What to Do This Weekend

Free Movie rental from Red Box Code:

MCDMEDVD (McDonald's) & WALGREENS (Walgreens code)

FRIDAY JUNE 18th

Labor Neighborhood Block Party
Central Library
300 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55401
The official kick-off to this year's Aquatennial festival takes place on Nicollet Mall between 3rd and 4th Streets, alongside the library, and includes a free concert by Blue Travelers and Tim Mahoney.
http://www.aquatennial.com
Time: 5pm-11pm
Cost: Free

Sommerfest!
Orchestra Hall & the Minnesota Orchestra
1111 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55403
The annual Minnesota Orchestra festival includes family concerts and free outdoor performances in Peavey Plaza, showcasing orchestral, pop, jazz, and chamber music. Visit the website for a complete schedule.
612.371.5656
http://www.minnasotaorchestra.org
Ongoing Daily 7/11/08 - 8/3/08; check with location for exceptions.
Ages: 4 to 18
Time: See website for offerings
Cost: Varies

Minnesota Sinfonia Great Summer Festival
Lake Harriet
43rd Street & East Lake Harriet Parkway
Minneapolis, MN 55410
Artistic Director Jay Fishman leads the Minnesota Sinfonia in one of its popular child-friendly classical music concerts, with a special appearance by trumpet soloist David Baldwin. Takes place at the Lake Harriet Bandshell on the northwestern edge of the lake.
612.230.6400
http://www.mnsinfonia.org
Time: 7:30pm
Cost: Free

Aquatennial 2008
Lake Calhoun
Minneapolis, MN 55408
The Minneapolis Aquatennial features sandcastle-building, sailing, and other competitions (including milk carton boat races), as well as an art fair, beach parties, and much more. They don't call it "The Best Days of Summer" for nothing! Visit the website for a complete schedule of events; many take place at Lake Calhoun, but there are events all over the city.
612.376.7669
http://www.aquatennial.com
Ongoing Daily 7/12/08 - 7/27/08; check with location for exceptions.
Time: See website for schedule
Cost: Most events free for spectators

25th Annual Highland Fest
Patina
2057 Ford Parkway
Saint Paul, MN 55116
Families can head to Ford Parkway, just east of the river, for a three-day street party that radiates out along the street in both directions from Patina. The fair features an expanded Midway, fireworks (Fri-Sat 10:30pm), a juried art fair, live music, and special activities for kids (Sat 10am-2pm) including face painting, a costume parade, a petting, pony rides, and craft projects. Martin Zellar plays on Friday night; Beatles tribute band Rubber Soul entertains on Saturday night.
http://www.highlandfest.com
Ongoing Daily 7/18/08 - 7/20/08; check with location for exceptions.
Time: Fri 2pm-10pm; Sat 10am-10pm; Sun 11am-5pm
Cost: Free

Negro Baseball League
Mall of America
60 East Broadway
Minneapolis, MN 55425
A few of the last remaining members of the Negro Baseball League field autograph requests in Sears Court.
952.883.8800
http://www.mallofamerica.com
Ongoing Daily 7/17/08 - 7/19/08; check with location for exceptions.
Cost: Free

Schwan's USA Cup
National Sports Center
1700 - 105th Avenue Northeast
Blaine, MN 55449
The Schwan's USA Cup - the largest youth tournament in the country - showcases more than 1,000 teams from 20 countries in matches scheduled between opening and closing ceremonies. Visit the website for a complete schedule.
http://www.usacup.com
Ongoing Daily 7/14/08 - 7/19/08; check with location for exceptions.
Ages: 4 to 18
Time: See website for schedule
Cost: Free to watch

SATURDAY JULY 19th

On the Day You Were Born
Champlin Library
12154 Ensign Avenue North
Champlin, MN 55316
In the Heart of the Beast Theater presents a toy theater production of Debra Frasier's best-selling children's book that uses puppetry, poetry, and music to celebrate natural phenomena. Free passes (required to attend) distributed at the library starting 30 minutes prior to the program.
952.847.5350
http://www.hclib.org
Ages: 3 to 18
Time: 1pm
Cost: Free

Manga Drawing for Teens
Riverview Library
1 East George Street
Saint Paul, MN 55107
Manga artist Becky Grutzik teaches a hands-on manga drawing workshop, as part of the library's summer reading and entertainment program.
651.292.6626
http://www.sppl.org
Ages: 12 to 18
Time: 2pm-3pm
Cost: Free

Universe in the Park
Tamarack Nature Center
5287 Otter Lake Road
Saint Paul, MN 55110
U of M astronomers share their telescopes and knowledge, with a short indoor presentation followed by outdoor telescope viewing.
651.407.5350
Time: 8:30am-10:30am
Cost: Free


10th Annual Wildlife Forever Art Expo
Mall of America
60 East Broadway
Minneapolis, MN 55425
See Smokey the Bear and Blue Goose in the Rotunda, along with large displays of award-winning youth art focusing on conservation and fisheries. Free trees are given to the first 5,000 visitors and family activities are offered throughout the day.
612.673.8431
http://www.statefishart.com
Time: 10am-6pm
Cost: Free

Young Eagles Flights
Young Eagles at Airlake Airport
8140 220th Street West
Lakeville, MN 55044
Young Eagles offers kids a chance to fly - for free! - in a private airplane with a qualified pilot. The national program was launched in 1992, and more than 1.2 million young people have participated since; the local chapter offers the rides on the third Saturday of every month, weather-permitting. A brief "ground school" lesson in aerodynamics and safety is also included.
Call 952.831.5142 or 952.432.4231 in advance to reserve a spot.
http://www.eaa25.org
Ages: 8 to 17
Time: 9am-12n
Cost: Free

SUNDAY JULY 20th

Tony Dungy Book Signing
Mall of America
60 East Broadway
Minneapolis, MN 55425
Former NFL player and coach Tony Dungy appears in Sears Court to promote his new children's book, You Can Do It. Wristbands for the autograph line (required) are available starting at 10am; see website for signing guidelines.
952.883.8800
http://www.mallofamerica.com
Ages: 4 to 18
Time: 2pm
Cost: Free

St. Louis Park Community Band
Centennial Lakes Park
7499 France Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55435
Edina presents a free concert at the amphitheater at the southern end of the lake.
952.927.8861
http://www.centenniallakespark.com
Time: 7pm
Cost: Free

Aquatennial: Milk Carton Boat Races
Lake Calhoun
Minneapolis, MN 55408
The Aquatennial's beloved Milk Carton Boat Races and Beach Bash take place at Thomas Beach. Visit the official website for a complete schedule of events.
612.376.7669
http://www.aquatennial.com
Time: 10am-4pm
Cost: Free

Renaissance Festival Preview Party
Mall of America
60 East Broadway
Minneapolis, MN 55425
The Rotunda and Sears Court are transformed into a magical realm with coloring, storytellers, magic, music, and more, offering a free taste of what's in store at this summer's Renaissance Festival. Activities and crafts specifically for children are offered in Sears Court.
952.883.8800
http://www.mallofamerica.com
Ages: 2 to 18
Time: 11am-5pm
Cost: Free