Explore Minnesota Weekly Events Update - Sept. 1, 2015
Highlights this week include:
Sept. 4 & 5, New Ulm
Riverblast
Aug. 27 - Sept. 7, St. Paul
Minnesota State Fair
Sept. 4-6, McGregor
McGregor Wild Rice Days
Sept. 4-7, Rollag
Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion
Sept. 4-7, Crane Lake
Voyageur Days
[Southern] [Twin Cities] [Central] [Northwest] [ Northeast]
Southern Minnesota
Sept. 4 & 5, New Ulm
Riverblast
This free festival celebrates the importance of the Minnesota River to New Ulm, with non-stop music, a Blues for Kids workshop, exhibits at the adjacent Regional Riverside History and Nature Center, and camping at Riverside Park. 507-354-1336
Sept. 5, Winona
Family Art Day
Family Art Day is an interactive art adventure for all ages. Try your hand at throwing a pot on a wheel, making a puppet, painting a mural, and creating other pieces of art! Lake Park. 507-452-4506
Sept. 5 - Oct. 31, Fairmont
Fall Festival at Center Creek Orchard
Check out the lively atmosphere at this beautiful southern Minnesota orchard and enjoy hayrides, Bounceland, Kid’s Korner, an apple sling, barrel rides, scarecrow-building, a super slide, giant maze, storytelling, scavenger hunt, Haunted Forest, miniature golf, lots of great fall treats, and pick-your-own pumpkins and locally grown apples! Center Creek Orchard. 507-773-4547
Sept. 9-13, Northfield
Defeat of Jesse James Days
The annual Defeat of Jesse James Days celebrates the courage of a town that defied the James-Younger Gang and won. Horses thunder down historic Main Street during the many authentic bank raid re-enactments that tell this amazing story--street theater at its best! Also enjoy professional rodeos, arts fairs, car shows, parades, a Northfield Arts Guild Artist Reception, great music & food, and tons of other activities! Complete details. 507-645-5604; 507-645-9268
Sept. 11-13, Kellogg
Watermelon Festival
The 69th Annual Watermelon Festival will feature carnival games & rides, a Grand Parade, live music and entertainment, the Watermelon Crawl 5K, kids' sawdust scramble, vintage tractor rides, soap box derby, kids' tractor pull, and more! 651-565-4158
Sept. 12, New Ulm
Hermann the German Fest
The Hermann the German party is held in the shadow of the 102-foot monument, with dancing to German music, snacking on German and American food, and rehydrating with Schell's beer and 1919 Root Beer. Evening highlights include Thunder in the Valley, the New Ulm Municipal Band cannon shoot, and fantastic fireworks over Hermann Monument. Hermann Heights Park. 507-359-8347
Sept. 18-20, Mankato
Mahkato Pow Wow
The Mahkato 43rd Annual Traditional Wacipi Pow Wow honors the 38 Dakota that were executed during the US-Dakota War of 1862. This three-day event includes beautiful regalia, dancing, traditional music, stunning crafts, and delicious foods! All visitors and participants welcome. Land of Memories Park. Complete details. 507-514-5088; 507-387-3572
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Aug. 22-Oct. 4 (Saturdays & Sundays, as well as Labor Day & Oct. 2), Shakopee
The Minnesota Renaissance Festival
The Minnesota Renaissance Festival has grown to be the largest Renaissance Festival in the United States with an annual attendance of 300,000! Just some of the many highlights include 16 stages of live entertainment, 7 themed weekends, Feasts of Fantasy, 250 artisan booths, live armored jousting, food fit for a king, mermaids, and fairies! New in 2015: the Castle Escape, Princess Garden, Living History tours, the Little Glass Slipper, and Sherwood Forest. Minnesota Renaissance Festival grounds. 952-445-7361
Aug. 27 - Sept. 7, St. Paul
Minnesota State Fair
The Minnesota State Fair is one of the largest and best-attended expositions in the world, attracting 1.8 million visitors annually. Showcasing Minnesota’s finest agriculture, art and industry, the Great Minnesota Get-Together is always 12 days of fun ending Labor Day! 651-288-4400
Aug. 29 - Sept. 26, Taylors Falls
Dinner and Leaf Cruises
Since 1906, thousands have enjoyed the scenic beauty of the world-famous Dalles of the St. Croix River by excursion boat. Today, each dinner and leaf cruise includes a narrated scenic tour, cash bar, live entertainment, and reserved family-style seating with buffet. 651-465-6315
Sept. 4 & 5, St. Paul
Minnesota Bluegrass Duet Championships
The Minnesota Bluegrass Duet Championships will feature roots-style music contests. Friday's contest is for vocals with stringed instruments; Saturday's contest is for any combination of two stringed instruments. West End Market Stage at the Minnesota State Fair. 612-285-9133
Sept. 5, Minneapolis
Brit's Pub Vault
The 2nd Annual Brit's Pub Vault is now a world-famous rooftop pole vault competition with Olympians, national record holders, Olympic Qualifiers, and Olympic hopefuls from around the country competing under the Minneapolis skyline! Brit's Pub. 612-332-3908
Sept. 6, Minneapolis
PorktoberFest Block Party
The PorktoberFest Block party is hosted by Day Block Brewing with amazing food (pork and non-pork), kids' activities, live music by numerous acts, and of course, craft beer! 612-617-7793
Sept. 11 & 12, Jordan
Heimatfest
Heimatfest, Jordan's annual summer festival, features great food, music and fun including the Children's Reel of Fortune Fishing Contest, a car cruise, street dance, fireworks display, and more! Downtown Jordan and Lagoon Park. 952-492-2355
Sept. 11-13, Wayzata
James J. Hill Days
The 41st Annual James J. Hill Days celebration delivers a wide array of family-friendly activities including carnival games & rides, open-air street market, fireworks, live music, water-ski show, dachshund races, a Kids' Zone, food trucks, coaster cart races, classic car show, parade, and much more! 952-473-9595
Sept. 12, Minneapolis
ArtReach Art Fair 2015
Browse among approximately 60 local artists selling art of all mediums, and enjoy live music & great food, tour T.B. Walker's personal collection of religious art, and participate in the silent auction. Admission is free. Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church. 612/871-5303
Sept. 12 & 13, Stillwater
Grape Stomp Festival
Take a turn stomping grapes the old-fashioned way, bring a picnic lunch or dinner, take a tour of the vineyard and winery, listen to live music, and enjoy award-winning wines! Prizes will be awarded to those with the best grape-stomping style! Saint Croix Vineyards. 651-430-3310
Upcoming Twin Cities concerts and performances include:
Huey Lewis and the News at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lak, Sept. 5
Steve Earle & the Dukes at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis, Sept. 5
Rodgers and Hammersteins Cinderella at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, Sept. 8-13
Hozier at Roy Wilkins Auditorium at the St. Paul RiverCentre, Sept. 10
Taylor Swift: The 1989 World Tour at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Sept. 11-13
Counting Crows with Citizen Cope at the Cabooze Plaza in Minneapolis, Sept. 13
Ed Sheeran at the Xcel Energy Center, Sept. 15
alt-J: Fall Tour 2015 at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium at the St. Paul RiverCentre, Sept. 17
Bobby Caldwell & His Big Band at the Pantages Theatre, Sept. 19
John Prine at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, Sept. 19
Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Sept. 20
Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell - The Traveling Kind Tour at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, Sept. 22
Abbacadabra at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake, Sept. 25
The Fall of Troy - Adventour Time at the Cabooze, Sept. 25
Last Comic Standing Comics at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, Sept. 26
Mark Knopfler at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, Sept. 29
Of Monsters and Men at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium at the St. Paul RiverCentre, Oct. 1
Chris Cornell - Acoustic Higher Truth Tour at the Historic State Theatre, Oct. 5
Def Leppard, Foreigner & Tesla at the Xcel Energy Center, Oct. 5
For more on these and other performances, contact Ticketmaster. 651-989-5151
Central Minnesota
Sept. 4-6, McGregor
McGregor Wild Rice Days
This annual event features a parade, Frozen T-shirt contest, car show, Family Fun Run/Walk, medallion hunt, Gunner’s Paintball Blast, bungee trampoline, kids' climbing tower, Digital Scavenger Hunt, and McGregor Sings competition. 218-768-3692
Sept. 4-6, Brainerd
GSTA Muscle Car Shootout
The 27th Annual GSTA Muscle Car Shootout returns to BIR and features the grand finale of the Muscle Car Series on the drag strip and SCCA Jack Pine Sprints on the road course. A classic car show, live music, activities for the kids, and a unique fireworks show round out the schedule. Brainerd International Raceway. 218-824-7223
Sept. 4-7, Nimrod
Nimrod Labor Day Bull Bash
Watch fifty bull riders compete during the 13th Annual Bull Bash. This action packed family show offers two and a half hours of bucking bulls, as well as a chance for the children to ride sheep, and a barn dance with music by Skyline on Friday. 218-639-3673
Sept. 5 & 6, Pine River
Arts Off 84 Art Crawl
The 8th Annual Arts Off 84 Art Crawl is a juried art event featuring high-quality handcrafted items at eight sites along scenic Highway 84 between Pine River and Longville. 218-682-2916
Sept. 11-13, Dalton
LRPTA Threshing Show
The 62nd Annual Lake Region Pioneer Threshermen Threshing Show features a large collection of steam engines, a French Steam Locomotive circa 1915 (with free rides!), Blue Ox Tractor Pull, threshing and sawing with steam and gas tractors, toy & craft displays, a flea market, hundreds of gasoline-powered tractors, antique cars & trucks, live music, antique woodwork shop, shingle mill, agriculture & heritage museums, pioneer log homes, model railroad display, Sawmill Cafe, and more! 218-589-7036
Sept. 12 & 13, Little Falls
Little Falls Annual Arts & Crafts Fair
The 43rd Annual Little Falls Arts & Crafts Fair features over 600 artists, along with specially selected food vendors, a Market Place Fair, car show & swap meet, and free shuttle bus service between sites. 320-632-5155
Sept. 18 & 19, Hutchinson
Taste of Hutchinson & Arts and Crafts Fair
The 41st Annual Taste of Hutchinson takes place during the Hutchinson Arts & Crafts Festival with more than 150 unique art, craft and food vendors, as well as demonstrations, a local farmers' market and used book sale. 320-587-5252
Northwest Minnesota
Sept. 4-6, Lake Itasca/Park Rapids
Itasca State Park Labor Day Programs
Itasca State Park will be the site of numerous programs this weekend including Paws on the Path Dog Walk, Jr. Naturalist: Learn to Speak Ojibwemowin, Animal Legends Campfire, Lake Itasca Region Pioneer Farmers Tour, Jr. Naturalist: Beading a Story, A Battle of Tooth and Quill Campfire, and Itasca's Music Under the Pines: Lori Goulet Reich. 218-699-7251
Sept. 4-7, Rollag
Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion
Every Labor Day weekend since 1954, generations of threshermen & women get together to relive the tradition of the good ol’ days and bring the past to life. Music, parades, steam engines, crafts, demonstrations, exhibits, and activities make it difficult to cover everything in a single day! 701-212-2034
Sept. 5, Roosevelt
South Shore Classic Fishing Tournament & Kids' Fishing Clinic
Bring the whole family to the South Shore Classic Fishing Tournament this year! In addition to the tournament, enjoy a free kids' fishing clinic with a fish ID information, minnow races, and prizes. And, the first 25 kids will receive a new rod & reel! Arnesen's Rocky Point Resort. 855-617-3701
Sept. 12, Walker
Ethnic Fest
The 23rd Ethnic Fest features ethnic bands from around the world performing on three stages. In addition, enjoy ethnic food and craft vendors line the streets of Walker, with family entertainment and interactive activities offered throughout the day. 218-547-1313; 800-833-1118
Sept. 12 & 13, Crookston
King of Trails Market Place & Pioneer Day Harvest Festival
Crookston will offer multiple events Sept. 12 & 13 with a flea market, arts & crafts fair, citywide garage sales, great food, live music, demonstrations and exhibits. Hwy 75, Polk County Museum, & Red River Valley Sugar Beet Museum. 218-281-4320
Sept. 17-19, Longville
Fall Has It All & Oktoberfest!
The communities of Longville, Hackensack and Walker combine to celebrate the glory of autumn in this lake-filled region from Sept. 17 - Oct. 3. Longville kicks-off "Fall Has It All," Sept. 17-19, with arts & crafts, pontoon rides, wine and cheese, a German Beer & Food Garden, live music, and German dinner & dance. 218-363-2630; 800-756-7583
Northeast Minnesota
Sept. 3-6, Duluth
Duluth-Superior Pride
Celebrate Pride in the Twin Ports over Labor Day weekend and join thousands on the shore of Lake Superior. Activities include a Mayor’s reception, live music, family/kid’s area, bonfire, GLBTAQI history exhibit, poetry, Hummingbird 5K, parties, the fabulous Fruit Float, and the Foo Foo Choo Choo. 218-761-0726
Sept. 4-7, Crane Lake
Voyageur Days
Voyageur Days showcases the beauty of the area with guided trail hikes from Handberg's Marina, guided canoe rides, the new Crane Lake Voyageur Days 5K Race, Zip Lining at Pine Point, and a Trading Post Run with prizes. Also enjoy a pancake breakfast at the Crane Lake Chapel, live music at Voyagaire Lodge, fish frys, sidewalk sales, children's games, ice cream social, minnow races, casting contests, and much more! Complete details. 218-993-1303; 218-993-2901
Sept. 5 & 6, Pine City
Pine City PRCA Championship Rodeo
The 9th Annual Pine City PRCA Championship Rodeo features amazing cowboys and cowgirls competing with some of the roughest and toughest stock around. Also enjoy Mutton Bustin, Wild Cow Milking, Cowboy Poker, and live music by the Killer Hayseeds both nights! Heidelberger's in Rock Creek. 320-629-1122
Sept. 11-13, Grand Marais
Radio Waves Music Festival
The 8th Annual Radio Waves Festival is a three-day outdoor music festival under a big top tent showcasing area musicians on Minnesota's North Shore. Enjoy non-stop music on two stages, on-site food vendors, and a family-friendly atmosphere. Sweethearts' Bluff. And while in Grand Marais be sure to check out roughly 25 artists transforming blank canvasses into masterpieces while surrounded by the unique beauty of the North Shore landscape during Plein Air Grand Marais. Competition area sites are located in Cook County from the Canadian border to the Caribou River in Schroeder. 218-387-1070; 218-387-2737
Sept. 11-13, Ely
Fall Harvest Moon Festival
The Fall Harvest Moon Festival features over 125 arts & craft exhibitors, as well as a Voyager Encampment, live entertainment and great ethnic foods representing the culture and heritage of Northeastern Minnesota. Whiteside Park. 218-365-6123
Sept. 18-20, Duluth
Hawk Ridge Weekend Festival 2015
Celebrate migration during the annual Hawk Ridge Weekend with a Lake Superior Mississippi Railroad Birds & Natural History Train Trip, field trips, workshops, presentations, dinners, socials, and more! Complete details. 218-428-6209
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