A summer of celebrations

Fri, May 30, 2008

Warm weather is finally here, and with it the season for outdoor celebrations, from festivals and fairs to rodeos and fishing contests.

In the west metro area, offerings range from the sugary delights of the Hopkins Raspberry Festival to the wild west celebration of the Hamel Rodeo and Bull Riding Bonanza.

Some other highlights from around the metro area include:

• Coon Rapids’ Carp Fest, an annual fishing contest. Scheduled from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 7 at Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, 9750 NW. Egret Blvd.

• Fridley’s ‘49er Days. A wide range of activities including street dances, live entertainment and food concessions, with a carnival at Fridley High School. 5 p.m. June 12-13; 11 a.m. June 14; 1 p.m. June 15. Commons Park, 555 61st St. 763-572-3570. www.ci.fridley.mn.us.

• Cottage Grove’s Strawberry Fest. Live music, a pancake breakfast and a strawberry sale. June 12-15. Kingston Park, Indian Blvd. and 75th St. 651-458-2800. www.cottagegrove strawberryfest.com.

• Burnsville’s Fire Muster: The “world’s longest fire truck parade” — once so recognized by Guinness — is the signature event of this festival, which also includes block parties, music, another parade, carnival fare, fireworks and traditional firefighting games and competitions. Sept. 3-7 at the Burnsville Civic Center Park, 100 Civic Center Pkwy. www. burnsvillefiremuster.com.

• The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s annual powwow includes dance contests and fireworks. It’s set for Aug. 15-17 off Dakotah Parkway near Mystic Lake Casino. www.shakopeedakota.org or 952-445-8900.

• Northfield’s Defeat of Jesse James Days: This festival is built around history — specifically, the bank raid in which outlaw Jesse James’ gang met its match in 1876. The Northfield Historical Society will stage reenactments of the foiled robbery, and there’s also a parade, a carnival, rodeo events, a car show, a bike tour, a craft show, helicopter rides and more. Sept. 3-7, with most of the events at 5th and Water streets in Northfield. www.djjd.org.

BUFFALO

Buffalo Days

Carnival, medallion hunt, street dance, fireworks, parade and live entertainment. June 8-15. Free.

Sturges Park, Hwy. 25 and 2nd Av. S. 763-682-4132. www.buffalo-mn.org .

Buffalo Championship PRCA Rodeo

June 19-21. $9-$16. Buffalo Rodeo Arena, 1306 County Rd. 134. 763-682-7032. www.buffalorodeo.com .

CHANHASSEN

Chanhassen’s Fourth of July celebration

Carnival rides, classic car show, fireworks and family entertainment. July 3-4. Free.

City Center Park, Chanhassen. 7700 Market Blvd. 952-227-1100.

CHASKA

River City Days

Live bands and entertainment, Belgian waffle breakfast, business and health expo, arts and crafts, games, and food and beverages. July 25-27. City Square Park, 300 Chestnut St. www. chaskarivercitydays.com .

Clayhole Days

Free beach activities for all ages. June 18-20 at 2 p.m. Fireman’s Park, Hwys. 212 and 41. 952-448-3176, ext. 7746.

CORCORAN

Country Daze

Live music, softball tournament, family activities and fireworks. Aug. 15-16.

Corcoran Ball Fields, 20200 County Rd. 50. www.corcoran jaycees.org .

Hamel Rodeo and Bull Riding Bonanza

Professional rodeo with bronc riding, roping, barrel racing and bull riding. July 10-13. $7-$15.

Corcoran Lion’s Park, County Rds. 10 and 101. 651-989-5151 for tickets.

Hennepin County Fair

Kids activities, carnival, 4-H exhibits, music. June 19-22. $6-10.

Corcoran Lions Park, County Rds. 10 and 101. 763-420-4546. www.hennepincountyfair.com .

DEEPHAVEN

Deephaven Days and Triathlon

This event features a triathlon that starts at 10 a.m. Also food, music and games. Aug. 9. Thorpe Park, 3725 Hamilton Av. www. cityofdeephaven.org .

EDEN PRAIRIE

Schooner Days

Bingo, carnival rides, food vendors and live entertainment. May 30-June 1, Round Lake Park, 7550 Constitution Av. www.eplions.org/schoonerdays.htm .

EDINA

Edina Art Fair

More than 400 fine artists and crafters, entertainment, lifestyle demonstrations, fashion shows and food. May 30-June 1, 50th and France neighborhood. www.edinaartfair.com; 952-922-1524.

EXCELSIOR

Art on the Lake

A juried art fair featuring the work of more than 200 artists, entertainment including music and other performances. 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. June 7; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. June 8. Excelsior Commons, Lake Street along the south shore of Excelsior Bay. 952-474-6461.

HOPKINS

Raspberry Festival

Hopkins salutes its sweet past with more than a week of activities, including a parade, battle of the bands, craft fair and pig roast. July 15-20.

Visit www.raspberrycapital. com , or call 952-931-0878 for a schedule of the week’s events.

MAPLE GROVE

Maple Grove Days

Garden tours, games, entertainment, art fair, business expo and fireworks. July 10-13.

Visit www.maplegrovedays.com , where the schedule of events will be posted as events and dates and times are finalized.

MINNEAPOLIS

Laughing Waters Bluegrass Festival

Free local bluegrass music. June 28.

Minnehaha Park, Godfrey Road and Minnehaha Avenue. 612-230-6400.

MINNETONKA

Minnetonka Summer Festival and Burwell House Ice Cream Social

Free tours, entertainment, antique market and children’s activities. June 28.

Charles H. Burwell House, 13209 E. McGinty Rd. 952-939-8200.

MOUND

Spirit of the Lakes Festival

Kiddie parade, street dance, arts and crafts fair, live entertainment and fireworks. July 17-19. Mound Bay Park, Bartlett and Commerce Blvds. 952-334-6551. www.spiritofthelakes.com .

PLYMOUTH

Music in Plymouth

Performances by local musicians beginning at 5 p.m. July 2 with a final performance by the Minnesota Orchestra at 8:45 p.m. Hilde Performance Center, 3500 Plymouth Blvd. 763-509-5205 www2.ci.plymouth.mn.us .

RICHFIELD

Richfield 4th of July Celebration

Carnival rides, classic car show, parade and live entertainment. July 2. Veterans Memorial Park, 6335 Portland Av.

ROBBINSDALE

Whiz Bang Days

Carnival, block party, parade, sidewalk sale and live entertainment. July 10-13.

Lakeview Terrace Park, 3500 Beard Av. N. 763-531-1290, ext. 6313. www.whizbangdays.com .

ST. LOUIS PARK

Parktacular

Street dance, Taste of St. Louis Park, kids activities and live music. June 13-15.

Wolfe Park, 3700 Monterey Dr. 952-924-2550. www.parktacular.org .

WACONIA

Carver County Fair

Live music and entertainment, food vendors and livestock demonstrations. Aug. 6-10. $5.

Carver County Fairgrounds, 501 W. 3rd St. 952-442-2333.

WAYZATA

James J. Hill Days

An old-fashioned community festival with an arts-and-crafts fair, a parade, business and nonprofit booths, music and the event’s signature dachshund races. Sept. 6-7. 402 E. Lake St. 952-473-9595. www.jamesjhilldays.com

HOWARD LAKE

Wright County Fair

Live music, classic car show, carnival and entertainment. July 23-27. $3-$5

Wright County Fairgrounds, County Rd. 6. 1-320-543-2111. www.wrightcountyfair.com .