S
By HEATHER GORDON Guest Contributor unny, summer weather is so precious around these parts, it’s simply not to be taken for granted. So with the warmer temperatures and all that Vitamin D coming in, be sure to get out and about in the next few months. Summer festivals in Southern Minnesota provide the perfect opportunity to escape the home and find some entertainment without putting too much pressure on the gas tank. There are more options in our area than you might realize, and we’ve compiled some of our favorites. Note that these are not community celebrations (we have a different story on those); these are the festivals that are, of course, taking place in communities, but are not the specific celebration of them. They are general festivities meant to draw in audience from around the region.
front porch of a 1915 school house meticulously restored in the traditional Norwegian style, or sitting outside in the evening around a roaring fire, always among friends. That is one way to describe the annual gathering of the spoon carvers each June in Milan. What started as a small gathering of passionate wood spoon carvers in St. Paul, has grown into a vibrant festival of spoon carving, green woodworking and the decorative arts. Attracting spoon carvers from across the United States and abroad, the Spoon Gathering today offers a family friendly event catering to both novice and experienced carvers. Apart from ample carving time, expect to experience a variety of demonstrations, workshops and presentations from some of the best in their field, including bowl carving, kuksa carving, kolrosing, chip carving, incising, tool sharpening, and of course spoon carving.
Sylvan Park in Lanesboro - June 4
Downtown Thursdays Owatonna - June 2, July 7 and Aug. 4 Downtown Thursdays will take place at Central Park and Cedar Avenue. Live music will be playing throughout the evening at Central Park and at a specified location on Cedar. Food trucks will be lined up around Central Park and vendors selling handmade goods to local businesses down the avenue. This event draws large crowd to a pretty and historic SoMinn downtown.
Old Town Art Fair Old Town Mankato - June 11
Rhubarb Festival
(File photo/southernminn.com)
cruise-in social and a rock’n’roll church service. This year’s music includes Star Chiefs, Bad Habits, The Bad Companions and Holy Rocka Rollaz.
The Minnesota Legislature recognized Lanesboro as the Rhubarb Capital of Minnesota by proclamation in 2008. The heart of the festival takes place in Sylvan Park in downtown Lanesboro. Start by browsing the Lanesboro Farmers Market where you’ll find all the in-season spring vegetables and other local delights. Then enjoy the fun-filled festival entertainment and food, plus try your hand at the free rhubarb games and contests. Great prizes for all events. Other free entertainment includes a rhubarb fashion show (you can be in it), goat chill out, and Rhub-Art opportunities. Music fills the park the entire day so bring your lawn chair and enjoy it all. This year music is provided by a variety of local rhubarb-lovin’ musicians. Vendors provide opportunities to purchase additional rhubarb treats and products.
This year, Old Town Mankato joins forces with the Coffee Hag to do the art fair like never before. Mankato’s Old Town district is a thriving community of artists, musicians, and other cultural creatives. Since 1992, Coffee Hag has been a prominent destination and a community mainstay. That makes 2022 a special year, as the Coffee Hag celebrates 30 years. Organizers are doing the art fair bigger and bolder than ever before. Join, as the Old Town Art Fair expands all over Old Town Mankato. Washington Street at the Coffee hag will be filled with live music performances all day, graffiti and street artist performances by an amazing local artist, and a fine art market. At the food truck hub, there will be multiple trucks for a great lunch with 30+ handmade vendors, and the perfect place to observe mural painting at the Wooden Spoon by Crystal Candles. An art scavenger hunt with a mobile app is in development by Denco Lighting. A new mural will be open for participation at Mom & Pop’s Ice Cream Shop with Bellissimo Paint and Coatings.
Blues Fest Minnesota Square Park in St. Peter - June 11-12 Get your groove on. Blues Fest is organized by the St. Peter Ambassadors and brings Minnesota Square Park in St. Peter to life annually on the second Saturday in June. The free music event includes four bands. Sit back, relax, sip on a beverage of choice, visit the vendors, and listen to top notch blues on the comfortable lawn of the park along Minnesota Avenue/Highway 169.
Eddie Cochran Car Show and Music Festival Spoon Carving Festival Milan, Minnesota, June 2-4 Take a short trip to central Minnesota to find one of the more unique festivals in the state. Sitting in the sun on the spacious
Downtown Albert Lea - June 9-12 A weekend celebrating the life and music of Albert Lea native Eddie Cochran. Live music Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening. Live music Saturday during car show. This annual event showcases more than 200 cars, offers a variety of musical performances, food vendors and more. Other features include a
ADD YOUR EVENT FOR FREE TO THE SOMINN SCENE CALENDAR. GO TO W W W. S O U T H E R N M I N N . C O M / S O U T H E R N _ M I N N _ S C E N E / & C L I C K + P R O M O T E Y O U R E V E N T
Schedule of Events Saturday noon: Blues Fest kicks off in the park Saturday noon-2: Adrian Barnett & The Questers Saturday 2:30–4:30 p.m.: The Swamp Poppas Saturday 5–7 p.m.: Jon McDonald Band
W W W. S O U T H E R N M I N N SCENE. C O M
CONTINUED page 12 | JUNE 2022
11
