Explore Minnesota Events Report May 18, 2010

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May 18, 2010 Explore Minnesota Events Report
   

Highlights this week and weekend include the 12th Annual Southeast Minnesota Bluegrass Association Spring Festival in Houston, the Minnesota Scottish Fair & Highland Games at the Dakota County Fairgrounds in Farmington, the 2nd Annual Street Car Showdown & National Auto Sport Association Races at Brainerd International Raceway, the Detroit Lakes Festival of Birds in Detroit Lakes, and "The Music of Queen" by the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.

This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.

Southern Minnesota

Cushon's Peak Campground, located along the Root River Bike Trail in Houston, will be the site of the 12th Annual Southeast Minnesota Bluegrass Association Spring Festival, Friday through Sunday, May 21-23. In addition to on-going jam sessions, enjoy seven bands from throughout the U.S., as well as workshops and family fun. For rates and times, dial 507/864-8109, or visit www.semba.tv

An Orchids of Whitewater State Park Walk will be held Saturday, May 22, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Whitewater State Park, located three miles south of Elba on State Highway 74. Join experts in a search for beautiful and amazing orchids, including yellow lady?s-slipper. And from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m., Whitewater State Park will also be the site of an Orchids of Minnesota Slide Show, presented by the Orchid Walk guides, with pictures of each of Minnesota's 43 orchids. The guides have journeyed to cedar bogs, bluff prairies, the Big Woods and roadside ditches to get these photographs, and their stories are fascinating. For more information, dial 507/932-3007, or check out www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/whitewater/index.html

The Nicollet County Fairgrounds in St. Peter will be the site of the Key City Kennel Club Dog Show, Saturday and Sunday, May 29 & 30, with approximately 150 different AKC registered breeds, totaling roughly 1,000 dogs. Admission is free, but there is a parking fee. To find out more, dial 1-800-473-3404, or visit www.tourism.st-peter.mn.us

The Spomer Classics Show and Shine will be held Saturday, May 29 at Spomer Classics & Museum in Worthington. In addition to a car show, enjoy automotive memorabilia, and various porcelain and neon signs. Then on Sunday, May 30, head to the Nobles County Speedway for Memorial Day Vintage Car Racing, during Grain Exchange Night. To learn more, dial 507/76-9557, or check out www.worthingtonmnchamber.com

The town of Dundas, located just southwest of Northfield, will be the site of the Rice County Steam & Gas Engines, Inc. Swap Meet & Flea Market on May 29 & 30, with a consignment auction, tractor pull, swap meet, flea market, collectibles, crafts, and more. For further information, dial 952/652-2062, or visit www.ricecountysteamandgas.com

Buffalo Days will be held throughout the city of Luverne on Friday and Saturday, June 4 & 5. Just some of the highlights on Friday include a Cruise-In for all vehicles including motorcycles, as well as a live rock 'n roll street dance. On Saturday, enjoy a parade, motorcycle rally, a waffle feed, live entertainment, the World Famous Buffalo Chip Throwing contest, 5K and 10K Run & Walk, and Art In The Park with over 100 vendors. For more information, dial 1-888-283-4061, or check out www.luvernechamber.com
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity

The Minneapolis Convention Center in downtown Minneapolis will be the site of the Minneapolis Home Building and Remodeling Expo, Friday through Sunday, May 21-23, with hundreds of exhibits, and a chance to meet many of the most knowledgeable and experienced remodeling and building experts in the area. To find out more, dial 952/881-5030, or visit www.homeshowcenter.com

The Minnesota Scottish Fair & Highland Games will be take place Saturday, May 22, at the Dakota County Fairgrounds in Farmington. Come visit Scotland in your own backyard, and enjoy everything Scottish, including Highland and Country dancing, living history, children's activities and prizes, Scottish vendors, Celtic musicians, clans, pipers, dancers, and the rare chance to see men in skirts (kilts) throwing telephone poles (cabers). For rates and times, dial 952/470-6300, or check out www.mnscottishfair.org

Wild Wings of Oneka in Hugo will host the Minnesota Outdoor Youth Expo, Saturday and Sunday, May 22 & 23. This expo focuses on connecting kids with nature, and includes hunting, fishing, camping, outdoor sports, wildlife and gardening seminars, demonstrations and activities, with more than 60 exhibitors and organizations. For further information, dial 651/439-4287, or visit www.mnoutdooryouthexpo.com

The grand opening of Faces of the African Forest will take place Saturday through Monday, May 29-31, at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley. Featured will be the introduction of the new Colobus monkeys. In addition, enjoy performances by an African dance company, Faces of the African Forest keeper talks, Tropics scavenger hunts, an African stilt walker, and face painting. Anyone who brings a new or slightly used book to the Zoo will receive discounted admission, May 29-June 20, during the Books for Africa drive. For more information, dial 952/431-9200, or check out www.mnzoo.org

Fort Snelling State Park in St. Paul will offer Go-N-Seine on Saturday afternoon, May 29, and learn about the habitat requirements of different fish species, and how the health of a fishery is partially determined by using a seine. On Sunday, May 30, enjoy Birding for Beginners in the morning, and take a birding hike and learn about the basic techniques of bird identification from the park naturalist. And on Monday, May 31, enjoy Geocaching 101 and Fishing for Fun. Pre-registration is required. To learn more, dial 612/725-2389, or visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/fort_snelling/index.html

Freedom Day Tours will be offered at Historic Fort Snelling in Minneapolis on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, with tours at 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. These special tours will focus on the lives and experiences of Dred and Harriet Scott, and the twenty or more slaves who lived and worked at the site during the 1820s, 1830s & 1840s. To find out more, dial 612/726-1171, or check out www.mnhs.org/places/sites/hfs

And just some of the upcoming concerts and performances will include:
Nickelback with Breaking Benjamin, Shinedown & Sick Puppies at the Target Center in Minneapolis, May 24
Carole King / James Taylor - Troubadour Reunion at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, May 25
Soundset 2010 at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, May 30
Jewel at the O'Shaughnessy Auditorium in St. Paul, June 2
The Second City at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, June 4
Russell Peters at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis, June 16 & 17
Steve Martin at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, June 13
Rescue Me Comedy Tour 2 w/Denis Leary w/Lenny Clarke & Adam Ferrara at the Historic State Theatre, June 15
Aziz Ansari - Dangerously Delicious Tour at the Historic State Theatre, June 19
Patty Griffin at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, June 19
Sting with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Xcel Energy Center, June 21
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers at the Xcel Energy Center, June 22
Cirque du Soleil : Alegria at the Target Center, June 23
Ween at at the St. Paul RiverCentre Roy Wilkins Auditorium, June 26
U2 360? Tour at the TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, June 27
Justin Bieber at the Target Center, June 29
Santana with special guest Steve Winwood at the Xcel Energy Center, June 30
Devo at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, July 3
Levon Helm, John Hiatt & The Combo at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater in Apple Valley, July 6
Star Wars In Concert at the Xcel Energy Center, July 11
Simon & Garfunkel at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, July 12
Joan Baez at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, July 13
Los Lobos at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, July 14
Modest Mouse at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, July 14
Titanic at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, July 15-31
Dave Koz & Jonathan Butler, at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, July 16
Lynyrd Skynyrd at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, July 16
Lilith Fair at Canterbury Park, July 18
The Squeeze & The English Beat at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, July 22
Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, July 25
Vans Warped Tour at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, August 1
Marc Cohn at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, August 6
Melissa Etheridge at The O'Shaughnessy Auditorium, August 6
Hanson at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, August 10
Phoenix at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, August 12
George Thorogood & the Destroyers at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, August 17
Jerry Jeff Walker at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, August 21
Rush Time Machine Tour 2010 at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand in St. Paul, August 27
Virgin Mobile Presents the Monster Ball Tour Starring Lady Gaga at the Xcel Energy Center, August 30 & 31
Crowded House at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, September 4
Pavement at the St. Paul RiverCentre Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul, September 12
The Dave Matthews Band at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, September 15
Muse at the Target Center, October 5
Buddy Guy at the Historic State Theatre, October 16
The Script at the Historic State Theatre, October 22
Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, December 3 & 4
For further information on any of these performances or events, please contact Ticketmaster at 651/989-5151
Central Minnesota

Camp Ripley, located just north of Little Falls, will be the site of the Ripley Rock n' Run on Friday and Saturday, May 21 & 22. This family-friendly event includes local bands competing for prizes, children's activities, great food, a two-mile run & walk, 10K run, and a 200 meter kids' run along the Mississippi River. For further information and for rates and times, dial 1-800-325-5916, or visit www.mocohcc.org

The 2nd Annual Street Car Showdown will be held Friday through Sunday, May 21-23, at Brainerd International Raceway (BIR), located five miles north of Brainerd on Hwy 371. The Street Car Showdown is the newest addition to BIR's drag racing lineup, and introduces the Pro Outlaw, Outlaw, King Street and Real Street classes, with speeds of over 200 mph. National Auto Sport Association Races will also be held at BIR May 21-23, with a wide range of race cars and high-performance sports cars, including Mustangs, Camaros, Firebirds, Roadsters, Porsches and BMWs. One ticket will get you access to two great racing events. For rates and times, dial 1-866-444-4455, or check out www.BrainerdRaceway.com

Hutchinson Mall in the city of Hutchinson will hold Memorial Day Weekend Sidewalk Sales, Friday through Monday, May 28-31, with great specials offered by many mall merchants. And while in Hutchinson, enjoy a Corvette Car Show at Library Square in downtown Hutchinson on Saturday, May 29, from 1:00 -4:00 p.m., and the Corvette Autocross at the Hutchinson Recreation Center Parking Lot on Sunday, May 30, from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. To find out more, dial 1-800-572-6689, or visit www.explorehutchinson.com

Awake the Lakes will be held throughout the city of Alexandria, Friday through Monday, May 28-31. The event kicks off on Friday with a Rib Fest and beer garden, live music and dancing. In addition, enjoy breakfast with Big Ole, a Show N Shine Car Show, the Habitat for Humanity Motorcycle Ride, sidewalk sales, a fireworks display, bicycle rodeo, children's inflatables, Viking Speedway races, a Worship Service at City Park, and the annual Memorial Day parade. For more information, dial 1-800-235-9441, or check out www.awakethelakes.com

Brainerd Parks & Recreation will offer a Kids' Fishing Clinic on Saturday, May 29, from 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Lum Park beach in Brainerd. This free clinic for boys and girls of all ages consists of informational sessions, a shore lunch, and time to fish from shore or dock. Each participant will receive free tackle to take home, and door prizes will be given away as well. Registration is not required. And while in Brainerd on May 29, head north to the Pine River Riding Stable, located 4 miles west of Pine River on County Road 2, for the Wiley West Stunt Show, featuring western arts, whip cracking, gun spinning, knife throwing, high falls, old-time fights, and animal tricks. For further information, dial 1-800-450-2838, or visit www.explorebrainerdlakes.com

A Memorial Day Pow-Wow will be held May 31, from 12:00-5:00 p.m. at the Mille Lacs Indian Museum & Trading Post in Onamia. Come participate in this social and cultural gathering honoring our Veterans past and present, and experience the excitement and joy of a contemporary Pow-Wow, featuring song, dance and food vendors. Admission to the Pow-Wow is free. Regular admission prices apply for the museum. To learn more, dial 320/532-3632, or check out www.mnhs.org/places/sites/mlim
Northwest Minnesota

WWI & WWII Posters will be on display at the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead through May 31, with a collection of over 50 original posters from the State Historical Society of North Dakota. And the Red River Watercolor Society?s 17th Annual National Juried Watermedia Exhibition will also be held at the Hjemkomst Center - artwork will be on display through June 19. For more information, dial 218-299-5511, or check out www.hjemkomst-center.com

The Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Detroit Lakes will be the site of the Detroit Lakes Festival of Birds, Thursday through Sunday, May 20-23. Come celebrate the spring bird migration in a unique transition zone of tall grass prairie, northern hardwood and conifer forests. Over 170 bird species were recorded during last year's event. Highlights include birding field trips, workshops, socials, vendors, and presentations on how to identify birds by sound and how birds fly. Online registration and program information is available at www.visitdetroitlakes.com/things-to-do/events/festival-of-birds. For further information, dial 1-800-542-3992

A Memorial Day Pow-Wow will be held at the Palace Casino Memorial Pow-Wow Grounds in Cass Lake, Friday through Sunday, May 28-30, with Grand Entries each day, as well as flag raisings, feasts, and Junior and Senior Royalty contests. For more information, dial 1-800-228-6676, or visit www.palacecasinohotel.com

Itasca State Park, located 23 miles north of Park Rapids on U.S. Highway 71, will offer numerous fun and educational events and activities Memorial Day weekend. Programs on Saturday, May 29, include a Pioneer Farmers Tour, Ask The Naturalist: The Common Loon, Ask The Naturalist: Black Bears, Curious Kids: Turtle Talk and Walk, and The Common Loon & Campfire Gathering. And on Sunday, May 30, enjoy Ask The Naturalist: Lake Life, A Walk in the Woods: Exploring Itasca?s Wildflowers, and Itasca?s Music Under the Pines at Alabaster Falls. To find out more, dial 218/266-2100, or check out www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/itasca/index.html

Lake Bemidji State Park at the city of Bemidji will host an All Camp Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, May 30, beginning at 8:00 a.m. This all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast includes juice, coffee, and sausages. Afterwards, enjoy Bog Watcher Sunday, 11:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., when naturalists will assist in the search for common and uncommon flowers of the bog, including a variety of orchids and insect eating plants. To learn more, dial 218/308-2300, or check out www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/lake_bemidji/index.html 

A Street Faire at the Lakes will be held along Washington Avenue in downtown Detroit Lakes on Friday and Saturday, June 4 & 5. This juried arts and craft show features invited artisans from across the country, with over 120 artists participating. In addition, enjoy stage entertainment, strolling musicians, food venues, bingo, and a street dance. For more information, dial 1-800-542-3992, or visit www.visitdetroitlakes.com
Northeast Minnesota

Bear Head Lake State Park in Ely will present Birding at Bear Head, Saturday morning, May 22. Meet at the park office for a guided walk to listen and look for a variety of bird species. Bring your own binoculars if you can since only a limited number will be available to check out. Please dress for the weather - bug spray is recommended. This program will also be offered Saturday, May 29. For more information, dial 218/365-7229, or visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/bear_head_lake/index.html

Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra presents "The Music of Queen" on Saturday, May 22, at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center at 7:30 p.m. This rock show features Queen's greatest hits. And immediately following the concert, there will be a party with the premiere 80s cover band, Hairball. For further information, dial 218/623-3776, or check out www.dsso.com

The Hill Annex Mine State Park at the town of Calumet will offer Fossil Tours each Wednesday through Saturday during the summer months, beginning May 26. Tours are 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., and include hunts for fossils from the Cretaceous era - participants can even keep what they find! Summer Mine Tours will also be offered Wednesday through Saturday, beginning May 26, when visitors will board a bus and trace the route miners took to get to work at the mine. Tours begin at the historic Club House Museum. For rates and times, dial 218/247-7215, or visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/hill_annex_mine/index.html

Dylan Days will be held throughout the city of Hibbing, Thursday through Sunday, May 27-30, to honor hometown musician Bob Dylan. Highlights include creative writing, visual arts and songwriter contests, Bobby Zimmerman Guided Bus Tours of ?Dylan?s Hibbing,? a youth talent competition at the Hibbing High School auditorium, lots of live music, and many other fun events. To find out more, dial 1-866-305-3849, or check out www.dylandays.com

On Saturday and Sunday, May 29 & 30, the town of Blackberry will be the site of the 26th Annual North Central Minnesota Farm & Antique Association's Swap Meet & Consignment Auction. Come see numerous antique, restored gas and steam tractors, as well as a windmill and other tools from early 1900's farm life. For rates and times, dial 218/752-6592, or visit www.visitgrandrapids.com

An Art on the Shore Memorial Day Event will be held at Last Chance Fabricating in Lutsen. In addition to fine artwork by local artists, enjoy live jazz and light refreshments on Saturday, May 29. And on Sunday, May 30, there will be live art demonstrations including painting, paper-making and sculpting. This event is free and open to the public. To learn more, dial 218/663-7008, or checkout www.lastchancefab.com

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