Exploring Minnesota and Beyond
While Lowertown Saint Paul and Lyndale Avenue in Minneapolis host great farmers markets featuring locally grown produce and goods, there are ‘berry-good’ other spots that tend to be less busy and get you the same fruits, veggies and flowers. Here are three I’ve attended which are worth the trip:
When: Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. through October 19, 2019
Where: St. Boniface Church, 629 NE Second Street, Minneapolis 55413
What you’ll find: plenty of vegetables, fresh-baked bread, cold-press coffee, salsas, sausage, and food trucks that typically rotate
Organizers also host a winter market held inside once a month starting November 18, 2019.
When: Thursdays through October 24, 2019, 3 – 7 p.m. May thru September, 3 – 6 p.m. in October (closed July 4)
Where: Maple Grove Community Center, 12951 Weaver Lake Road, Maple Grove 55369
What you’ll find: meat, eggs, dairy, artisan choices, Chef Earl’s BBQ (recommended) and of course, produce
An indoor market is held select Thursdays from 3 – 6 p.m. from November through May.
Before you go: know that many vendors accept credit cards, and if they don’t, head to the information booth to buy tokens with a credit card. Those tokens are accepted by all vendors.
When: Thursday, 3 – 7 p.m. through September 26, 2019
Where: Centennial Lakes Park, 7499 France Avenue, Edina 55435
What you’ll find: about three dozen vendors selling berries, corn, melons, strawberries, jams, honey and confections
Make it a date night: Centennial Lakes offers plenty to do, including paddle boat rentals (worth it), a putting course (think mini-golf combined with regular golf) and lawn bowling. If you don’t find a bite to eat at the farmers market, there are plenty of restaurants next to the park, including Q.Cumbers, a buffet focusing on healthier options (PS – on Monday nights, kids up to 12 years old eat for $.99).
The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will roll through Minnesota again December, and I have your family’s chance to see it up close!
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In 2017, there are exactly 40 days from Thanksgiving Day to New Years Day. And with the elimination of the eighth floor display at Macy’s in downtown Minneapolis and Holiday Lights in the Park in Saint Paul, along with the disappointing change from tradition at Holidazzle, more people than ever are looking for new holiday activities. Enter “40 Ways to Holiday.” Each day between November 23 and January 1 will have at least one event worth checking out, along with plenty of giveaways along the way! Find the full list of days here.
Featured pick: StarTribune Holiday Cookie Contest Sampling
You can sample the winning cookies of the StarTribune’s Annual Holiday Cookie Contest at Mill City Museum in Minneapolis from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. A program will start at 12:30 p.m. Attendees will also be able to vote for a visitor’s choice award that’ll be presented. The winner and runners-up for the StarTribune’s Cookie Contest are announced in the paper November 30.
StarTribune Holiday Cookie Contest Sampling
Mill City Museum
Minneapolis
Saturday, December 2
12:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Included with museum admission: $12 adults, $10 seniors, veterans/active military, college students, $6 ages 5-17, free age 4 and under and Minnesota Historical Society members
Other happenings:
In 2017, there are exactly 40 days from Thanksgiving Day to New Years Day. And with the elimination of the eighth floor display at Macy’s in downtown Minneapolis and Holiday Lights in the Park in Saint Paul, along with the disappointing change from tradition at Holidazzle, more people than ever are looking for new holiday activities. Enter “40 Ways to Holiday.” Each day between November 23 and January 1 will have at least one event worth checking out, along with plenty of giveaways along the way! Find the full list of days here.
Featured pick: Lutefisk Feed at Mount Olivet
It’s a tradition that has lasted nearly 90 years. The congregation of Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in south Minneapolis invite the community in for an all-you-can eat buffet of lutefisk. Don’t know what lutefisk is? Google it before you go. It’s…um…different. The buffet has food for everyone, though: Swedish meatballs, boiled potatoes, lease, rice pudding with lingonberries and more. Tickets will be sold at the door.
88th Lutefisk Dinner
Friday, December 1
3:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
Tickets: $20 adults, $5 kids under 12
Other happenings
In 2017, there are exactly 40 days from Thanksgiving Day to New Years Day. And with the elimination of the eighth floor display at Macy’s in downtown Minneapolis and Holiday Lights in the Park in Saint Paul, along with the disappointing change from tradition at Holidazzle, more people than ever are looking for new holiday activities. Enter “40 Ways to Holiday.” Each day between November 23 and January 1 will have at least one event worth checking out, along with plenty of giveaways along the way! Find the full list of days here.
2017 marks the 39th year the historic Landmark Center in Downtown Saint Paul will host its Old Fashioned Holiday Bazaar. The event, which starts Thursday, November 30 and runs through Saturday, December 2, features 75 booths of handcrafted gifts. Every exhibitor will have a prize giveaway, too!
39th Annual Old Fashioned Holiday Bazaar
Thursday, November 30, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, December 1, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 2, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Landmark Center, downtown Saint Paul
Tickets: $5, kids 12 and under free
Other happenings
