The Weekender: The Great Minnesota Get Together, Music, & More

The Great Minnesota Get Together kicks off tonight and runs until September 7th. Plenty of fun and entertainment for the next two weekends down at the fairgrounds. In the Grandstand this weekend is Def Leppard with special guests Styx & Tesla, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, and Alan Jackson. You can also catch the Daily Parade starting at 2:00 p.m, or take your kids to get lost in the Alphabet Forest. This weekend features authors Lauren Stringer, Catherine Thimmesh, John Coy, and Rick Chrustwoski. At the Coliseum there will be Horse Performances, and Beef & Dairy Cattle Competitions. There is also everyone's favorite, The Mighty Midway and Kidway. The rides are open starting at 10:00 a.m. and will run through midnight. It once again includes all your favorite rides like the Crazy Mouse Spinning Roller Coaster, Bumper Boats, Ferris Wheel, Mini Indy Bumper Cars, and more.

CLICK HERE for all the information you want to know about this year's Minnesota State Fair.

• Thursday, August 27th - Monday, September 7th

It is now the final weekend in the Music in the Gardens series. Dennis Warner  & the D's were originally scheduled for August 9th but the concert was rescheduled for this Sunday. Joining Warner on stage will be Dan Neale, Derrick Raiter, and Dennis "DK" Kennedy. Warner has over 10 CD's to his name, is a three-time Kerrville Folk Fest "New Folk" Finalist, and author of Beads on One String. You can catch the music starting at 3:00 p.m. near the Gazebo in Munsinger Gardens. This is a free event. The Munsinger Clemens Botanical Society will have root beer floats on sale for $1.

CLICK HERE for more information.

• Sunday, August 30th, 3:00 p.m.

Lola Cherry and The Big Daddies are celebrating their CD release this weekend on Friday at the Pioneer Place. Their new CD, called "We've Got it Covered", features Lola Cherry (Enid Archer) on vocals, Leon Laudenbach on lead guitar, Steve Schifsky on drums, and Joe Meyer on bass. The music features a little jazz, a little blues, and a lot of rockabilly according to Lola. If you head to the show, you'll have a chance to dance because there will be a full dance floor. Special guests The Core Band will also be performing.

Tickets are $8 for the floor (no sitting, just dancing) or $18 for seating.

CLICK HERE for ticket information.

• Friday, August 28th, 7:30 p.m.

There are a couple of shows happening this weekend at the Benton Station.

First up on Friday night Rock it Science will be performing on the back stage. This is a Vegas-style show featuring the performers in full costume of the music they are performing. It's the ultimate 80's music experience. They will be taking the stage at 10:00 p.m.

On Saturday night Beaner & The Big Chickens will be taking the stage at 10:00 p.m. They will be on the back stage as well. The band, featuring Carolyn, Beaner, Mickey, and John, plays a great Rock & Roll show.

On both nights there will be Karaoke and a DJ on the front stage.

CLICK HERE for more information.

• Friday, August 28th, 10:00 p.m.
• Saturday, August 29th, 10:00 p.m.

Tonight marks the final concert of the Music in the Park series down in Big Lake. It's been a great year with bands including Rockin' Hollywoods, Platinum FM, Outside Recess, and Brooke Lynn among others. Closing out Music in the Park is the Brat Pack Radio. They play dance pop favorites, R&B, and classic 80's hits. Again the show is tonight starting at 7:00 p.m., and it will go until 8:30 p.m. This is a free event.

CLICK HERE for more information.

• Thursday, August 27th, 7:00 p.m.