Trail TLC, Help Remove Burdock, Tuesday, August 12, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Tamarack Nature Preserve, meeting at the intersection of Shannon Drive and Tamberwood Trail. Join stewards to learn how to identify and remove burdock while exploring the preserve’s unique ecosystem. No experience needed; guidance provided. Wear long pants and sleeves, closed-toed shoes, and bring work gloves, water, and optional tools such as a spade or pruners.
Skoolie Family Fun Night, Wednesday, August 13, 5 p.m, to 6:30 p.m., Royal Oaks Elementary, 7335 Steepleview Rd, Woodbury. Books, games, crafts, and dinner. Last gathering for the summer. Free.
Performances in the Park: Brass Union, Wednesday, August 13, 6:30 p.m., Woodbury Lions Bandshell, Ojibway Park, Woodbury. A concert band for summer entertainment, part of Woodbury’s “Performances in the Park” series. Free.
Cat Video Festival Thursday, August 14, 6:30 p.m., CHS Field, Lowertown St Paul. Cat lovers are welcome to bring their cats to this feline film festival.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Mahtomedi Summer Theater, Thursday, August 14, to Saturday, August 16, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, August 17 at 2 p.m. Musical comedy with the actors playing adolescents and audience members joining in a silly spelling bee.
Special Olympics Minnesota’s Summer Sports Classic, Friday to Sunday, August 15-17, M Health Fairview Sports Center. Volunteer for a shift or come watch Special Olympians compete in softball and bocce ball.
The Sound of Music Presented by Broadway on the St. Croix, Friday to Sunday, August 15-17, 7 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. Lowell Park, 201 Water St, Stillwater. The banks of the St. Croix River will alive with the sounds of the classic musical. Range of ticket prices for this performance under the stars.
Credit Unions Fighting Fraud, Saturday, August 16, 9 a.m. to noon, East Ridge High School, Woodbury. Several credit unions, along with Woodbury Public Safety, partner for a fraud prevention seminar to help attendees learn to prevent and protect against scams. Secure paper shredding and e-waste (old phones, laptops, hard drives) available to help minimize risks. Free but registration suggested to save a spot.
Let’s Make Stuff: Pom Pom Garland, Saturday, August 16, 10 a.m. to noon, R.H. Stafford Library, Woodbury. In this class, each adult participant will create his or her own pom pom garland for a nice touch of home decor using yarn. Registration required.
Summer Block Party, Saturday, August 16, at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Minnesota Children’s Museum. The street in front of the museum will be filled with fun for the whole family. A live D.J. and dancing, a giant blow-up slide, tons of fun games and activities, and more. Free and open to all. Admission to the museum still requires a ticket.
India Fest, Saturday, August 16, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Minnesota State Capitol Grounds, St. Paul. Celebrate India’s Independence Day with food, music, community and Bollywood dancing. Free.
Music in the Trees, Saturday and Sunday, August 16 and 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day at the Belwin Conservancy Education Site in Afton. Music in the Trees features live performances by musicians playing from tree stands 16 feet above the ground, creating an immersive experience in the forest. As attendees explore trails through the red pines, they’ll encounter a mix of acoustic, folk, world, experimental, and spoken-word performances inspired by nature. Tickets are $10-35 per car.
Math and Science Academy 25th Anniversary Picnic, Sunday, August 17, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Glacial Valley Park Building, 9900 Ravine Parkway, Cottage Grove. Join families, alums, and staff for fun, food, and 25 years of MSA memories.
Japanese Obon Festival Sunday, August 17, 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Como Park Marjorie McNeeley Conservatory grounds, 1225 Estabrook Drive St. Paul, Cultural festival including martial arts, music, and food concludes with launching lighted lanterns on the water. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
First Week of School Stillwater Area Schools District 834, Monday, August 19: Grades 6 and 9 start Tuesday, August19: Grades 7-8 and 10-12 start, Thursday August 21: K-5 start.
Let’s Make Stuff: Pom Pom Garland, Tuesday August 19, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., R.H. Stafford Library, Woodbury. In this class, each adult participant will create his or her own pom pom garland for a nice touch of home decor using yarn. Registration required.
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, 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 8:00 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, 6:00 p.m., Angels of Hope Memorial on the grounds of Woodbury City Hall, Loved ones gather to remember and commemorate children who died.
Dog Show Cluster, Thursday August 21 to Sunday August 24, Washington County Fairgrounds, 12300 N 40th St, 12300 N 40th St, St 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, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 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 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, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 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 6:00 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, 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 August 26
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, 5:00 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 10:00 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, Free admission to all county parks. Tuesday September 2.
Immunization Clinic Thursday September 4, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Government Service Center, 1261 Woodlane Dr, Low-cost immunizations for uninsured or under-insured children and adults. Appointment required.
Washington County Bluegrass Festival Saturday, September 6, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 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. Multiple distances for competitors of all ages and abilities. Benefits Family Achievement Foundation. Register by August 12 to guarantee a shirt.
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, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Northern Taphouse, 7325 Currell Blvd, Dining and great company with 10% of all purchases including dine-in and take-out—donated to support MOCA’s ovarian cancer research, support, education and awareness efforts.
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.
Begins 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.
