WCCO Saturday Morning Links & Recap (July 18)

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- It's going to be a hot one out there, but WCCO Saturday Morning is staying cool. Well, maybe not ice cold, but check out all of the things Natalie Nyhus and Mike Augustyniak are on top of this week.

First up, they're called the best days of summer, and they start this coming Wednesday. The Minneapolis Aquatennial has a new format this year, but many favorites are back, along with a few new things. WCCO's own Mark Rosen will be the grand marshal of the Aquatennial Torchlight Parade, which starts at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Oh, and did you hear? Kenny Chesney's performing at Target Field, along with Jason Aldean. BUZ'N @ 102.9 has lots happening during the event, and you can check for tickets here.

In case you missed them earlier in the week, Natalie checked out WCCO viewers' choice for Minnesota best golf hole -- hint, it's at Tianna Country Club -- and Jason DeRusha headed to Peace Coffee in DeRusha Eats. (Speaking of food, don't miss the Fiesta Italiana.)

Rachel Slavik headed over to Canterbury Park to preview Extreme Race Day, and the camel and zebra racing they'll have there.

And then there's the Eaux Claire's Music Festival either. Justin Vernon, the lead singer of Bon Iver, handpicked all the more than 40 artists who will be playing. One of them is Haley Bonar, who has been on the Minnesota scene for 12 years as a singer-songwriter and who Natalie covered in this week's Women Who Rock series.

And this week in Mike's Mix, Mike checked out the Thirst Network, which will debut this fall on web-based video platforms.

It's a busy weekend. Go out there and make the most of it!