Looking for some local warm-weather fun? Read on.
Something for everyone at Como Pool
If you haven’t visited Como Pool, get over there.
After four years of no local pool, this neighborhood amenity reopened at 1150 Como Ave. last year, and it features a little something for everyone.
The pool has a 400-foot lazy river, a zip line, a diving well, a rock climbing wall, a six-lane lap pool, a splash pool for the little ones, and open and lap swim times. Find the pool’s schedule by calling 651-489-0378 or go to stpaul.gov/index.aspx?NID=2672.
Music and more at Como pavilion
Como Lakeside Pavilion, 1360 N. Lexington Parkway, has something musical or theatrical happening almost every summer night. Rosetown Playhouse will present the musical “Annie” for two weekends, July 11-13 and July 18-20. Hillcrest Theater will stage “Grease” July 25-27 and Aug. 1-3.
There’s a packed schedule through Sept. 1. You can see the schedule at www.stpaul.gov/DocumentCenter/View/65554.
Get your red, white and blue on this July 4
Feeling nostalgic or maybe even a little patriotic? Head to the St. Anthony Park neighborhood on July 4 for the 66th annual Fourth in the Park celebration.
The day begins with 2- and 4-mile races at Langford Park and features a parade; patriotic program; horseshoe, volleyball and tennis tournaments; music; and more.
The parade assembles at 10:30 a.m. Children’s bikes, trikes and wagons assemble at Ned’s Park Service, 2277 Como Ave. Bands, vehicles and marching units assemble at Luther Place by St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church. Free U.S. flags will be handed out to those who want one.
The parade begins at 11 a.m. and proceeds down Como Avenue to Langford Park, where a program will follow that includes music from the St. Anthony Park Community Band.
The St. Anthony Park Booster Club’s refreshment stand will sell burgers, brats, pop and ice cream.It will be open near the tennis courts at noon and stay open until 6 p.m.
To participate in the horseshoe, volleyball and parent-child tennis tournament, preregister at 651-298-5764. You can also register and check in from noon to 1 p.m. that day. Tournaments begin sharply at 1 p.m.
The Pig’s Eye Jass Band will play from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the bandstand. Races and contests for all ages will take place from 2:30-4 p.m. Local rock band Denny & the Dawgs will perform at the bandstand from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The 33rd annual Hmong Freedom Celebration and Sports Festival is July 6-7 and organizers are encouraging neighbors to come down to Como Park to join the festivities, which will include sports tournaments, a talent show, hundreds of booths selling artisanal textiles, crafts and other goods, and a lot of authentic Hmong cuisine. Find out more here.
Music Under the Trees
Lauderdale’s Music Under the Trees program will feature the band Blue Stratum on Monday, July 15, at 7:30 p.m.
Bring lawn chairs or a blanket to Lauderdale Community Park, 1885 Fulham St., and enjoy Schwann’s ice cream while listening to music.
Third annual Como Fest
Como Fest 2013 is July 18-20. The event will take place at three locations in the Como Park neighborhood and includes a family campout on Friday, July 19, at Northwest Como Rec Center, 1550 N. Hamline Ave.
Find out more about it here.
Eat, drink and shop
You can eat, drink and shop in the Como Avenue business district of St. Anthony Park on the third Thursdays of July and August at Park B4 Dark.
The annual event features merchant specials and live music on the avenue. Festivities will begin at 5 p.m.
This is your garden-variety opera
Mixed Precipitation will again bring its Picnic Operetta to Falcon Heights Community Garden on Sunday, Aug. 11.
This year, the theater group will perform “Agent Fidelio,” an 1805 opera of revolution and liberation all set in the lovely community garden in Community Park at Cleveland and Roselawn avenues.
The performance will include a five-course tasting menu of locally grown, performance-inspired appetizers that will be served during the show.
Find out more at www.mixedprecipitation.org.
Nothing captures the magic of a summer night like watching hundreds of lanterns being released into the Frog Pond and Japanese Garden at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. The annual Japanese Lantern Light Festival is on Sunday, Aug. 18.
Find out more at comozooconservatory.org.
Our state fair is a great state fair
And, love it or hate it, the Minnesota State Fair begins Thursday, Aug. 22.
Put the Horticulture Building at the top of your fun-at-the-fair list. There, at the corner of Judson and Underwood, you can see clever crop art, taste locally brewed beer and view the Minnesota Horticultural Society’s gardens outside the building, which are tended by Ronald Dufault and other members of the St. Anthony Park Garden Club.
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