STORY at Macy’s Ridgedale Activities

April 15, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Over the past couple of years, we’ve heard about a lot of closings of Macy’s stores, but the Macy’s store at Ridgedale Center in Minnetonka is still open! It’s one of over 35 Macy’s locations across the country that are participating in the new STORY concept.
 

About STORY at Macy’s:

STORY is a new store to explore – an ever-changing retail concept that brings a new theme to life every 6-8 weeks through fresh and fun products from hundreds of small businesses and dynamic event programming. They got their start in Chelsea NYC where they debuted the idea of a store that acted like a magazine. Their friends at Macy’s invited them to move uptown and across the country to over 35 locations. STORY at Macy’s is changing things up and inviting you to discover something new every few months. Stay tuned for what’s in-store – there will be oh-so much to explore!

Right now the upcoming STORY at Macy’s events are all about color and include:

  • V-eye-P: Festival Beauty with MAC Cosmetics – Friday, April 19th from 3 – 7 pm
  • Picking Patch: Jean Jacket Customization with Crayola X Levis – Saturday, April 27th from 11 am – 5 pm
  • Melt Hearts: DIY Crayon Mother’s Day Cards – Saturday, May 11th from 11 am – 5 pm
  • Palette Play: Smokey eye perfection with MAC Cosmetics – Friday, May 17th from 3 – 7 pm
  • Stroke of Genius: Egg Painting Eggs-travaganza – Saturday, May 18th from 11 am – 5 pm
  • Melting Magic: DIY Melted Crayon MANDALAs with Crayola – Wednesday, May 22nd from 6 – 8 pm

As far as I can tell, these events are all free, but there is an option to RSVP and save your place. Obviously some of these are intended more for kids than others. Check the Macy’s website for more details and to RSVP.

Filed Under: freebies, Macy's

Family Art Sundays at Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts (Fridley)

April 13, 2019 by Leave a Comment

I have a few kids who definitely have an artistic bent…they’re always drawing or painting. I love it as I am sooooooo not artistic but I want to encourage it in them. Can you relate?

Let your kids (and yourself!) explore their artistic side with free Family Art Sundays at Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts in Fridley. On select Sundays throughout the year, you can visit the Center, go on an art scavenger hunt, and enjoy art together, all for FREE.

Upcoming Sundays in 2019 are as follows:

  • April 14, 1-3 pm | Flower Power
    In April we will create 3D art by making tissue paper flowers and painting the flower pots. We will explore the principles of sculpture and the idea of gestalt. You can make it as beautiful or as crazy as you like (think Little Shop of Horrors).
  • June 9, 1-3 pm | Nature Transformed
    We will explore the genre of landscape in art and look at how nature is transforming as we enter into summer. We will observe the gardens around the art center and park as inspiration.
  • August 11, 1-3 pm | Full Spectrum
    Abstraction is what this month is all about. Weather permitting we will be out on the lawn practicing abstract painting. So get ready to paint it like Jackson Pollock. Wear clothes that can get messy to this event.
  • October 13, 1-3 pm | ARTober
    On the spookiest day of the spookiest month, we will explore the genre of portraiture in art. Stop by and get creative as we make an old world MONSTER portrait. Also! Don’t forget to vote for the People’s Choice Award during our Member Exhibition.
  • December 8, 1-3 pm | Winter Wonderland
    Stop by and shop the galleries during our Holiday Gift mART. We will be making collaged snowglobes and other wonderland items just in time to share with your family during the holidays.

Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts is located at 6666 East River Road in Fridley.

Filed Under: Events, freebies, Kids

Gopher Football Spring Game – Free Admission and Activities

April 10, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Football in spring? Yes, indeed! Join the Golden Gopher Football team this Saturday, 4/13 at TCF Bank Stadium for the 2019 Spring Game starting at 11 am. All events are free.

You’ll be able to see the University of Minnesota marching band as well as Goldy Gopher. Goldy’s Locker Room will be having a spring sale, and you’ll want to show up early as Abbott hosts a pre-game fan fest outside TCF Bank Stadium with food, music, and plenty of activities for children.

Student-athletes and head coach P.J. Fleck will remain on the field for 30 minutes after the game for an autograph session with fans.

Filed Under: freebies, Great Deals, Sports

Nothing Bundt Cakes: Free Bundtlets Today (4/9) at 3 PM

April 9, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Nothing Bundt Cakes locations across the country are celebrating the opening of their 300th birthday today by giving out free Confetti Bundtlets nationwide for 300 seconds!

Stop by your local bakery today (Tuesday, 4/9) at 3 pm to celebrate and get your free Bundtlet. There will be a maximum of 300 Bundtlets giving out from 3:00 – 3:05 pm ONLY. Limit 1 Bundtlet per guest.

There are eight Nothing Bundt Cakes locations in Minnesota including Blaine, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Rochester, St. Paul, and Woodbury.

Filed Under: freebies, Great Deals, Restaurant

Free Computer Repair and Support at Fix-It Tech Clinics

April 7, 2019 by Leave a Comment

We’ve written before about free Fix-It Clinics in Hennepin County (yes, these are still going!), but if you need tech support, you’ll want to stop by one of the free Fix-It Tech events around the metro area.

These free community technology education events are run by volunteers who provide computer repair, educations, and resources. If your computer or laptop is slow, not working, or seems to have a virus, bring it in for free tech support.

Upcoming events include:

Details and what to bring

  • First come, first served. Labor is free. Volunteers can offer advice on purchasing parts online or at local repair stores.
  • Bring your laptop, and/or desktop tower and power cord.
  • Volunteers help with laptops, smartphones and tablets based on capacity.

Free workshops

  • Short sessions are held to explain basic computer maintenance and Internet safety.
Filed Under: Events, freebies, Great Deals

2019 NCAA Final Four in Minneapolis – Free and Low-Cost Activities All Weekend (April 5th – 8th)

April 3, 2019 by Leave a Comment

NCAA Final Four Minneapolis Logo

The 2019 NCAA Final Four is coming to Minneapolis! Even if you’re not a huge basketball fan, there are a lot of low- to no-cost activities available during Final Four weekend (April 5 – 8). Mark your calendars now!

Here’s a sneak peek of what’s going on:

NCAA Final Four Minneapolis Fan Fest

 

Final Four Fan Fest – Minneapolis Convention Center

Enjoy a sports wonderland of interactive games, special celebrity and athlete appearances, and autograph signings. They’ll have a Home Run Derby, free cheer clinics, a rock wall, and more.

Hours:

Friday, April 5 from 11 am – 7 pm
Saturday, April 6 from 10 am – 7 pm
Sunday, April 7 from 11 am – 6 pm
Monday, April 8 from 11 am – 6 pm

Ticket prices:

Adults: $8 in advance, $10 at the door
Kids 12 and under: FREE
Military (with valid ID): $4 in advance
Seniors (60+ with valid ID) and College Students (with valid ID): $4 in advance, $5 at the door
Capital One Cardholders: FREE entry (limit two) + Priority Access Lane

NCAA Final Four Minneapolis Activities

 

Final Four Friday – US Bank Stadium

On Friday, April 5 you’ll be able to check out each of the Final Four teams in their final open practice before Saturday’s national semifinal games. Admission is FREE and open to the public. You can also stick around for the College All-Star Game in the afternoon and catch an All-Star team autograph session.

NCAA Final Four Minneapolis Ready Set Dribble

 

Ready, Set, Dribble! – Minneapolis Convention Center

Youth ages 18 and under are invited to participate in this unique parade, joining thousands of fans dribbling their way through the heart of downtown Minneapolis. (Hopefully we won’t have an April blizzard!) Date and time is Sunday, April 7 at 2 pm. The first 3000 participants will receive a T-shirt, basketball, and entry into Final Four Fan Fest for participant(s) and accompanying adults.

This event is FREE, but pre-registration is required and must be completed at select local Buick dealerships. **Pre-registration is now closed. If space allows, limited onsite registration will begin at 1:30 pm.

NCAA Final Four Minneapolis March Music Madness Armory

 

*SOLD OUT* March Madness Music Series – The Armory

This FREE music series takes place Friday, April 5 through Sunday, April 7. Tickets are completely sold out.

  • Friday, April 5 at 7 pm – AT&T Block Party featuring The Chainsmokers
  • Saturday, April 6 at 7 pm – Jonas Brothers presented by Coca-Cola
  • Sunday, April 7 at 7 pm – Capital One Jamfest featuring Katy Perry and Zedd

Tip-Off Tailgate – Nicollet Mall

On your way to or from Final Four Fan Fest or the big games, stop by this FREE event for fun interactives and entertainment.

Check out the full schedule and more details HERE.

Filed Under: Events, freebies, Kids, Minneapolis, Sports

Free “Hidden Figures” Screening and Dinner (Brooklyn Park) – Wednesday, 3/27

March 26, 2019 by Leave a Comment

As part of HTC’s Diversity Book Club, the whole family can come to enjoy a free light dinner and a free showing of Hidden Figures on Wednesday, March 27th from 5:30 – 8 pm at the HTC Brooklyn Park Campus cafeteria. The movie is rated PG.

While the event is free and open to the public, they do ask that you RSVP in advance.

 

 

Filed Under: Events, freebies, Great Deals

Free Fishing Days in Minnesota

March 25, 2019 by 2 Comments

Minnesota is a top fishing destination, and for good reason! Our beloved state offers some of the best freshwater fishing in the country. From lakes to streams to rivers, we have abundant opportunity to catch a wide variety of fish. (My personal favorite for eating is perch, but I won’t turn down a nice walleye, either.)

Free Fishing Days in Minnesota

A regular angling license is relatively inexpensive (just $25/year as of 2019), but there are several opportunities to fish for free in Minnesota, as well. Here’s a list of current Free Fishing Days in Minnesota:

Girl Fishing in Minnesota

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

 

Free Fishing Days in Minnesota

 

Take a Mom Fishing Weekend – May 11 – 12, 2019
Minnesota resident moms fish free.

Take a Kid Fishing Weekend – June 7 – 9, 2019
Minnesota residents 16 and older fish free with children younger than 16.

Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend – January 18 – 20, 2020
Minnesota residents 16 and older fish free with children younger than 16.

kids fishing

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

 

Fish for Free in Most MN State Parks

Minnesota residents can fish for free (a.k.a. without a fishing license) in most Minnesota state parks, including ice fishing. A Minnesota resident may fish in a state park without a fishing license when:

  • the body of water does not require a trout stamp
  • fishing from shore or wading in water within the state park
  • fishing through the ice, from a boat or a float on a designated lake that is completely encompassed within a Minnesota state park

All park rules must be followed as usual, along with any rules and regulations relating to the taking of game and fish. You will still need a vehicle permit to enter a Minnesota state park.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Plus, many Minnesota state parks have loaner equipment available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Fishing kits include a rod, a reel, and a stocked tackle box. Check out this map of all the state parks with free fishing opportunities, including some parks with free loaner equipment.

Filed Under: freebies, Great Deals, Kids

Free “Movies Under the Domes” Movie Nights at the Minneapolis Convention Center

March 20, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Once a month, enjoy a feature film in the auditorium of the Minneapolis Convention Center for FREE as part of their Movies Under the Domes series! The next free movie night is coming up TONIGHT, so we wanted to give you the heads up as you will need to register in advance for your complimentary tickets.

Upcoming films include:

  • March 21st – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (PG-13)
  • April 25th – Moana (PG)
  • May 16th – Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (PG)

Date night, family night or a hang-out-with-friends night, each Movies Under the Domes evening is free to the public. Movie-goers must RSVP through Eventbrite for General Admission tickets, as seating is limited. The first 100 people through the door at all movies will receive a free two-pack set of Pepsi stainless steel straws.

In addition to free feature films, guests can relax in the MCC Craft Bar and Lounge, which will have Minnesota craft brews and light snacks available for purchase. Those under age 21 can purchase snacks and beverages outside the Craft Bar and Lounge, including Niki’s ice cream sandwiches. These treats are hand-crafted with fresh-baked cookies, made from scratch at the MCC, and featuring Minnesota’s own Bridgeman’s ice-cream.

Get your tickets HERE!

Need a place to park your car while you’re downtown? Grab this Minneapolis Convention Center parking discount from Groupon!

Filed Under: Events, freebies, Great Deals, Movies

Free Movies, Popcorn, and Axe Throwing at Emagine Monticello Grand Re-Opening – Thursday, 3/21

March 19, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Emagine Monticello

Got plans for Thursday? You do now! Emagine Monticello is having a Grand-Reopening Celebration in which you can enjoy a free movie, free popcorn, and axe throwing all day long.

Emagine Monticello now features 12 auditoriums with luxurious heated leather recliners, enhanced concessions, and a full bar with local craft beer, cocktails , and wine. Plus, you can enjoy axe throwing at Minnesota Axe in the same building! It’s an indoor competitive sport similar to darts, except you throw 1.5-pound hatches at wooden targets marked with a bullseye and score points based on where the axe sticks.

Minnesota Axe Monticello

Here’s the schedule of events for Thursday, March 21st:

  • 10:30 am – 8 pm: FREE movies, popcorn, live entertainment, and axe throwing
  • 4 pm: Official ribbon cutting with Monticello Chamber, executives from Emagine Entertainment, and Minnesota Axe
  • 6 pm: Live entertainment by local band, Slowspeed

Emagine Monticello

Emagine Monticello and Minnesota Axe are located at 9375 Deegan Ave in Monticello. Limit one movie, one popcorn, and one axe-throwing session per guest.

Filed Under: Events, freebies, Great Deals, Movies
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