Wednesday, June 23, 2010

4th of July in the Metro - lots of Boom, Bang!

I just passed along some 4th of July information and thought I'd share all that the metro has going on for you and your family.

Some of the biggest Independence Day events happen in Downtown Minneapolis and Downtown St. Paul.

Minneapolis: Red, White and BOOM celebrates Independence Day with music, entertainment and family fun on the Minneapolis Riverfront on July 3 and 4. Fireworks at 10 p.m. on July 4.

Saint Paul: A Taste of Minnesota runs from July 2 - July 5 at Harriet Island, downtown St. Paul. Fireworks every night at 10.15 p.m., with the biggest bangs reserved for July 4. Entry to the festival is ticketed and even more expensive than last year, starting at $20. But Harriet Island is on the west bank of the Mississippi, across from downtown St. Paul so you can get a great view of the fireworks for free from the east bank in downtown.

Cities and communities across the Twin Cities metro area hold Independence Day celebrations, and fireworks displays.

Here's a list of fireworks, festivals and other Independence Day events in cities across the Metro Area. All events are on July 4 and have free admission unless otherwise noted.

Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis is the venue for the second of two firework displays in the city of Minneapolis. An especially family-friendly event with live music, children's activities, and local food vendors.

Excelsior/ Lake Minnetonka The only official firework display over Lake Minnetonka is the finale to a day of Independence Day events at the lake. Fireworks over a lake are especially pretty with the reflections from the water.

Woodbury: Ojibway Park hosts the celebrations, with live music playing and fireworks at 10 p.m.

Oakdale: Tanner's Lake Park hosts the July 4 celebrations with fireworks at dusk.

Richfield's 4th of July: A free, multi-day community event from July 1 - July 6. A car show, music, parade, pie eating contests and many other festivities. Fireworks on July 4 Veteran's Park at 10 p.m.

Bloomington: The Summer Fete on July 3 celebrates Independence Day with fireworks at dusk, around 10 p.m. at Normandale Lake Bandshell.

Apple Valley: incorporates Independence Day celebrations into the annual Apple Valley Freedom Days, June 25 - July 4. The Apple Valley fireworks are one of the biggest displays in the Twin Cities. Fireworks at 10 p.m. at Johnny Cake Ridge Park.

Lakeville: The Panorama of Progress, the Pan-O-Prog, is in its 43nd year. Over a week of celebrations including a car show, parade, sports tournaments and more. Pre-dusk fireworks, followed by the main firework show after dusk. at Lakeville North High School.

Eden Prarie: The Hometown Celebration at Round Lake Park culminates in fireworks at 10 p.m.

Edina: has a parade instead of fireworks. The Edina Independence Day Parade begins at 10 a.m. at Edina City Hall on July 3.

Afton: The 4th of July Parade starts at noon. Afton House Inn also offers river cruises to watch the Hudson fireworks on July 3 and Stillwater fireworks on July 4.

Blaine: Blaine's Blazing 4th has celebrations and entertainment on June 25-27, and on July 4 at Aquatore Park. The fireworks will be at the National Sports Center at 10 p.m. on July 4.

White Bear Lake: The annual Manitou Days festival ends on July 4 with fireworks at 10 p.m. at Memorial Beach.

Chanhassen: Chanhassen celebrates Independence Day on the 3rd and 4th with a packed family-friendly event schedule. Fireworks are at 10 p.m. at Lake Ann Park.

Eagan: 4th of July FunFest in Eagan runs from July 1 - July 4. On Independence Day, there's the Funfest Parade at 10 a.m., and fireworks at 10 p.m. at Central Park.

St. Louis Park: Fireworks at 10 p.m. at Aquila Park.

Hudson, WI Hudson's Booster Days festival runs from July 1 - July 4. Plenty of free music and entertainment, a carnival, parade, waterski show, and fireworks on 3 July.

Fort Snelling: cannons firing and other period military themed Independence Day festivities from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., admission charge.

Mystic Lake Casino, Prior Lake A free outdoor concert followed by fireworks on the casino grounds.

Prior Lake: The annual Prior Lake Boat Parade in on Independence Day afternoon, and then there wil be fireworks over the lake at 10 pm.

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