With more than 175 displays around Minnesota and Western Wisconsin, explore one of the most complete and up-to-date holiday light guides for 2020. Powered by Sam's Christmas Village & Light Tour.
Spring is a special time of year. The heavy jackets go in the closet and those delicious Girl Scout cookies go on sale. I’m a Samoas/Caramel DeLights fan, myself.
However, with COVID-19, Girl Scout cookie operations have come to a halt. Depending on their location, troops are left with the decision on what to do with cases of unsold cookies. Some have decided to donate them to emergency workers.
I heard from “Cookie Moms” who have made the decision to take what’s left and bring them to nurses and doctors instead of turning them in to their Council. They’re making cards for healthcare workers, too.
Bravo, ladies. We need more of this in the world right now.
Update March 26th, 2020: The Girl Scouts River Valleys have introduced their Cookies for a Cause program. They have teamed up with food banks in Rochester, Mankato and the Twin Cities, along with Hennepin Healthcare, Minneapolis and Saint Paul Police, and others, to receive cookies. You can donate boxes of cookies online.
If you are involved with a Girl Scout Troop who is donating cookies in your area, let me know, and I will add you to this list. Read below for options on how you can donate to the troops who buy the cookies upfront.
Troop 18379 donated 23 boxes to Fairview Southdale Emergency Room in Edina.
Troop 13419, Burnsville, Minnesota — Cookies will be donated to Ruby’s Pantry of Burnsville. If you would like to donate, click this link and select the ‘Cookie Share’ option.
Troop 16466, Elk River, Minnesota — Cookies will be donated to Centracare Hospital in Monticello, North Memorial in Maple Grove and the local youth homeless center, Open Doors for Youth. If you would like to donate, click this link and select the ‘Cookie Share’ option.
Troop 17431, Maple Grove, Minnesota — Cookies will be donated to Maple Grove Hospital and 2nd Harvest Heartland. If you would like to donate, click this link and select the ‘Cookie Share’ option.
Troop 18105, Richfield, Minnesota — Cookies will be donated to United Hospital in Saint Paul and Abbott Northwestern in Minneapolis. If you would like to donate, click this link and select the ‘Cookie Share’ option.
Troop 18379, Richfield, Minnesota — Cookies will be donated to M Health Fairview Southdale. If you would like to donate, click this link and select the ‘Cookie Share’ option.
Troop 18511, Richfield, Minnesota — Cookies will be donated to Regions Hospital in Saint Paul. If you would like to donate, click this link and select the ‘Cookie Share’ option.
Troop 54085, Apple Valley, Minnesota — Cookies will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House and Children’s Hospital. If you would like to donate, click this link and select the ‘Cookie Share’ option.
Troop 55688, Forest Lake, Minnesota — Cookies will be donated to Fairview Hospitals or the Forest Lake Police Department (donor’s choice). If you would like to donate, click this link and select the ‘Cookie Share’ option.
Troop 55840, Eagan, Minnesota — Cookies will be donated to Meals on Wheels. If you would like to donate, click this link and select the ‘Cookie Share’ option.
Troop 56353, North Branch, Minnesota — Cookies will be donated to Lakes Regions EMS. If you would like to donate, click this link and select the ‘Cookie Share’ option.
Troop 56863, Maplewood, Minnesota — Cookies will be donated to ISD 622’s food program. If you would like to donate, click this link and select the ‘Cookie Share’ option.
Troop 57292, Eagan, Minnesota — Cookies will be donated to American Red Cross Emergency Response & Blood Drive in Minneapolis/St Paul. If you would like to donate, click this link and select the ‘Cookie Share’ option.
Troop 57332, Cottage Grove, Minnesota — Cookies will be donated to Hennepin Healthcare. If you would like to donate, click this link and select the ‘Cookie Share’ option.
Troop 57603, North Branch, Minnesota — Cookies will be donated to Family Pathways Food Shelf & Viking Vittles. If you would like to donate, click this link and select the ‘Cookie Share’ option.
Troop 57822, Saint Paul, Minnesota — Cookies will be donated to NE Seniors for Better Living and the Saint Paul Police Department. If you would like to donate, click this link and select the ‘Cookie Share’ option.
Troop 57891, Eagan, Minnesota — Cookies will be donated to staff Abbott Northwestern and Mayo Clinic. If you would like to donate, click this link and select the ‘Cookie Share’ option.
Troop 57992, North Branch, Minnesota — Cookies will be donated to Fairview staff. If you would like to donate, click this link and select the ‘Cookie Share’ option.
Troop 58000, Woodbury, Minnesota — Cookies will be donated to Firefighters for Healing. If you would like to donate, click this link and select the ‘Cookie Share’ option.
Troop 58030, Rosemount, Minnesota — Cookies will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House. If you would like to donate, click this link and select the ‘Cookie Share’ option.
Not much gets better than July in Minnesota! There’s plenty to do with long summer nights. Bonus: you don’t have to spend 20 minutes putting on a parka and scraping ice off your windshield!
I compiled a list of events happening around the state. Many are your suggestions! Is there one I forgot? Let me know! Fill out the form at the bottom of this page. Happy summer!
July and fireworks go hand in hand. Here are Minnesota cities with great 4th of July shows:
Sing with the Twin Cities Beer Choir. The concept is simple and quite fun. The group gathers as a brewery, bar or restaurant and hand out “hymnals” to attendees. The music are melodies you are familiar with, but the words are switched out to involve drinking beer. Many Twin Cities Beer Choir participants are alumni from those really good Minnesota Lutheran college choirs, so as a group, they sound quite good. It’s a very lighthearted time. Their July meetup takes place at Spring Cafe, located at the Como Lakeside Pavilion in Saint Paul. (July 3)
The PGA Tour stops in Minnesota with the brand new 3M Open. The field has yet to be announced when this list was published, but Phil Mickelson has already announced he will play. Tournament play takes place July 4-7, but festivities go all week at the TPC Twin Cities in Blaine. (July 1-7)
Head down to the Mississippi River in Northeast Minneapolis to watch a Twin Cities River Rats show. Every Thursday night, this ski team puts on a free show filled with stunts, jumps and pyramids all on the water. They do have a show on the 4th of July, which is followed by fireworks. They also have a bonus performance on Friday, July 5th. They’re super family-friendly. Bring a blanket! (July 4, 11, 18 and 25)
Little Mekong is the Asian business and cultural district in Saint Paul. It runs along University Avenue between Mackubin and Galtier Streets. At the tail end of the 4th of July weekend, businesses in the area hold the Little Mekong Night Market, which is a huge street festival with really good food, unique shopping and lots of entertainment. It’s inspired by the night markets you would find in southeast Asia. It runs from 5-10 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. (July 6-7)
The Minnesota Orchestra starts their annual Sommerfest concert series by performing the soundtrack to the Disney Pixar movie, “Coco.” Sommerfest 2019 has a Latin American theme, with concerts throughout the month of July. It should also mark the expected debut of the new Peavey Plaza, the public park space next to Orchestra Hall in downtown Minneapolis. (July 6-7)
If you can’t wait for the Minnesota State Fair to start, check out the Ramsey County Fair in Maplewood. Admission is free. (July 10-14)
There’s no need to head west to catch a classic rodeo! The town of Hamel is just west of Plymouth and since 1981, has hosted a rodeo with barrel racing, steer wrestling and more. More impressive: the Hamel Rodeo is operated by 5 non-profit groups; the large event doesn’t have a single paid staff member. (July 11 – 14)
Kacey Musgraves, Semisonic, Jason Mraz and Hanson headline the Basilica Block Party in Minneapolis. The two-night outdoor concert first started in 1995 to raise money for the Basilica of St. Mary. (July 12-13)
A spot featuring one of the best meat raffles in the Minnesota is hosting a parking lot fish fry. Stop by Bull’s Horn in south Minneapolis on July 13 for a fishing tournament, music, drinks, and of course, fried fish.
The Minneapolis Movies in the Park series continues all month with free films shown at parks across the city. Stop by the Nicollet Island Pavilion on Monday, July 15 for “Free Solo,” a National Geographic documentary following Alex Honnold as he attempts to climb El Capitan at Yosemite National Park without any ropes. I recently saw it and it’s riveting.
Once a month, The Spring Street Tavern in Northeast Minneapolis hosts Pundamonium, a pun slam competition. Those who think they are punny are welcome to show off their skills. Participants are selected first come, first serve. The five judges are pre-selected members of the audience. (July 17)
Italian restaurant, Pazzaluna hosts its annual Wheels of Italy street party in downtown Saint Paul on Thursday, July 18. Stop by to see some of the finest street cars along with live music. The car show is free to attend.
Twin Cities Summer Jam at Canterbury Park in Shakopee features three days of big names in music: Tim McGraw, Aerosmith, Pitbull, REO Speedwagon, Soul Asylum, and others. (July 18 – 20)
People from around the Twin Cities will make their way to the Rondo neighborhood of Saint Paul for the Rondo Days Festival and Parade on Saturday, July 20. The parade begins at 10 am with the festival running from 12-7 pm.
Minnesota Monthly hosts its Fine Spirits Classic inside Orchestra Hall. Sample cocktails from the best mixologists in the state. (July 24)
Competitive eater Joey Chestnut will be at The Great Midwest Rib Fest at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake. His mission: to eat more than 13.76 pounds of pork meat in 12 minutes. The three day festival is free to attend and also includes performances by Gretchen Wilson and Sugar Ray. (July 25-27)
The iconic Porky’s drive-in diner in Saint Paul has a new home in Hastings. It’s a part of the Little Log House Pioneer Village, a collection of historic buildings which are restored to make it feel like you are stepping back in time. The village is open to the public one weekend a year. Stop by the last full weekend of July for the Little Log House Antique Power Show, which allows you to walk through the Village. This year, they welcome artifacts from the Cottage View Drive-In in Cottage Grove. (July 26-28)
The British choral group, Libera, is astonishing. Boys range in age from seven to 16 and members are from schools throughout London. They tour internationally and are visiting Saint Paul once again. I had the privilege of hearing them the last time they were in Minnesota and I just wanted to melt in my seat. The venue is ideal, too: the gorgeous Cathedral of Saint Paul. (July 26)
Fitness studio Alchemy 365 is taking over the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and will offer a free class as part of the Minneapolis Aquatennial festivities. All fitness levels all welcome, just bring your own yoga mat. Check in begins at 5 pm with the class starting at 6:00. (July 26)
Watch (or walk in) a parade of dogs in northeast Minneapolis. The gathering point is right on the shores of the Mississippi at St. Anthony Main. (July 26)
Say ‘ooh, ahh’ at one of the largest fireworks displays in the country. The Minneapolis Aquatennial fireworks display start promptly at 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 27. The best viewpoint is near the Guthrie Theater.
The Loring Park Art Festival in Minneapolis features 140 juried artists in a beautiful setting. (July 27-28)
Avoid downtown Minneapolis traffic by taking a water taxi! That’s right, the Minneapolis Water Taxi is a solar powered boat and is currently privately operated, meaning that you can book it for your group of friends for an intimate ride down the Mississippi River. The Water Taxi can fit two to six people and does private events for up to one hour. It goes from 10 am to 10 pm.
Rent a Lime or Spin scooter for a ride. They’re very simple to use and their max speeds only get to 15 MPH, so it’s hard to lose control. Pro tip: find someone who has already rented the scooters to refer you before you download the app. That way, you both get a free credit!
Be in control of how much beer you want to sample. Stop by the new First Draft Taproom & Kitchen near Target Field in Minneapolis. They have over 50 beers, wines, ciders and kombucha on tap. You get to control how much you would like. If you’re curious, the average pour is about 5 ounces.
