Explore Minnesota Weekly Events Update - Sept. 14, 2016

Minnesota apples and fall leaves; photo by Sunny Augustine

Highlights this week include:

Sept. 15-18, La Crescent
AppleFest

Sept. 16-18, St. Paul
Saint Paul Oktoberfest

Sept. 16-18, Alexandria
Carlos Creek Grape Stomp & Fall Festival

Sept. 17-18, Bemidji
Fall Colors Festival

Sept. 16-17, Duluth
Hawk Weekend Festival, Hot Air Balloon Festival & Craft Brew Village

[Southern] [Minneapolis-St. Paul Area] [Central] [Northwest] [Northeast]

Southern Minnesota

Sept. 9 - Oct. 23, Wabasha
SeptOberfest
The 10th Annual SeptOberfest includes an array of exhibits featuring the largest pumpkins, tallest sunflowers, best scarecrows, and other autumn decorations throughout town. Additional festivities on Saturday, September 17 include street performers, pony rides, children's activities, carriage rides, Music Under the Bridge performance, pumpkin carving, face painting, and a special German meal at the Silver Star Saloon. The nearby National Eagle Center will also offer special events. 651-565-4158

Sept. 10 - Oct. 1 (Saturdays & Sundays), Cannon Falls
Cannon River Winery Fall Grape Festival
Join the harvest crew in the annual grape stomping! Other highlights include a catered meal, free estate wine tastings, specials and coupons, and shuttled transportation to and from the winery and vineyard. Cannon River Winery. 651-485-4261

Sept. 15-18, La Crescent
AppleFest
Just some of the many festivities during this annual celebration include carnival rides, King Apple Parade, live entertainment, arts & craft show, car show, flea market, contests, kiddie parade, orchard tours, and lots of apple specialties! Abnet Field. 507-895-2800

Sept. 16-17, Worthington
King Turkey Day
The 77th Annual King Turkey Day Festival features race teams herding their star "athletes" (turkeys) down Main Street! Other highlights include a Midway, the Great Gobbler Gallop, grand parade, Inflatable Movie "Zootopia," ping pong ball drop from Masonic Hall, Smokin' Gobbler Cook-off, kiddie parade, helicopter rides, rock climbing wall, and much more! 507-372-2919

Sept. 16-18, Mankato
Mahkato Pow Wow
The 44th Annual Traditional Wacipi honors the 38 Dakota warriors that were executed in Mankato on December 26, 1862. This event includes beautiful dancing and regalia, traditional music, delicious foods and authentic arts & crafts. Land of Memories Park. 507-514-5088, 507-387-3572

Sept. 22-25, Winona
Boats and Bluegrass Festival
Boats and Bluegrass is a family friendly festival featuring roughly ten popular bluegrass music acts including Pert Near Sandstone and Charlie Parr. Numerous canoe trips will also be offered, with Winona State University Outdoor Education and Recreation Center staff leading the trips through the backwaters of the Mississippi River around Prairie Island. And camping is just 50 yards from the festival grounds! Prairie Island Campground. 507-452-0735

Sept. 24, Owatonna
Culturfest
CulturFest unites music and dance talents, ethnic cuisine from around the world, authentic merchandise, and adult and children's activities to enrich its visitors with a multi-cultural experience. Wilson Elementary School. 507-451-7970

Oct. 1-2, Albert Lea
Big Island Rendezvous and Festival
Watch history come alive during the 30th Annual Big Island Rendezvous and Festival. Experience the fur trade period in the Voyageur encampment, and enjoy Native American Tipi tours, authentic period goods and cuisine, and demonstrations of many Early American crafts such as woodworking, blacksmithing, and candle-making to name a few. Bancroft Bay Park. 800-658-2526, 507-402-6371

Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Aug. 20 - Oct. 2 (Saturdays & Sundays plus Labor Day & Sept. 30), Shakopee
Minnesota Renaissance Festival
The Minnesota Renaissance Festival features 16 stages of live entertainment, 7 themed weekends, live armored jousting, amazing food and drink, and 250 artisan booths. Minnesota Renaissance Festival grounds. 952-445-7361

Sept. 1 - Oct. 31, Stillwater
Aamodts' Apple Farm Fall Fun
Depending on the weekend, just some of the fall family activities include hay wagon rides, Honeycrisp Express kids' train rides, hay bale maze, apple picking, apple treats in the apple barn, and John Deere tractor trikes. Aamodts' Apple Farm. 651-439-3127

Sept. 7-28 (Wednesdays), Eagan
Eagan Market Fest
Purchase fresh homegrown produce, hand-made foods and fine arts, learn from vendors about healthy living, and enjoy live music and performances, cooking demonstrations, and activities for all ages. Free admission and parking. Central Park. 651-675-5546

Sept. 16-18, St. Paul
Saint Paul Oktoberfest
In addition to a variety of beers from local vendors, the 16th Annual Saint Paul Oktoberfest will feature great German food, bed races, bounce houses for kids, adult carnival area, and authentic German entertainment on the interactive stage. Rice Park. 651-698-2300

Sept. 17, Minneapolis
ArtReach Art Fair 2016
This family event features artwork of all mediums by local artists, as well as six live music acts, food trucks, and fun children's activities and bounce house. Hennepin Church parking lot. 612-871-5303

Sept. 17, Lakeville
Lakeville Art Festival
The Lakeville Art Festival will host over 80 visual, performing, and literary artisans. Festivities also include artist demonstrations, Youth Art Tent, delicious food and wonderful community camaraderie. Lakeville Area Arts Center. 952-985-4640

Sept. 17, Golden Valley
Golden Valley Arts & Music Festival
The 13th Annual Golden Valley Arts & Music Festival includes a juried fine art show, live musical entertainment, artisanal foods, micro brews, family creative art space, parade, Fun Square activities for kids, vintage car show, community organizations, and street dance. Non-perishable food items are requested. Golden Valley City Hall. 763-521-2604

Sept. 17, Waconia
Nickle Dickle Day
Waconia's annual festival features an arts and crafts fair, library book sale, car and truck show, duck races, live music, Nickle Dickle Day race, and deals throughout town. Downtown Waconia's City Square Park. 952-442-5812

Sept. 17 - Oct. 30, Shakopee
ValleySCARE
Valleyfair transforms into ValleySCARE, the upper Midwest’s largest Halloween attraction, with more than 75 rides, attractions and entertainment acts, as well as nearly 400 creatures of the night, occupying 11 of the most intense and terrifying mazes and scare zones. Valleyfair. 952-445-7600

Sept. 22-24, Shakopee
Junk Bonanza Vintage Market Fall Show
Indoor shopping for fans of vintage finds, beautiful antiques, architectural salvage and artisan-repurposed and up-cycled goods, with more than 150 hand-picked vendors including 20 featured at a new, outdoor location. Attendees can help complete several oversize paint-by-number canvases of iconic Minnesota scenes too! Canterbury Park. 612-227-8161

Sept. 24, Minneapolis
Mill City Oktoberfest
Celebrate Minnesota brewing past and present as Mill City Museum and the Mill City Farmers Market team up for the annual Mill City Oktoberfest. Enjoy the tastes, smells, sights and sounds of Germany with activities inside the museum, outside in the Ruin Courtyard, at the Farmers Market area and Chicago Mall next to the Guthrie Theater. Activities include cooking and baking demonstrations, music, dancing, beer samples, brewing history, and food and beverage sales. Mill City Museum. 612-341-7555

Sept. 24, Hastings
Raptor Release
Carpenter Nature Center will release rehabilitated raptors from the University of Minnesota's Raptor Center at this fun-filled event. Other highlights include hay ride tours, children’s activities, raptors on display, and much more. Carpenter Nature Center. 651-437-4359

Upcoming Twin Cities concerts and performances:
Blake Shelton at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Sept. 16
Festival Palomino -Trampled By Turtles & Guests at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Sept. 17
WWE Presents NXT Live at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium at St. Paul RiverCentre, Sept. 18
Leon Bridges at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, Sept. 28
Cirque du Soleil TORUK at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Sept. 28 - Oct. 2
Celtic Thunder Legacy at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, Sept. 30
Gavin DeGraw & Andy Grammer at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake, Sept. 30
Brian Wilson presents Pet Sounds at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, Oct. 2
Megadeth at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium at St. Paul RiverCentre, Oct. 4
Def Leppard with REO Speedwagon at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Oct. 5
Alessia Cara: Know-It-All Tour at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, Oct. 8
Bill Maher at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, Oct. 8
Flo Rida at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake, Oct. 8
Kanye West: The Saint Pablo Tour at the Xcel Energy Center, Oct. 10
Herb Albert at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis, Oct. 12
Daughtry at Treasure Island Resort & Casino in Welch, Oct. 15
Gordon Lightfoot at the Historic State Theatre, Oct. 16
Tickets available through Eventful or Ticketmaster.

Central Minnesota

Sept. 16-18, Alexandria
Carlos Creek Grape Stomp & Fall Festival
Experience a real Grape Stomp and Fall Festival! Festivities include grape stomping, wine sampling, live music by 12 acts, 150 art, marketplace & food vendors, The Great American Lumberjack Show, chainsaw carving, and a Man Cave featuring Schell's Beer. On Friday, also enjoy fire dancers and fireworks! Carlos Creek Winery. 320-846-5443

Sept. 16-18, St. Cloud
St. Cloud PRIDE
St. Cloud PRIDE is a weekend filled with special events to support the area LGBTA community! Enjoy Pride at the Park, a drag show, live music, arts & crafts, family friendly events, and more! 320-251-4170

Sept. 17, Willmar
Celebrate Art! Celebrate Coffee!
The 19th Annual Celebrate Art! Celebrate Coffee! is a day-long celebration of the arts with a juried art show & sale, continuous entertainment on an outdoor stage, artist demonstration tents, hands-on arts activities for all ages, face painting, caricatures, food court, and free coffee! 320-235-8560

Sept. 22-24, Crosslake
Crosslake Days
Crosslake Days offers activities and events for all ages including a classic and custom car, motorcycle and tractor show, arts & crafts fair, chili cook-off, fun for the kids, live music and more, all amidst glorious fall color. 218-692-4027

Sept. 24, Zimmerman
Fall Wildlife Festival
This annual wildlife festival celebrates National Wildlife Week through a variety of family-oriented activities. Featured are live birds, reptiles and other animals, guest presenters, silent auction, displays, nature crafts, bird education, and wildlife discovery. Oak Savanna Learning Center at Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. 763-389-3323

Sept. 25, St. Joseph
Millstream Arts Festival
This popular outdoor juried art festival featuring roughly 60 artists also includes literary art performances, live music, dance, enticing foods, and hands-on art activities for children. 320-493-2816

Oct. 1, Hutchinson
Artoberfest
Enjoy an afternoon of interactive art activities, collaboration and creative play including a live performance by The Bazillions, Giant Paint by Number activity, Community Build, Lawn Poetry, Big Wheel Action Painting, giant checkers, and Make and Take art activities. A potluck performance featuring Ben Lubeck will take place after the event. Hutchinson Center for the Arts. 320-587-7278

Northwest Minnesota

June 10 - Sept. 10, Akeley
The Woodtick Theater Show
The Woodtick Band is back for their 25th season of foot-stompin', hand-clappin', fun, lively musical entertainment at the famed Woodtick Musical Theatre. 218-652-4200

Sept. 17, Longville
Oktoberfest!
Oktoberfest festivities include amazing German food, fun and music, as well as an arts & craft fair, Fall Festival/Bazaar, beer gardens, book sale, German dinner & dance event, and Quick Draw Art Contest. 218-363-2630, 800-756-7583

Sept. 17, Moorhead
German Kulturfest
Celebrate all things German during this family-friendly event with delicious food, fun lectures, amazing variety of vendors, and a main stage in the beer hall. Hjemkomst Center. 218-299-5511

Sept. 17-18, Bemidji
Fall Colors Festival
Take a fall ride in a covered wagon to view spectacular fall colors at Buena Vista Ski Area & Logging Village, and enjoy tours of the Lumberjack Hall of Fame Museum, live music, square dancing, walking tours, and old-time skill demonstrations. And on Sept. 18, check out the 16th Annual Funky Junk Market & Boutique Harvest Festival featuring more than 25 vendors at the Willow Wood Market. 218-243-2231, 218-759-2310

Sept. 24, Longville, Hackensack, Remer & Walker
Fall Has It All
Take part in a variety of special events and merchant sales in the communities of Longville, Hackensack, Remer and Walker from Sept. 15 to Oct. 1. On Sept. 24, enjoy chainsaw sculpting, a craft fair, merchant vendors and family fun & games in Hackensack, unleash your inner artist during Art Pub at the Docksider in Longville, take part in the Big Foot Bluegrass Festival in Remer, and check out the Northern Lights Car Show at Northern Lights Casino in Walker! Complete details. 218-363-2630, 800-756-7583

Sept. 24-25, Park Rapids
Art Leap 2016
Art Leap is a driving tour of artists’ studios and galleries. Meet the artists, enjoy live music and hors d’oeuvres, and marvel at the beautiful fall colors while driving from studio to studio. 218-652-4081

Oct. 1, Walker
Harvest Moon Festival
Harvest Moon festivities include live music and camping surrounded by beautiful colors! Also enjoy wine and beer tastings, great food, arts & crafts, and dog show. Moondance Fairgrounds. 866-666-6586

Northeast Minnesota

Sept. 10-11, Rush City
Andersons Rock Creek Relics Threshing and Sawing Show
The 27th Annual Threshing and Sawing Show features one of the largest displays of antique farm machinery in East Central Minnesota. In addition, enjoy live music, great food, children's games and crafts, a pedal pull, tractor and car parade, and the 6th Annual Corn Maze! 320-358-3130, 612-600-8760

Sept. 16-17, Duluth
Duluth Hot Air Balloon Festival & Craft Brew Village
Highlights of these two large festivals include free hot air balloon demonstrations, education and rides, food and merchandise vendors, live music, kite flying, and the Craft Beer Village! Bayfront Festival Park. 218-628-9996, 218-628-9995

Sept. 16-18, Duluth
Hawk Weekend Festival
The annual Hawk Weekend Festival celebrates the fall bird migration at one of North America's best places to experience the fall migration. Birders will enjoy field trips, workshops, presentations, social gatherings, and more. Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory. 218-428-6209

Sept. 17-18, Pine City
Festival of the Voyageur
Two hundred years ago, fur traders celebrated the success of the trading season with a giant party. Amidst the crisp air and bright fall colors, immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of 250 reenactors camping on the Snake River, witness feats of strength and skill, shop for historic crafts, partake in children's activities, and enjoy a Saturday dance to live fiddle music. North West Company Fur Post. 320-629-6356

Sept. 23 - Oct. 2, Two Harbors/Lutsen/Grand Portage
Crossing Borders Studio Tour
Learn more about the creative process during this self-guided tour of artist studios along Highway 61. Featured this year are stone sculpture, Ojibwe art work, pottery, weaving, glass, print making, wood turning, metal works, jewelry, bead work, fiber art and leather. While traveling between the studios, visitors will enjoy the amazing fall colors and panoramic views of Lake Superior. 218-663-7008

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