Twin Cities weekend events: Pride Festival, Beer Dabbler and Top the Tater Days

June may be winding down, but the biggest Pride celebrations in Minnesota are about to take over the Twin Cities.

The big picture: The Twin Cities Pride Festival will take over Loring Park Saturday-Sunday with over 650 vendors, entertainment across three stages, a cannabis garden, book fair and the parade Sunday at 11am.

• Get an early start across the street at Friday's Pride Beer Dabbler in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, which features unlimited pours of over 90 brews and "infused drinks." ($59.43+ for a drink ticket)

Meanwhile: People's Pride, which organizers describe as the "non-corporate alternative pride event" by and for the Twin Cities queer community, is Saturday from 12-4 at Powderhorn Park. Note: Masks are required and provided. (Free)

• The park will also be the starting point for Sunday's Powderhorn Queer Walking Tour, a two-mile walk that explores the LGBTQ+ history of the south Minneapolis neighborhood. (Sliding scale tickets range from $0-$20)

More things to do...

🥔 Win a lifetime supply of Top the Tater at Farmington's Top the Tater Days, an enormous community festival through Sunday that's entirely themed around the beloved Midwestern chive and onion dip.

• Along with your classic carnival, parade, and cornhole and bingo tournaments, the itinerary includes a "scooping contest" — in which folks see how much Top the Tater they can get on an Old Dutch potato chip without breaking it. (Free)

👟 Take a hike surrounded by lightning bugs this weekend at one of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum's Firefly Nights, a series of after-hours hikes on routes heavily populated with the glowing winged beetles. ($10 members, $20 non-members)

🧳 Find anything you need (and plenty you don't) at the Stillwater Flea & Crafter Market Saturday-Sunday at the Washington County Fairgrounds. Over 200 vendors will be selling antiques, collectibles and more, new, "rusty and rustic." (Free entry and parking)

🧶 Attention craft enthusiasts (and appreciators): The American Craft Fest is back. The Saturday-Sunday event, now in its second year, brings over 50 emerging artists to Union Depot, with hands-on activities for visitors like canoe building, rug making, stained glass art and more. (Free)

• Pro tip: Due to construction and road closures in and around St. Paul, organizers recommend taking the light rail — the stop is directly in front of Union Depot.

🎳 Celebrate Hmong culture at the sports-focused Hmong International Freedom Festival in St. Paul this Saturday and Sunday. The itinerary includes flag football, soccer and "top spin" tournaments — the latter has been described as "bowling mixed with baseball." (Free)