, potato-peeling contest, the Miss Tator Tot contest, and a Potato Scramble for kids. In addition, enjoy Norwegian lefse, potato pancakes, french fries, potato sausage, potato soup, and German potato dumplings! For more information, dial 218/354-2888, or check out www.potatodays.com

A CONSERVATION AND WILDLIFE EXPO will be held Friday through Sunday, August 24–26 in Wadena. This family friendly expo includes lots of children's events, free presentations, a trap shoot, the State Championship Still Target Turkey Shoot, antler scoring, an archery competition, a visit from the Minnesota Zoo-Mobile, and much more! For further information, dial 218/631-3195, or visit www.mn.nrcs.usda.gov/partnerships/wadena

The town of Donnelly will be the site of the 42ND ANNUAL DONNELLY THRESHING BEE Saturday and Sunday, August 25 & 26, with antique tractors, a rural school and shingle mill, an antique tractor pull contest, the Big Machinery Parade, horse-pull contest, and many Threshing Bee demonstrations including woodsplitting, lumber sawing, threshing, and more. In addition, enjoy a pancake breakfast, kiddie parade, kiddie tractor pull, a bicycle safety rodeo, live entertainment and dance, open-air church service, classic car show, and a flea market! To find out more, dial 320/246-3337

A PRETTY GOOD TRAIL CONNECTION CELEBRATION will be offered Sunday afternoon, August 26, in Osakis to celebrate the connection of the Central Lakes and Lake Wobegon bike trails. In addition to bike rides, enjoy a rhubarb pie-eating contest, live music, a bike parade, kayak and pontoon boat rides, and an appearance by Garrison Keillor! To learn more, dial 320/255-6172, or visit www.visitosakis.com/pdf/Wobegon%20Central%20Flyer.pdf

The city of Grand Portage will be the site of the GRAND PORTAGE BAYOU BOOGIE, Friday through Sunday, August 31 through September 2, with three days of Cajun food, storytelling, Mardi Gras parades, crafts and delicious Louisiana cuisine like jambalaya, gumbo and shrimp creole under two tents! Admission is free. For more information, dial 1-800-543-1384, or check out www.grandportage.com

WILD RICE DAYS will be held in the city of McGregor, August 31 through September 2. Highlights include children's activities, face painting & kiddie carnival games, prize drawings, a car show, library book sale, silent auction, Wild Rice Education Tent, steak fry, arts and craft vendors, food vendors, parades, and live entertainment at Larson's Barn. For further information, dial 218/768-3692, or visit www.mcgregormn.com

The city of McGrath will be the site of the WHITE PINE LOGGING & THRESHING SHOW, Saturday through Monday, September 1-3, with antique farming demonstrations, over 250 old tractors, 17 steam engines, grain threshing, shingle-making, wooden barrel-making, grain threshing, a sawmill, working blacksmith shop, antique print shop, live music, dancing and parades. To find out more, dial 651/433-5067, or email: whitepinewoodman@aol.com

=========================================
TWIN CITIES GREATER METROPOLITAN VICINITY

THE 37TH ANNUAL MINNESOTA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL will be held just south of Shakopee off Highway 169, each Saturday and Sunday through September 30. This festival will also be offered Labor Day Monday, September 3, and Friday, September 28. The Minnesota Renaissance Festival is one of the largest attended themed events in the country, and features more than 275 merchants, live entertainment, games, food and fun in a 22-acre, 16th-century village. Additions to this year's festival include belly dancing, an Arabian horse show, and yoga lessons. To find out more, dial 952/445-7361, or visit www.renaissancefest.com

The Minnesota State Fairgrounds in Falcon Heights will be the site of the MINNESOTA STATE FAIR from Thursday, August 23 through Monday, September 3. The "Great Minnesota Get-Together" features more than 350 choices in foods, 50 entertainers on five free entertainment stages, 11 nights of big-name Grandstand entertainment, 60 carnival rides, and 3,000 creative, livestock and agricultural competitions. To learn more, dial 651/288-4400, or check out www.mnstatefair.org

The 146TH ANNUAL STIFTUNGSFEST will be held Friday through Sunday, August 24–26, under a big tent in the city of Norwood. This is Minnesota's oldest community celebration, and features musical entertainment by old-time and polka bands from across the United States. Other highlights include a fireman's challenge, heritage tent, arts and crafts show, children's program, a variety of ethnic foods, and a beer garden. For more information, dial 952/467-3365, or visit www.stiftungsfest.org

The city of Woodbury will hold WOODBURY DAYS, August 24–26, with a variety of activities such as a parade, the Taste of Woodbury, a business fair, carnival rides and games, dance bands, fireworks, a petting zoo, balloon rides, a children's fashion show, and more! For further information, dial 651/735-3322, or check out www.woodburydays.com

KI CHI SAGA DAYS will be held August 24–26 throughout Chisago City. Featured will be a huge arts and crafts fair, food booths, entertainment, dances, pie-eating contest, a parade, car show, garage sales, historic walking tours, Swedish folk dancers, and many other activities and highlights. To learn more, dial 651/257-1177, or visit www.chisagolakes.com/kichisago

Valleyfair in Shakopee will hold the 31ST ANNUAL GREEN GIANT CORN FEAST, Saturday through Monday, September 1–3, with an unlimited supply of free corn on the cob from 11am - 4pm daily, while supplies last. To find out more, dial 952/445-7600, or check out www.valleyfair.com

And just some of the upcoming concerts and performances will include:
HILARY DUFF at the Target Center in Minneapolis, 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 in Minneapolis, September 9
RUSH at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, September 9
MY LITTLE PONY-THE WORLD'S BIGGEST TEA PARTY at the Target Center, September 21-23
GORDON LIGHTFOOT at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, September 22
MAROON 5 at the Excel Energy Center, October 1
JIM GAFFIGAN at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, October 12
ANDRE RIEU at the Excel Energy Center, October 17
KIDZ BOP WORLD TOUR at the Target Center, October 20
DISNEY PRESENTS THE LION KING at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, October 25-November 25
SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE LIVE TOUR 2007 at the Target Center, October 28
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 14-16
For further information on any of these performances or events, please contact Ticketmaster at 651/989-5151

==================
SOUTHERN MINNESOTA

The city of Le Center will be the site of the 34TH ANNUAL LE SUEUR COUNTY PIONEER POWER SHOW, Friday through Sunday, August 24–26. This agricultural heritage show features displays and working exhibits, with antique tractors, farm machinery, steam engines, 26 buildings, an ag expo museum, a swap meet, stage entertainment, children's barnyard and playground, and the Parade of Equipment. To learn more, dial 507/248-3515, or check out www.pioneerpowershow.com

The 44TH ANNUAL GREEK FESTIVAL will be held August 24–26 at the Saint Anargyroi Greek Orthodox Church grounds, located next to Lourdes High School in Rochester. This celebration of Greek heritage includes authentic Greek foods, live music, ethnic Greek dancers, traditional Greek pastries, a kid's carnival, church tours, and a silent auction. For more information, dial 507/282-1529, or visit www.greekfestrochester.com

Holm Park in New London will be the site of the 9TH ANNUAL NEW LONDON MUSIC FESTIVAL on Saturday, August 25, with five bands, a variety of concessions, and fun for the entire family. For further information, dial 320/354-0044, or check out www.newlondonmusic.org

The OLD TOWN SUMMERFEST will be held August 25 in the "Old Town District" of Mankato. Highlights include live music and strolling entertainment, contests, food booths, exhibits, kids' games, a petting zoo, a local artists exhibition, beer & wine tasting, a Mankato Idol karaoke open mic exhibition, and hands-on activities. To find out more, dial 507/345-1806, or visit www.oldtownsummerfest.com

The town of Webster will be the site of WEBSTER HARVEST DAYS, Saturday and Sunday, August 25 & 26, with an antique tractor pull, Queen Coronation, live music, a church service, parade, and contests. To learn more, dial 952/652-2600, or check out www.websterharvestdays.com

RIVER-BLAST will be held throughout the city of New Ulm, Friday and Saturday, August 31 and September 1. Featured will be musical entertainment, exhibits, demonstrations, crafts, contests, fishing on the Minnesota River, and the hilarious water parade and flotilla. For more information, dial 507/233-4300, or visit www.riverblast.org

The Rice County Steam and Gas Engines Showgrounds in the city of Dundas will be the site of the RICE COUNTY STEAM & GAS ENGINES SHOW, Friday through Sunday, August 31 through September 2, with a tractor pull and parade, a flea market, raffle, musical entertainment and exhibits. And while in Dundas, head downtown for DUNDAS DETOUR DAYS, September 1 & 2, for family events, children's games, evening entertainment, and a street dance. For further information, dial 507/645-4336, or visit www.ricecountysteamandgas.com



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