Explore Minnesota Events Report as of Tuesday, August 19

[mudbrook]

Explore Minnesota Events Report as of Tuesday, August 19

Just some of this week’s highlights include the Czech Heritage Festival, Le Sueur County Pioneer Power Show, the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, the Minnesota State Fair, Boundary Waters Blues Festival, Potato Days, and the Northwoods Art & Book Festival.

Southern Minnesota

The 47th Annual Corn Days celebration will be held Friday and Saturday, August 22 & 23, at Allison Park in Sleepy Eye. Festivities include free buttered corn, live entertainment, children’s games, crafters and vendors, a corn-eating contest, bingo, a parade, raffle, and more. For further information, dial 1-800-290-0588, or visit www.sleepyeyechamber.com

The Freeborn County fairgrounds in the city of Albert Lea will offer a Big Island Barbeque, August 22 & 23, with a sanctioned competition by the Kansas City Barbeque Society. Cooks from throughout the Midwest and as far away as Texas will compete for the best overall cook in a variety of categories. An Arabian horse show will also be offered at the fairgrounds, Friday through Sunday, August 22-24. To find out more, dial 507/373-2316, or check out www.albertlea.org

The 35th Annual Le Sueur County Pioneer Power Show will be held Friday through Sunday, August 22-24, in Le Center. This agricultural heritage show features displays and working exhibits, including antique tractors, farm machinery, steam engines, 26 old-time buildings, an Ag Expo museum, stage entertainment, children’s barnyard and playground, and the Parade of Equipment. To learn more, dial 507/248-3515, or visit www.pioneerpowershow.com

The town of Bechyn, located 10 miles NE of Redwood Falls, will host the 17th Annual Czech Heritage Festival on Sunday, August 24, with ethnic foods, music, entertainment, folk dancers, children’s activities and rides, a polka mass, pork roast dinner, raffle, and farmers market. For more information, dial 320/826-2451, or check out www.czechfest.com

The 81st Annual Box Car Days celebration will be held Friday, August 29 through Monday, September 1, throughout the town of Tracy. Events include a grand parade, Fly-In breakfast, bull riding event, a bingo stand, build-your-own-burger night, the Box Car Idol finals, a kiddie parade, the Minnesota State Plowing contest and demonstrations, Dad’s Belgian waffles, live polka music, the Box Car Day road race, St. Mary’s arts & crafts fair, the Tracy pigeon race, a DJ & karaoke, rides and concessions, and Kids’ Day in the Park, with Vogel’s Exotic Animals, a petting zoo, pony rides, and a fire truck, ambulance and police car. For further information, dial 507/629-4021, or visit www.tracymnchamber.com

Mankato’s old town district will be the site of an Old Town Summerfest on Saturday, August 30, with more than 40 live music and strolling entertainment acts, contests, exhibits, food and merchandise vendors, and hands-on activities. To find out more, dial 507/340-4310, or check out www.oldtownsummerfest.com

River-Blast will be held Saturday and Sunday, August 30 & 31, at Riverside Park in New Ulm. Highlights include various music acts, the 2nd Annual Riverblast bike tour, the hilarious River Parade and Flotilla, food and drink sales, craft vendors, exhibits and demonstrations, a fishing contest on the Minnesota River, and free camping in Riverside Park. This event is held in an effort to bring awareness to the historic and modern role of the Minnesota River. Admission is free! To learn more, dial 1-888-463-9856, or visit www.riverblast.org

Godahl Park and ballfield, located just north of St. James, will be the site of Godahl Day on Monday, September 1, with live bands performing on an outdoor stage, a parade, queen coronation, comedy show, local talent, bingo, children’s games, a bouncy castle, and a raffle drawing at the end of the day. For more information, dial 507/375-7187, or check out www.stjameschamberofcommerce.com
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity

The Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul will offer Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination, through Sunday, August 24. This exciting exhibition features more than 80 costumes, models and props from all six Star Wars films, as well as a chance to defy gravity, manipulate robots, engineer droids, and journey into that galaxy far, far away. And don’t miss the Omnitheatre presentation "Special Effects," which features eye-popping visual effects from four motion pictures. For more information, dial 651/221-9444, or check out www.smm.org

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival will be held at a recreated 16th-century European village, located just south of Shakopee off Hwy 169, each Saturday and Sunday, through September 28, including Monday, September 1, and Friday, September 26. This is the largest Renaissance Festival in the United States, with more than 500 entertainers on 15 stages, 275 crafters, 120 food booths, and old-time games and competitions, as well as belly dancing lessons, an Arabian horse show, yoga lessons, the World Amateur Highland Heavy Games, and much more! Each weekend will feature a different theme, including the Silk Road, Irish Heritage, Italian Carnival, and Chocolate and Romance! To find out more, dial 1-800-966-8215, or visit www.renaissancefest.com

The Minnesota State Fair will take place Thursday, August 21 through Monday, September 1 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St Paul. Highlights include 11 nights of big-name Grandstand entertainment, over 75 performers on five free stages, nearly 70 midway rides, extreme rides in Adventure Park, thousands of agricultural, livestock and creative competitions, over 450 foods, shopping galore, and some of the most unique and state-of-the art exhibits in the country. Fair-goers will also have an opportunity to see mashed potato wrestling, frozen turkey bowling, and an icehouse parade. The Minnesota State Fair is one of the largest and best attended expositions in the world, attracting more than 1.6 million visitors each year! To learn more, dial 651/288-4400, or check out www.mnstatefair.org

The 147th Annual Stiftungsfest celebration will take place Friday through Sunday, August 22-24, at Willkommen Park in Norwood/Young America. This is Minnesota’s oldest community celebration, with festivities including musical entertainment by various old-time and polka bands from across the United States and Germany under a big top tent, as well as a variety of ethnic foods, Stiftungsfest hamburgers, a firemen’s challenge, Heritage Tent, a fun run, kids’ carnival, a motorcycle run, and much more. For further information, dial 952/467-1812, or visit www.stiftungsfest.org

The city of Chisago City will present Ki Chi Saga Days, August 22-24, with a large arts and crafts fair, food booths, live entertainment, dances, a Sunday parade, and other activities. For more information, dial 651/257-1177, or check out www.chisagolakes.com/kichisago

CivicFest, A Very Minnesota Celebration, will be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center in downtown Minneapolis from Friday, August 29 through Thursday, September 4, in a celebration of Minnesota and American History, democracy, and the U.S. presidency. This once-in-a-lifetime interactive and multimedia experience features more than 30 educational and entertaining exhibits, historic memorabilia and artifacts, photos in a replica of the Oval Office, performances, simulcasts of convention sessions, a 300-vendor Marketplace, and more than 35 exhibits, including a scale model of the White House. To find out more, dial 1-866-792-4842, or visit www.civicfest.org

And just some of the upcoming concerts and performances will include:
A Special Musical Performance by Rob Thomas at The Myth in Maplewood, August 21
Three Doors Down with Special Guests Staind & Hinder at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand in St. Paul, August 21
Brad Paisley, Jewel & Chuck Wicks at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, August 22
Jerry Jeff Walker at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater in Apple Valley, August 23
The Backstreet Boys Concert at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, August 23
Jonny Lang & Buddy Guy at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, August 24
Dierks Bentley & Miranda Lambert at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, August 25
The Counting Crows & Maroon 5 at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, August 26
The PRCA Championship Rodeo at the Minnesota State Fair, August 28
A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, August 29
NBC’s Last Comic Standing at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, August 29
Blake Shelton at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, August 30
The Black Crowes at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, August 30
Donna Summer at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, August 31
Pop-Tarts Presents American Idols Live at the Target Center in Minneapolis, August 31
Toby Keith at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, September 1
Rage Against the Machine at the Target Center, September 3
Lewis Black at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, September 4
Chicago at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, September 9
Wayne Brady at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, September 10
Great Big Sea at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, September 12
Motorhead at The Myth in Maplewood, September 12
Journey at the Target Center in Minneapolis, September 16
Anita Baker at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, September 19
Everlast at the Fine Line Music Cafe in Minneapolis, September 22
Cirque Du Soleil-Saltimbanco at the Target Center, September 24
The Robert Cray Band at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, September 26
WWE Monday Night Raw at the Target Center, September 29
Beck with MGMT at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul, September 30
The Eagles at the Target Center, September 30
Defending the Caveman at the Hennepin Stages in Minneapolis, October 1
My Morning Jacket at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, October 2
Ani DiFranco at the Historic State Theatre, October 3
Kathy Griffin at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, October 3
Kenny Rogers at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, October 3
Weezer with Angels, the Airwaves, & Tokyo Police Club at the Xcel Energy Center, October 3
Alanis Morissette at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, October 4
Kathy Griffin at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, October 6
Joe Satriani at the Historic State Theatre, October 7
David Wilcox at the Fitzgerald Theater, October 9
Magnetic Fields at the Historic State Theatre, October 10
The Music Builds Tour with Third Day & Switchfoot at the Target Center, October 10
Rascal Flatts at the Xcel Energy Center, October 10
Tegan & Sara at the Historic State Theatre, October 11
Playhouse Disney Live! at the Xcel Energy Center, October 12
Taj Mahal at the Fitzgerald Theater in St Paul, October 12
David Byrne at the Historic State Theatre, October 14
Jackson Browne at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, October 16
Rufus Wainwright at the Historic State Theatre, October 16
Ben Folds at The Myth, October 17
K.D. Lang at the O’Shaughnessy Auditorium in St. Paul, October 19
So You Think You Can Dance Live Tour 2008 at the Xcel Energy Center, October 19
The Loft Literary Center presents David Sedaris at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, October 19
Rock Band Live with Panic at the Disco & Dashboard Confessional at the Target Center, October 21
New Kids On the Block at the Xcel Energy Center, October 21
Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, October 22
Matthew Sweet at First Avenue in Minneapolis, October 22
Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, October 23
Cinematic Titanic: Live! at the Historic State Theatre, October 25
Loretta Lynn at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, October 25
Celine Dion at the Target Center in Minneapolis, October 30
Wicked-A New Musical at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, November 5
Menopause, the Musical at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis, November 5-9
Martin Sexton at the Fitzgerald Theater, November 6
The 2008 World Tour of Gymnastics Superstars at the Xcel Energy Center, November 9
Joan Baez at the Historic State Theatre, November 13
Leo Kottke at the Historic State Theatre, November 29
Lorie Line at the Historic State Theatre, December 6-13
The Moscow Ballet at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, December 12 & 13
Celtic Thunder at the Target Center, December 15
The Nutcracker Fantasy at the Historic State Theatre, December 19
For further information on any of these performances or events, please contact Ticketmaster at 651/989-5151
Northern Minnesota

Rainy Lake and the Rainy River in International Falls will be the site of the 4th International Falls Bass Championship, Thursday through Saturday, August 21-23, with two-person teams fishing for two days on two bodies of water. In addition, enjoy live entertainment, an arts & crafts fair, a bike ride, the Teen Idol contest, a Tina & Lena Comedy Show, and lots of activities, rides, games and prizes at the Family Fun Zone in Smokey Bear Park. To find out more, dial 1-800-325-5766, or check out www.ifallsbass.com

The 8th Annual Boundary Waters Blues Festival will be held August 21-23 at Longbranch on Fall Lake in the city of Ely. Come enjoy three days of high quality, world famous, blues music acts on beautiful Fall Lake, located at the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. For more information, dial 218/365-2440, or visit www.elyblues.com

Downtown Barnesville will be the site of Potato Days, Friday and Saturday, August 22 & 23, to celebrate the unique potato heritage of the area. Events include mashed-potato wrestling, a potato cook-off, potato peeling and picking contests, a sowing and stacking contest, Miss Tator Tot contest, the Potato Scramble for kids, the National Lefse cook-off, a classic car show, historic wagon tours, a street fair, huge parade, the Spud Run, children’s games, and regional potato food specialties. For further information, dial 1-800-525-4901, or check out www.potatodays.com

The 69th Annual Embarrass Region Fair will take place Friday through Sunday, August 22–24, at Timber Hall in Embarrass, with highlights including a craft show, flea market, food stands, the Tri-State Mud Run, an antique car show, horse show, a demolition derby, parade, dog show, and traditional fair exhibits. To find out more, dial 218/984-2155, or visit www.embarrass.org

The Threshing Bee Grounds in Donnelly will be the site of the annual Threshing Bee, Saturday and Sunday, August 23 & 24, with threshing, antique tractors and engines, a horse-pull contest, rural school, shingle mill, lumber sawing, and tractor pull contest. This year’s feature will be Minnesota-made equipment. To learn more, dial 320/246-3337

The 13th Annual Northwoods Art & Book Festival will be held Saturday, August 23 in downtown Hackensack. This festival features over 80 artists, as well as many local and regional authors and illustrators, and their creations. Lots of live music and a variety of foods will also be available. For more information, dial 218/675-6052, or check out www.hackensackchamber.com

The Wadena County Fairgrounds in Wadena will be the site of the 3rd Annual Conservation and Wildlife Expo, Saturday and Sunday, August 23 & 24. Just some of the highlights include free presentations, a trap shoot, the State Championship Still Target Turkey Shoot, antler scoring, an archery competition, Nature Photography and Trail Camera Photo Contest, a tackle exchange, animals from the Minnesota Zoo, dog agility and obedience sessions, a performance by Tricia and the Toonies, food and merchandise vendors, free birdhouse building, and lots of other children’s crafts! For further information, dial 218/631-3195, or visit www.mn.nrcs.usda.gov/partnerships/wadena

Uffda Day will take place Friday and Saturday, August 29 & 30, at Muskie Park in Nevis, with a flea market and rummage sale, children’s games, a grand parade, karaoke, a beer garden, and ethnic foods including Swedish meatballs, lutefisk and lefse. To find out more, dial 218/652-3115, or check out www.parkrapids.com

Downtown Pengilly will be the site of the Pengilly Centennial, Friday through Sunday, August 29-31. Featured will be a car show, parade, children’s games, clowns, a variety show, lots of vendors, a BBQ, and various tournaments. To learn more, dial 218/326-9607

Crane Lake Voyageur Days will be held Friday through Monday, August 29 through September 1, throughout Crane Lake, with a fish fry, bird and nature walks, sidewalk sales, a free ice cream social, various children’s activities, and more. For further information, dial 1-800-362-7405, or visit www.visitcranelake.com


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