June 15, 2010 Explore Minnesota Events Report Highlights this week and weekend include the 65th Annual Fiesta Days Celebration in Montevideo, the 37th Annual Back to the 50's Weekend at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul, the 68th Annual Jaycee Water Carnival in the city of Hutchinson, the 2010 Moondance Jammin' Country Fest at Moondance festival grounds in Walker, and the 25th Anniversary Kick-off Weekend at the International Wolf Center in Ely.
Southern MinnesotaThe city of Montevideo will host the 65th Annual Fiesta Days Celebration, Monday through Sunday, June 14-20, to honor their sister city in Uruguay. Featured will be kids' games, car shows and races, river games, Kiddie Karaoke, a kiddie parade, Java & Jake's horror film festival, VFW Fiesta tacos, Prairie's Edge Casino specials, a Belgian waffle breakfast, flea market, arts & crafts show, a Riverfest Rendezvous at Lagoon Park, royalty pageants, community dinners, live music and dancing, and a Grande Day Parade. And on Sunday, June 20, don't miss Hobo Days at the Historic Milwaukee Road Depot in Montevideo. This reenactment of a hobo's lifestyle includes Hobo Music, bonfires, children's activities, a model railroad exhibit, Hobo Soup served in a can, guided tours of the railroad grounds, a Hobo scavenger hunt, and prizes for kids. Montevideo is located two hours west of Minneapolis at the junction of Hwy 7 and Hwy 212. For further information, dial 1-800-269-5527, or visit
www.montechamber.comThe annual Faribault Heritage Celebration will be held Wednesday, June 16, through Saturday, June 19, throughout Faribault to honor the rich and diverse heritage and cultures that comprise the city. Highlights include midway rides, games, dancing, live music, a beer garden, great food, a raffle, a classic car show, all-city garage sale, a swap meet and flea market, cathedral events, and a pipe organ concert. And on Saturday, June 19, don't miss the Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social at the Historic Hutchinson House B & B at 3:30 p.m., and the Heritage Celebration parade at 6:30 p.m. For more information, dial 1-800-658-2354, or check out
www.FaribaultHeritageDays.comLevee Park in Winona will be the site of the annual Steamboat Days celebration, Wednesday through Monday, June 16-21. Winona's summer festival features live entertainment, concerts and dancing, arts and crafts, fireworks, a farmer's market, Harbormaster Celebration, a kids' power pedal pull, kids' fishing contest, the U.S. Title Series Hydroplane boat races, citywide garage sales, a Captain & Mate pageant, a treasure hunt, Rock Solid Block Party & Teen Dance with Christian bands, great food, beverage gardens, and a Grande Parade. To find out more, dial 1-800-657-4972, or visit
www.visitwinona.comThe 2nd Annual ?Peace Plaza in Paradise? Tropical Rock Weekend will be held at Peace Plaza in Rochester, Thursday through Saturday, June 17-19, featuring free live music, as well as a beach bar, crab shack, a 24-foot-long clambake on a ?sand & seaweed? steam bed, sand sculptures, and tropical gear from a beach market. Lodging specials are available at the adjacent Grand Kahler Hotel. For rates and times, dial 1-800-533-1655, or visit
www.downtownrochestermn.comThe town of Bird Island will hold their 17th Annual Wing Ding Days celebration, Thursday through Sunday, June 17-20, with Crazy Days Sales, a craft sale, the Wing Ding Fling paper airplane toss with lots of prizes, an alley dance, citywide garage sales, Music in the Air, free firetruck rides, a Regatta Parade, medallion hunt, used book sale, ice cream social, community worship service, and a Quarter Carnival with balloon bust, duck pond, bean bag toss, and bowling. To learn more, dial 320/365-3371, or check out
www.birdislandcity.comThe 76th Anniversary Mountain Lake Pow Wow Festival will be held in Mountain Lake, Friday through Tuesday, June 18-22. This is Minnesota?s oldest community celebration. Come enjoy a Grande Parade, midway games and rides, food and craft booths, a street dance and beer garden, antique car show, kiddie parade, a talent contest, petting zoo, and a raffle. For more information, dial 507/427-2999, or visit
www.mountainlakemn.comLee Mar Ranch in Granite Falls will host a Western Fest Celebration & Stampede Rodeo from Thursday, June 24 through Saturday, June 26. Don't miss the hoof poundin', heart-throbbin' action, with six rodeo events each day, including bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, team roping, steer wrestling, bull riding, and barrel racing. In addition, enjoy a Grande Parade, the Miss Western Fest Pagent, free pony rides, fireworks, a street dance and beer garden. For rates and times, dial 320/564-4039, or check out
www.granitefallsprcarodeo.comThe annual Watertower Festival will be held in Pipestone on Friday and Saturday, June 25 & 26, with a street dance, art & craft show, a parade, kids' tractor pull, a car show, performances of The Music Man by the Calumet Players, and a Chuck Wagon Cook-off at Fort Pipestone. For further information, dial 1-800-336-6125, or visit
www.pipestoneminnesota.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Buffalo Days will be held throughout the city of Buffalo through Sunday, June 20, with eight days of fun, including a craft show, classic car show, fly-in breakfast, concerts, a parade, fireworks display, a carnival, fishing clinic, live performances, and lots of great food. Buffalo is located 45 minutes west of the Twin Cities. For more information, dial 763/682-4902, or check out
www.buffalochamber.orgCambridge Lutheran Church in the city of Cambridge will host a Swedish Festival through Sunday, June 20. Cambridge is reported to be the most Swedish city in the U.S. according to the 2000 Census for cities over 5000. This festival is humanities-based, with lectures, discussions, films, concerts, folk traditions, a Swedish Language School, and Swedish meals. There is a fee for some of the programs. For further information, dial 763/689-1211, or visit
www.cambridgeswedishfestival.comThe much-anticipated 37th Annual Back to the 50's Weekend will be held at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul, Friday through Sunday, June 18-20, with more than 11,000 street rods, customs, classics and restored vehicles, dating from 1964 and earlier, lining the streets of the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. In addition, there will be over 350 vendors and automotive exhibits, the O?Reilly Auto Parts Manufacturer?s Midway, a Ladies Showcase Expo, a Cruise-N-Arts & Crafts Fair, outdoor music concerts, Kids' World activities on Saturday, and a gigantic swap meet and hot rod auction on Sunday. To learn more, dial 651/641-1992, or check out
www.msra.comThe American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis will hold a Midsommar celebration on Saturday, June 19. Come celebrate the arrival of summer, with live music, arts and crafts, great food, games, head-wreath making, folk dancing, colorful folk costumes, and many family-friendly activities. And, don't miss the Midsommar Eve Music Festival at the American Swedish Institute, Friday evening, June 18, with an outdoor concert featuring three local musical groups. To find out more, dial 612/871-4907, or visit
www.americanswedishinst.orgThe 12th Annual Twin Cities Jazz Festival will be held at Mears Park in St. Paul, Thursday through Saturday, June 17-19. This is the largest free outdoor jazz festival in the region, and features national headliners, as well as many local musicians. Admission is free. Mears Park is located at 5th Street and Sibley Street in the Lowertown district of St. Paul. For more information, dial 612/227-3108, or check out
www.twincitiesjazzfestival.comAnd just some of the upcoming concerts and performances will include:
Aziz Ansari - Dangerously Delicious Tour at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, June 19
Patty Griffin at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, June 19
Sting with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, June 21
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers at the Xcel Energy Center, June 22
Cirque du Soleil : Alegria at the Target Center in Minneapolis, June 23
Ween at the St. Paul RiverCentre Roy Wilkins Auditorium, June 26
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
Band of Horses at the Historic State Theatre, July 17
Lilith Fair at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, 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
The Lowertown Music Fest in the Lowertown District of St. Paul, July 31
Vans Warped Tour at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, August 1
Annie Jr. at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, August 4
Glamorama at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, August 6
Marc Cohn at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, August 6
Melissa Etheridge at The O'Shaughnessy Auditorium in St. Paul, August 6
Hanson at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, August 10
Wicked : A New Musical at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, August 11 through September 12
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
Seether with special guests Hinder and Black Cherry Stone at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, August 30
Virgin Mobile Presents the Monster Ball Tour Starring Lady Gaga at the Xcel Energy Center, August 30 & 31
Prairie Home Companion Concert at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, September 3
Crowded House at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, September 4
KISS at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, September 4
Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald & Boz Scaggs at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, September 6
Jonas Brothers in Concert with Demi Lovato and friends from Camp Rock at the Xcel Energy Center, September 8
The AMA Grand National Motorcycle Race at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, September 11
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
John Prine at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, September 25
Muse at the Target Center, October 5
Buddy Guy at the Historic State Theatre, October 16
David Sedaris at the Historic State Theatre, October 21
The Script at the Historic State Theatre, October 22
Tony Sandler at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis, November 28
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, or visit
www.ticketmaster.com Central MinnesotaThe 68th Annual Jaycee Water Carnival will be held throughout the city of Hutchinson from Monday, June 14 through Sunday, June 20. The annual Water Carnival is packed with family fun, and includes fireworks, a boat parade, Music in the Park, a medallion hunt, a Taste of Water Carnival, dances, carnival rides, and a pageant! Be sure to stay for the Grand Parade running through Hutchinson on Sunday. To find out more, dial 1-800-572-6689, or check out
www.watercarnival.orgThe city of Little Falls will host the Little Falls Dam Festival, Friday through Sunday, June 18-20. This family event focuses on area river history, and includes live entertainment, living history, demonstrations, fine arts and crafts, a parade, fireworks display, a sidewalk sale, the Colgate Country Showdown and Street Dance, karaoke, the Dam talent contest, a family carnival, petting zoo, airplane rides, and much more. For further information, dial 1-800-325-5916, or visit
www.littlefallsmn.comA Studio Hop will be offered Saturday and Sunday, June 19 & 20, at studios located in and around the cities of Willmar, Spicer, and New London. This is a unique opportunity to visit with artists in their studios, see their creative workplaces, watch demonstrations, and purchase original works of art. For more information, dial 320/231-8560, or check out
www.studiohop.orgAn Affaire des Artes - ?Wake up and Feel the Art,? will be held Saturday, June 19, at Burlington Northern Park in Wadena, with numerous author readings and storytelling, artists of varied mediums, demonstrations in oil painting, children's arts and crafts, and various musical acts performing Irish, Folk, and contemporary music. Admission is free. To learn more, dial 651/283-1811, or visit
www.thedepotwadena.orgThe Warehouse Community Center in Pine River will host the Pine River Art Show, Friday through Sunday, June 24-26. This annual event features Pine River's finest artists, along with demonstrations and seminars. Admission is free to the public. To find out more, dial 1-800-728-6926, or check out
www.pinerivermn.comA Celtic Festival and Summer Solstice Celebration will be offered Saturday, June 26, at St. Mathias Farm in Brainerd. Come enjoy Celtic dance, Celtic music by Rumgumption, hands-on activities for the kids, storytelling, a kiddie carnival, vendors, and blacksmithing, spinning, stone-cutting, weaving and sheep-shearing demonstrations. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for the evening concert. For rates and times, dial 1-888-404-5009, or visit
www.thefarmonstmathias.comThe St. Cloud Regional Airport, located just southeast of the intersection of Hwys 10 & 23, will be the site of the Great Minnesota Air Show, Saturday and Sunday, June 26 & 27. This show features the United States Navy's Blue Angels, along with a variety of top military and acrobatic performers, and amazing static displays! Just some of the highlights currently scheduled include the V-22 Osprey, rides aboard a B-25 Bomber, an F-18 and NASA exhibit, Miss Mitchell History Rides, Team Chaos Extreme Air Shows, the E-Team skydivers, Franklin's Flying Circus, an AC-47 Gunship, F-22A Raptor, the AeroShell Aerobatic Team, and Young Eagles flights. Vendors and concessions will also be available. And while in the area, visit two other great festivals taking place during the Air Show weekend, Granite City Days in St. Cloud and Rapids River Days in Sauk Rapids. For more information on the Great Minnesota Air Show, dial 320/229-8011, or check out
www.thegreatminnesotaairshow.com. For more on Granite City Days, visit
www.granitecitydays.com, and to learn more about Rapids River Days, see
www.ci.sauk-rapids.mn.usNorthwest Minnesota
Moondance festival grounds in Walker will be the site of the 2010 Moondance Jammin' Country Fest, Thursday through Saturday, June 17-19. Featured artists include Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Kellie Pickler, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Sammy Kershaw, and 32 Below, to name just a few. Camping is also available. For rates, times and tickets, dial 1-877-MOONJAM, or visit
www.jammincountry.com/camping.htmlA Scandinavian Festival will be held in downtown Roseau and at Roseau School on Friday and Saturday, June 18 & 19, with ethnic foods, music, and arts and crafts. In addition, enjoy a variety show with Scandinavian treats, a pancake breakfast, vendors, artists, music tent, fresh lefse, a Maypole raising, demonstrations, Scandinavian storytelling and a Scandinavian Smorgasbord. For more information, dial 1-800-815-1824, or check out
www.city.roseau.mn.usBrigid's House in Park Rapids will host their annual Mid Summer Festival on Saturday, June 19. This festival features a wide array of readers, psychics, healers and vendors, along with demonstrations, information, massage, great food, dance, and music. To find out more, dial 218/732-5347, or visit
www.brigidshouse.comThe Bemidji Game Fair and Pet Expo will be held on Saturday and Sunday, June 19 & 20, at the Beltrami County Fairgrounds in Bemidji. Highlights include a National Dock Dog competition, K-9 Unit demonstrations, Willow Creek Kennel seminars, Search & Rescue programs, and demonstrations of sheep-herding, agility, flyball, retrieving, archery and trap shooting. There will be a variety of food, service and merchandise vendors, along with local rescue organizations. And on Sunday, June 20, enjoy a Swedish Midsommar Festival at the beautiful downtown Bemidji waterfront, and welcome the summer solstice with food, music and dancing. For further information, dial 1-800-458-2223, or check out
www.bemidji.orgThe Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead will hold their annual Scandinavian Hjemkomst Festival, Friday through Sunday, June 25-27. Come enjoy entertainment by performers from Iceland, Sweden, and Norway, including concerts by an amazing Icelandic soprano and the Icelandic Boys Choir. In addition, there will be ethnic foods, dancing, vendors, children's activities, a troll on stilts, an Icelandic chef, and more. For rates and times, dial 701/478-9150, or visit
www.NordicCultureClubs.orgNortheast MinnesotaA Wooden Boat Show and Summer Solstice Festival will be offered at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais, Friday through Sunday, June 18-20. Be inspired by the stories of boat builders, sailors and travelers, and plan your next adventure at this fun, family-oriented, educational event. Festival highlights include the Harbor Side wooden boat display, the Boats-To-Tools auction, Wooden Boat speaker series, A Community of Handcraft traditional craft artisans, the Lake Superior Chowder Experience, a Steam Bent brunch, On The Harbor games, and a variety of courses. For further information, and for rates and times, dial 1-888-387-9762, or visit
www.northhouse.orgThe International Wolf Center in Ely will hold their 25th Anniversary Kick-off Weekend, Friday through Sunday, June 18-20. Featured will be unique programs, including an arctic wolf presentation and wolf communication program on Friday. Saturday's events include a variety of children's activities, prize drawings, a wolf feeding, beaver dissection and wolf communication programs. And on Sunday, enjoy Behind the Scenes, and learn about the socialization, care, and feeding of the wolf pack. There will also be children's activities. Dads will be admitted free on Father's Day, Sunday, June 20. To find out more, dial 1-800-359-9653, or check out
www.wolf.orgThe 21st Annual Bluegrass Festival will be held June 18-20 at the Itasca County Fairgrounds in Grand Rapids, with free, non-stop old-time bluegrass music and entertainment. Admission is free. Camping is available. To learn more, dial 218/326-4456, or go to
www.visitgrandrapids.comOlcott Park in Virginia will be the site of the annual Land of the Loon Arts & Crafts Festival, Saturday and Sunday, June 19 & 20. This ethnic arts and crafts festival features over 300 artists and crafters, 25 ethnic food booths, and a street dance. A Saturday parade will kick-off this event. For more information, dial 218/749-5555, or visit
www.landoftheloonfestival.comBe A Lumberjack Children's Day will be offered at the Forest History Center in Grand Rapids, Friday and Saturday, June 25 & 26, with special hands-on activities and fun ?chores? to engage children, such as sawing wood, making nails, stamping logs, cross hauling a sled, stirring cookie dough, racing "gray backs," and raisin-spitting and ?prune on a spoon? racing. A nature crafts project also will be offered. For rates and times, dial 218/327-4482, or check out
www.mnhs.org/places/sites/fhcPark Point in Duluth will be the site of the 40th Annual Park Point Art Fair on Saturday and Sunday, June 26 & 27. This outdoor festival features 120 premiere artists from the Midwest and other areas of the United States, as well as live music, demonstrations, and hands-on craft activities. And while you're in Duluth on Saturday, June 26, head to the First Lutheran Church, located across from Leif Ericson Park, for the 6th Annual CHUM Rhubarb Festival. Highlights include stage performances under a tent overlooking Lake Superior, a children's area with a bean bag toss, crafts and music, a silent auction, food vendors, and over 900 Rhubarb Pies, as well as jams, breads, and crisps. CHUM, Churches United in Ministry, is a nonprofit human services agency sponsored by 40 Duluth congregations. For further information, dial 1-800-4-DULUTH, or visit
www.visitduluth.com"The information in this report is provided courtesy of Explore Minnesota Tourism."
