Go back in time at the Old Time Harvest in Jordan
Fire up the threshers! The Scott/Carver Threshers Association is hosting the 60th Old Time Harvest with a goal of preserving agricultural history by firing up the antique machinery to demonstrate what farm-life was like 100 years ago. The festival runs Aug. 2, 3 and 4 on the grounds across the street from the Scott County Fairgrounds in Jordan. It’s $10 for adults for the whole weekend and free for kids under 12. Each morning starts with a pancake breakfast.
Dino Fest returns to Science Museum of Minnesota
A fan-favorite festival is back at the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul. Dino Fest is happening on Saturday, Aug. 3, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The day will include activities, presentations, performances, and a field jacket opening from a recent dig in Montana. Guests can also go behind the scenes to see the paleo lab. Dino Fest is included with an admission ticket to the science museum.
Chef Yia Vang opens the doors of Vinai
One of the most anticipated restaurant openings of the year is finally here. Vinai is open now in the Sheridan Neighborhood of Northeast Minneapolis. The restaurant will be open Tuesday through Saturday evenings. It’s named after the refugee camp in Thailand where Vang’s parents met and where he was born. The restaurant honors both of his parents by utilizing their recipes and methods of woodfire cooking. It’s located at 1300 2nd St. NE, the former location of Dangerous Man Brewing. Vang is a James Beard Finalist. He also runs Union Hmong Kitchen which has two locations, one in the North Loop and one on West Lake Street. He will also serve Hmong food once again at the Minnesota State Fair.
Chef Yia Vang opens new restaurant Vinai in Minneapolis
FOX 9's Shayne Wells sits down with Chef Yia Vang to chat about his new restaurant Vinai, which opens July 30 serving traditional Hmong food. The restaurant is located at 1300 NE 2nd St. in Minneapolis.
Viral gaming center comes to Roseville
The gaming experience is getting supersized at a new spot in Roseville. Activate Games puts you in the video game using cutting edge technology for interactive gaming. The Mega Grid game is the most well-known after going viral on TikTok. It has touch-sensor floor tiles that create a floor is lava-type game with varying levels of difficulty. It is designed for players over the age of 10, though kids age 4 and up can participate. Activate now has 40 locations worldwide. It’s open now in Roseville at 1955 County Road B2.
Orchestra Hall celebrates 50 years in Minneapolis
Orchestra Hall, the home of the Minnesota Orchestra, is 50 years old. Located on Nicollet Mall, it’s drawn more than 10 million people to downtown. Architect Hugh Hardy designed the venue. It features 114 large cubes that disperse sound throughout the auditorium. Experience the venue with the ‘Summer at Orchestra Hall’ program. It runs through Aug. 10 and the theme is Roaring Twenties.
Tap dance phenoms create musical experience
Nationally acclaimed tap dance artists, along with musicians and a group of talented kids are working on a show that’ll debut Saturday night at the Ames Center in Burnsville. The Storyboard Experience is in its third year and from the Rhythm Street Movement team. It’s an educational week for the students that culminates in the production of a full-length show with original music played live by a seven-piece band. The Storyboard Experience is slated for 7 p.m. at the Ames Center on July 27.
Mermaids make a splash at Sea Life at Mall of America
Magical creatures have joined the sharks, stingrays and tropical fish at Sea Life at Mall of America. Mermaids are back July 18 through Aug. 9. They will appear underwater and offer meet and greets on land on Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays and Mondays from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sea Life is located on Level One East at the Mall of America. The event does require a special mermaid event ticket.
New North Loop Green high-rise now open by Target Field
The new development overlooking Target Field is complete and all the penthouse apartments on the 34th floor are spoken for. North Loop Green mixes office space, luxury living, short-term rentals, several new dining options and one acre of green space that will host more than 100 events this summer alone. To check out the list of events follow North Loop Green on social media.
Help harvest at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Harvest season is unfolding and visitors to the Arboretum can get involved in the process on Saturdays through Aug. 31. The Arboretum’s farm will have a different theme each weekend including digging up potatoes to harvesting soybeans, corn and grain. The ‘Fun at the Arb’ will be Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission to the farm is included with general admission to the Arboretum and free for members. July 20 is Pickle Day; July 27 is Potato Dig; Aug. 3 is Honey Harvest & Flowers for Pollinators; Aug. 10 is Sunflower Experience; Aug. 17 is Kernza & Perennial Grains; Aug. 24 is Soybean Harvest; and Aug. 31 is Corn Harvest.
Garden tours highlight variety of Twin Cities landscapes
Tour 10 unique Twin Cities metro gardens on Saturday as part of the Hennepin County Master Gardener Volunteer Learning Tour. The event is on Saturday, July 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Education is folded into this tour with 100+ Master Gardeners stationed at the featured gardens to answer your questions. Tickets to the tour, purchased in advance are $15 or $20 the day of. Children under 12 are free with a paying adult.
Limited time tours at renovated Pillsbury Castle
For the last year, work has been ongoing to preserve and restore a historic Minneapolis home. Two local entrepreneurs purchased the Pillsbury Mansion in 2023 and brought in 30 designers to furnish the 10,000 sq ft home. The home will be open for tours from July 12-28, and then the owners will move into the home. For more history on the house and to purchase tickets, visit PillsburyCastle.com
Hamel Rodeo gallops back for 43rd year
It’s time to rope and ride. The Hamel Rodeo returns to Corcoran Lion’s Park on Thursday evening, July 11, and runs through Sunday evening. The performances will feature bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, tie down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing and the Bull Ridin’ Bonanza.
LGBTQ+ choruses gather in Minneapolis for weekend event
Thousands of vocalists will be in Minneapolis this week for the largest LGBTQ+ choral event in the world. A total of 122 choruses from around the globe will join the GALA Choruses Festival. There will be hundreds of concerts during the five-day span, July 10-14. Many of the events are free and some are ticketed. The opening event is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Peavey Plaza on July 10. Check out the full schedule online at GalaChoruses.org.
Trail of Small Wonders opens in St. Louis Park
A little magic has arrived at the Westwood Hills Nature Center. For the fourth year, the Trail of Small Wonders is back in St. Louis Park. It features a miniature world of 150 hand-made dwellings for fairies, elves, gnomes and trolls. The Opening Day Festival is from 4:30 to 8 p.m., and is free and open to all and the trail is ADA accessible. The fairy houses will remain on display at Westwood Hills Nature Center from July 9th – 27th from sunrise to sunset. It’s located at 8200 West Franklin Avenue in St. Louis Park.
Burnsville donut shop adds 2nd spot in Lakeville
Donut Star first opened in Burnsville during the 70s. In 2022, new owners purchased it, did a full renovation and brought a new approach to donuts. Everything is made by hand in-house and they focus on the classics. Now they’ve added a second location in Lakeville at 7656 160th St W. It’s open Wednesday through Friday 6 a.m. - 12 p.m. and Saturday & Sunday from 6 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Wayzata flying pancakes with a side of history
Shayne Wells was at the Wayzata Depot Museum where the Children of the American Revolution are raising funds for a good cause.
Richfield bringing back Independence Day events
After a five-year absence, Richfield is bringing back its Fourth of July celebrations and kicking them off on July 3. Thanks to an anonymous donor, they had the funds to put on this event, one the community has been asking for. You can follow along with the event and any weather updates here: https://www.richfield4th.com/
Inflatable park experience opens outside the Mall of America
A gigantic bounce park has moved into Bloomington for the summer. FunBox is now open in the east lot across the street from Mall of America. It’s hard to miss since it’s 25,000 square feet of bright colored jumping zones. There are obstacles, games and challenges including a ninja wall, battle beam, obstacle course and 23-foot slide. Right now, it’s open Wednesday through Sunday and will be in place through Sept. 8. For more information visit FunBox.com
Dachshund races coming to Canterbury Park
The horses will be galloping at Canterbury Park on July 3 and July 4 for special race days. On Wednesday there will be live racing, live music and Fireworks. On Thursday there will be wiener dog races in between horse races along with a hot dog eating contest and inflatable pig races. The top four dogs from each heat advance to the Best In Show races on Sept. 1 that will feature all five breeds that will race over the summer.