For those who live outside of the state, Minnesota might be unbearably cold any time outside June, July, and August, but lucky for us there are plenty of things to do in the state during the summer, thanks to some great, and distinctive, summer time festivals. These special events draw in residents and non-residents all summer long.
If you have kids, try to get to the Flint Hills International Children’s Festival at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul. The event takes place May 29th through June 3rd, and brings outstanding kid-friendly live performances to the city, along with a parade, visual arts, including tents for children to create works they can take home, international food choices, and a free outdoor stage. The highlight of the event is the slate of shows at area venues though. Find out who will be performing, and how to obtain tickets at http://ordway.org/festival/about/
The largest free festival in the Midwest is Taste of Minnesota, June 29th – July 4th, also in downtown St. Paul. Events takes place around Harriet Island, Wabasha Bridge, and Kellogg Park, and include live entertainment on five stages, an art festival, a marketplace, a kidzone, rides and games, and nightly fireworks. Get more information at http://www.tasteofmn.org/
Walker, Minnesota may have the best event of the summer for classic rock enthusiasts. The Moondance Jam takes place at the Moondance Jam Fairgrounds July 11 – 14, 2007, and features performances by such acts as Def Leppard, Loverboy, Smash Mouth, Cheap Trick, and Rick Springfield. It is Minnesota’s biggest rock fest, and Classic Rock Revisited dubbed the event “the premier classic rock festival in the United States.” The main stage hosts the headliners’ shows, while local bands and Cajun bands take to the Saloon Stage and Mardi Gras stage, respectively. Campgrounds surround the festival grounds, and there is plenty of food and merchandise. Get the schedule at http://www.moondancejam.com/
This country is overloaded with strawberry festivals. You can find at least one in every state, but not all of them have a raspberry festival. Hopkins, Minnesota, though, has reason to celebrate the sweet berry. It is “America’s Raspberry Capitol.” The Hopkins Raspberry Festival takes over downtown Hopkins July 11 – 15, 2007, with a craft fair, tent dances, and a big parade to top it off. If you would like to know more, get the info at http://www.hopkinsraspberryfestival.com/
Concordia University in St. Paul plays host to one of the most unusual summer festivals to be found anywhere in the U.S. The Puppet Rampage event, which is being held July 17 – 22, 2007, is intended to promote puppetry and puppet-related performance art. Puppeteers, students, and the general public are welcome to attend this event that offers performances, workshops, and more. Learn more at http://www.puppetrampage2007.org/pages/home.html
If they didn’t celebrate the lakes at least once, it wouldn’t be Minnesota. The 10.000 Lakes Festival takes place at Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes, MN from July 18th through 21st. Four stages host over sixty musical acts. One ticket gets you into all concerts at all stages, plus a camping spot. With onsite wireless Internet, bars, and indoor restroom facilities, this is an outdoor festival that feels more like an indoor concert. Buy your tickets at http://www.10klf.com/
Musical acts from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Pat Benatar have taken to the barge on the St. Croix River for Lumberjack Days in Stillwater, but they are a small part of this festival. The Stihl Timbersports Series Championships, one of the largest fireworks shows in the U.S., a wine tasting dinner cruise aboard the river, and more are offered July 19th – 22nd at Lowel Park.
These festivals are just some of the great things going on in Minnesota this summer. If you are passing through the state this summer, make plans to stop at one of these fun festivals.
