The end of Summer is less than two months away. Can you even believe it?!
Minnesotans go crazy for summer because it’s the ultimate relief from the unavoidable tundra that is to come later this year. *shudder* So, with the summer clock winding down – it’s time to get out there and enjoy all the remaining days!
The Twin Cities have endless options when it comes to summer activities to get your sweat on, one last time.
Anyone from Minnesota knows that summer is truly coming to an end when the Minnesota State Fair begins. Running for the 11 days leading up to Labor Day, every year, the Minnesota State Fair is the perfect end to our brief but beautiful summers here in the midwest.
53 brand-new beverages were just announced, on top of 30 new foods to try! Make sure you go there hungry because that’s a lot of good eatin’. And with names like Berry Manilow, Crop Duster Lager, and Mango Medusa, you better come thirsty too!
To help guide you, we’ve put together a Bigos State Fair Bingo Card that rounds up all the must-see-and-eat attractions for the 2019 fair!
The Minnesota State Fair kicks off on August 22nd, and runs through Labor Day, Sept. 2. Tickets for admission and events can be purchased on their website!
The 11th Annual Summer Beer Dabbler is happening August 17th at CHS Field in St. Paul. For the last 10 summers, the Beer Dabbler has been a staple event for beer lovers across the Twin Cities. This year will feature over 450 beers, from 140 breweries with live music and of course, FOOD STANDS – a truly one-of-a-kind experience!
There are 3 levels of tickets for the event. Designated drivers can buy admission for just $20, which includes access to all the performances and entertainment and unlimited non-alcoholic beverages (while supplies last).
$50 gets you general admission, which includes your commemorative Summer Beer Dabbler sampling cup, to be used at all the booths. Unlimited samples of beer and cider, and all entertainment! $15 more will get you into the event 1 hour early, and you can add on an event t-shirt for just $20!
Tickets can be purchased online from their website, or at retail ticket outlets, listed below. Cheers!
You can purchase tickets (while supplies last, CASH ONLY) at the following retail locations:
The Beer Dabbler & Growler Mag Offices – 360 Toronto Street, St. Paul, MN
Ale Jail – 1787 St Clair Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105
Stinson Wine, Beer, and Spirits – 2315 18th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Thomas Liquors – 1941 Grand Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105
The St. Paul Irish Fair is a FREE event put on each year by the nonprofit organization Irish Fair of Minnesota, dedicated to supporting the Irish community in Minnesota. Thursday, August 8th is the kick-off of the fair. This event is the only ticketed event of the weekend, but includes an amazing musical line-up, plus drinks and food. All proceeds from the festival are reinvested into Minnesota’s Irish cultural community or the Legacy Fund, supporting new immigrants groups.
The Irish Fair of Minnesota will run Friday, August 9 – 3pm – 11pm, Saturday, August 10 -10am – 11pm, Sunday, August 11 – 10am – 7pm (Mass at 9am). Admission is free, but 21+ wristbands are required to consume any alcoholic beverages and cost $5 at the gate.
One of the most family-friendly events of the summer, the Irish Fair has a Children’s Area with entertainment, native Irish dogs, instruments, face-painting, and even photo ops with the Fair mascot, Baarry the Sheep!
Daily schedules and more can be found on their website. Hope to see you there!
Music & Movies in the parks celebrate more than 120 years of free entertainment in Minneapolis parks. Free music runs every night, from Memorial Day through Labor Day, at five different concert venues across the city. Full schedules found here.
The Movies in the Park series runs from early June to late August. Movies start at dusk, Monday thru Saturday across 30 different parks through the city, all summer long. All events are totally free, and movies include everything from old classics like E.T. and Say Anything, to kid-friendly Christopher Robin and How to Train a Dragon, to new movies like Captain Marvel!
Bring a blanket, some snacks, and bug spray (this is Mosquito country after all), and settle in for a nice movie on these final summer nights!
Stillwater River Boats give tours along the St. Croix river each day, with varying events. The public cruises include lunch or dinner buffets, and Saturday night cruises and Sunday afternoon features Jazz performances and a plated dinner.
The public boat cruises are great for a family fun day or a nice date night! Located at 525 South Main St. Stillwater, allow yourself time to walk from the Guest parking lot south of the boarding area. Tickets can be purchased on their website! Enjoy a beautiful afternoon, sunset, or evening cruise along our gorgeous St. Croix River.
Perfect conditions for outdoor dining don’t come too often in this state, so when they do, we take advantage! There are some amazing patios and rooftops across Minneapolis and St. Paul that make the entire experience enjoyable. Check out these 6 perfect patios to enjoy before summer ends.
Location: 1900 Marshall St. NE, Minneapolis
Parking: Free parking in their lot
Location: 1400 West Lake Street, Minneapolis
Parking: $8 Valet 5-10pm Tues-Sunday, Public parking at Calhoun Square Parking Ramp across the street from Stella’s, or on-street meter parking (FREE on Sundays)
Location: 2121 University Ave. NE, Minneapolis
Parking: Free parking in their lot, or free on-street parking
Location: 374 Selby Avenue, St. Paul
Parking: Off-street parking lots available off Selby Avenue and Western Avenue
Location: 255 6th St E, St. Paul
Parking: Attached parking ramp, or any on-street meter parking
Location: 175 West 7th Street, St. Paul
Parking: Multiple parking ramps and surface lots within one block
As summer winds down, whether you are headed to the Irish Fair, the State Fair, or just a local patio for Happy Hour, enjoy yourself! Bigos is proud to bring people home, to neighborhoods that offer endless fun and entertainment all summer long. If you’re in the market for a new apartment, come take a look, then enjoy a nearby patio – cheers to a great end to summer 2019!
