Summer Fun 2021

PHOTO COURTESY OF BILL SCHLEPER

Schleper Stadium in Shakopee off Highway 169 was home to the 2020 Class B State Amateur Baseball Tournament.

Town Team Baseball Tour Catch nine innings of action this summer

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cott and Carver counties are home to some of the state of Minnesota’s best town team baseball parks.

There’s Athletic Park in Chaska, home to the Cubs and co-host of the 2021 State Amateur Baseball Tournament.

There’s the Mini Met in Jordan, home to many state tournaments, and the 2019 Class C state champion Brewers.

There’s Joe Schleper Stadium in Shakopee, a state tournament venue in 2018 and 2020. Met Stadium seats line the grandstand.

There’s Storm/Red Bird Stadium in Chanhassen, home to the three-time defending Class B state champion Red Birds.

If you feel like venturing out this summer, here are five other stadiums to visit:

CARVER COUNTY Cologne’s Fritz Field, 305 Playhouse St. W., Cologne  One of the best views of the sunset from the hill. Must haves: burger and cheese curds basket.

Waconia’s Lions Field, 1606 Community Drive, Waconia  Co-hosts of the 2021 State Amateur Baseball Tournament with Chaska. Must-go: this stadium has one of the best grandstands across the state.

Hamburg’s Hawks Park, 396 Sophia Ave., Hamburg  Another state tournament multi-time host, including as a third site in 2021 with Chaska and Waconia.

SCOTT COUNTY St. Patrick’s Bonin Field, 1040 245th St. E., New Prague  Located between Prior Lake and New Prague, St. Patrick is home to a church, a burger joint and a gem of a baseball field where an ongoing capital campaign is underway to install lights.

Prior Lake’s Veterans Field at Memorial Park, 5181 160th St. SE, Prior Lake  Home to the Class B Jays and Class C Mudcats, check out the view down the first-base line.

TAKE IT FROM HIM Bob Greeley, formerly of Shakopee Community Education, released his favorite 100 stadiums in 2020, on Twitter.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

An overhead view of Chaska’s Athletic Park in 2019. The Chaska Cubs are co-hosts with Waconia and Hamburg for the 2021 State Amateur Baseball Tournament; the first time since 2008.

Here are some highlights: No. 4: Mini Met, Jordan: Manual scoreboard, top 10 ambience, unique grandstand, train tracks, perfect playing field.

No. 5: Joe Schleper Stadium, Shakopee: Top 10 grandstand, top-notch playing surface, cool seating options and sight lines, award-winning party deck/play.

No. 8: Athletic Park, Chaska: new brick knee wall behind home plate, dugout improvements, wood grandstand, great ambience and atmosphere, top-10 TLC and concessions.

No. 10: Storm/Red Bird Stadium, Chanhassen: Grandstand made to look old, fall 2020 renovations to outfield fence, ADA, easy walk-around, top-notch announcer.

SUMMER FUN

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL STRASBURG

Renaissance revelers enjoy jumbo turkey legs for $9 a piece during the 2019 festival.

GET YOUR FILL OF HUZZAH! 3 tips for navigating the Minnesota Renaissance Festival on a budget

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he Minnesota Renaissance Festival is one of the staple summer traditions in the southwest metro.

This year, the Renaissance Festival is celebrating its 50th season of huzzah and cheers, featuring live entertainment, in-character street performers and artisan vendors selling wares straight out of the 16th century.

Even if you’re on a budget, the festival can be an affordable option as compared to other summer festivals like the Minnesota State Fair.

Just 45 minutes outside the Twin Cities, here are a few must-have tips and tricks to help you navigate an affordable trip to a Renaissance-era European village:

1. ADMISSION Admission to the festival ranges from about $17 to $26 if you purchase tickets on the day-of. However, if you purchase them online in advance, you could save a few bucks.

As an additional note, if you purchased a ticket in 2020, it’ll be honored at the gate in 2021.

2. ENTERTAINMENT Once you get past the gate, many of the attractions inside the festival including live shows, demonstrations and street performers are free.

One of the first stops for newcomers should be Puke & Snot, a vaudevillian comedic act that’s

Minnesota Renaissance Festival Location: 3525 145th St W., Shakopee. There are two entrances — The Queen’s Gate, 12364 Chestnut Blvd., and the King’s Gate, 3525 145th St. W., both in Shakopee.

Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. rain or shine. Open weekends Aug. 21Oct. 3, plus Labor Day on Sept. 6 and Festival Friday on Oct. 1.

Cost: $25.95 for adults; $23.95 for age 65 and up; $16.95 for children ages 5-12. Season passes available.

Info: 952-445-7361, renaissancefest.com been performing five times a day at the festival almost since its beginning in 1971.

The main event of the festival is the armored jousting shows that take place daily. It’s advised to arrive half an hour early to get a good view of the show.

3. FOOD The Renaissance Festival features a variety of classic fair food options that are “fit for a king,” including French fries, fried pick-

This year, the Renaissance Festival is celebrating its 50th season of huzzah and cheers, featuring live entertainment, in-character street performers and artisan vendors selling wares straight out of the 16th century. les and numerous items served on a stick.

The turkey leg is perhaps one of the most iconic items and, as a

bonus, easy to carry around and munch on while you take in the festivities.

For those over the age of 21,

there are a variety of hard ciders, pints of beer and even honey mead you can indulge in.

EXPERIENCE

PERFECTION

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SUMMER FUN

Wagering a good time 6 tips for firsttime horse betters at Canterbury Park

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anterbury Park in Shakopee is a regional attraction, where casual fans and betting regulars come together to cheer on their favorite horses each summer. But horse betting can be confusing for those who have never wagered before.

Here are some tips, provided by Canterbury Park, for beginners:

1. WHERE TO START Brian Arrigoni, Canterbury Park’s racing analyst, said the best place to start each race is the paddock where the horses are saddled.

That’s where Arrigoni provides insight before each race.

Canterbury Park Location: 1100 Canterbury Road South, Shakopee Info: 952-445-7223, canterburypark.com 2. READ UP Use the daily program to learn more about each horse as well as the jockeys and trainers. It’s also helpful to have a pen or pencil handy to take notes and write down your bets.

3. KEEP IT SIMPLE Keep your bets simple. A good first wager for beginners is to make a “win” bet, or only betting on a horse to finish first. The minimum win wager is $2. Once comfortable, try exacta wagers, which means betting on the exact order of the top two finishers in a race. The mini-

PHOTO BY COADY PHOTOGRAPHY

Canterbury Park horses take off. mum exacta wager is $1 per combination.

4. DON’T FOLLOW THE CROWD Odds are determined by the total money wagered on each horse, and f luctuate until race time. The favorite horse isn’t necessarily the best — it just has the most money wagered on it, ac-

cording to Canterbury. Historically, favorites win only one-third of the time. “Don’t bli nd ly fol low t he crowd when wagering,” Arrigoni said. “Don’t be afraid to bet on the longshots.” (Yes, even if that means you simply choose a horse because you like its name or are drawn to its color). Current odds can be found many places in the

racetrack, including the tote board in the infield and on TV screens throughout the racetrack.

who can help you with reading the program and wagering basics.

5. FIND AN EXPERT

Most importantly: Have fun. You can pool your money on a group bet. And know that your best investment all day might simply be a cold glass of beer … and that’s OK.

Ask for help. Canterbury Park has experts scattered throughout the grounds to offer assistance. The grandstand information booth on the first f loor has a team

6. HAVE FUN!

SUMMER FUN

5 things to know about the wildlife refuge

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ompiled of 14,000 acres and a wetland management district, the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is open year-round for visitors to seek nature.

Here are five things people might not know about the Refuge which spans from Bloomington to Henderson, just southwest of Belle Plaine.

Information from Sara Blood, executive director with Minnesota Valley Refuge Friends.

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Hours: Trails open sunrise to sunset every day of the year Cost: Free Info: www.fws.gov/refuge/Minnesota_ Valley; 952-854-5900.

Location: Here are a few places to visit in the Minnesota River National Wildlife Refuge:

1. URBAN REFUGE Of the 560-some national wildlife refuges, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, just over 100 are urban refuges.

That means they’re stationed within 25 miles of 250,000 people.

The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is one of those urban spaces. In fact, it’s considered one of only 14 priority refuges, meaning certain programming could have the most impact on people and wildlife in the space.

Refuge Headquarters and Bloomington Education and Visitor Center  3815 American Blvd. East, Bloomington Rapids Lake Education Center  15865 Rapids Lake Road, Carver Louisville Swamp Unit  3801 145th St. W., Shakopee Bass Ponds unit

2. FREE You don’t have to pay to visit the refuge.

That means no admission to the visitor center or events, nor a parking permit or fee. Trails are open each day from sunrise to sunset.

3. FOR THE PUBLIC When people hear the words “wildlife refuge,” they may think it’s a people-free zone.

That’s not the case for the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge (even dogs are allowed on six-foot leashes).

The space is for wildlife, yes, but it’s also for the public. People can traverse 46 miles of

FILE PHOTO BY MARK W. OLSON

The sun sets over the oak savanna at the Louisville Swamp Unit near Jordan in the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

4. DIFFERENT HABITATS

migrate, some spaces closed to protect bald eagle and other bird nests during the breeding season.

The Refuge’s wetlands vary from marshes to shallow meadows. Staff are able to control water levels at some of those locations.

Visitors can see four different habitats at the refuge: floodplain forest, wetlands, oak savanna and tallgrass prairie. The floodplain forest areas offer places for birds to nest and

The “refuge” might be one word, but it’s made of 12 units. Many people’s favorite is

trails via walking, hiking or bicycling. In the winter, that list welcomes snowshoeing, too.

Other things to do include hunting, fishing, birdwatching and taking photos.

5. DOZEN UNITS

 2501 86th St. E., Bloomington Cedar Avenue Bridge and Trailhead  9898 Old Cedar Ave. S., Bloomington

the Old Cedar Avenue Bridge in Bloomington with plenty of paved paths for quicker nature visits.

Other go-tos are the new fishing piers at the Bass Ponds unit and the Rapids Lake Education & Visitor Center’s farm ruins.

People can see a giant rock left by a receding glacier.

SUMMER FUN

Fun on the grow 5 things to check out at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Chanhassen is home to one of the best botanical gardens in North America: the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

With over 1,200 acres of professionally-maintained gardens, rotating exhibits and special events year-round, there’s always something to do — but first-time visitors might feel a little intimidated by the options across the Arb. Here are five staples of the Arboretum perfect for those new to the land, suggested by the Arboretum’s Associate Director of Marketing Tony Baisley.

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Location: 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chanhassen Hours: Open by reservation 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily Cost: Members, children 15 and under and University of Minnesota students with ID are free, $15 for visitors 16 and up.

Info/tickets: arb.umn.edu

1. THREE MILES The Three-Mile Drive and ThreeMile Walk is the best way to see the Arboretum in the shortest amount of time. Each paved trail winds through the various collections and landscapes throughout the Arb, with plenty of places to stop and admire the natural beauty. From exhibits like the Sensory Garden to the blooming Crabapple Tree Collection, there’s something for everyone — whether you hike, bike or drive.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MINNESOTA LANDSCAPE ARBORETUM

“Night Song” is just one of the many pieces displayed in the Arboretum’s Harrison Sculpture Garden. its three acres hold dozens of pieces from artists around the world.

2. ART AT THE ARB Art exhibits at the Arb’s indoor gallery rotate throughout the year.

If you’d rather stay outside, the Harrison Sculpture Garden is located just off the Three-Mile Drive;

3. ARB THE TREE GNOME As the name implies, Arb the Tree Gnome likes to learn about — and hang out with — trees across

the Arboretum. Each week, Arb and his friends will be hidden in a new location throughout the Season of Trees, and successful hunters could win their own tree gnome at the end of the summer.

4. ANNUAL GARDEN The annual garden is just steps from the Oswald Visitor Center and parking lot, and the colors make it easy to spot. This year’s Annual Garden display features a variety of combinations — Landscape Gar-

dener Duane Otto made each bed a different theme, like warm colors (red, orange and yellow), cool colors (green, blue and violet), primary (red, blue and yellow), royal (reds and violets) and more. Each bed is a concept on its own, but the combination of the flowers creates a cohesive color story for the entire display.

5. EXPLORE THE MAZE GARDEN After a long closure, the Maze Garden, also accessible from the Three-Mile Walk/Drive, is reopening for children (and adults) of all ages. Find your way through the enormous shrubs to a tall deck overlooking the garden (and yell hints to your lost companions).

Mall of America is a global destination The Mall of America is a global tourist destination conveniently located less t ha n two mi les from t he Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

The mall spans 5.6 million square feet, contains over 520 stores and generates over $2 billion in economic activity each year.

With around 40 million visitors annually, there are two hotels attached to the mall and over 50 additional hotels located within a 10-minute drive radius.

The Mall of America is also a treasured spot for Minnesotans and other midwesterners — over 30 million people live within a day’s drive of the mall.

Located in the center of the mall, Nickelodeon Universe is a 7-acre indoor theme park featuring more than 27 rides and attractions.

Nickelodeon Universe features the longest indoor zip line in North America, the tallest Sky Trail ropes course in the world and thrill rides such as the SpongeBob Rock

Mall of America Location: 2131 Lindau Lane, Bloomington Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; contact Mall of America for hours for specific amenities Cost: Contact Mall of America for pricing on specific amenities Info: 952-883-8800, mallofamerica.com fortable 70 degree temperature during the winter months with the help of solar energy from 1.2 miles of skylights, residual heat from light fixtures and body heat from visitors.

COURTESY OF MALL OF AMERICA

Mall of America sees about 40 million visitors annually.

Bottom Plunge roller coaster.

Another major attraction at the mall is the SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium — a 1.3 million gallon underwater experience.

The aquarium’s 300-foot

ocean tunnel offers visitors a chance to have a close-up view of roughly 10,000 sea creatures.

SUSTAINABILITY T her e a r e m a ny ways

the mall strives to operate sustainably.

T he Ma l l of A merica’s air is naturally purified by 30,000 live plants and 400 live trees. Thousands of ladybugs are released into the mall to

maintain the plants without using pesticides.

Despite Minnesota’s frigid weather, there is no central heating system in Mall of America.

The mall maintains a com-

MALL OF AMERICA FACTS  Did you know 347 Statues of Liberty could lie inside the Mall of America?  Two out of 10 mall visitors are tourists.  There are 872 seats in the CMX Market Cinema.  Over 12,000 groups visit Mall of America annually.

SUMMER FUN

Dine and delight Enjoying Chanhassen Dinner Theatres to the max Chanhassen Dinner Theatres (CDT) is the largest professional dinner theatre company in the nation, a title it’s held strong for 53 years.

In that time, the showplus-meal venue has brought in close to 13 million guests from all 50 states and across the world, according to Public Relations Director Kris Howland. The dinner theatre produces all its shows, with locally-cast actors and 100% Mi n nesot a-made a r tistic crew.

Here are five tips on how to get the most from a visit to CDT.

1. DINNER Enjoying dinner, included in the ticket price, is a major part of the theater experience. Menu favorites include the “Famous Chicken

Chanhassen Dinner Theatres

Chanhassen” and the “Towering Chocolate Cake for Two.” Dinner seating begins two hours prior to the show for most performances.

Location: 501 W. 78th St., Chanhassen

2. SPECIAL OCCASION

inside the theater building, is open for CDT guests to grab a drink before the show. It opens an hour before dinner seating and of fers wines, beers and spirits.

Celebrating a special occasion at the theatres? Let the box office know about a birthday or anniversary, and greeters will announce it onstage.

3. OUT OF TOWN? For out-of-towners or those looking for a home away from home, nearby hotels partner with CDT to give guests discounted rates. Box office staff can help coordinate special room rates while reserving tickets.

4. HOGARTH The Hogarth cocktail bar,

Info: https://chanhassendt. com; 952-934-1525

5. LOTS OF ENTERTAINMENT P ut ti ng on la rge -sca le Broadway musicals is CDT’s forte. But entertainment also includes a tribute concert series, Stevie Ray’s Comedy Cabaret improv club, and Brindisi’s Pub and outdoor patio — a favorite watering hole for many.

Information provided by Kris Howland, CDT public relations director.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAN NORMAN, 2020

Michael Gruber, as Harold Hill, and Ann Michels, as Marian Paroo, interact in a library scene in “The Music Man” at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HEIDI BOHNENKAMP, 2015

“Sister Act” at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres.

SUMMER FUN Making the most of Mystic Lake Casino Hotel The top 5 amenities to explore

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rom ga mi ng a nd golfing to dining and entertainment — or relaxing in one of the luxurious hotel suites — there is something for everyone at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel.

Below are the top five amenities to experience when making the most of your stay at one of Minnesota’s premier entertainment destinations.

1. SUMMER ENTERTAINMENT Mystic Lake Casino Hotel is one of the leading entertainment venues for shows and live music in the Twin Cities, with fun, wide-ranging summer entertainment opportunities.

The most up-to-date information on upcoming concerts and events at Mystic Lake can be found at mysticlake.com.

2. THE MEADOWS AT MYSTIC LAKE GOLF COURSE I f you’re looki ng for a unique and challenging, fullservice golf experience, look no further than The Meadows at Mystic Lake.

The Meadows is one of Minnesota’s premier golfing destinations. This awardwinning course features an on-site pro shop, private lessons, and a practice facility with a driving range and two large putting greens.

Along with its pro shop and The Meadows Bar and Grille, the course officially opened for the season on April 16. Book your tee time today at golfthemeadows. com.

3. MYSTIC LAKE HOTEL Those in need of a little relaxation will easily find it in one of Mystic Lake’s luxurious hotel guestrooms.

With bright rooms featur-

Mystic Lake Casino Hotel Location: 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd., Prior Lake Hours: Casino is always open; contact Mystic Lake for specific hours for each amenity Cost: Contact Mystic Lake for pricing on each amenity Info: 800-262-7799, mysticlake.com ing comfortable beds, cont e mp o r a r y f u r n i s h i n g s , and oversized bathrooms, g uests have access to ever y t hi ng t hey need for a relaxing stay.

Mystic Lake Hotel’s Promenade Hotel Tower is what makes this destination extra special, and one of the largest hotels in the Twin Cities. Enjoy gol f cou rse views, modern amenities, complimentary parking, and more from one of the Tower’s upscale suites.

Explore a variety of packages that offer savings on luxurious suites and provide specials on combined golfing and hotel reservations to maximize your time at Mystic Lake. Book your package today.

4. MYSTIC LAKE CASINO The best place to truly stay and play: Mystic Lake Casino. Featuring hundreds of slot machines, multiple blackjack tables, and neverend i n g bi n go f u n , t her e are endless ways to win at Minnesota’s largest casino.

Guests can take advantage of the newest casino promotions or simply stick to triedand-true gaming favorites.

Visit Mystic Lake Casino to test your luck today!

All gaming features enhanced sanitization and social distancing protocols, per Mystic Lake Casino Hotel’s health and safety guidelines.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Mystic Lake Hotel’s Promenade Hotel Tower is what makes this destination extra special, and one of the largest hotels in the Twin Cities.

5. MYSTIC STEAKHOUSE A 2 02 0 OpenTable Diners’ Choice Award winner, Mystic Steakhouse is the best place in the southwest metro to experience the finest Prime beef and fresh seafood. Mystic Steakhouse’s menu ranges in generous variety from the finest filet mignon and Atlantic lobster tail to an ever-changing list of curated boutique wines.

Whenever possible, each dish is made with seasonal, lo c a l ly- s ou r c e d i n g r e d ients for the freshest f lavors a r ou nd , g u a r a nt e ei n g a meal that you wil l never forget. Make a reservation at Mystic Steakhouse today at mysticlake.com.

Featuring hundreds of slot machines, multiple blackjack tables, and never-ending bingo fun, there are endless ways to win at Mystic Lake Casino.