Summer goes by too fast in the city. While its officially beginning is in late June, the season seems to really kick off with the July 4th holiday. Afterward, summer quickly moves forward with a flurry of July activity occurring throughout the city—capped off by the 10-day Minneapolis Aquatennial celebration.
With the Aquatennial in the rearview mirror, the last full month of summer is upon us. While without much of the fanfare of last month’s high-profile events, August holds its own promise for summer enjoyment—including everyday options for seasonal fun that may have been overlooked before now.
See music outside. Outdoor concerts are a staple of summer and, fortunately, there are many opportunities to catch live music around the Northside in August. The Live on the Drive series concludes it’s season on August 14 with a performance by Bomba De Luz, an ascending Twin Cities band that has been profiled on NPR and 89.3 The Current. There are lots of band’s playing during Music in the Heart of Victory at the Warren (see pages 4 and 12). The Mobile Jazz Project brings free concerts to locals throughout the Northside in August, including performances at Theodore Wirth Park (August 13), Harrison Park (August 20) and Folwell Park (August 27). Tres Mundos, a local group fusing Cuban rumba and Latin Jazz, will perform at Sumner Library (August 9). Many additional outdoor concerts can be found in community listings.
Catch an outdoor movie. Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board is offering a summer-long series of film events around the city, including showings at various locales on the Northside. Projected on a giant inflatable screen, films are shown at dusk in various parks. This month’s offerings include a showing of Man of Steel at Harrison Park, Psycho at Victory Memorial Drive and 34th Avenue North (part of the Live on the Drive series) and Ghostbusters at Victory Park. For info on movies all over the city check minneapolisparks.org.
Get fresh produce from a farmer’s market. Little is more satisfying than getting fresh veggies at a local market and making up with a special culinary concoction for loved ones. There are two great options for produce in North Minneapolis: The Camden Farmers Market is open at 4400 Osseo Road on Thursdays from 3-7 p.m. and the McKinley Farmers Market sells vegetables on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 3300 Lyndale. Regardless of which market you choose, you’ll find the fresh fare from local farmers as well as special events. Providing access to fall’s bounty, the markets are open thru September.
Go for a walk or bike ride in the park. North Minneapolis features access to some of the city’s most impressive parks. Theodore Wirth Park is the largest in Minneapolis with 759 acres of green space. Miles of paved paths and off-road trails for hiking and biking provide opportunities to keep fit while appreciating the area’s beauty. Highlights in this regard include a quaking bog and the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary. North Mississippi Regional Park also features many trails for exercise and enjoyment. Providing access to our region’s most precious natural resource, the park offers access points down to the Mississippi’s banks for summer afternoon reading, picnicking and fishing. Both Theodore Wirth and North Mississippi Regional parks have trail connections to all of the other smaller parks throughout the community.
Take the family to the pool. On a hot August day, hitting the water is often the best way to stay cool. While the new Webber Park pool won’t open until next year, other opportunities to cool off are available. The newly opened North Commons Water Park (1701 Golden Valley Road) features three-story loop water slides and a wading pool for small children. Wading pools can also be found at Shingle Creek, Bethune, Bohanon, Jordan, Harrison, Hall, Farview, Cleveland, North Mississippi, Willard and Victory parks. Theodore Wirth Lake Beach, which features a designated swimming area, enables park-goers of all ages to enjoy the water.
Regardless of what options for fun you choose to take advantage of August’s warm temperatures, make time to enjoy the outdoors this month. Before you know it, it’s back to school time and quickly shortening days—these summer days only memories.