Tech for Teens: Ask an Astronaut, Wednesday, August 20, 10 a.m. to noon, PACER Center, 8161 Normandale Boulevard, Bloomington. Live Q&A session with an astronaut from the Expedition 73 crew currently aboard the International Space Station! The event will include a straw rocket-launching workshop where participants will get to design and test their own paper rockets. A workshop designed for youth with disabilities to help them gain exposure to technology, engineering, and math concepts. Free. Registration required.

Chalk the Walk Wednesday August 20, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Brookview Elementary, 11099 Brookview Dr, Woodbury. Join the PTA in decorating the school sidewalk with cute drawings and messages before the first day of classes.

Minnesota State Fair, Thursday, August 21 until Monday, September 1, 1265 Snelling Ave. N., St. Paul. Minnesota’s Great Get-Together. Admission hours 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Barns open at 8:a.m., buildings open at 9 a.m.

Express Bus from Cottage Grove to the State Fair, Cottage Grove Park & Ride, along Hwy. 61 on W. Point Douglas Rd. between 80th St. and Jamaica Ave, Cottage Grove. Express service begins at 8 a.m., Last bus leaves the Fair at Midnight. $5 in advance on Metro Transit app. $6 in cash on boarding.

Angels of Hope Ceremony, Thursday August 21, 6 p.m., Angels of Hope Memorial on the grounds of Woodbury City Hall. Loved ones gather to remember and honor the memories of children, of all ages, who have passed too soon.

Dog Show Cluster, Thursday, August 21 to Sunday, August 24, Washington County Fairgrounds, 12300 N 40th St, 12300 N 40th St. Saint Croix Valley Kennel Club sponsors competitions for all breeds of dogs as well as vendors with canine products and people food.

Pop-up Produce and Shepard Farm Discovery, Friday August 22, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., 8946 70th Street S, Cottage Grove. Join youth from Urban Roots selling produce and visit the cows, pigs, goats, and chickens at Shepard Farm. Free but preregistration encouraged.

Woodbury Days, Friday, August 22, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, August 23, 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Sunday, August 24, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Ojibway Park. Woodbury’s summer festival for all. 

Firefighter Challenge, Saturday, August 23, 1 p.m., parking lot at Woodbury Lutheran Church, 7380 Afton Rd, Woodbury. Woodbury EMS Fire is hosting teams from metro fire departments competing to use water from fire hoses to move a large barrel hung 12 feet in the air. See fire trucks and meet fire fighters.

Woodbury Lakes Sounds of Summer Concert Series, Saturday, August 23, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Center Court Woodbury Lakes, 9120 Hudson Rd, Woodbury. Listen to  the classical performance by the Cavatina String Quartet. Free.

The Dinner Detective, Saturday, August 23, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., DoubleTree by Hilton St Paul East, 2201 Burns Ave., St Paul. True crime murder mystery dinner show where you dine with the cast. Just beware! The culprit is hiding in plain sight somewhere in the room, and you may find yourself as a Prime Suspect before you know it!

Woodbury Days Grande Parade, Sunday, August 24, 11 a.m. The parade begins at Red Rock Elementary and ends at Woodbury High School.

Hmong 50 Festival, Saturday, August 23, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday August 24, Noon to 6 p.m., Minnesota State Capitol, St. Paul. Celebrating the Hmong American story – 50 years in the making. Festival featuring art exhibitions, art installations,music, fashion shows, and cultural foods and drinks. Paying homage to the generation that brought the Hmong to America and to the generations since 1975.

Stillwater Flea and Crafter Market, Saturday August 23 and Sunday August 24, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Washington County Fairgrounds, 12300 40th St. N., Stillwater. Vendors, antiques, crafts, food trucks, and music at this monthly free event.

Woodbury Ambassadors Coronation Monday, August 25, 6:30 p.m., East Ridge High School, Woodbury. Crowning of the ambassadors who will represent Woodbury for the next year in parades and at other events.Tickets sold at the door. Discount with Woodbury Days button.

Primary Election, Woodbury State Senate Seat, Tuesday, August 26. Polls open 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Early voting is underway at Woodbury City Hall.

Washington County Central Service and License Center Ribbon Cutting, Tuesday, August 26, 8:30 a.m., 1261 Woodlane Dr., Woodbury. The ceremonial opening of the new county building.

Meeting for Parents/Caregivers of Transgender, Gender non-conforming, and Questioning Youth, Tuesday, August 26 and fourth Tuesdays of the month, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Contact Transforming Families for location in Afton.

Woodbury Champions Backpack Drive, Tuesday, August 26, 5 p.m. to  6:30 p.m., Woodbury OffiCenter, 2042 Wooddale Drive, Suite #250. Assemble backpacks for Woodbury’s littlest learners and classrooms. Donations needed.

Star Watch Friday, August 29, 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., Lake Elmo Park Reserve. Giant telescopes will be set up for viewing planets and stars. Registration recommended.

First Week of School District 622 North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District, Tuesday, September 2, Grades 1-6 and 9 start, Wednesday, September 3, Grades 7-8 and 10-12 as well as Webster K-12 start, Thursday September 4, first day of Kindergarten.

First Day of School SoWashCo District 833, Wednesday, September 3. Grades 6 and 9 start Tuesday, September 2.

Washington County Parks, Tuesday September 2, free admission to county parks.

Immunization Clinic, Thursday September 4, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Government Service Center, 1261 Woodlane Dr., Woodbury. Low-cost immunizations for uninsured or under-insured children and adults. Appointment required.

Washington County Bluegrass Festival, Saturday, September 6, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Lake Elmo Park Reserve, South Pavillion. Homegrown Bluegrass bands, food trucks, and camping. Free, but vehicle permit required.

Move to Your Own Groove All Abilities Run, Walk, & Roll, Sunday, September 7, 9:30 a.m., Colby Lake Park, 9715 Valley Creek Rd, Woodbury. Multiple distances for competitors of all ages and abilities. Benefits Family Achievement Foundation. Register by August 12 to guarantee a shirt.

Grand Re-Opening We Rock the Spectrum, Sunday, September 7, noon to 5 p.m., 2101 Wooddale Dr, Suite E, Woodbury. Meet the new owners and join in an afternoon of sensory-safe play.

Memory Cafe, Tuesday, September 9, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., R.H. Stafford Library, Woodbury. Hosted by Family Means for people with memory loss and their caregivers to provide support and connection for those facing similar challenges.

Cheers to September: Ovarian Cancer Month Kick Off, Tuesday, September 9, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Northern Taphouse, 7325 Currell Blvd, Woodbury. Dining and great company with 10% of purchases including dine-in and take-out—donated to support MOCA’s ovarian cancer research, support, education and awareness efforts.

Shredding Day, Wednesday, September 10, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., South Environmental Center, 4039 Cottage Grove Dr, Woodbury. Free document shredding for residents and businesses. 

The Return of King Idomeneo: Pick Up Truck Opera, Wednesday, September 10, 7 p.m., Ojibway Park Bandshell, Woodbury. Mozart’s epic music comes to a 1950s street corner with a unique mash-up of passionate arias, exciting choruses, 50s doo-wop, and 60s girl groups with an energetic re-telling of the return of the victors and their captives from the Trojan War. Free but the performers appreciate donations.

.2025 Kickball Tournament, Friday, September 12 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. M Health Fairview Sports Center Fields 10-13, 4125 Radio Drive, Woodbury. Limited to 12 teams.

Guardian Angels Fall Festival, Friday, September12, from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, September 13, from 10 a.m. until fireworks at 8:30 p.m., Guardian Angels Catholic Church, 8260 $th St N, Oakdale. Family fun, Bingo, raffles, and food.

Quadriga Starlight Tours, Friday, September 12 and Saturday, September 13, Minnesota State Capitol, St. Paul. Ninety-minute tours start on the half hour from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tours of the capitol building conducted by the Minnesota Historical Society. Learn about the beautiful building, meet costumed characters, and top it off with a climb to the golden horses. Tickets required.

Big Truck Day, Saturday, September 13, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Red Field Parking Lot, M Health Fairview Sports Center, 4125 Radio Dr, Woodbury. The first hour will be quiet with no lights and sirens for those with sensory issues. Full lights and sirens and all sorts of helper trucks with their drivers conclude the program. 

5K Walk/Run, Saturday, September 13, 10:30 a.m., Colby Lake Park, 9715 Valley Creek Rd, Woodbury. Sponsored by the Suicide Prevention Collaborative. Resource Fair, DJ, and silent auction. Dogs welcome.

833 School Board Candidates Forum, Wednesday, September 17, Sponsored by the League of Women Voters Woodbury and Cottage Grove Area. The forum is virtual and can be seen on these channels: Channel 18,HD Channel 859 on Comcast, and TrueLens Community Media YouTube Channel.

Senate District 47 Candidates Forum, Thursday, September 18, sponsored by the League of Women Voters Woodbury and Cottage Grove Area. The forum is virtual and can be seen on these channels: Channel 18,HD Channel 859 on Comcast, and TrueLens Community Media YouTube Channel.