SATURDAY, JULY 4
Red, white and ooooh: Where to watch fireworks in Twin Cities and beyond
APPLE VALLEY - FREEDOM DAYS: Fun run, parade, carnival and live music. 8 a.m., fireworks at 10 p.m. Johnny Cake Ridge Park East, 5800 W. 140th St.
CHANHASSEN: Fishing contest, classic car show, taste of Chanhassen, carnival rides and bingo. 7 a.m., fireworks at 10 p.m. Lake Ann Park, 7500 Lake Ann Dr.
COON RAPIDS: Midway, bean bag tournament, live music and fireworks at 10 p.m. Coon Rapids Ice Center, 11000 Crooked Lake Blvd. NW.
DELANO - 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION: 5K race, bean bag, baseball and softball tournaments, carnival and live music. 9:30 a.m., fireworks at 10:30 p.m. Central Park, N. River Street and Park Av.
EAGAN - FUNFEST: Parade, vendors, carnival and live music. 10 a.m., fireworks at 10 p.m. Central Park, 1501 Central Pkwy.
EDEN PRAIRIE - 4TH OF JULY HOMETOWN CELEBRATION: Pickleball tournament, 5K run, water sports and beach party. 9 a.m., fireworks at 10 p.m. Round Lake Park, 7550 Constitution Av.
EDINA: Parade at 10 a.m. A concert with the John Philip Sousa Memorial Band, 8:30 p.m., followed by fireworks at dusk. Rosland Park, 4300 W. 66th St.
FOREST LAKE - 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION: Carnival, bingo, food concessions and live music. 9 a.m., fireworks at 10 p.m. American Legion Post 225, 355 W. Broadway.
LAKE MINNETONKA - 4TH OF JULY: Firecracker run, sand sculpture contest, Popsicle social and music by the Wolverines Big Band. 8 a.m., fireworks at dusk. Excelsior Commons, Lake St. along the south shore of Excelsior Bay.
LAKEVILLE - PAN-O-PROG: Live music, inflatables, clowns and concessions. 7 p.m., fireworks at dusk. Lakeville North High School, 19600 Ipava Av., Lakeville.
MAPLEWOOD - LIGHT IT UP: Inflatables, concessions and music by Good for Gary. 4 p.m., fireworks at 10 p.m. Hazelwood Park, 1663 County Rd. C.
MINNEAPOLIS - RED, WHITE AND BOOM: Half-marathon, live music and family activities. 6:30 a.m., fireworks at 10 p.m. Father Hennepin Bluffs Park, 100 6th Av. SE., Mpls.
PRIOR LAKE: Boat parade. 1 p.m., fireworks at 10 p.m. Lakefront Park, 5000 Kop Pkwy.
PRIOR LAKE - ROCK AND ROCKETS: Live music by Viva Knievel and Maiden Dixie, food trucks and tents. 3 p.m., fireworks at dusk. Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd., Prior Lake.
RICHFIELD 4TH OF JULY: Parade. 1 p.m., fireworks at dusk. Veterans Memorial Park, 6335 Portland Av. S., Richfield.
ROSEVILLE - ROSEFEST: Carnival, inflatables, puppet shows, live music and food vendors. 1 p.m. Central Park, 2540 N. Lexington Av., Roseville. Fireworks at 10 p.m. over Bennett Lake.
ST. LOUIS PARK: Concessions, vendors and a special perfomance by Stevie and the Table Rockers, 7-9:30 p.m. Fireworks follow at 10 p.m. Aquila Park, 3110 Xylon Ave. S.
ST. PAUL: At dusk following the St. Paul Saints game. CHS Field, 360 N. Broadway.
WACONIA - TASTE OF MINNESOTA: Food vendors and live entertainment. 11 a.m., fireworks at 10:20 p.m. Carver County Fairgrounds, 501 W. 3rd St., Waconia.
WACONIA: 10 p.m. Lake Waconia Regional Park, 8170 Paradise Lane.
WHITE BEAR LAKE - MANITOU DAYS: Live music and flyover with four T-6 planes. 8 p.m., fireworks at dusk. Memorial Beach Park, 4980 Lake Av. N., White Bear Lake.
WOODBURY - 4TH OF JULY: Concessions, open skating and music by FlashMob. 6 p.m., fireworks at dusk. Bielenberg Sports Center, 4125 Radio Dr., Woodbury.
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Lefse-wrapped Swedish wontons, a soothing bowl of rice porridge and a gravy-laden commercial filled our week with comfort and warmth.