Twin Cities weekend guide: Cocktails in a castle, golden retriever festival
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Halloween may be seven weeks away, but plenty of frights will be coming to town this weekend for Crypticon, the annual Twin Cities convention of all things horror.
What's happening: The three-day event in Plymouth celebrates all kinds of scares, from '70s B-movies to anime and modern horror films.
- Visitors can enter costume, tattoo and cosplay contests, watch new flicks at the Cryptic Indie Film Fest and shop a large variety of horror-themed vendors and artists.
- Featured guests include directors, showrunners and actors from "Five Nights at Freddy's," the "Friday the 13th" films, "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2" and much more.
Details: Friday–Sunday at the Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West in Plymouth. $20–$45 for day tickets, or $70 for a three-day pass.
In friendlier news...
🌻 Frolic in flowers at the Andover Sunflower Field about 30 minutes north of the Twin Cities. The 3-acre pet-friendly property has walking paths and unique props for photo-ops; it's open daily from sunrise to sunset through Sept. 22. Free, donations suggested
🇹🇭 The MinnesoThai Street Food Festival comes to St. Louis Park this weekend for two days of Thai food, cultural performances like fire dancing and folk dance, an art festival and a pad thai cooking demo. Free
🥦 Vegans take over Indeed Brewing Company on Saturday for Francis Fest, a beer/food/art festival with all-vegan offerings from the Donut Trap, Wrecktangle Pizza, Revival and Francis Burger Joint. Free
🏰 Explore the Twin Cities' only castle after hours at the American Swedish Institute's annual Cocktails at the Castle party Saturday night. This year's theme is "Country House Party" with a (suggested) "country" dress code. $50
🦮 Bring your pups to Goldzilla in New Brighton on Sunday, a fundraiser and fair dedicated to golden retrievers. All money raised supports rescuing and rehoming golden retrievers and golden mixes. Free
