MKS’s Flying Colors Kite Fly in Bloomington

September 18, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Kite flying is something all ages can enjoy.  It doesn’t seem to matter if you are flying or watching, it’s still enjoyable.  The MKS’s Flying Colors Kite Fly in Bloomington takes place this Saturday, September 22nd from 10-3.  You decide if you want to participate or just be a spectator.

This is the Minnesota Kite Society’s BIG summer kite fly! This event will take place at the lower ball fields of Valley View Middle School and Valley View Elementary School. The ball fields are located northwest of the intersection of 90th Street and Portland Avenue South in Bloomington, MN.

This year Flying Colors will be a smaller kite fly event. We will not have kids kitemaking or food vendors. All are welcome to join us. Bring your kites and help us fill the sky.
 

Filed Under: Attractions, Events

Chicken Ship at Open Eye Figure Theatre

September 15, 2018 by Leave a Comment

We love to attend local theatre shows.  One of the best parts about living in MN is that there is an abundance of great options. 

If you want to save up for a bucket list show you can do that but there are some great hidden gem theaters offering amazing live talent as well. 

One of our favorites is the the Open Eye Figure Theatre which I have mentioned before.  Kevin Kling is also a favorite local storyteller.  He brings laughter and wit and local humor to the stage.  The upcoming show Chicken Ship is next weekend September 20-23 at Open Eye.

Open Eye Figure Theatre Presents
CHICKEN SHIP
September 20 – 23
Created and performed by Kevin Kling and Clare Murphy

High-flying storytellers Kevin Kling and Clare Murphy create a mythic allegory for our times, as told by farmyard animals! A chicken wakes up in 2018 to the sky falling down. As she runs along a dangerous road littered with foxes and falsehoods, she encounters fables, myths, and history that illuminate and obfuscate her path. What will become of her and the ship she sailed in on?

Kevin Kling has been a regular on the Open Eye stage for many years and for this show he’s bringing back Irish storyteller Clare Murphy, first seen at Open Eye in FOUR DIRECTIONS. These talented artists captivate audiences with surprising, hilarious, and profound storytelling! Only four performances!

 

Filed Under: Events, Minneapolis, Theater

Minnesota Children’s Book Festival

September 14, 2018 by Leave a Comment

 

it’s no secret that our kids love to read, even as they begin their first year of high school they still love it.  They almost always have a book with them or close by. So of course we also love events that revolve around books and authors. The Minnesota Children’s Book Festival takes place tomorrow Saturday, September 15th from noon to 5pm.  This is the 19th annual event, taking place just outside of Red Wing.  No admission fee and lot’s of great activities for all ages.  You can find the schedule and information about each author here. 

Join us for the 19th annual celebration of Minnesota children’s books, authors, and illustrators. It’s a day full of presentations about the making of their books, tents with interactive book-related activities, sunshine (most always), in a beautiful setting. Bring the whole family. It’s free! Authors’ and illustrators’ books available for purchase and autographing.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Events, Kids

Fall Programs and Events in Minnesota State Parks and Trails + Fall Color Finder

September 13, 2018 by Leave a Comment

As cooler weather heads our way, we here in Minnesota look forward to seeing the gorgeous fall colors on the trees. Did you know the DNR website has a Fall Color Finder to help you out this season? The Fall Color Finder is a trip-planning tool that shows the progression of fall color across Minnesota. It’s updated regularly to keep you in the loop.

Generally colors peak between mid-September and early October in the northern third of the state, between late September and early October in the central third, and between late September and mid-October in the southern third (including the Twin Cities).

In addition, the DNR website lists a number of Fall Programs and Events online. There are many, many to choose from across the state, but here are a few that catch my eye:

Please note: A vehicle permit of $5/day is required to enter a Minnesota state park and recreation area, but at the end of the day you can apply the cost of the permit to a $35 year-round permit, if you so choose.

Filed Under: Attractions, Events

Lantern Lighting Celebration at Lakewood

September 13, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Photo Credit: Kingfield Neighborhood Association

The Lantern Lighting Celebration at the Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis is time and place for you to honor, celebrate and remember a loved one.  It takes place the evening of September 15th from 4:30-8.  The cost is very reasonable, only $5. *The $5 donation (ticket fee) covers the use of one lantern, lantern sleeve and decorating supplies. It will also help fund the Lakewood Heritage Foundation.

You can purchase tickets in advance here on their website.   You will also find the schedule as well as suggestions on what to bring.

There are many ways to honor loved ones who have passed. This is an opportunity to gather with family, friends and others on Lakewood’s lovely grounds for a moving and meaningful experience.

Join us at Lakewood on Saturday, September 15th from 4:30–8:00 p.m. for Lakewood’s fourth annual Lantern Lighting Celebration, a unique evening of creativity, beauty and remembrance.

Art supplies will be provided for you to decorate your own floating lantern with words of love and remembrance. Local musicians will perform while you create, and food vendors will be on hand with a variety of food and refreshments (for purchase). At dusk we will light our lanterns and release them on to Lakewood’s lake, Jo Pond, in a beautiful ceremony. The effect is breathtaking and magical—connecting us to our loved ones and to each other.

Filed Under: Events, Minneapolis

Festival of the Voyageur

September 12, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Have you ever been to the Minnesota Historical Society Snake River Fur Post? You might not recognize the name as it was previously called the North West Company  Sort of a hidden gem, located near Pine City.  This weekend is a great time to check out for their annual Festival of the Voyageur.  It takes place September 15-16.  You can purchase advance tickets here on their website if you prefer.

Two hundred years ago, fur traders celebrated the success of the trading season with a giant party. Visitors can explore the sights and sounds created by 250 reenactors come to camp on the Snake River in the fall. Witness feats of strength and skill as contestants vie for the title of the best all-around voyageur. Shop for historic crafts and join children’s activities. On Saturday evening, learn the steps of lively country dance with live music.

 

Filed Under: Attractions, Events

Lone Oak Days Fall Festival

September 11, 2018 by Leave a Comment

lone-oak-days-fall-festival

Would you like to farm in the 1940’s? The Lone Oak Days Fall Festival is something you want to make sure is on your calendar. The Lone Oak Days Fall Festival, takes place at the The Holz Farm in Eagan.

You can step back in time on the farm from 11am-4pm on Sep 22 and 23th. They have started to charge a small admission fee but at $2 a person it’s still very affordable and worth it.

Lone Oak Days at Holz Farm

Scheduled Activities & Free Entertainment
• Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest takes place Sun at 3:00 p.m.
• Garden Harvest
• Blacksmith Demonstrations
• Old Fashioned Laundry
• Barnyard Animals
• Corn Husking
• Field Plowing and Discing
• Corn Grinding
• Vintage Equipment & Tractor Display
• Bread Baking/Butter Churning
• Honeybee Lesson
• Egg Picking/Chicken Display/Water Pumping
• Preschool- Toy Box Tractors

Plus more fun for the whole family!

You can purchase tickets in advance (more information here) or on site when you arrive.  You can also check their FB page closer to it if the weather is questionable.

Filed Under: Attractions, Events, Kids

Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze 2018 + Reader Giveaway

September 10, 2018 by 6 Comments

We’re SO close to time for fall fun, and I’m especially excited to bring my kids to the largest corn maze in Minnesota! At nearly 20 acres, Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze boasts Minnesota’s largest corn maze. This year’s maze offers visitors a chance to celebrate the Minnesota Timberwolves and their 30th exciting season of basketball with a Timberwolves-themed maze design and trivia questions about the team placed throughout it.

In addition to walking the maze, visitors can also jump in the corn pit, stroll through the straw bale maze, and enjoy live music, a petting zoo, a hayride, inflatables*, a giant slide*, and much more.

When: Saturdays and Sundays from September 22 – October 28 (also MEA – Thurs., Oct. 18 and Fri., Oct. 19) from 10 am – 6 pm

Where: 8001 109th Avenue N in Brooklyn Park, MN

Tickets can be purchased online for $10 per person, or pay $12 at the gate. Children under 36″ are free. *Concessions and some activities are not included in the ticket price.

Every year, Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze makes a donation to a local charity. This year, funds will go to the Minnesota Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation, which provides and supports hands-on programs that positively impact Minnesota youth. Since opening in 2010, Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze has donated nearly $180,000 to a number of local causes.

Reader Giveaway: One lucky Thrifty Minnesota reader will win a family 4-pack of tickets to Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze. To enter, complete the form below by 11:59 pm ET on 9/19/18. Good luck!

Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze Family 4-Pack

Filed Under: Attractions, Events, Giveaway, Kids

Party in the Prairie – Richardson Nature Center, Bloomington

September 8, 2018 by Leave a Comment

We attended the Party in the Prairie last year, located at the Richardson Nature Center in Bloomington.  It’s a great event with live music, nature activities, food and fun.  It’s not a huge venue, so they are again urging and asking for advance registration.  The event takes place Saturday, September 22rd from 3-8:30.  You find more information as well as purchase tickets here. *discounted tickets available at Twin Cities The North Face retail stores.

Live music and local flavors in a beautiful setting. Enjoy Americana, folk and bluegrass performances by Reina del Cid, Roe Family Singers, Prairie Fire Lady Choir and The May North. Scale a 25-foot climbing wall, meet live animals, and collect insects. Discover the beauty of prairies on a guided hike or digital scavenger hunt. Meet with plant and wildlife experts and create a “seed bomb” craft with native prairie seeds. Join Hennepin County Library for Story time in the Amphitheater, go on a self-guided Story Stroll, and borrow a nature book. Play lawn games and sample honey made at Richardson with the University of MN Bee Squad. Prairie-themed face-painting by Mad Dash Art. Food trucks will also be on hand.  Bring a blanket to sit on. Sponsored by The North Face and Minnesota Parent Magazine. All Ages. $9/person. $7 discounted tickets available at local The North Face stores.
*Children under 2 years old are permitted free.*
*Capacity is limited, and tickets are expected to sell out. Advance purchase is strongly encouraged.*

Filed Under: Concerts, Events, Parks

Annual Salsa Fest – Long Prairie

September 6, 2018 by Leave a Comment

 

Every festival and event has to have a beginning and the Annual Salsa Fest that started last year continues on. Bigger and better, this year’s event takes place September 22nd at the Todd County Fairgrounds in Long Prairie.  There’ll be live music, vendors, demonstrations, a salsa contest and more.  *Cost is $5/person at the door. Kids 12 and under are free.

About the event:

The 2nd annual Minnesota Salsa Fest, from SFA Central Chapter, is set for 1 pm. to 10pm p.m. Sept. 22, 2018, at the Todd County Fairgrounds, 203 9th St NE, Long Prairie.  You’ll notice longer hours for the event this year.

Come celebrate all things related to salsa and enjoy local farmers market vendors, demonstrations, live music, food, and a salsa contest!   If you want to enter the contest and join in the fun, you’ll find registration information here.

Filed Under: Events
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