Twin Cities Memorial Day weekend events: State Fair preview, Hmong arts festival
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Look how empty those fairgrounds are! Photos: Audrey Kennedy/Axios
T-minus 90 days until the Great Minnesota Get-Together — but if you're craving a Pronto Pup ASAP, head to the fairgrounds this weekend for the fourth annual Kickoff to Summer at the Fair.
What's happening: The "slice of the fair" features over three dozen food vendors (including Peachey's Baking Company's beloved Amish doughnuts), live music and entertainment like inflatable axe throwing, mini-golf, giant slide rides and more.
- Because attendance is limited each day, it's a chance to enjoy the fair atmosphere without the intense crowds.
🎟️ Details: Thursday-Friday, 4-9pm; Saturday-Sunday, 11am-7pm. $13 online, $16 at the gate. Free parking.
In other entertainment news...
🏎️ Check out cool rides at Cars and Caves, which returns to the Chanhassen Autoplex on Saturday morning. This month's theme: classic cars 25 years or older. Free
🕯️ Saturday is the fourth anniversary of George Floyd's murder, and the George Floyd Global Memorial will host a Rise and Remember event at 38th and Chicago that afternoon.
- The group will offer free wellness services like meditation from 2-6pm, and a candlelight vigil led by Floyd's family will be held at 7pm. Free
🌭 Enjoy bottomless beer and hot dogs (for two hours) at Fair State Brewing Cooperative's Frank 'n' Free For All event in Minneapolis on Saturday afternoon. Veggie dogs also available. $20
🐦🔥 May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and AAPI-owned brewery Arbeiter Brewing in south Minneapolis hosts the inaugural Asian Phoenix Festival on Sunday.
- Expect a craft market featuring lotus lantern making, performances, a bounce house and brews like Arbeiter's Tokki Korean rice lager. Free
🎉 Celebrate Hmong culture at The Qeej and Hmong Arts Festival on Sunday at the Saint Paul RiverCentre, featuring food, arts and music using traditional Hmong instruments like the qeej. Free
🇺🇸 Remember and honor veterans this Memorial Day by volunteering for Flags for Fort Snelling, a group that places a flag at every grave at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.
- Many positions are already filled, but there is still availability for headstone ushers (who ensure each gravestone receives a flag) on Sunday and flag collection duty after the event. Free