4/27/05

2005 MINNEAPOLIS RIVERFRONT DISTRICT
“YEAR OF BRIDGES” EVENT CALENDAR

ALL ACTIVITIES ARE FREE (UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE) AND APPROPRIATE FOR FAMILIES.

DANDELION DAY
May 15, noon to 3 p.m.

Ard Godfrey House, University/Central avenues SE
This event opens the visiting season for the Godfrey House (oldest surviving wood frame house in Minneapolis) and celebrates Harriet Godfrey first bringing dandelion seeds to the St. Anthony Falls area in 1849. For information: (612) 813-5319, www.ardgodfreyhouse.com

BIKING THE BRIDGES
June 11 and July 9, 1 p.m.

Explore the bridges of the Mississippi River on this leisurely two-hour guided bike tour. Meet at the Mill Ruins Park trailer at the west end of the Stone Arch Bridge. FEE. For information: (612) 313-7793 www.minneapolisparks.org

STONE ARCH FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
June 18 and 19, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Main Street SE, East Hennepin to Sixth Avenue
This annual juried art festival offers quality food and attractions, 200+ artists with art for sale, musical and theatrical performances and other highlights such as the “Art of the Classic Car” display and “Art in the Park.” For information, (612) 378-1226, www.stonearchfestival.com

From the Stone Arch Bridge, you can watch the annual
STONE ARCH SLALOM RACES
For information: www.rapidsriders.com

BRIDGES OF MINNEAPOLIS WALKING TOUR
June 18, 1 p.m., Mill City Museum

Hike the Minneapolis riverfront and learn about the city's historic bridges in this 150th anniversary year of the very first bridge to span the Mississippi River – the 1855 suspension bridge at Hennepin Avenue. FEE. Reservations recommended; call (612) 341-7555. For information: www.millcitymuseum.org

SOLSTICE RIVER
June 18 and 19, 8:15 p.m. sharp
Stone Arch Bridge

Watch as the site explodes with dancers, colorful fabric,
boats and kayaks for this site-specific performance honoring the Mississippi on the longest day of the year. New this year, Dakota community members are participating in the event planning. For information: (651) 523-2591, www.cgee.hamline.edu/solstice/

DIGGING UNDER THE BRIDGE
June 19, 10:30 a.m. to noon; July 23, 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Take part in a simulated archaeological dig under the Stone Arch Bridge. Learn about the “lost” bridges of the Mill Ruins Park area. FEE. Reservations required. Call
(612) 313-7793 for reservations and information. For information: www.minneapolisparks.org

RIVER ABCs – ACTIVITIES, BRIDGES AND COMPASSES
June 25, 10:30 a.m. -Noon

Learn basic orienteering skills and find your way to bridge sites. A backpack loaded with fun information and activities will allow you to discover the people, animals and activities related to the sites. Meet at the Mill Ruins Park trailer located at the west end of the Stone Arch Bridge. FEE. For information: (612) 313-7793 for information or www.minneapolisparks.org

ENGINEERING THE FALLS: WALKING TOUR BY HISTORY PLAYER WILLIAM DE LA BARRE
June 25, 1 p.m., Mill City Museum

Join a walking tour led by a costumed interpreter portraying William de la Barre, Austrian engineer who spent half a century developing Minneapolis flour milling and waterpower and protecting St. Anthony Falls from destructive bridge projects. FEE. Reservations recommended; call (612) 341-7555. For information: www.millcitymuseum.org

RIVERFRONT WALKING TOURS
Saturdays 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Sundays 2 p.m. (July through September); Mill City Museum

Guides from Mill City Museum will lead visitors across
historic bridges to learn about the dramatic past and bright future of the Minneapolis riverfront. FEE. Reservations recommended; call (612) 341-7555. For information: www.millcitymuseum.org

JULY FOURTH CELEBRATION
July 4; parade at 2 p.m., fireworks at 10 p.m.

Watch the neighborhood parade and enjoy fireworks over the river. For information: www.mpls4thofjuly.com

IBARAKI DAY
July 17, 2 p.m., Nicollet Island

Gather at the “Bell of Two Friends” sculpture on Nicollet Island for speeches and light refreshments recognizing the 25th anniversary of the Minneapolis/Ibaraki sister city relationship – a bridge between two cultures.

AQUATENNIAL KOOL 108 RIVERBLAST AND
TARGET FIREWORKS SHOW
July 23, 6 to 10:30 p.m., fireworks at 10 p.m.

RiverBlast along West River Parkway, fireworks visible throughout riverfront
The annual RiverBlast extravaganza will return to the banks of the Mississippi River featuring family fun, food and live entertainment. Be sure to stay for the Target Fireworks Show – the fourth largest in the nation! For information: (612) 376-7669, www.aquatennial.org

A BRIDGE TO A BRIDGE
July 31 and Aug. 28, 1 p.m.

Nicollet Island served as a stepping stone for the first Hennepin Avenue Bridge. Discover more about the island on this fun, informative walking tour. Meet at the Nicollet Island Pavilion. FEE. For information: (612) 313-7793 or www.minneapolisparks.org

WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE
Aug. 21, 1 p.m.

What is going on in the Mississippi River as it passes under St. Anthony Falls area bridges? Investigate water quality and conduct tests in this fun family-oriented program. Meet at the Mill Ruins park trailer located at the west end of the Stone Arch Bridge. FEE. For information: (612) 313-7793 or www.minneapolisparks.org

LANDMARK: 24 Hours at the Stone Arch Bridge
August 27 to 28 (sunrise to sunrise)

A 24-hour public art event created for the historic St. Anthony Falls/Stone Arch Bridge area by a team of multi-disciplinary artists will feature interactive performance tours that lead audience members through surprising installations, secret videos, mill-inspired dances and live music compositions. Watch the event planning process evolve at the Soap Factory beginning in May. For information: www.soapfactory.org

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE
December 4, noon to 3 p.m.
Ard Godfrey House, University/Central avenues SE
Come enjoy a tour, light refreshments, entertainment and tours of the oldest frame residence in Minneapolis. The house is decorated for the holidays in the modest style of the era, and children are welcome. For information: (612) 813-5319, www.ardgodfreyhouse.com

NEW YEAR’S EVE
December 31, 8:30 p.m.
Fireworks over the Minneapolis Riverfront District allow families to usher out the old year and welcome in the new.

ALL YEAR: Events, activities and performances at the Mill City Museum, Open Book, Theatre de la Jeune Lune and Guthrie Lab

WARM SEASON: River City Trolley, Minneapolis Queen and Segway tours; Ard Godfrey House open for tours; Soap Factory exhibits; additional Mill Ruins Park events; outdoor music at St. Anthony Main and Mill City Museum
COOL SEASON: Indoor skating at the Depot

This is just a sampling of the events and activities in the Minneapolis Riverfront District. Please visit www.minneapolisriverfrontdistrict.com or call (612) 673-5123 for updated and additional event information.

RELATED OFF-SITE ACTIVITY:
BRIDGE BUILDING ACTIVITIES

Every Saturday in June, 1 to 3 p.m. The Works, 5701 Normandale Road, Edina
Explore different kinds of bridges and make your own bridge to take home at this hands-on, minds-on museum. FEE. For information: (952) 848-4848, www.theworks.org