Let the festivities begin

Twin Cities celebrates tradition, culture

Brigid Duffy

 

Stone Arch Bridge Festival

If you’re looking for art and music, galleries and shows and more, look no further than the Stone Arch Bridge. The Stone Arch Bridge festival is celebrating its 22nd annual festival with live performances, a pop art car show, vehicle galleries and family activities. The festival takes place the weekend of June 17 through June 19.

 

Twin Cities Pride

Celebrate the rainbow! The annual festival brings the LGBTQ community and outer Twin Cities communities together. There are many ways to get involved by going to the Pride Parade 11 am June 26, 2016 starting 3rd Street and Hennepin Avenue. You can also take part in the Pride Festival 10 am June 25 through June 26 at 6 pm at Loring Park.

 

Aquatennial

Aquatennial is an annual 10-day festival celebrating Minneapolis. There are a number of different activities such as the Torchlight Parade, Fireworks at the Target Center and numerous Flagship events. Each event is somewhere in the Minneapolis metropolitan area, making it a fun celebration for all people. The celebration takes place in the third week of July.

 

Renaissance Festival

Celebrating its 46th season in 2016 with seven themed weekends planned, 16 stages for live entertainment, live armed jousting, 250 plus booths for shopping. The Renaissance Festival appeals to anyone. The festival goes from Aug. 20 through Oct. 2.

 
Japanese Lantern Lighting Festival 

The event is reminiscent of Japan’s annual Obon holiday, an important cultural and family event.  During this holiday it is said that ancestral spirits revisit their families for three days. It is a platform for cultural connections to make new traditions between American and Japanese cultures. The festival will take place Aug. 21 at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory.