Labor Day Weekender Brings State Fair Fun, Renaissance Festival, Zoo Visits And More

It's Labor Day Weekend!  Many schools are back in full swing, and if they are not, it's your last weekend for some family time before the kids are off on their next year of learning and adventures.

There are the obvious things to hit up. The State Fair will wrap up its run, so you can still head down to St. Paul for that. Plus, the Renaissance Festival is up and running if the fair is not your thing.

If crowds and fests are not your jam, then there is always just some relaxing time at home playing board games with the kids, watching movies, and maybe building a puzzle. You can always check out one of the great Central Minnesota zoos before they close for the year, with Pine Grove Zoo in Little Falls and Hemker Zoo in Freeport.

While the pickings were slim for the long weekend, the Weekender still comes through with a few ideas for your time off.  Check out the Weekender's picks below.

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Berlin Movie Theaters Reopen During Coronavirus Pandemic

INTERACTIVE MOVIE NIGHT - ST. CLOUD

Get your long weekend off to an early start with a fun family event at the St. Cloud Library. The library is hosting an interactive movie night on Thursday. Kids and Adults alike can cheer, sing, and react along with the film Encanto.  The movie is about a young girl trying to find out why the magic around her home is fading and the pressure to be perfect. There will be interactive pieces, along with snacks and drinks available while supplies last. The event is free to attend, and the film is about 99 minutes long.

Thursday:  5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Paul Habstritt, WJON

LIVE MUSIC AT FARMERS MARKET - ST. CLOUD

Take in some free live music while you are shopping for those fresh farm goodies on Saturday. The St. Cloud Farmers Market will have Merritt Live on hand all morning. He will bring his unique blend of blues, folk, swing, rock, and country to the outdoor venue.  Check out his ability to play multiple instruments, as he entertains on rhythm and slide guitar, banjo, and ukulele, as well as his singing.    The St. Cloud Farmers Market is held in the Lady Slipper Parking Lot in downtown St. Cloud from May through October.

Saturday:  8:00 a.m. to Noon

Paul Habstritt, WJON

ROSELAND - ST. CLOUD

Take in the inaugural show in the Red Carpet Nightclub’s Country Music Series with Roseland on Friday night. Roseland is the two-time Josie Music Award-winning country duo of Cam Smith and Gavin Arnold, and they are up for the award again in the Alumni category.  Check out the team before they head down to the Field of Dreams in Iowa to take part in the Velocity Music Festival.  Roseland Music is inspired by the Midwest and real-life experiences. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.

Friday:  8:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Markus Spiske on Unsplash

MINI-GOLF IN THE SKY - MINNEAPOLIS

See if you can reach up and touch the sky while playing some mini-golf before it goes away. Skyline Mini-Golf is an artist-designed mini-golf course you play on the rooftop of the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. You can play a round of mini-golf and then cool off exploring the art center.  The mini-golf costs $12 to play. The discounted Walker Art Center admission is $9.  Maximum of 8 people per golfing group.

Thursday:  10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Friday – Sunday:  10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

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CIVIL WAR HOME TOUR - HASTINGS

Head down to Hastings during your long holiday weekend to check out a piece of history. You can take a tour of the William LeDuc Estate. LeDuc was a Civil War General and Quarter Master, and the estate took four years to build from 1862 – 1865 and was designed by Andrew Jackson Downing. The estate is complete with the residence, carriage house, and ice house.  You do need to book a tour online ahead of time, and it lasts about an hour. The cost is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $6 for students aged 5 – 17, and free for kids 0 to 4.

Thursday – Sunday:  9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.