Twin Cities weekend guide: State Fair sneak peek and Lord of the Rings Day
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Just look at how empty those fairgrounds are! Photos: Audrey Kennedy/Axios
Craving a Pronto Pup? Get one straight from the source at Kickoff to Summer at the Fair, the annual chance to enjoy many Great Minnesota Get-Together festivities without the record-breaking crowds.
What to expect: More food than ever — including last year's love-it-or-hate-it deep-fried ranch dressing — Giant Slide rides, yard games, a Minnesotan vendor market and free parking.
Audrey's thought bubble: If you're a fair food fan who also hates lines, this is the event for you. I got the Amish doughnuts last year in 10 minutes... instead of three hours.
- Thursday–Friday 4–9pm, Saturday–Sunday 11am–7pm. $13 in advance, $16 at the gate. Note: Attendance is limited.
More things to do...
🏞️ Journey to Middle-earth this Saturday for Lord of the Rings Day at Inbound BrewCo in North Loop. Activities include an all-day LOTR vendor market, themed drinks, trivia, a costume contest and music from Gus the Bard. Free
👷♂️ "Block party" has a new meaning at Blackstack Brewing this Sunday as the St. Paul spot transforms into a mini Legoland from 12–4pm.
- Lego fans can check out rare, hard-to-find sets and custom creations from local sellers, and enter to win a brand-new mystery set. Space to sell has filled up, but buying and trading is welcome. Free
💀 "All things weird" will return to the Oddities and Curiosities Expo at the Minneapolis Convention Center Saturday–Sunday.
- Expect skulls, funeral collectibles, preserved specimens and much more — including a six-hour hands-on raccoon taxidermy class. $11.55 in advance, $16.83 day-of; class is $325
🪿 Celebrate Rosebud the Goose's 10th birthday at Gibbs Farm's opening day celebration from 10am–4pm Saturday.
- The historic Falcon Heights farm will have site tours, live music, party games, cake and limited-edition Rosebud stickers. $10 adult tickets
❤️ Honor those who served at Lakewood Cemetery's Memorial Day service on Monday morning, held at the Soldiers Memorial in Section 24 and featuring the Minnesota Freedom Band.
- If you can't make it, the ceremony will also be livestreamed on the cemetery's website. Free
Editor's note: This story was corrected to reflect that the Lego event at Blackstack Brewing is this Sunday (not Saturday).