Twin Cities events guide: Juneteenth, Midsommar, Father's Day
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Friday is Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating the day enslaved people in Texas learned of their emancipation.
- Here are five ways to celebrate the day this weekend.
🏛️ Juneteenth at the State Capitol: Local nonprofit The Anika Foundation will once again host the celebration on the Capitol lawn, with live music, vendors, family activities and scholarship awards. Friday, 12pm-6pm
🏆 Rondo's Juneteenth Celebration: Rondo Center of Diverse Expression will remember the day with speakers, music, exhibitors and the Rondo Achievement Awards. Friday, 12-5pm
🪩 Juneteenth Bash Drag Show: Modist Brewing Co. in Minneapolis will host the free performance featuring five drag kings and queens. Friday, 8-10pm
🚴 Juneteenth Slow Roll: Black to the Future: This community bike ride takes cyclists through "the historic Black economic corridor of South Minneapolis," stopping at five spots for conversations, meals and moderated panels.
- The ride goes at a relaxed pace, and all riders 10 and older are welcome. Loaner bikes are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Saturday, 9:30am-2pm
📚 Black Garnet Books' Juneteenth Vendor Fair: One of Minnesota's first Black-owned bookstores is hosting eight local Black-owned businesses, organizations and creators at its Midway shop. Saturday, 11am-5:30pm
Be smart: Looking for more things to do? The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder has a comprehensive guide to Juneteenth events across the state.
More weekend fun ...
🎷 The Twin Cities Jazz Festival returns this Friday for two days of live music primarily at St. Paul parks, restaurants and venues.
- Several of the locations are within walking distance of each other, or take the Green Line: Metro Transit is providing free passes. All performances free
🏎️ Take your dad back in time for Father's Day at "Back to the '50s" weekend at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.
- The Minnesota Street Rod Association's annual car show Friday–Sunday will feature thousands of hot rods, classics, customs and restored vehicles all from 1964 or earlier. $15 at the door, kids 15 and under free with paid adult
☀️ Celebrate the longest day of the year at American Swedish Institute's Midsommar party this Saturday. Expect dancing around the maypole, flower head wreath stations, Swedish strawberry cake and live music. $21 adults, $10 ages 6-17, kids five and under free
🌈 Plenty of Pride events continue this Saturday, including LGBTQ+ vendor markets in Maple Grove, St. Paul, Victoria and Minneapolis. Free entry
- Graze Food Hall in North Loop is hosting a drag show, dance party and free family portraits, and nearby Inbound BrewCo has a Pride Book Fair for Grownups. Both Saturday, free
- The Minnesota Orchestra and Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus are performing an all-ages Disney Pride in Concert Saturday and Sunday. $46+
🏆 The Special Olympics USA Games are coming to Minnesota! Over 3,000 athletes from all 50 states will compete in 16 sports from gymnastics to powerlifting to cornhole, and admission is free to all.
- Saturday night's opening ceremony at Huntington Bank Stadium features performances by Demi Lovato and Jon Batiste ($26). The games run through June 26.