Minnesota Events Report for September 4

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Minnesota Events Report  for September 4
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NORTHERN MINNESOTA

The city of Walker will hold the 15TH ANNUAL ETHNIC FESTIVAL, Friday and Saturday, September 7 & 8, with three stages of multi-cultural music and entertainment from around the world. Ethnic food and craft vendors will line the streets of Walker, and there will be family entertainment, interactive activities, a street dance, and a parade. For further information, dial 1-800-833-1118, or visit www.leech-lake.com

Ely's 14TH ANNUAL FALL HARVEST MOON FESTIVAL will be held Friday through Sunday, September 7-9, with over 120 art and craft exhibitors, as well as food, entertainment and craft demonstrations such as spinning, weaving, snowshoe-making, pottery, basketry and leatherwork. To find out more, dial 1-800-777-7281, or check out www.ely.org

The AUTUMN WINDS STUDIO TOUR will be offered September 7–16 at thirteen studios in Moose Lake and the surrounding area. Visitors will see the work of sixteen artists and fine craftspeople, enjoy live craft demonstrations, and have a chance to purchase one-of-a-kind artwork. To obtain a map, and for further details, visit www.autumnwindstour.com, or dial 1-888-485-0478

The city of Dalton will be the site of the 54TH ANNUAL LAKE REGION PIONEER THRESHING SHOW, Friday through Sunday, September 7–9, with John Deere tractors, machinery and equipment featured at this year's show. Highlights include daily parades, threshing, plowing, a sawmill, four-sided wood planer, blacksmith shop, steam and gas engines, a flea market, free train rides, stage entertainment, a children's Merry-Go-Round, and Sunday morning church services! For more information, dial 218/736-6505, or check out www.lrpta-dalton.org

The BEMIDJI PIONEER WOMEN'S EXPO will be held Saturday, September 8, at the John Glas Fieldhouse at Bemidji State University. Women of all ages will enjoy a variety of vendors, door prizes, seminars, motivational speakers, massages and facials, and live entertainment. To find out more, dial 218/333-9200, or visit www.bemidjiwomensexpo.com

The city of Breckenridge will host HEADWATERS DAY on Saturday, September 8. Highlights include a parade, arts and crafts, historical trail walk, open houses at the Wilkin County Historical Museum and Great Northern Caboose, a rummage sale, inflatable games, zoo animals, a coin hunt, public utilities boom truck rides, artist demonstrations, turtle races, minnow races, and free canoe rides! To learn more, dial 701/642-8744, or check out www.wahpetonbreckenridgechamber.com. And while in the area, enjoy the 5TH ANNUAL HIGHWAY 75 FALL MARKETPLACE on September 8 at communities located along Highway 75 from the Canadian border to Iowa, with vendors selling antiques, produce, collectibles, baked goods, flowers and more! Participating communities include Stephen, Argyle, Warren, Crookston, Shelly, Halstad, Georgetown and Breckenridge. Dial 507/825-3316, or visit www.highway75.com for more information.

The 35TH ANNUAL LITTLE FALLS ARTS & CRAFT FAIR will take place Saturday and Sunday, September 8 & 9. This is one of the largest craft fairs in Minnesota, featuring over 700 fine artists and crafters, as well as 50 food booths, live music and entertainment. And, while in Little Falls, head to LeBourget Park for an ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES FAIR, also held September 8 & 9. For more information on either event, dial 1-800-325-5916, or check out www.littlefallsmn.com

The city of Albany will be the site of the 33RD ANNUAL PIONEER DAYS & THRESHING SHOW, Friday through Sunday, September 14–16, with shingle-making, rope-making, steam engines, quilting, threshing and bailing, small gas engines, tractor parades, old-tyme and bluegrass music, a large flea market, and much more! For further information, dial 320/845-7410, or visit www.albanypioneerclub.org

The 13TH ANNUAL ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR and A TASTE OF PEQUOT will be offered on Saturday, September 15, in Pequot Lakes, with 110 crafters and several restaurants participating. For further details, check out www.pequotlakes.com, or dial 218/829-2838

The city of Marcell will be the site of BARGAINS ARE GREAT ON HIGHWAY 38 on Saturday and Sunday, September 15 & 16, with garage sales offered along the 47 miles of Highway 38, also known as the Edge of the Wilderness National Scenic Byway. To learn more, dial 218/832-3831, or visit www.edgeofthewilderness.com

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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, including 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

Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in the city of Mound will be the site of THE INCREDIBLE FESTIVAL, Friday through Sunday, September 7–9. Highlights include carnival rides and games, a raffle with cash prizes, silent auction, bingo, live entertainment, a performance by "Elvis," kiddie parade with prizes, a beer tent, and great food. To learn more, dial 952/472-1284, or check out www.ourladyofthelake.com

EXCELSIOR APPLE DAY will be held Saturday, September 8 in downtown Excelsior, with antiques, collectibles, handmade crafts, freshly harvested apples and produce, walking tours, the Doll Buggy & Red Wagon Parade, a used book sale, live entertainment, and boat rides on Lake Minnetonka. For more information, dial 952/474-5880, or visit www.southlake-excelsiorchamber.com

Pioneer Creek Community Park in the city of Independence will be the site of HERITAGE FEST on September 8. Highlights include local vendors, games and rides, black powder shoots, canine search and rescue demonstrations, live music, a car show, live auction, pony rides, a giant slide, moon walk, and lots of food. For further information, dial 763/479-0527, or check out http://independence.govoffice.com

The 6TH ANNUAL WASHINGTON COUNTY BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL will be held September 8 at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve in Lake Elmo, with some of the finest bluegrass bands in Minnesota! In addition, there will be crafts for the kids, and a variety of food vendors. To find out more, dial 651/430-8370, or visit www.co.washington.mn.us

The American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis will be the site of the 6TH ANNUAL MINNESOTA TILE FESTIVAL on Saturday, September 15. This festival brings together 40 of the most talented, skilled, and award-winning tile artists in the country, with demonstrations, workshops, and the sale of one-of-a-kind art tiles and tile-related artwork. In addition, there will be free tours of the Turnblad mansion, with a focus on its eleven historic tiled stoves. To learn more, dial 612/871-4907, or check out www.americanswedishinst.org

A WILD RICE FESTIVAL will be offered at Harriet Alexander Nature Center in Roseville on September 15, with a celebration of wild rice, Native American culture, and the great outdoors! Featured will be children's games and activities, demonstrations, Native American music, dancing and storytelling, apple cider pressing, a silent auction, and lots of wild rice treats! To find out more, dial 651/792-7012, or visit www.cityofroseville.com/Parks

And just some of the upcoming concerts and performances will include:
CROWDED HOUSE at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, September 9
RUSH at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, September 9
A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION with GARRISON KEILLOR at the Fitzgerald Theatre in St. Paul, September 14 & 15
STEVE VAI at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, September 19
ANI DIFRANCO at the Historic State Theatre, September 21
A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION with GARRISON KEILLOR at the Fitzgerald Theatre, September 21 & 22
MY LITTLE PONY-THE WORLD'S BIGGEST TEA PARTY at the Target Center in Minneapolis, September 21-23
GORDON LIGHTFOOT at the Historic State Theatre, September 22
MAROON 5 at the Excel Energy Center, October 1
INTERPOL at the Historic State Theatre, October 12
JIM GAFFIGAN at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, October 12
CMT ON TOUR 2007, with SUGARLAND at the Target Center, October 13
ANDRE RIEU at the Excel Energy Center, October 17
KIDZ BOP WORLD TOUR at the Target Center, October 20
VAN HALEN at the Target Center, October 24
DISNEY PRESENTS THE LION KING at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, October 25-November 25
RASCAL FLATTS at the Excel Energy Center, October 27
SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE LIVE TOUR 2007 at the Target Center, October 28
CELTIC WOMAN at the Excel Energy Center, November 16
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
LOYCE HOULTON'S "NUTCRACKER FANTASY at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, December 20-24
For further information on any of these performances or events, please contact Ticketmaster at 651/989-5151

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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA

The DEFEAT OF JESSE JAMES DAYS will take place Wednesday, September 5 through Sunday, September 9, throughout the city of Northfield. Highlights include James-Younger Gang's bank raid re-enactments, as well as a midway, parade, art festivals, live entertainment, an old-time tractor pull, and a variety of other activities. For more information, dial 507/645-5604, or check out www.defeatofjessejamesdays.org

The town of Mabel will be the site of the 55TH ANNUAL HESPER-MABEL STEAM ENGINE DAYS, Friday, September 7 through Sunday, September 9. Festivities include old-time threshing, log sawing, corn shredding, plowing and blacksmithing, as well as parades, stage shows, tractor pulls, craft and antique shows, carnival rides, classic tractor displays, an ecumenical church service, and more! For further information, dial 507/493-5350, or visit www.steamenginedays.com

A CELEBRATION OF MINNESOTA CHILDREN'S AUTHORS AND ILLUSTRATORS will be held Saturday, September 8 at the Anderson Center in Red Wing. Many of Minnesota's finest children's book authors and illustrators will attend this event, with book sales, signings, readings, talks and presentations. In addition, enjoy puppeteers and and puppet-making, marble-shooting, musical entertainment, museum displays, magic shows, face painting, ice cream, cookies, and balloons. To find out more, dial 651/388-2009, or check out www.andersoncenter.org

Communities along Highway 75, from the Canadian border to Iowa, will participate in the 5TH ANNUAL KING OF TRAILS MARKETPLACE on September 8. Highlights include all types of vendors selling a variety of goods, such as antiques, produce, collectibles, baked goods and flowers. Just some of the participating communities in southern Minnesota include Ortonville, Canby, Lake Benton, Pipestone and Luverne! To learn more, dial 507/825-3316, or visit www.highway75.com

PRAIRIE POTHOLE DAY will be held at Stoney Ridge Farm just outside New London on September 8, with 100-acres of family fun for Minnesota's wildlife resources. Featured will be seminars, exhibitors, trapshooting, archery, black-powder familiarization, dog trials, artists, taxidermy, decoy carving, a rock climbing wall, environmental learning tent, and concessions. Dial 320/214-1497, or check out www.prairiepotholeday.com for more information.

The town of Mantorville will hold the 42ND ANNUAL MARIGOLD DAYS celebration, Saturday and Sunday, September 8 & 9, with a huge antique and flea market, arts and crafts, a quilt and flower show, live music on stage, children's events, a firemen's dance, grand parade, and fireworks! For further information, dial 507/527-2275, or visit www.mantorvilletourism.com/marigolddays.htm

FORT BELMONT RENDEZVOUS DAYS will be held September 8 & 9, in Jackson. Activities include old-time children's games, an axe-throwing competition, black powder rifle shoots, buckskin traders, pioneer demonstrations and crafts, wagon rides, and guided tours of Fort Belmount. Primitive camping is available on site. For more information, dial 507/847-3867, or check out www.jacksonmn.com

Minnesota Square Park in the city of St. Peter will be the site of the 17TH ANNUAL ROCK BEND FOLK FESTIVAL, September 8 & 9, with blues, bluegrass and jazz musicians, as well as arts and crafts, speakers and food booths. To find out more, dial 507/934-3400, or visit www.rockbend.org

The LA CRESCENT APPLE FESTIVAL will be held Thursday, September 13 through Sunday, September 16 in La Crescent. This community celebration of the apple harvest includes apples and apple pie sales, apple orchard tours, the Apple Idol, live entertainment, a kiddie parade, carnival, demolition derby, arts & craft fair, a flea market, classic car show, children's Big Wheel races, and more! For further information, dial 507/895-2800, or check out www.ApplefestUSA.com

Library Square in downtown Hutchinson will be the site of the 33RD ANNUAL ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL & TASTE OF HUTCHINSON, Friday and Saturday, September 14 & 15, with roughly 200 arts & crafts vendors, and 20 food booths. To learn more, dial 1-800-572-6689, or visit www.explorehutchinson.com



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