9 free things to do in the Twin Cities this week
Celebrate Earth Day and the coming of spring with a variety of events.
The Minnesota Star Tribune
April 16, 2024 at 10:00AM
It’s a celebration of Earth Day hosted by the Eden Prairie AM Rotary Club. Eco-conscious businesses feature products and services. A family zone will have games, cooking experiments and a petting zoo. (10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat., Eden Prairie Center, 8251 Flying Cloud Drive, Eden Prairie, edenprairiecenter.com)
2. Taylor Swift: The Eras Trivia
Those who were unlucky in scoring tickets to Taylor Swift’s tour can still live their Swiftie fantasies in a night of quizzes about the pop songstress. (7-9 p.m. Wed., Broken Clock Brewing, 1712 NE. Marshall St., Mpls., brokenclockbrew.com)
3. Spring Fling
Grab friends and neighbors for games, demonstrations and music. There also will be information tables on local organizations. (5:30-7:30 p.m. Thu., Linwood Recreation Center, 860 St. Clair Av., St. Paul, stpaul.gov)
4. Fredrick Soukup
The Minnesota author launches his newest novel, “Ashes, Ashes.” A story about compassion and redemption, the book chronicles struggles of foster children in search of belonging. (6 p.m. Fri., Next Chapter Booksellers, 38 S. Snelling Av., St. Paul. nextchapterbooksellers.com)
5. The Great Minnsect Show
A showcase for those who think bugs are cool, not creepy. View live insects and educational displays, play games, taste insect food and meet entomologists. (10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat., St. Paul Student Center, 2017 Buford Av., St. Paul, entomology.umn.edu)
6. Record Store Day
Music lovers who prefer the vintage sound of vinyl are invited to hang out at the Electric Fetus. There will be free coffee and doughnuts and performances throughout the day by DJ Jake Rudh, Tricky Miki and others. (Coffee and doughnuts at 8 a.m., store is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat., 2000 4th Av. S., Mpls., electricfetus.com)
7. Minneapolis Earth Day Cleanup
The city’s largest annual community service project makes parks shine. Cleanup sites are at 44 parks throughout Minneapolis. Just show up at a site, where staff and volunteers will provide bags and gloves. (9:30 a.m.-noon Sat.; for locations go to minneapolisearthday.com)
8. Sustainable Sunday Tours
A 45-minute walking tour showcases the Mall of America’s eco-friendly initiatives. (10 a.m. & 1 p.m. Sundays in April, North Guest Services Desk, Mall of America, Bloomington, mallofamerica.com)
9. Springfest
Learn how to be a better resident of Earth through entertainment and activities. Meet with vendors who specialize in ecology and watch as families compete in a puzzle competition. (2-5 p.m. Sun., Shoreview Community Center, 4580 N. Victoria St., Shoreview, shoreviewmn.gov)
Free tickets! Sign up for the Star Tribune Going Out newsletter to enter a drawing to win free tickets to Twin Cities events at startribune.com/goingout.
Have a free event? Email events@startribune.com three weeks in advance of publication for consideration.
Lefse-wrapped Swedish wontons, a soothing bowl of rice porridge and a gravy-laden commercial filled our week with comfort and warmth.
