Twin Cities weekend guide: Oddities expo, mini State Fair, Memorial Day
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We took a double-take too: It's a taxidermied two-headed calf. Photo: Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images
Taxidermy, funeral collectibles, sideshow performers and "all things weird" are coming to Minneapolis this weekend for the return of the Oddities and Curiosities Expo.
What's happening: The traveling event features hundreds of vendors selling everything from vintage medical devices to actual skulls. All items are legal to own and "sustainably sourced," according to organizers.
- Activities include a six-hour opossum taxidermy course, octopus wet specimen class and a scorpion entomology lesson, where attendees learn to preserve, pin and pose bugs with unique exoskeletons.
📍 Details: Saturday and Sunday from 10am–5pm at the Minneapolis Convention Center. $16 in advance, $22 day-of, kids 12 and under free
- Be smart: While the event is advertised as kid-friendly, parental discretion is still advised.
More things to do...
🌽 Get a Pronto Pup straight from the source at this weekend's Kickoff to Summer at the Fair, the annual chance to enjoy many Great Minnesota Get-Together festivities without the massive crowds.
- New this year: a horse show, additional food vendors (including more Amish doughnuts) and the "Second Glance" crop art exhibit, featuring more than 50 pieces from last year's fair. $17
🍒 Would you like to buy 20 pounds of hand-picked apricots, cherries or mandarin oranges this weekend? MyFruitTruck, a nationwide traveling bulk fresh fruit truck, is stopping in Burnsville, Lakeville, Plymouth, Bloomington and more this weekend.
- Just don't be late — the pickup window is only 30 minutes. $45–$55 per 10–20 pounds
💥 Celebrate the local comics scene at FLOP, the eclectic Lyn-Lake shop Odd Mart's small press "comix" show this weekend.
- Expect 78 artists and publishers, panel discussions, readings, and custom cocktails that come with a free comic. Free
🐑 Eat homemade ice cream alongside farm animals at Gibbs Farm's opening day social Saturday morning.
- The family-friendly St. Paul site will have guided tours of its historic buildings, live music and plenty of toppings for your sundae. $5 kids ages 4–16, $7 seniors, $10 adults
🎶 Bob Dylan turns 85 on Sunday, and Turf Club in St. Paul is throwing a birthday bash Saturday night to celebrate. Expect covers of Dylan songs by at least eight local musicians and more special guests. $26
❤️ 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. Free