Wander Minnesota: Fourth of July Weekend

The Fourth of July is this Saturday and not surprisingly, it looks like many communities are going to have festivities all weekend. Besides the usual community fireworks and parades, there's a lot to choose from around the state. If your Fourth of July plans take you out of the metro, you'll find plenty to do. Here's a sampling.

Near Bemidji, July 3 is International Day at Concordia Language Villages. Centered at Waldsee, the German village, the day includes parades, a soccer tournament, films, food and tours of the other nearby villages.

The Little Crow Ski Team will perform the evening of July 3 in New London. This water ski team has won two national and 16 regional championships — they take their water skiing very seriously.

The town of Pine River has a goofy event on July 3, Duck Races. Don't worry, animal lovers, these are not real ducks, but decoy ducks.

Worthington's Pioneer Village hosts an Old-Fashioned Fourth of July on Saturday. There will be a tractor race, a tractor pull, tractor parade, kiddie train rides, watermelon feed and a melodrama stage production.

On July 4 in Waseca is Chautauqua. This is a replication/reinvention of a festival that used to take place in Waseca in the late 1800s, and includes live roots music, a story walk, food and crafts.

Near Starbuck, there's an Astronomy & Stargazing event at Glacial Lakes State Park on July 4, where members of the Glacial Lakes Astronomers and Stargazers Society will have telescopes and binoculars for a wide-open evening of sky-viewing.

Hill City has a two-day celebration going on July 4-5. A parade, BBQ wars, pancake breakfast, live music, flea market, street games, street dance, pig racing — there's definitely something for everyone.

Outside of New Ulm on July 5, the Harkin Store is having an old-fashioned family Independence Day, with checkers and general store fun, as well as an 1862 cannon being shot off every half hour.

Brainerd stages its 41st Art in the Park on July 5, with 140 juried artists exhibiting and selling their artworks. Food and music will be offered as well.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.