Plan some family fun!

Check out this local event calendar and get ready for lots of fun area events throughout the spring and summer.

Twin Cities/Albert Lea Events

Towers of Flowers (Macy’s Flower Show) – Minneapolis, MN

March 27 – April 10, Macy’s, 700 Nicollet Mall
www1.macys.com/campaign/flowershow/minneapolis/index.jsp
612.375.4362
Step into spring! The free annual Towers of Flowers event draws thousands of fans who take in its stunning floral sculptures and lush arrangements that awaken the senses.

Minneapolis Earth Day Clean Up – Minneapolis, MN

Saturday, April 16, 9:30 a.m. – noon
www.minneapolisearthday.com
612.230.6400
Minneapolis Earth Day Clean Up will take place at more than 30 sites throughout Minneapolis. Residents are encouraged to join their friends and family for a day of service in the community. No preregistration is required. The annual event involves picking up trash in Minneapolis parks, neighborhoods and watersheds. In 2010, more than 3,000 volunteers removed over 15,000 pounds of trash during the one-day event.

Minneapolis Recycle Run Lake Harriet – Minneapolis, MN

Sunday, April 17, 8:45 a.m., Lake Harriet
www.minneapolisrecyclerun.com
651.688.9143
Registration is now open for the fourth annual Minneapolis Recycle Run 5K and free Kids’ Run. The event takes place on Sunday, April 17, kicking off at 8:45 a.m. at Lake Harriet in south Minneapolis. New this year, the kids’ half-mile run is free and open to youth ages 11 and under. All Kids’ Run participants must preregister for the event. The chip-timed 5K is open to individuals 12 and older and costs $25 to participate. 5K participants are encouraged to preregister to guarantee their spot. Event proceeds benefit the Minneapolis park system, including the annual Earth Day Clean Up. The Minnesota Twins have offered a limited number of discounted tickets for purchase to individuals who preregister early! Participants are invited to bring used running shoes and shirts to the event to be recycled.

Doodlebugs – St. Anthony, MN

Tuesdays, March 8 – May 24, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Silverwood Park, 2500 County Rd. E
www.threeriversparks.org/events.aspx
763.559.9000
Drop off your kids for a whirlwind of fun-filled art activities based on a different children’s book each week. Wear old clothes; they’ll be getting messy as we cut, paste, paint, sculpt, dance and sing! Plus, spend part of every class exploring our park’s sprouting seeds, muddy puddles and other signs of spring. Sign up for one day or the entire series. Reservations required.

Farmyard Fun Days – Minnetrista, MN

March 29, April 8, April 13 & April 19, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Gale Woods Farm, 7210 W. County Road 110
www.threeriversparks.org/events.aspx
763.694.2001
Learn about the wonders of the farm! Explore the barn to meet the farm animals, assist a Gale Woods farmer with chores and stop by the classrooms for farm crafts, cooking and farm games. Activities are a mix of independent exploration and educator-led programming, and you can come for just an hour or for the whole day. Adults must accompany children. All programs break for lunch from 11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Reservations required for groups of 6 or more.

A Walk in the Park – Victoria, MN

Sundays, April 3 & May 1, 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., Lowry Nature Center, Carver Park Nature Reserve, 7025 Victoria Dr.
www.threeriversparks.org/events.aspx
763.694.7650
Join a naturalist on a casual guided walk, visit a cattail marsh, a boardwalk and an oak forest, and use binoculars to see what early birds have returned on this fun walk in the park!

Stone Arch Festival of the Arts – Minneapolis, MN

June 18 & 19, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., St. Anthony Main in the Riverfront District
www.stonearchfestival.com
612.378.1226
This will mark the festival’s 17th year of celebrating art in the Twin Cities. For as many years, this free, two-day festival held on Father’s Day weekend has brought more than half a million people to the Minneapolis downtown Riverfront District. The festival features more than 250 visual artists, 40 live performances and family entertainment.

3rd of July Parade – Albert Lea, MN

Sunday, July 3, 5 p.m.
www.albertleatourism.org
507.373.2316
Come out for the largest parade in Southern Minnesota with over 100 colorful units and thousands of visitors.

4th of July Fireworks – Albert Lea, MN

Monday, July 4, 10 p.m., Fountain Lake Beach, Downtown Albert Lea
www.albertleatourism.org
507.552.1248
This annual fireworks display is one of the largest in Southern Minnesota and Iowa. Join the crowd and watch from your car, boat or shoreline.

April Sorensen Memorial Half Marathon – Albert Lea, MN

Saturday, July 9, 8 a.m.
www.livelaughloverun.com
507.377.2568
Get ready to run! This exhilarating half marathon is open to all men and women who have trained for a 13.1-mile foot race.

Minneapolis Aquatennial

Friday, July 15, 2011
www.aquatennial.com
aquatennial@downtownminneapolis.com
Entering its 72nd year, the Aquatennial is the official civic celebration of the City of Minneapolis. Minneapolis residents, workers and tourists have come to love and appreciate all that the City of Minneapolis has to offer during the Aquatennial Festival.

Aquatennial Block Party – Friday, July 15, 2011, 5–11 p.m.
Star Tribune Beach Bash featuring the Sandcastle Competition and the Milk Carton Boat Races – Sunday, July 17, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade – Wednesday, July 20, 8–10:30 p.m.
Target Fireworks Show – Saturday, July 23, 6–10:30 p.m. (Fireworks at 10 p.m.)

Walker Art Center Free First Saturdays – Minneapolis, MN

First Saturday of each month, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Walker Art Center, 1750 Hennepin Ave.
www.walkerart.org
612.375.7600
Gallery admission is free for everyone on the first Saturday of each month! Families can enjoy live performances, films, gallery adventures and hands-on art making. Activities recommended for ages 6-12.

Freeborn County Fair, Albert Lea, MN

August 2–7
www.freeborncountyfair.com
507.373.6965
Come out to the Freeborn County Fair for the six best days of summer with delicious fair food, great exhibits and hands-on activities, live music and plenty of fun!

4th Annual Big Island Bar-B-Que – Albert Lea, MN

August 26 & 27, Freeborn County Fairgrounds
www.bigislandfestivalandbbq.org
pvining@smig.net
800.658.2526
Experience the sights, sounds, smells and taste of all things BBQ at the 4th annual Big Island Bar-B-Que. You could even meet some of the top BBQ cooks in the nation. Event supports the Big Island Rendezvous Education Days.

Big Island BBQ Rendezvous – Albert Lea, MN

October 1, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., and October 2, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Freeborn County Fairgrounds
www.bigislandfestivalandbbq.org
pvining@smig.net
800.658.2526
Experience exciting and educational historic reenactments, including the fur trade period in the Voyageur encampment, Native American Tipi (tepee) tours, the Scottish Clan Tartan, New Ulm Battery, many Early American crafts such as woodworking, blacksmithing and candle making, and lots more. Purchase period wares, taste authentic cuisine and experience the sights and sounds of history – plus, taste the best barbeque from the Midwest’s best cooks! Enjoy stage entertainment and door prizes with free admission to the public.