A summer full of festivals

Be sure to check out some of these free and exciting festivals happening in a neighborhood near you in the weeks to come:

Rondo Days: July 19. 11:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Martin Luther King Park, 270 N. Kent Street, St. Paul. 25th annual Rondo Days! Activities include a 5K Walk and Run, a parade and float competition, and live music by a variety of jazz, gospel and R&B groups.

Lake Street Festival: July 19, noon – 8 p.m., Lake Street between Bloomington and 13th, Minneapolis. A one-day music festival that celebrates the contribution Latino cultures have made to the area.

Fallout Arts Fest: July 19, noon – 10 p.m. Fallout Urban Art Center, 2609 Stevens Ave. S., Minneapolis 612/462-3873. The sixth annual neighborhood festival features more than 100 artists and performers on two stages. Activities for all ages.

Colombian Independence Day: July 19, 3 – 9 p.m. Maria’s Cafe, 1113 E. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55404. 612-870-9842

Minneapolis Aquatennial: July 18 – 27. Various locations in Minneapolis. A celebration of the City of Lakes with ski shows, boat races, sandcastle displays and the Torchlight Parade.

Highland Fest: July 18-20. Friday, 2 – 11 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Cleveland Ave. & Ford Parkway, St. Paul. Come hear Martin Zellar and the Hardways. Enjoy bingo, a juried art fair, amusement rides, wine tasting, food, and family entertainment.

Sister City Festival: July 20. 1 – 4 p.m. Nicollet Island Pavilion, 40 Power Street, Minneapolis. Appearances by 5 international guest Mayors and R.T. Rybak. Program includes Native American dancers, Chinese singers, Japanese baton twirlers, a Swedish harpist, and Connie Evingson singing Hot Club jazz. Part of Minneapolis’ sesquicentennial celebration.

In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre’s Street Fair & Water Carnival: July 26, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. 1500 E. Lake St., Minneapolis 612/721-2535. Decorate the Well in Gratitude: A celebration of Minneapolis water. A street fair with puppet shows, music performances, a wishing well, art installations and creative art-making activities for all ages.

FLOW: Northside Arts Crawl: July 26, 4 – 9 p.m. West Broadway Ave., Minneapolis 612/521-4405. An art crawl featuring Northside visual and performing artists. Their work is showcased at businesses and organizations located on West Broadway Avenue. Sponsored by PEACE Foundation, Northside Arts Collective and the West Broadway Coalition.

Urban League Family Day: August 2. 12 – 8 p.m. North Commons Park, 1801 James Avenue N., Minneapolis. Enjoy a 100-unit parade, live music, inflatable rides/games, pony rides, a Double-Dutch competition, face painting, food, and more.

Igbofest: August 9. 12 – 6 p.m. Shonecker Arena, University of St. Thomas, Cretin & Summit Avenue, St. Paul. A celebration of Igbo and other African cultures through traditional performances and art.

14th Annual La Feria Latino Family and Resource Fair: August 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Midtown Farmers’ Market on East Lake Street. Free health screenings, information about healthy lifestyles and health insurance, and legal and social service resources. Family entertainment, live music, clowns and children’s activities will contribute to more than 2,000 people enjoying a fun and information-filled Saturday.

The Village multi-cultural arts festival: August 16-17. 10 a.m. Along East Franklin Avenue from 11th to 15th Avenues, Minneapolis. Features a public mural dedication ceremony, live entertainment, and attendees can participate in creating a community mural.

Bohemian Flats Day: August 16, Noon – 5 p.m. Riverside Park, 2820 Eighth St., Minneapolis 612/822-4302. Located under the Washington Avenue Bridge, the Bohemian Flats was a community for immigrants in the late 1880’s. This event celebrates the people who lived here—the Swedes, Slovaks, Bohemians, Danish, Irish, French, Germans, Swiss, Finns, Austrians, Poles, and Italians. This year’s celebration includes performances of Czech and Slovak music and presentations by Bedlam Theatre.