Summer Fun and Arts 2021: Fairs and Festivals
Jun. 13—Plenty of fairs and festivals are back this summer. And plenty have changes for COVID safety reasons. If you don't see your favorite summertime event in the list, it may be all virtual or canceled for 2021. Here's what we were able to round up.
Stone Arch Bridge Festival
June 19-20: The Stone Arch Bridge Festival travels across the iconic Minneapolis bridge to the west side of the Mississippi to give fest-goers and artists more room to spread out in line with COVID-19 mandates and ongoing construction obstruction. More than 200 artists will display and sell work ranging from ceramics and pottery to painting, jewelry, glass work, bead work, wood work and more. There will also be a culinary arts market with locally made food and beverage products. For info: stonearchbridgefestival.com.
Back to the '50s Weekend
June 18-20: Classic cars will be cruisin' and groovin' and mostly just sitting around the Minnesota State Fairgrounds looking ultra spiffy during the Minnesota Street Rod Association's Back to the 50s Weekend. The event, which blankets the Fairgrounds with more than 12,000 street rods, customs, classics and restored vehicles — all dating from 1964 and earlier — was canceled last summer. And, for a while, it wasn't going to happen in 2021, but changes in COVID restrictions meant the organizers could put it in drive. In addition to the shiny roadsters, there will be 300 vendors, free concerts, a craft fair, model car contest and more. For info: msrabacktothe50s.com.
Twin Cities Pride Festival
July 17-18: The Twin Cities Pride Festival is back on this summer, though it will be missing a few popular attractions. The 49th annual event that celebrates the LGBTQ community will be held a month later than usual at Loring Park in downtown Minneapolis. It will feature local BIPOC and LGBTQ vendors, food courts, a beer garden and music stages. Because of time constraints, the Saturday night concert and fireworks will not take place. A parade is not planned.
June 17: But the Twin Cities Pride Grand Marshal MASKqueerade Party will go on just before traditional Pride Weekend. On June 17, there will be livestream watch parties and in-person events at the Granada Theater, Minneapolis, and Amsterdam Bar and Hall, St. Paul. The party and fundraiser is from 5 to 9 p.m. Information on both Pride events is at tcpride.org.
Juneteenth
Week of June 14: Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is celebrating Juneteenth (which is officially June 19 this year) with events throughout the week, including story strolls throughout the week, outdoor movies, panel discussions, Shingle Creek Juneteenth Family Night on June 18 with music and dance performance and Music in the Park on the afternoon of June 19. Juneteenth originated in 1865 and is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. For more info, minneapolisparks.org.
Manitou Days
July 1-11: White Bear Lake celebrates summer with its annual Manitou Days. Events include the Grande Parade, Beach Dance, Marketfest, 4th of July Fireworks, the Medallion Hunt and the Children's Fishing Contest. For updates and info: manitoudays.com.
Minneapolis Aquatennial
July 21-24: According to the Aquatennial website (aquatennial.com), the CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade will take place on July 21 and the Target Fireworks will be along the Mississippi River on July 24. Information will be updated on the site as details are added.
Loring Park Art Festival
July 31-Aug. 1: The Loring Park Art Festival in Minneapolis will feature 140 artists — selected from 300 applicants nationwide — selling original work, along with strolling musicians, stage performances, children's activities and food vendors. Info on the Lakes & Legends Beer Garden and Minneapolis Market will be announced later. The festival is marking its 21st year. Details: loringparkartfestival.com.
Uptown Art Fair and Powderhorn Art Fair
Aug. 6-8: The Uptown Art Fair is a juried fine arts festival that started in 1964, It's grown to be the second most-attended event in the in Minnesota, second only to the Minnesota State Fair. (uptownartfair.com)
Aug. 7-8: Just down the road in Minneapolis' Powderhorn neighborhood, the Powderhorn Art Fair is celebrating 30 years. (powderhornartfair.com)
Irish Fair of Minnesota
Aug. 13-15: The annual Irish Fair of Minnesota, which typically draws more than 100,000 people to St. Paul's Harriet Island over three days each August, will be back. But this year there will be a major change: Entry won't be free. The daily adult admission for this year's festival is $20, and three-day weekend passes will be $45 at the gate. With most of the Irish and Celtic musicians not crossing the Atlantic this summer, Irish Fair will showcase regional and national musicians. Headliners, according to the release, will include the Ashley Davis Band, the Belfast Cowboys, and perennial favorites, Eileen Ivers and Gaelic Storm. Fair fans who are unable to go to the live event will be able to visit a virtual Irish Fair. Go to irishfair.com to learn more.
Minnesota Renaissance Festival
Aug. 21-Oct. 3: The Minnesota Renaissance Festival in Shakopee will return in 2021, with gates opening at 9 a.m. Aug. 21. The Ren Fest was canceled last year because of the pandemic. According to a news release, 2020 admission tickets will be honored for the 2021 festival. No action is required; 2020 tickets can be scanned at the gate any day of the 2021 fest. Season passes purchased for 2020 are also good for 2021. This is the 50th anniversary of the gathering of jousters, turkey legs, shows, funny accents, drinks and Renaissance Royalty. For info: renaissancefest.com.
Minnesota State Fair
Aug. 26-Sept 6: The dates for the Minnesota State Fair are, as always, the 12 days up to and including Labor Day. Though there had not been an official announcement about the 2021 Great Minnesota Get-Together when this special section went to press on Thursday, the website does say, "See you at the 2021 Minnesota State Fair — Aug. 26 to Labor Day, Sept. 6!" So there's that. Stay tuned at mnstatefair.org.
