9 free things to do in the Twin Cities this week
Why dine at home when there are food trucks, food festivals and other opportunities to eat outdoors?
The Minnesota Star Tribune
August 6, 2024 at 10:00AM
The exhibit “Together” is a mixed-media art collection with works from 10 Minnesota artist families of diverse family structures and ages. The project was conceived by artists Emmett and Kit Ramstad to elevate children’s artwork and provide a space for parent artists to support one another. Ends Oct. 13. (Gallery hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thu.-Sun., 350 N. Robert St., St. Paul, mmaa.org)
2. Performances in the Park
Everyone is invited to this cookout. Bring a blanket or chair to listen to the Backyard Band, which specializes in danceable country and rock ’n roll. Make it a date with food from Smokin’ Joe’s BBQ. (5 p.m. Thu., Aquatore Park, 9191 NE. Lincoln St., Blaine, blainemn.gov)
3. Eagan Food Truck Festival
Calories don’t count when dining al fresco. More than 20 trucks will put their best menus forward with cuisine from around the globe. (4-9 p.m. Fri., Eagan Festival Grounds, 1501 Central Pkwy., Eagan, cityofeagan.com)
4. Prior Lake Days
Grab friends for a Friday night out at the Viking Liquor business expo and wine tasting. Saturday is a family affair with a kiddie parade, carnival, food vendors, inflatables, dueling pianos, robotics demonstrations and more. (7-9 p.m. Fri., noon-9 p.m. Sat., downtown Prior Lake, priorlakechamber.com)
5. Summer STEM
Hennepin County Library teams up with Twin Cities PBS for educational arts and crafts for young children. Take home a summer activity booklet and meet a costumed character from the show “Hero Elementary.” (10 a.m.-noon Sat., Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., hclib.bibliocommons.com)
6. Imagine 6th Avenue North
When Olson Memorial Highway was constructed, it disrupted the vibrancy of historic 6th Avenue N. Our Streets has partnered with community organizations to re-create the community with a family-friendly block party with artists, musicians and information on local businesses and organizations. (11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., Harrison Park, 503 Irving Av. N., Mpls., ourstreetsmn.org)
7. Music in Motion
Children’s Theatre Company gets kids moving with a jam session where they move their bodies to a groove. Then, there’s Story Theatre, where families see and hear an adventure tale. (9:30-10:45 a.m. Sun., North Loop Green, 350 N. 5th St., Mpls., northloopgreen.com)
8. Turf Grass Seminar
Anoka County Master Gardener Kim Sullivan will answer questions and give tips on repairing lawns damaged by invasive European chafer beetle grubs, seasonal turf care and sustainable turf alternatives. (6:30 p.m. Tue., behind the Lincoln Monument, near the intersection of Victory Avenue and 45th Avenue N., Mpls., victoryneighborhood.org)
9. Springbrook Nature Center Concert Series
Tex-Mex Tejano music group Los Rebeldes performs in the amphitheater. The concerts are the result of donations from the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation. (7 p.m. Tue., 100 85th Av. NE., Fridley, springbrooknaturecenter.org)
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Have a free event? Email events@startribune.com three weeks in advance of publication for consideration.
For years, Twin Cities’ biggest arts organizations enjoyed “extraordinary” giving from homegrown corporations. Now, they’re grappling with steep declines: “We had more to lose.”
