Memorial Day Weekend, aka Summer is Here!

Noooooooow, it feels like we've arrived. Summer, the season we all deserve, after that, that winter...

Here's Radar's kick-off of suggestions on seeing, doing and making this summer in the cities memorable.

Starting with this weekend:

It's Memorial Day, we know what that means. Take time to do just that. If you've have never been through Lakewood Cemetery, it is stunning, peaceful and filled with Twin Cities history. Lakewood will hold a service on Monday, 10.30 a.m. at the Soldiers Memorial. Following the Ceremony will be guided walking tours of the cemetery, horse and carriage tours, children's art activities, historical presentations, and music. The event is free and open to all.

Historic Fort Snelling hosts a Memorial Day tribute Timeline of the American Soldier on Monday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Costumed staff will help interpret United States military history, with characters from 225 years of history. There will be firing demonstrations at the fort.

The new exhibit at the Minnesota History Center, Minnesota's Greatest Generation, celebrates the World War II generation. A three-day opening weekend has family activities every day. On Monday, veterans are remembered with a Color Guard ceremony, World War II veterans, WWII re-enactments and short plays.

Memory Lanes Block Party!



Cliche, will hold an art reception for photographer, Laura Hallen, and offer 10% off storewide.



FiveTwoSix Salon, featured artists, including MJ Heubach and Booka B will collaborate on a painting while spinning original music, and MCAD grad student Aron Taylor will be making experimental sculputres/paintings. FREE

MCAD will host, Wizard of Oz according to Graham Rawle, "Using handcrafted miniature sets, carved sculptures, found objects, and other unusual materials (such as Pringles cans and spray-painted asparagus), celebrated British artist Graham Rawle crafted dynamic and oftentimes surreal illustrations for his re-imagining of L. Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz, including original characters and scenes that will be unfamiliar to those who have only seen the cinema classic. This exhibition features Rawle's Oz works--illustrations that "come alive in the strangest of ways."

Last weekend for the Ten Minute Play Festival at Bedlam Theater.


Bella Music Festival, here's what Chris Riemenschneider has to say: "this small but adventurous three-day jam bash makes up for its lack of big-name headliners with a familial vibe (carried over from its predecessor, the Big Wu Family Reunions) and its proximity to the Twin Cities (about 90 minutes south of town). The third annual lineup is loaded with acts from San Francisco’s hazy scene, including rootsy jammers Tea Leaf Green, former Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann (partnering with swamp-rocking Texan Rastafarian Papa Mali), DJ/musician/producer Bassnectar and quirky but truly funky indie-rap hero Del the Funky Homosapien. Minnesota groups range from twangy favorites Pert Near Sandstone and the White Iron Band to hip-hop stalwarts Heiruspecs and Dessa, to the usual psychedelic pack, including the Big Wu, God Johnson, Pleasure Pause and the Feelin."

Farmers Markets, visit one, buy from one, this helps local farmers and our community.

Visit the Lake Harriet Elf House - on the south side of the lake, if you have your own little people in your life, they will love to imagine what this official "little man" is all about.

(my God-daughter Grace & lil' sis, Kate)

Como Zoo - and go not just for the animals, hop on the classic carousel, which is a perfect backdrop for a beautiful photo. Here's a couple I shot for a wedding:


And the Como Zoo rides, which now make me sick, especially while taking a photo:


Rent an Ice Cream Truck for your party! Or at least follow Blue Bell Ice Cream on Facebook. Friending Blue Bell saves you the time from running after the truck! Although that feels more like summer.


Other ice cream you don't have to run for:
Sonny's, 466 Hamline Avenue So, St Paul 55105


Adele's Custard, in the quaint town of Excelsior.

Liberty Frozen Custard, yum, yum, yum and in a retro, renovated gas station.

Other casual eats that scream summer:

Brasa, which opens in St Paul this June!

Chef Shack, always at the Mill City Farmers Market on Saturdays:


But you can follow the Shack's other where-abouts on Facebook and Twitter here:



Now fairs, any kinds of fairs may not be your thing, but how about looking at them for their charm? Or for the time spent with family and friends. My Dad and I have been going to the MN State Fair together since I was 13, it's one of those events that I love, more so each year because of who I'm with:






We have a fair/festival almost every weekend this summer, make one an event with those you love. Fairs/Festivals


Well, how's that for a start to the summer? Get out, stay local, buy local and love local, it's good for you.