It’s a Weekend Full O’Fests! Take your Pick from Raspberry, Rib, Blues and Funk, Aqua, Food Truck and International Fests. Don’t forget about the Lumberjacks and Scotts- they’ll be showing off their skills. If that’s not enough The Best Days of Summer, the Minneapolis Aquatennial Festival kicks off on the 24th and runs thru Saturday.
July 13-21, Hopkins
Hopkins Raspberry Festival
The Hopkins Raspberry Festival has become a Twin Cities institution as a family friendly event. Highlights include the Hunt for the Golden Raspberry, Raspberry Festival of Bands, street dance, marketplace and craft fair, children’s activities, big wheel races, ice cream social, car show, Grande Day Parade, Raspberry Run, fireworks and so much more! Sites throughout Hopkins. 952-931-0878
July 18-21, Stillwater
Stillwater Lumberjack Days
Stillwater Lumberjack Days is filled with fabulous events such as Lumberjack competitions and demonstrations, live music concerts by numerous bands, Grand and Little Lumberjack Days parades, medallion hunt, vendors, gondola, pontoon & helicopter rides, Karaoke contest, minnow races, petting zoo, fly fishing demonstrations, games and activities for all ages. Lowell Park/St. Croix Riverfront. 651-351-1717
July 19-20, Eagan
Minnesota Scottish Fair & Highland Games
Visit Scotland in your backyard, where the “Highlands Meet the Prairie.” Enjoy everything Scottish such as Highland & Country Dancing, a living history area, Scottish vendors & clans, pipers, traditional athletic competitions, non-stop music, children’s activities & prizes, sheepherding demonstrations and hands-on curling activities. Great food, both ethnic and American, will also be available. Kids should bring their swimsuits and visit the splash pad. This fair and the parking are free. Eagan Central Park festival grounds. 952-994-8355
July 19-20, St. Paul
Lowertown Blues and Funk Festival
The Lowertown Blues and Funk Festival returns with a night of soul and funk on Friday, July 19, followed by a night of blues on Saturday, July 20. This is the Twin Cities’ largest free blues festival (with an extra dose of funk). Mears Park. 612-308-5785
July 19-21, Hastings
Rivertown Days
This citywide festival includes many great events including Rivertown Days carnival rides & games, Heavy Metal Rodeos sponsored by Extreme Sandbox, Machinery Hill, Rivertown Days Arts & Crafts Fair, Fishing for Life Trout Pond, River of Life Kiddie Carnival, Model Aircraft Flying demonstration, Bubble Park, Black Dirt Improv Show, Daisy Dillman Band, Rivertown Days Grand Parade, Giant Duck Race on the Vermillion River, Hastings Sings Competition, sidewalk sales, petting zoo and fireworks display. Levee Park and Jaycee Park along the Mississippi River. 651-437-6775
July 20, Chanhassen
American Soul – A Tribute to James Brown, Ray Charles & The Blues Brothers
This is the show that never happened, but should have! Get on up with the most electrifying tribute to soul music with Ty Stone! Celebrating the legendary Ray Charles, Blues Brothers and the Godfather of Soul, James Brown. Hear hits like “Unchain My Heart,” “Georgia On My Mind,””Soul Man,” “Living In America,” “Super Bad,” “I Got You (I Feel Good),” and many more! Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. 952-934-1525
July 20, Burnsville
International Festival of Burnsville
The annual International Festival of Burnsville celebrates the city’s rich cultural diversity. Enjoy a wide array ethnic foods and vendor tents, ongoing performances and cultural displays. Kids’ Village will feature craft projects, games, crazy hair, face painting and henna tattoos. Nicollet Commons Park. 952-895-4509
July 20, Anoka
Anoka Food Truck Festival
More than 45 food trucks will be selling their special concoctions with global cuisines ranging from Indian to British to Japanese to locally grown pork. Also enjoy live music by various bands, games, give-aways and handcrafted beers. Proceeds from all wristband sales will benefit a local charity. Downtown Anoka. 763-220-2380
July 24-27, Minneapolis
Minneapolis Aquatennial Festival
Join in the fun during The Best Days of Summer and enjoy activities for the whole family, Minnesota’s largest night-time parade, the Top 5 Fireworks Display in the nation, Loring Park Art Festival, Twin Cities Carifest, AquaFest, Wilderness Inquiry Voyageur Canoe Rides, Life Time Torchlight Parade After Party, Twin Cities River Rats Water Ski Show, Go Outside Trivia Night, great local food and so much more! Sites and venues throughout Minneapolis. 612-376-7669
July 25-27, Prior Lake
The Great Midwest Rib Fest
Summer sizzles as The Great Midwest Rib Fest returns with three days of food, music and fun! Get your groove on with free outdoor concerts by national and local acts. Bib up and chow down on ribs from the country’s top pitmasters competing for bragging rights and thousands in prizes. Mystic Lake Resort & Casino. 952-445-9000
Event highlights around the state this week include:
July 18-20, New Ulm
Bavarian Blast
July 18-21, Stillwater
Stillwater Lumberjack Days
July 19-21, Battle Lake
Art of the Lakes Studio Tour
July 18-20, Walker
Moondance Jam
July 20-21, Duluth
Duluth Airshow, presented by St. Luke’s
Event Info provided by Explore MN.