Twin Cities weekend events: Talk 2 Me Day, Cocktails at the Castle, clown picnic
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Strike up a conversation with a stranger this Saturday at a unique kind of Minneapolis festival — one entirely devoted to talking.
What's happening: Strangers Meeting Strangers, a local group that aims to "bring strangers together, just because," has organized the second Talk 2 Me Day in Loring Park.
- The first event in 2023 attracted more than 700 strangers, organizers said, and anyone is welcome to host a dedicated conversation, lead a community activity, or just chat up someone next to them.
- The park has been split into five sections with different vibes, including Walk and Talk, Talking Corner, and Quiet Corner. Attending or hosting is free, though registration is required.
If you go: 12-6pm Saturday at Loring Park in Minneapolis.
More things to do...
😱 Get a head start on Halloween at this weekend's Crypticon, the annual Twin Cities convention of all things horror. Expect an indie film fest screening "the best of strange, weird and unusual," panels, spooky vendors, and cosplay contests. $20-$40 per day, $75 for the weekend
🏰 Explore the Twin Cities' only castle at the American Swedish Institute's annual Cocktails at the Castle party on Friday. This year's event will feature nonstop live music, make-and-take crafts, a curated short film screening, and a kubb contest. $50, $100 for VIP
🤡 Break out the red nose: Someone is hosting a Clown Picnic in Powderhorn Park at 1pm Saturday. Details are scarce, but the poster calls for visitors to dress up and "embrace their inner clown." BYOP (bring your own picnic). Free
🎶 Join a musical flash mob this Saturday at Selby Ave JazzFest, the annual all-day music festival in St. Paul. Check out the main stage until 10pm for back-to-back live performers, and horn and string players are welcome to take part in the flash mob at 11:30am — just download the sheet music. Free
🦮 Got a golden retriever? Bring them to Long Lake Regional Park this Sunday for Goldzilla, a fundraiser and fair where all money raised supports rescuing and rehoming golden retrievers and golden mixes. Free
- If you have a corgi, take them out to Andover on Sunday afternoon for the Midwest's Largest Corgi Meet-Up, which had more than 300 attendees last year. Free