Reasons to feel hopeful: The Flint Hills Family Festival is coming back to the Ordway, fully in-person

Kathy Berdan, Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.
·2 min read

Feb. 9—Signs of hope? Signs of spring? Reasons to start filling in the 2022 calendar? Yes, please.

The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts announced Tuesday that the annual Flint Hills Family Festival will return with fully in-person events May 31 through June 4 — the first time since June 2019.

The festival, which the Ordway says is one of the largest and longest-standing events of its kind in the country, has brought more than 1 million people to downtown St. Paul for family activities and entertainment since it started in 2001. About 15,000 students and educators will come to the Ordway for "School Days" programming on May 31-June 3, and all families are invited to the festival during "Family Days" on June 3 and 4, according to an Ordway news release.

The event has free and low-cost performances and activities. Inside the Ordway and Landmark Center, $5 ticketed performances will include the contemporary circus Cirque Mechanics, Shapeshift's theatrical dance production "Be Your Own Superhero" and "Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical" produced by Artistry.

There will be more than 50 free outdoor performances from more than 300 artists, including Squonk Opera's "Hand to Hand" and the stilt walking Chicks on Sticks. There will also be free art-making activities, face painting, balloon artists and a free family dance party on June 3. Plus, food trucks and a beer garden.

"The Flint Hills Family Festival is one of the top reasons that attracted me to the Ordway and Twin Cities," said new Ordway president and CEO Chris Harrington in a news release. "Exposing young people to the performing arts is essential, and this beloved festival provides an accessible and affordable opportunity for everyone in our community to experience an eclectic mix of top-notch programming."

The festival is produced through a 22-year partnership between the Ordway and Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery in Rosemount. For more information (including health and safety protocols), go to ordway.org.

Need more encouraging news? The first act was announced for the 2022 Minnesota State Fair Grandstand concert series on Tuesday and Rock the Garden at Minneapolis' Walker Art Center will be back after a two-year hiatus.