9 free things to do in the Twin Cities this week
Authors release new works and BBQ lovers can smack on smoked meats during the Great Midwest Rib Fest.
The Minnesota Star Tribune
July 23, 2024 at 10:00AM
The smoky, grilled, lip-smacking festival turns 10 this year. In addition to delicious ribs, enjoy daily music headliners including John Michael Montgomery, War and Five for Fighting. (4-10 p.m. Thu.-Fri., 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat., Mystic Lake, 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd., Prior Lake, mysticlake.com)
2. Teresa Peterson
View a recipe demonstration of wild rice bread and hummus at a meet-and-greet and book signing of Peterson’s new book, “Perennial Ceremony: Lessons and Gifts From a Dakota Garden.” (Noon Thu., Four Sisters Farmers Market, 1414 E. Franklin Av., Mpls., upress.umn.edu)
3. Lions Music in the Park
Robby Vee plays old school jams from the ‘50s and ‘60s. In addition, the weekly farmers market is also in the park where families can shop for fresh produce and locally made products. (6-8:30 p.m. Thu., Central Park Depot, 5803 Main Av., NE. Albertville, Minn., albertvillemn.gov)
4. Elk RiverFest
The kids will probably fall asleep in the car after attending the festival’s Family Zone. Attractions include Baron of the Bubble, a petting zoo, sensory tent, skatepark show, food trucks and more. (10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat., Orono Park, 18599 Gary St., Elk River, Minn., elkrivermn.gov)
5. International Bog Day
The Quaking Bog Advocacy Committee celebrates nature with a bog talk, tours, puppet-making and story time. Naturalists will lead tours through the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden. (11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun., Wedding Hill, Theodore Wirth Park, 1 Theodore Wirth Pkwy., Mpls., minneapolisparks.org)
6. E.T.C. Productions
Bring a chair or blanket to watch Donkey and his ogre friend in the summer performance of “Shrek the Musical Jr.” While there, tour the historic Ard Godfrey House, the oldest remaining frame house in Minneapolis. (2 p.m. Sun.; house hours 1-4 p.m. weekends through August. Ard Godfrey House, 28 University Av. SE., Mpls., womansclub.org)
7. PeopleFest
West African performance troupe Duniya Drum & Dance performs for Eden Prairie’s international festival. (7-8:30 p.m. Mon., Staring Lake Amphitheatre, 14800 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie, edenprairie.org)
8. Wendy Brown-Báez
Stop by the book launch for “Threading the Gold.” Brown-Báez wrote the book of poems as an artist-in-residence at Westminster Presbyterian Church from 2023-24. (7-8:30 p.m. Mon., American School of Storytelling, 1762 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., wendybrownbaez.com)
9. The Saint Paul Get Down
The traveling summer series lands at Music in Mears to uplift aspiring musicians. Wordsmiths ages 14-24 will showcase their best hip-hop songs. (Noon Tue., Mears Park, 221 E. 5th St., St. Paul, stpaul.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.
