Quick Trips: Deer Harbor, Two Harbors and Red Wing

The history of growing wild rice and more will be celebrated during the 70th annual Wild Rice Festival Fri.-next Sun. On Friday, attendees can check out a powwow by the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (6:30 p.m.), a daily beer garden and live music. Festivities continue Saturday with a Wild Rice Run at 7 a.m., followed by a medallion hunt, rodeo, wild rice dinner, outdoor concert, street dance, sushi roll, live music and fireworks. On Sunday a parade starts at 1 p.m., plus a turkey dinner, children's tractor pull and more (wildricefestival.com).

On the North Shore, a full weekend of family entertainment is on tap during the Two Harbors Heritage Festival Thu.-next Sun. On Thursday the festival offers children's activities including a parade, games, face painting and an ice cream social, and everyone can enjoy a concert in the park. Throughout the weekend, check out daily live entertainment and helicopter rides, plus a car show, medallion and scavenger hunts, a Saturday parade, a street dance, vendors, bungee jumping and more (tinyurl.com/yaop355n).

Celebrate American Indian history with the Prairie Island Indian Community during the annual Wacipi Dakota Days July 13-15. The free event takes place at the Prairie Island powwow grounds near Treasure Island Resort and Casino and features traditional dancing and singing contests, plus handmade art, jewelry, food and more. The grand entries are at 7 p.m. Friday; 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday (prairieisland.org).

Colleen A. Coles