Twin Cities weekend events: Pond skim, sap tap, Train Fest
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Costumes are encouraged at pond skims. Photo: Joseph Prezioso/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Don't let temperatures in the 70s deter you from hitting the slopes this weekend.
What's happening: After postponing due to weather, the Härdsmälta Festival and Pond Skim at Hyland Hills Ski Area returns this Sunday for an afternoon of chaotic winter sports to support local food shelves.
- Brave participants (often in costume) will attempt to ski or snowboard down the hill, then use that momentum to cross a "melting lake" — aka, an open pool of water.
- Check out a video from the 2024 event via Fox9.
Stop by: Registration is full, but anyone is welcome to spectate (no lift ticket required) if they bring three non-perishable food shelf donations.
- Sunday, 1-3pm in Bloomington.
🍁 Feast on pancakes with locally tapped maple syrup at the Urban Sap Tap in Minneapolis Saturday.
- In addition to a breakfast made with last year's harvest, expect opportunities to learn about trees, tapping and syrup-making, and an on-site sauna. $15 for pancakes, sliding scale for sauna
🏰 Watch "full-steel violence" at Saturday's "Brewlabs Battle," an evening of live armored combat by the Twin Cities Wyverns and The Flowers of Battle.
- Fighters will don period-accurate armor and battle using blunted steel weapons, per the organization. Though they fight "full contact, full-speed," the event is family-friendly. Free admission.
🚃 Bring the kids aboard at Train Fest, a day of train-related activities at the Minnesota Children's Museum on Saturday.
- Tickets include access to the Thomas the Tank Engine exhibit, a scavenger hunt, story times and activities with local transit organizations. $17.95 in advance, $19.95 day-of
🥚 Learn the art of Pysanky at an Eastern European egg decorating class this weekend. St. Paul's Germanic-American Institute will teach participants how to create elaborate designs with wax and dye.
- All skill levels welcome, but the class is recommended for ages 12 and up. $45-$55
💐 Get a sneak peek of spring at Cirque de Fleurs, the annual flower show hosted by Bachman's. This year's installation is inspired by a vintage circus and open daily through April 4.
- On Sunday, the plant store is hosting stilt walkers, a balloon artist and the Twin Cities Unicycle Club. Free