ICONIC EVENTS State Fair Giant Slide Biggest boar, Swine Barn, State Fair In addition to the state fair, which bills itself as “the Great Minnesota Get-Together,” there are many other great get-togethers throughout the year. YEAR ROUND EVENTS WINTER In 2022, the fun starts with the Saint Paul Winter Carnival , featuring snow sculptures, a snow maze and more, Jan. 28 to Feb. 6. Other #OnlyinMN winter fun includes the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza (Jan. 29) and the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon from Two Harbors to the Canadian border and back (Jan. 30 to Feb. 2). SPRING A large and vibrant celebration of Cinco de Mayo with Mexican performers, food and music will take place along Cesar Chavez Street in West Saint Paul on May 2. Later in the month, you can see as many as 165 bird species during the Festival of Birds in Detroit Lakes (May 19 to 21). SUMMER The centerpiece of summer is always the Minneapolis Aquatennial , which starts with a torchlight parade, ends with fi reworks and includes lots of family-oriented “aquativities” in between (July 20 to 23). Another popular tradition is the Great River Shakespeare Festival in Winona, where this summer’s lineup includes “The Taming of the Shrew,” “Twelfth Night” and “The African Company Presents Richard III” (June 18 to July 31). FALL Pottery, quilts and jewelry will be among the many handmade items displayed and sold by hundreds of artisans from around the country at the Little Falls Arts & Crafts Fair , Sept. 10 and 11. Whether you’re German or Hmong or not, come enjoy the music, dancing and other festivities at Oktoberfest in New Ulm, celebrated fi rst two weekends in October, and Hmong New Year , celebrated the weekend after Thanksgiving at Saint Paul RiverCentre. Round out the year with some holiday events (such as Bentleyville in Duluth) then start planning for 2023! See what’s going on throughout the state. Just plug in the dates when you plan to visit. ExploreMinnesota.com/Events FESTIVAL AND EVENT FINDER # ONLYIN MN | 21
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