Photo by Anna/Fotolia
1. Birch’s on the Lake Third Annual Fallfest
Birch’s on the Lake, Long Lake
Sunday, September 23, starting at 11 a.m.
Free admittance, cost for food and drink.
The day starts at 11 a.m. with a 5K beer run with more activities throughout the day, including live music, a regatta from the Long Lake Rowing Club, fireworks, and plenty of food adn drinks. There is also an oyster-shucking and -eating contest. Learn more.
2. Third Annual Vulcan Booya
Mancini’s Char House, St. Paul
Sunday, September 23, 11 a.m. until gone
Cost: A bit interesting—it’s $5 per scoop, and for those who bring buckets, they negotiate!
A Vulcan fundraiser for the Winter Carnival. They will be prep at the State Fairgrounds on Saturday, preparing 140 gallons of booya, a thick Belgian stew. Learn more.
3. Luxury Train Car Tour
St. Paul’s Union Depot
Runs through Sunday, September 23
Saturday ticket to visit the luxury cars $10, noon to 4 p.m.
Check out eight of the most luxurious historic rail cars. Private rail cars were once only for the wealthy. Now, they’re open for public tours. Learn more.
4. Raptor Release
Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, Hastings
Saturday, September 22; raptor releases at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Cost: Free
Watch wild birds of prey take to the air after being rehabilitated by the Raptor Center’s veterinarians. The day includes orchard hay wagon tours, educational raptors on display from the Raptor Center, kids’ activities, and more. Learn more.
5. Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, St. Paul
September 23, starting at 7:30 p.m.
You might know him best as a Beatle, but Ringo Starr has had a successful solo career as a singer, songwriter, and drummer. Now, the nine-time Grammy winner and two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee brings his sound—full of rock, blues, and soul—to the Ordway. Learn more.
6. Junk Bonanza Vintage Market Fall Show
Canterbury Park, Shakopee
September 20-22, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: $10 at the door
More than 150 vendors will be at Canterbury Park with vintage finds, antiques, architectural salvage, and artisan-re-purposed goods. Learn more.
7. Oktoberfest at the Gasthaus
Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter, Stillwater
September 21-23
Cost: $5, Friday and Saturday; $3, Sunday
Come for imported beer, brats, giant pretzels, cinnamon-roasted almonds, and Hammerschlagen (a.k.a. that German game with the hammer). There’s also music and dancing, face painting, and balloons for the kids. Learn more.
8. Minneapolis Social Fitness Day
Marquette Plaza, Minneapolis
September 22, noon to 7 p.m.
Cost: $12 to $39
This is the healthy-living event of the year—with yoga, boot camp, Zumba, cardio boxing, and more taught by the top fitness instructors. Between classes you can also visit the expo area representing local Minneapolis fitness companies. The day ends with a one-mile dance party: Join 1,000 attendees in a citywide celebration down Nicollet Mall behind a music truck with a DJ and emcee. Learn more.
