Check out our events calendar for more information on many of these and other upcoming events.

Click here to subscribe to any of our reports by email or RSS/news feed.

Just some of the highlights this week include the Northwest Water Carnival in Detroit Lakes, Riverfest in Monticello, the 2009 Cities 97 Basilica Block Party in downtown Minneapolis, and the annual Giant Days Celebration in Blue Earth.

Northern Minnesota

The Hubbard County Shell Prairie Fair will be held at the Hubbard County Fairgrounds in Park Rapids, Wednesday, July 8 through Sunday, July 12, with five days of family fun and entertainment including a midway, games, horse and dog shows, displays, exhibitors, motocross races, programs, and a demolition derby! To find out more, dial 1-800-247-0054, or check out www.parkrapids.com

The city of Two Harbors will host Heritage Days from Thursday, July 9 through Sunday, July 12. Highlights include an ethnic festival, a craft show, car show, rides, live music, and the largest parade on the North Shore! To learn more, dial 1-800-777-7384, or visit www.thheritagedays.com

The annual Corn and Clover Carnival will be held throughout the city of Hinckley, Friday and Saturday, July 10 & 11, with live entertainment, lots of great food, a street dance, kiddie parade, Little Miss contest, a large midway, and more! For further information, dial 320/384-7837, or check out www.hinckleychamber.com

The city of Kabetogama will host the Land of the Lady Slipper Festival, Friday through Sunday, July 10-12, with an outdoor juried arts and crafts show, live entertainment, lots of food vendors, boat tours, barrel train rides, a petting zoo, and games for all ages. For more information, dial 1-800-524-9085

The Northwest Water Carnival will be held Friday, July 10 through Sunday, July 19 throughout Detroit Lakes. Daily events include the Parade of the Northwest, a talent show, Miss Northwest Pageant, demolition derbies, water fights, an ice cream social, a chili cook-off, classic car show, beer gardens, a Bash on the Beach, a fly-in pancake breakfast, Polka at the Pavilion, and a beer tasting and home brew contest. To learn more, dial 1-800-542-3992, or visit www.dlwatercarnival.com

The city of Cass Lake will host RibFest from Wednesday, July 15 through Sunday, July 19. In addition to delicious ribs, there will be a variety of arts and craft vendors, live music, children’s activities, parades, Native American dancers, a tug of war contest, beer tent, the Cass Lake Idol and Talent Show, and a Poetry Slam! To find out more, dial 1-800-356-8615, or check out www.casslake.com

The annual Muskie Days Celebration will be held Friday and Saturday, July 17 and 18, in downtown Nevis, with lots of children’s activities, a flea market, parade, scavenger hunt, carnival games, beer garden, street dance, and more! For further information, dial 218/652-3115, or visit www.nevischamber.com

The city of Moose Lake will host their annual Agate Days festival, Saturday and Sunday, July 18 & 19. This gem and mineral show is sponsored by the Carlton County Gem & Mineral Club at the Moose Lake High School, and features a variety of rock dealers, as well as free admission and door prizes! And don’t the Agate Stampede on Elm Street and Art in the Park in downtown Moose Lake on Saturday. To learn more, dial 1-800-635-3680, or check out www.mooselake-mn.com

Central Minnesota

The city of Litchfield will host the annual Litchfield Watercade, Thursday through Sunday, July 9-12. Highlights include a Grand Day parade, Art In The Park, a Lip Sync contest, fun runs, a fishing contest, kiddie parade, a water ski show, a brat feed, Ice Cream in the Park, a Beach Party, fireworks, and more! For further information, dial 320/221-3528, or check out www.watercade.com

Riverfest will be held throughout the city of Monticello, July 9-12, with a family fun night, talent show, a large outdoor art festival and craft sale, a parade, duck races, and fireworks display. To learn more, dial 763/295-2700, or visit www.monticelloriverfest.com

East Side Park in the city of Morris will be the site of Prairie Pioneer Days, Friday through Sunday, July 10-12. Festivities will include arts and crafts, food vendors, live entertainment, water games, a car show, tours, wagon rides, a medallion hunt, fireworks, and a grand parade. To find out more, dial 320/589-1242, or check out www.morrismnchamber.org

The annual Roddin’ Round the Lake Car Show will be held in the city of Osakis on Saturday, July 11, with a “Classic Car Show & Shine,” citywide garage sales, garden tours, and a celebrity auction. For more information, dial 1-866-784-8941, or visit www.visitosakis.com

The town of Underwood, located near the city of Fergus Falls, will be the site of the Phelps Mill Festival, Saturday and Sunday, July 11 & 12. Featured will be the artwork of 165 exhibitors, as well as great food, live music, and a children’s activity area. For further information, dial 218/739-5377, or check out www.phelpsmillfestival.com

Riverboat Heritage Days will be held throughout downtown Aitkin, Wednesday through Saturday, July 15-18. Highlights include the Captain & Queen coronation, an art show at the Jaques Art Center, the annual rummage sale at the Depot Museum, a human-pedaled riverboat race on the Mississippi, a community picnic, a parade, Miss Aitkin pageant, two street dances, a melodrama, food vendors, a beer garden, live entertainment and lots of family fun. A button is required to attend the street dances, pageants and the melodrama. To find out more, dial 1-800-526-8342, or visit www.aitkin.com/06thingstodo/tdd-community_eventsRBD.htm

The Willmar Civic Center grounds will be the site of the annual SonShine Music Festival, July 15-18, with more than fifty Christian music acts performing outdoors at this much-anticipated camping and music festival. To learn more, dial 1-800-965-9324, or check out www.sonshinefestival.com

Emily Days will take place at Emily City Park on Saturday, July 18, with a flea market, craft fair, food booths, children’s games, parades, chainsaw carving, beer gardens, live music, fireworks, a pancake breakfast, and more! For further information, dial 218/763-3453, or visit www.emilymn.com

Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity

Karl Oskar Days will be held throughout the city of Lindstrom, Wednesday, July 8 through Sunday, July 12, to celebrate the city’s Swedish heritage. Activities will include arts and crafts, live music, a Taste of Sweden, entertainment, a parade, street dance, water ski show, fireworks display, and much more! For further information, dial 651/257-1177, or visit www.chisagolakes.com/kodays

Corcoran Lions Park in Hamel will be the site of the annual Hamel Rodeo & Bull Ridin’ Bonanza, Thursday through Sunday, July 9-12. This PRCA World Championship Rodeo features 500 contestants from the U.S. and Canada competing for $120,000 in prize money. In addition, there will be children’s horse races, a calf scramble, free pony rides, live music and dancing. For rates and times, dial 763/478-6611, or check out www.hamelrodeo.org

The 2009 Cities 97 Basilica Block Party will take place Friday through Sunday, July 10-12, at The Basilica of St. Mary in downtown Minneapolis. Featured will be performances by 16 of the hottest national and regional acts on three outdoor stages, as well as great food and cold beverages, tours of The Basilica, and various raffles. And on Sunday afternoon, families will enjoy food and beverages, games, entertainment, special musical performances, and songs by the Basilica choirs! For further information, dial 612/333-1381, or visit www.basilicablockparty.org

The city of Anoka will be the site of the Anoka Riverfest & Craft Fair on Saturday, July 11. This is one of the Twin Cities’ largest summer craft events, with over 150 juried artisans and crafters. In addition, there will be free riverboat rides on the Rum and Mississippi rivers, live music on three stages, a bass fishing tournament, and Ghost Tours offered by the Anoka County Historical Society. To find out more, dial 763/421-7130, or check out www.anokariverfest.com

The annual Dragon Festival & Asian Pacific Heritage Festival will be held at Lake Phalen in St. Paul, Saturday and Sunday, July 11 & 12. This is Minnesota’s largest Asian Pacific Islander cultural festival, with dragon boat races, cultural performances, martial arts demonstrations, authentic Asian food, cooking demonstrations, arts & crafts, and special children’s activities. Admission and shuttle service from offsite lots are free. To learn more, dial 952/334-5626, or visit www.dragonfestival.org

The city of Hopkins will hold the 75th Annual Raspberry Festival, Saturday, July 11 through Sunday, July 19. Just some of the many highlights include the Jaycees Street Dance, a kiddie parade, races, an Arts Festival, games, inflatables, bingo, live music, a large Family Day held Saturday, July 18, and the Grande Day parade on Sunday, July 19. For more information, dial 952/931-0878, or check out www.raspberrycapital.com

The 51st Annual Wannigan Days will be held in downtown Taylors Falls, Thursday through Saturday, July 16-18, with the Interstate Wannigan parade, a street dance, tours of the 1855 Folsom House museum, boat cruises, and more. For further information, dial 651/465-6315, or visit www.taylorsfallschamber.org

And just some of the upcoming concerts and performances will include:
Chris Isaak at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake, July 11
Green Day at the Target Center in Minneapolis, July 11
Arlo Guthrie at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, July 16
Beyoncé at the Target Center, July 16
The Fray with Jack’s Mannequin at the Target Center, July 21
John Legend at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, July 22
Jamie Foxx at the Target Center, July 23
Lyle Lovett at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, July 23
Godsmack at The Myth in Maplewood, July 24
Kevin Costner & Modern West at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater in Apple Valley, July 29
Solid Gold at Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, July 31
Vans Warped Tour at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, August 2
Tori Amos at the Historic State Theatre, August 5
Collective Soul at First Avenue in Minneapolis, August 6
The Moody Blues at the Target Center, August 6
Reel Big Fish and The English Beat at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, August 12
Tracy Chapman at The O’Shaughnessy in Saint Paul, August 15
Rod Stewart at the Target Center, August 18
The Pretenders at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, August 19
Dar Williams at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, August 21
BonTaj Roulet: Bonnie Raitt & Taj Mahal at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand in St. Paul, August 27
Kid Rock & Lynyrd Skynyrd at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, August 29
Kelly Clarkson at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, August 30
Jackson Browne at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, August 31
American Idols Live! Tour 2009 at the Target Center, September 1
Loggins & Messina at the Historic State Theatre, September 1
Randy Travis at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, September 1
O.A.R. with special guests Slightly Stoopid and Brett Dennen at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, September 2
Casting Crowns at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, September 3
Mary Poppins at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, September 3-20
REO Speedwagon & Styx at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand in St. Paul, September 5
WWE Presents Raw Live at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, September 5
Aerosmith and ZZ Top at the Xcel Energy Center, September 8
Pet Shop Boys at the Historic State Theatre, September 16
Kings of Leon at the Target Center, September 28
Celtic Thunder at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, October 29
Metallica at the Target Center, October 13
Miley Cyrus at the Target Center in Minneapolis, October 29
For further information on any of these performances or events, please contact Ticketmaster at 651/989-5151

Southern Minnesota

The annual Giant Days Celebration will be held Friday and Saturday, July 10 & 11, in downtown Blue Earth and at the Faribault County Fairgrounds, with sidewalk sales, a car show, parade, community supper, street dance, fireworks, historical tours, a demolition derby, bike ride, the Tour of Gardens, and children’s activities. To find out more, dial 507/526-2916, or visit www.blueearthchamber.com

The city of Albert Lea will host Hayward Days, Friday through Sunday, July 10-12. Just some of the highlights include a mud bogging event, the April Sorensen Memorial half-marathon, citywide garage sales, a bake sale, street dance, and softball tournament. To learn more, dial 507/373-2316, or check out www.albertleatourism.org

The Church of St. John the Evangelist in downtown Rochester will hold the 6th Annual St. John’s Block Party on Saturday, July 11. This all-day event features live music by thirteen unique bands, as well as great food, refreshments, children’s activities and fellowship. For rates and times, dial 507/288-7372, or check out www.sjblockparty.org

The Steele County Historical Society Chuckwagon & Extravaganza will be held at the Village of Yesteryear in Owatonna, Saturday and Sunday, July 11 & 12, with a large Chuckwagon Supper and unique bands on Saturday. On Sunday, enjoy historic demonstrations, blacksmithing, soap-making, handwork demonstrations, an antique tractor show and parade, horse-drawn rides, and more! All Village buildings will be are open to tour. There will be a fee for the Chuckwagon Supper. For more information, dial 1-800-423-6466, or visit www.steelecohistoricalsociety.org/events.php

The Waseca County fairgrounds in Waseca will be the site of the 130th Waseca County Free Fair, Wednesday, July 15 through Sunday, July 19. Featured will be a new, larger carnival with midway rides and games, a Minn-E-Rods show, a compact car race, demolition derby, Enduro Auto race, beer gardens, bands, and more! For further information, dial 507/835-8958, or check out www.wasecacountyfair.org

The Welcome Summer Festival will be held in the town of Welcome, located near the city of Fairmont, Saturday and Sunday, July 18 & 19. Highlights include the annual Firemen’s Relief Association Chicken Feed, a street dance, citywide garage sales, bake sales, a pie and ice cream social, historical displays, a flea market, parade, a medallion hunt, and a community worship service. To find out more, dial 507/235-8585, or visit www.fairmont.org/chamber/mcarea.htm