Cannon Falls Wine & Art Fest
photo courtesy cannon falls wine & art fest
Minneapolis Aquatennial
July 18-21
For four days, the Aquatennial takes over downtown Minneapolis. On Thursday, July 19, the Nicollet Farmers Market opens at 6 a.m. on Nicollet, between 6th and 9th Streets, and closes an hour before the 7 p.m. River Rats water-ski show on the West Bank of the Mississippi, which also takes place on Friday, July 20, when the Fulton Downtown Thunderdome threads a bike race through downtown Minneapolis. Then, on Saturday, July 21, it’s the big event: After the biggest paddle-sport race in Minneapolis, near Boom Island, live music and food trucks hit up West River Parkway in the lead-up to the firework show to end all Minnesota firework shows—one of the top five annual ooh-ahh displays in the nation, lighting up the sky near the Stone Arch Bridge. Learn more.
Highland Fest
July 20-22
In St. Paul’s Highland Park neighborhood, summer’s halfway point gets a multi-block blowout along Ford Parkway. In the festival’s 35th year, there’s something for all stripes: a beer tent, a petting zoo, dachshund races, a 5K road race, Zumba in the park, a wine tasting, a car show, a meat raffle, a movie shown in the park, inflatable rides and games for kids, and live music by local performers, including cover band Viva Knievel and jazz band General B and the Wiz. Learn more.
Cannon Falls Wine & Art Fest
July 21-22
Cannon Falls hosts its eighth annual Cannon Falls Wine & Art Fest at Hannah’s Bend Park, just 30 miles south of St. Paul. The two-day riverfront fest features 11 wineries and one orchard, 70-plus art vendors, and a handful of food options for a family- and pet-friendly event. Taste wine and cider from Schram Vineyards, Cannon River Winery, and Hoch Orchard, and eat food from Ruhland’s Strudel Haus, White Oak Wood Fired Pizza, Cannon Falls Lions Club (known for steak sandwiches), and Cannon River Catering before browsing through jewelry, pottery, candles, and other homemade goods at the free art festival. Learn more.