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Wander Minnesota: Festival Fun For July

This is just the tip of the iceberg for festivals and events in Minnesota in July. I've avoided the more routine festivals, Crazy Days, Fourth of July celebrations and city parties. You can find more information about those over at Explore Minnesota. What follows is a list of the more unique possibilities this month. If there's something I've missed, please let me know. And be sure to check the Minnesota Historical Society's event page; they've always got something interesting going on.

Basilica Block Party
Basilica Block Party (credit: Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission)

Minneapolis
Cities 97 Basilica Block Party
July 8-9
In an odd but amiable pairing, the Basilica of St. Mary and local radio stalwart Cities 97 present this "ticket to redemption." Performers this year include Death Cab for Cutie, The Fray, and Craig Finn.

St. Joseph
Tour of Saints
July 10
As the organizers say, this isn't a race, it's a heavenly little ride. Choose between a 35-mile and 50-mile course; the courses begin and end at the College of St. Benedict and includes stops at St. John's Parish Center and the Cold Spring Bakery—because of course you need carbs for this.

Walnut Grove
Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant
July 8-9, 15-16, 22-23
If I have to explain who Laura Ingalls Wilder is and why there's a pageant, this probably isn't for you. But for you Little House on the Prairie fans (and that includes me), here's your chance to experience an outdoor theatrical representation of the Ingalls family's life on the shores of Plum Creek.

Grand Rapids, Goin' To The Lake
(credit: CBS)

Grand Rapids
The Great Minnesota Pie Extravaganza
July 9
Located at the Forest History Center in Grand Rapids, this one-day event gives participants a hands-on 1900s baking experience, along with live music and other activities.

Grand Marais

Grand Marais
Grand Marais Arts Festival
July 9-10
There are many arts festivals throughout the state, but not many of them get to boast about being located on the North Shore of Lake Superior. Juried art, live music, food and fun.

St. Paul
Dragon Festival
July 9-10
The ancient Dragon Boat tradition is the foundation for this Lake Phalen festival, which also offers martial arts exhibitions, music, makeup tips for Asian women, and food—lots and lots of food.

Sauk Centre
Sinclair Lewis Days
July 13-17
A celebration of the community's most cantankerous resident. Events include food, fireworks, live music, lots of tournaments (bean bag, hot dog eating), a treasure hunt, and yoga in the park.

Duluth
Duluth bayfront area. (credit: Explore Minnesota)

Duluth
Bayfront Reggae and World Music Festival
July 16
Reggae and other world music, right on the waterfront. This year's lineup includes Rupee, Spragga Benz, and Maxi Priest.

Bemidji
Art in the Park
July 16-17
This is Bemidji's 49th year offering a juried art program on the shores of beautiful Lake Bemidji.

Minneapolis Aquatennial Race, Lake Calhoun
(credit: CBS)

Minneapolis
Minneapolis Aquatennial
July 20-23
This annual celebration has a huge variety of events. Downtown tennis tournaments, Twin Cities River Rats water-ski show, classic car show, a torchlight parade, fireworks, and more.

Walker
Moondance Jam
July 21-23
It's the 25th anniversary of this central Minnesota classic rock fest. This year's lineup includes Chicago, Loverboy, Boston, and Foghat.

Minneapolis
Carifest
July 22-23
Get into a tropical mood at this annual celebration of all things Caribbean. There will be plenty of live music and other kinds of performances, as well as delicious Caribbean foods.

Rice
Halfway Jam
July 28-30
Midway between the Twin Cities and Brainerd Lakes—and midway through the summer—is this annual festival. This year's bands include Soul Asylum, Gin Blossoms, and Better Than Ezra.

Ely
Blueberry Arts Festival
July 29-31
Arts, crafts, ethnic foods, and live music, all in beautiful Ely on the edge of the Boundary Waters. Oh—and blueberry pie.

Hastings
Little Log House Pioneer Village Antique Power Show
July 29-31
This annual event offers the only public access to this historical site each year. A thorough re-creation of Minnesota history, this festival offers quilting and spinning demonstrations, functioning lumber and shingle sawmills, tractor and truck pull, threshing demonstrations, and a hand printing press.

Blackduck
Woodcarver's Festival
July 30
Annual festival in its 30th year, located by one of the two big black ducks in town, this event is a celebration of woodcarving as a past and present tradition. Don't forget to try an Uffda Taco.

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.

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