Twin Cities Community Events: September

The Windom South Fall Festival held from 4-8 p.m. at Windom South Park, 5821 Wentworth Ave. S, Minneapolis, on September 6. 

Also at the Windom South Park on September 6, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly installed tot-lot on at 5 p.m.

At Van Cleve Park, 901 15th Ave. SE, Minneapolis, the Como Cookout will occur on September 20 from 4-7 p.m. There will be food, community information, games, music, and other activities.  Co-sponsored by Southeast Como Improvement Association and the University of Minnesota, this event is free.

Dog Daze will be held at Folwell Park, 1615 Dowling Ave. N, Minneapolis, on September 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring your dog for fun and exercise, entertainment, food, resources, displays, and more! Co-sponsored by Folwell Neighborhood Association, this event is free!!

At Fire Station 4, 505 Payne Avenue East, St. Paul, the Invest Saint Paul initiative will hold a Community Days event on Wednesday, September 10 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.  Events include free prizes, Parks and Rec Mobile Team with games and arts and crafts for kids, Saint Paul Public Libraries’ Bookmobile, a fire truck, ambulance, and police officers and fire fighters for residents to meet.  There will also be representatives from each city department to inform residents about the resources city departments provide and how to access them.

Also at Fire Station 4, the "Celebrate A Healthy Heart" event will be held on Wednesday, September 10 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.  You can meet Fire Chief Tim Butler, participate in a simple exercise, test your nutrition knowledge, see the latest in emergency heart care, tour an ambulance, interact with our Question and Answer Board, and more! A free carbon monoxide detector will be given to each household, while supplies last.

On September 19 and 20 at Harriet Island in St. Paul, the Minnesota Rocks will be held.  Formerly the McNally Smith Minnesota Music Festival, this event will feature the musical acts of O.A.R., the Roots, Jakob Dylan, Mike Doughty, Ozomatli and Live. There will be plenty of local acts as well including the Alarmists, Heiruspecs, Martin Devaney and White Iron Band.

The 2008 Minneapolis Bike Tour is back for its second annual event on September 14 from 7:30 am to 3 pm!  Presented by Toyota, friends, family, and cycling enthusiasts of all ages can enjoy the spectacular Grand Rounds Scenic Byway System at their own pace. Choose a 14- or 37- mile route.  Not only will parkways and roadways along the routes will be closed to motorized traffic, but rest stops and route support will be available as you take in the breathtaking views along the way. The event also features the Star Tribune “Aftour” party, including entertainment, local bands, merchandise, exhibits and food concessions. Proceeds from the Minneapolis Bike Tour will benefit The Foundation for Minneapolis Parks.  On-site registration opens at 6:30 am.

I would love to tell you more about the Wine and Dine Fest on Raspberry Island in St. Paul on September 27.  Unfortunately, the only mention of it I can find really says “info coming soon.”  I can say with absolute certainty that it has said that for months, so I’m not expecting any miracles.  Maybe more information will come out, as in the case of the Minnesota Rocks concert, most of the information for which I found here.  If so, I will pass it on.  If not and you want to attend, leave your calendar open! :)