Twin Cities weekend events: Night Circus, PickleFest, garden tour
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A sunset circus will take over all of Raspberry Island in St. Paul this Sunday — but don't expect lions, tigers and bears.
What's happening: Insomnia Salon, which describes itself as a "surreal, sleepless performance and art collective," has created a unique two-hour event with everything from belly dancers to 18-foot-tall river spirit puppets.
- Characters like "the Perfume Woman" and "the Walking Void" will wander the island while visitors check out musicians, art stations, food trucks and complimentary tarot readings.
- As the sun sets, enormous puppets designed by In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre will guide folks to the bandshell, where a variety of performers will present a short cabaret.
- The night ends with a "luminescent ritual" led by river and fire spirits.
Details: Sunday, Aug. 23 from 7–9pm. Free entry, no registration required. Free parking available on Harriet Island.
More things to do...
🏆 Watch the world's top kendama players flip, spike and swing at this weekend's North America Kendama Open — the nation's biggest competition for the Japanese skill toy.
- This year's event has expanded to add fingerboard (think mini-skateboard) competitions and Beyblade battles; access also includes access to workshops and mini-games. Friday–Sunday, times vary, $15/day, kids 6 and under free.
📚 The inaugural Midwest Black Book Fair is coming to North Minneapolis this Saturday, highlighting over two dozen booksellers, authors and publishers focused on Black perspectives.
- Workshops include conversations on navigating authorship, Black literacy history, ethical storytelling practices and "the real on publishing." All are welcome. 12–5pm, free, reservations required
🥒 If you're excited about the fair's pickle pie, you might enjoy Saturday's PickleFest, Forgotten Star Brewing's annual celebration of "all things pickled."
- Expect themed games, drinks, an outdoor vendor market and a pickle eating contest. 12–6pm, free.
🚲 Explore St. Paul's many green spaces at Tour des Jardins, a leisurely bike ride visiting eight urban farms and community gardens across the city on Saturday.
- Each stop will host visitors for an hour and offer food, drinks and a tour of the space; riders can join the tour at any point, and visitors are welcome to drive. 9am–7pm, free.
🍷 Explore a lakefront vineyard at the return of Fine Wine & Art Find in Waconia this weekend.
- The Winery at Sovereign Estate will host over two dozen art exhibitors and all-day live music, with several tasting stations set up throughout the fields. 12–9pm Saturday, 12–6pm Sunday. Free admission, wine tasting is extra.