Explore Minnesota Events Report: February 26

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Explore Minnesota Events Report: February 26

This is the Explore Minnesota Events Report as of Tuesday, February 26, brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.
Northern Minnesota

The 4th Annual Winter Tracks Festival will be hosted by resorts and businesses, located up the Gunflint Trail just northwest of Grand Marais, from Thursday, February 28 through Monday, March 3. This festival celebrates winter and the vast array of outdoor recreational opportunities, including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, dog sled rides, ice fishing, ice skating, sledding, broomball and snowmobiling. In addition, there will be a Winter Tracks Day, various seminars, history presentations, yurt dinners, craft workshops, art exhibitions, games, skijoring demonstrations, snowmobile tours and runs, and an abundance of food. Please note that lodging is limited–please make reservations early. For more information, dial 1-800-338-6932, or check out www.wintertracks.com

Nine Brainerd area resorts and restaurants, located on or near Gull Lake, will be the site of the Gull Lake Frozen Fore Golf & Snowmobile Event on Saturday and Sunday, March 1 & 2, when participants will tee-off using a tennis ball, and then snowmobile or ride a free-shuttle to the next location. Spectators will enjoy food, refreshments and family-friendly games. In addition, there will be a medallion hunt, and a food fest with samples from area restaurants. Proceeds will be donated to three area charities. To find out more, dial 218/828-2344, or visit www.gulllakefrozenfore.com

The 1st Annual Wolftrack Classic Sled Dog Race will be held Sunday, March 2, when sixty mushers and over 400 sled dogs will gather in Ely and compete in six- and eight- dog races. Visitors can meet the mushers and their dogs on Saturday, March 1, during the mandatory Vet Checks Clinic at the Vermillion Community College. A lasagna dinner will follow. For further information, dial 218/365-6123, or check out www.wolftrackclassic.com

The Forest History Center in Grand Rapids will be the site of a Winter Horse Logging and Firewood Gathering program on Saturday, March 8. Come see and touch various breeds of powerful draft horses, and watch as they are used to harvest firewood for the 1900s-era logging camp. Warm clothes and winter boots are recommended. For rates and times, dial 218/327-4482, or visit www.mnhs.org/foresthistory

Habitat Day will be held March 8 at the Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Little Falls, when visitors will learn what they can do on their property to benefit wildlife. Come build your own wood duck or bluebird house, enjoy other family activities, and talk with representatives from various natural resource agencies and groups. To learn more, dial 320/632-1575, or check out www.fws.gov/midwest/cranemeadows

The Aitkin High School will be the site of the Aitkin Area Commerce & Sport Show, Saturday and Sunday, March 8 & 9. Featured will be over 120 displays and exhibits by area businesses specializing in cabinetry, boats, ATV’s, lawn and garden equipment, landscaping, flooring, roofing, water systems, windows, siding, computers, insurance, real estate, resorts, flowers and gifts. In addition, enjoy artwork and crafts, historical displays, a Health Fair, children’s games, and the DNR Reality Shooting Gallery. Admission is free. To find out more, dial 1-800-526-8342, or visit www.aitkin.com

The BIR National WPSA Snocross Race will be held March 8 & 9 at Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, with a chance to see some of the top professional snocross racers in the country. For more information, dial 1-866-444-4455, or check out www.brainerdraceway.com

Giants Ridge in the city of Biwabik will hold their annual Spring Carnival on Saturday and Sunday, March 15 & 16. Highlights include skiing and snowboarding competitions, live music, costume contests, an outdoor BBQ, games, bagpipers, great prizes and specials. For further information, dial 1-800-688-7669, or visit www.giantsridge.com
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan Vicinity

The Spring Home and Garden Show will be held Wednesday through Sunday, February 27-March 2, at the Minneapolis Convention Center in downtown Minneapolis. This is a one-stop venue for new products and ideas for your home and garden. Over 1,000 experts will be on-hand conducting how-to demonstrations on the latest ideas in remodeling, gardening, decorating and more. For further information, dial 952/933-3850, or check out www.homeandgardenshow.com. And on Saturday and Sunday, March 1 & 2, the Minneapolis Convention Center will also be the site of the Body, Mind, Life Expo, offering all kinds of aromatherapy and skin care products, healthy living solutions and unique vacation ideas. To learn more, dial 612/798-7256, or visit www.101expos.com

The Radisson Hotel & Conference Center in Plymouth will be the site of the Winter Bluegrass Weekend: A Festival of Bluegrass & Old-Time Music & Dance, Friday through Sunday, February 29 through March 2. Come enjoy three full days of stage shows by more than fifty groups, dancing, workshops, instrument exhibitors, great food, and of course plenty of around-the-clock informal jam sessions. To find out more, dial 612/285-9133, or check out www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Urban Expedition: Guatemala! will be held Sunday afternoon, March 2, at the Landmark Center in St. Paul. Featured will be authentic Guatemalan music, dance, foods, arts and crafts, and folklore and stories. Visitors will also enjoy beautiful Maya Textiles, and learn how to make them at home. In addition, there will be cooking demonstrations, mask-making workshops, and educational information. For more information, dial 651/292-3276, or visit www.landmarkcenter.org
 
Buck Hill Ski Area in Burnsville will be the site of the annual Subway Bedrace for Bridging on Saturday, March 8, when teams of four will race down Buck Hill’s tubing hill on specially covered queen-sized mattresses to raise money for Bridging, Inc., a non-profit organization that distributes household goods to individuals and families in transition. In addition, visitors and participants will enjoy a Cities 97 Concert and Costume Contest, and the Medtronic Fireworks Display. To learn more, dial 952/278-3142, or check out www.subwaybedrace.org

The 35th Annual Auto Show will be held Saturday, March 8 through Sunday, March 16, at the Minneapolis Convention Center in downtown Minneapolis. Highlights include an estimated $30,000,000 in new vehicles. This is the 7th largest Auto Show in the nation, with vehicles from almost every manufacturer in the world! There will also be a chance to win $5,000 each night of the show! For rates and times, dial 952/831-8019, or visit www.twincitiesautoshow.com

And just some of the upcoming concerts and performances will include:
Rain: The Beatles Experience at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, March 3
Rockstar Taste Of Chaos at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium at the St. Paul RiverCentre, March 4
Disney On Ice presents Disney/Pixar’s Finding Nemo at the Target Center in Minneapolis, March 6-9
Robin Hood, Esq at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis, March 7 & 8
Girls’ Night: The Musical at The O’Shaughnessy Auditorium in St. Paul, March 8
Steve Earle at the Pantages Theatre, March 9
Jim Norton at the Pantages Theatre, March 15 
Bon Jovi at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, March 18 
Jersey Boys at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, March 19-April 20
Avril Lavigne at the Target Center, March 20
Bob Weir and Ratdog at the O’Shaughnessy Auditorium, March 21
D.L. Hughley at the Pantages Theatre, March 22
Three Days Grace & Breaking Benjamin at the Target Center, March 24
Gary Louris at the Historic State Theatre, March 25
The Blue Man Group: How to be a Megastar Tour 2.1 at the Xcel Energy Center, March 29
The Hotel Cafe Tour featuring Dan Wilson at the Fine Line Music Cafe in Minneapolis, March 31
Etta James at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, April 1
Disney’s High School Musical National Stage Tour at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, April 1-6
The St. Paul Osman Temple Shrine Circus at the Warner Coliseum at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul, April 3-6
Doodlebops Live! at the Xcel Energy Center, April 4     
The Eels at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis, April 7
The Kings College Choir Of Cambridge at the Cathedral of St. Paul, April 8
Bob Saget at the Historic State Theatre, April 11
The Harlem Globetrotters at the Target Center, April 11 & 12
John Prine at the Historic State Theatre, April 12
Red House Records 25th Anniversary Concert with Lucy Kaplansky & Storyhill at the Fitzgerald Theater, April 12
Justin Currie of Del Amitri at the Fine Line Music Cafe, April 17
Orpheus & Euridice at the Pantages Theatre, April 18
The Current’s Fakebook featuring Chuck D & Brother Ali at the Fitzgerald Theater, April 19
The Backyardigans Live! at the Historic State Theatre, April 19 & 20
Santana at the Xcel Energy Center, April 21
The Mars Volta at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium, April 21
Greg Brown at the Fitzgerald Theater, May 2 
Jesus Christ Superstar at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, May 2-4
Dan Zanes at the Fitzgerald Theater, May 4
Church Basement Ladies 2: A Second Helping at the Plymouth Playhouse in Plymouth, May 6
Minnesota Dance Festival at the Fitzgerald Theater, May 16
The Honda Civic Tour: Panic at the Disco at the Myth, May 27
Monty Python’s Spamalot at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, May 27-June 1
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers at the Target Center, July 23
Celine Dion at the Target Center in Minneapolis, October 30
For further information on any of these performances or events, please contact Ticketmaster at 651/989-5151
Southern Minnesota

Eagle Spot Weekends will be offered at Colvill Park in Red Wing each Saturday and Sunday through March 16, when experienced volunteers will be on-hand to answer questions about the many eagles that spend their winter or stop during migration at Colvill Park. Spotting scopes will also be available. To learn more, dial 1-800-498-3444, or visit www.redwing.org

The town of Houston will be the site of the 6th Annual International Festival of Owls, Friday through Sunday, February 29 through March 2. Visitors will have a chance to get up close and personal with six different species of live owls. In addition, there will be a banquet and auction, a hooting contest, nest box building, children’s activities, owl photo sessions, owl prowls, programs, presentations, speakers, a bus trip, and more! For further information, and for rates and times, dial 507/896-4668, or check out www.festivalofowls.com

Soar With The Eagles will be held Friday through Sunday, March 7-9, at various locations throughout the city of Wabasha, with a wide array of fun and educational activities, stage shows, educational programs, guided motorcoach and paddleboat tours, a Taste Of The Valley, seminars, special guests, visits with live eagles, and a fish fry. And while in Wabasha, March 8 & 9, head to the Wabasha-Kellogg School for the Home, Garden & Vacation Show, for lots of home improvement, decorating, gardening and vacation ideas. For more information, dial 1-800-565-4158, or visit www.wabashamn.org

Four Seasons Centre at the Steele County Fairgrounds in Owatonna will be the site of the Minnesota Deer & Turkey Expo, March 7-9. Highlights include over 200 exhibitors offering the latest in hunting equipment, accessories and services. In addition, there will be contests, seminars, special educational displays, demonstrations, and shooting and archery ranges. To find out more, dial 1-800-324-3337, or check out www.deerinfo.com

The 25th Annual Farm & Home Show will be held Saturday, March 8, at the Windom Area High School, with over 70 indoor and outdoor exhibitors, as well as live entertainment, educational presentations and seminars, a petting zoo for the kids, a quilt show, lunch specials, and door prizes. To learn more, dial 507/831-2752, or visit www.winwacc.com

Turner Hall in New Ulm will be the site of 27th Annual New Ulm Trade Fair and Living History Event on Saturday and Sunday, March 8 & 9. Visitors will enjoy over 100 tables of quality American Fur Trade Era trade goods, as well as living history demonstrations, period crafts, historic firearms, and collectors’ medallions and mugs. And, while in New Ulm on Saturday, March 8, head to the Wanda Gag House for the annual Wanda Gag Birthday Party, with stories, art projects and birthday refreshments. For more information, dial 1-888-463-9856, or check out www.newulm.com

The 45th Annual Home, Vacation & RV Show will be held Friday through Sunday, March 14–16, at the Olmsted County Fairgrounds & Graham Arenas in Rochester, with a variety of exhibits and displays. For further information, dial 507/286-1010, or visit www.kroc.com/common_files/home_show/home_show_08.htm

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