Saint Paul is Ready for the Summer Festival & Event Season
A diverse collection of festivals is expected to draw nearly one million people to Saint Paul this summer.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2015
Contact:
Adam Johnson, Vice President of Marketing & Communications
C: 651.226.5403 | ajohnson@visitsaintpaul.com
Lisa Huber, Marketing & Media Relations Manager
C: 612.396.3864 | lhuber@visitsaintpaul.com
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Visit Saint Paul, the city’s official tourism bureau, announced a full slate of festivals and events taking place in Saint Paul from May through September. Festivals celebrating food, culture and music will encourage visitors to get outside and enjoy the summer weather. Most festivals are free to attend.
Cinco de Mayo West Side Saint Paul – May 2 (Free) | Caesar Chavez Street
Located on Caesar Chavez from Robert Street to Highway 52 this event features markets, handmade/homegrown goods, a family zone, car truck and bike show, jalapeno eating contest, Mexican call contest, and of course authentic Mexican food.
Attendance: 25,000 | www.cincodemayosaintpaul.com
Minnesota Monthly GrillFest – May 16-17 | CHS Field
Taste your way through your favorite grilled foods and sample summer wines and specialty beers. Test out the hottest grills, gather recipes, and learn how to barbecue like a pro. Get the latest grilling tips at the grilling stage, and listen to local live music at the 89.3 The Current stage. Find special pricing on grills and products that will make you the envy of your neighbors.
www.minnesotamonthly.com/2015-Minnesota-Monthly-Grillfest/
Flints Hills Children’s Festival - May 26-31 | Ordway Center for the Performing Arts & Rice Park
This year’s festival will feature performers from Italy, Scotland, Mexico and Belgium. Tuesday – Friday over 18,000 children are anticipated to see indoor performances and hang out in Rice Park for performances. Tickets will go quickly for the family weekend events.
Attendance: 50,000 | www.fhfestival.org
Grand Old Day – June 7 | Grand Avenue
This year marks the 42nd Annual event and will feature beer gardens with live music, morning parade that will start at 9:30am and run from Dale to Wheeler. Lots of new things this year including the Grand Old Beer Bash at the US Bank lot presented by Beer Dabbler, The Growler Magazine and 89.3 the Current, GO 96.3 at Walgreens showcasing Minnesota artists, new entertainment provided by Valley Fair and Renaissance Festival in the family district, BMX bike demos, Health and Wellness District sponsored by Gillette Children’s Hospital. Making an appearance this year in the Sports District is USA Figure skater Ashley Wagner.
Attendance: 250,000 | www.grandave.com/grand-old-day
Deutsche Tage – June 13-14 | Germanic Institute
Started over 50 years ago as a picnic for bikers, this event has now evolved to feature a Bicyclist Bier Garden – ½ price drinks for anyone who comes on a bike. Both days feature authentic German food, a variety of German beers on tap, and German musicians, dancers, and vendors.
Attendance: 2,000 | gai-mn.org/
GermanFest – June 19-21 | Schmidt Artist Lofts
2nd Annual festival in partnership with the Germanic Institute. This family-friendly event will not be similar to the stereotypical “Oktoberfest” festival. Instead it will be focused on celebrating German culture through food, music, dance, art, education, and other activities.
Attendance: 40,000 | www.germanfestmn.org
Twin Cities Jazz Festival – June 25-27 | Rice Park & Lowertown
Recognized as one of the region’s premier music festivals, the Twin Cities Jazz Festival is a free three-day festival held in and around beautiful Mears Park, Rice Park, as well as at dozens of local clubs throughout Saint Paul. The festival attracts top jazz artists to Saint Paul to share the joy of jazz with thousands of people. Admission remains free due to the support of many generous sponsors and supporters. This year stands to be the biggest year yet with the addition of CHS Field as a venue that will feature none other than Dr. John and the Nite Trippers.
Attendance: 30,000 | www.hotsummerjazz.com
Festa Italiana – July 17-18 | Harriet Island
Started in 2011, by the Italian organization, 20 different authentic Italian restaurants, gondola rides, high-end wine tasting and live music return to Harriet Island for this year’s event.
Attendance: 20,000 | http://festaitalianamn.org
Highland Fest – July 17-19 | Highland Park
Events that are making a return appearance at the 32nd Annual Highland Fest this year include live music, a beer tent, the juried art fair, a petting zoo, wiener dog races, the business fair, inflatable rides and games, the 5k road race and an exciting array of food and beverage vendors.
Attendance: 65,000 | www.highlandfest.com
Rondo Days – July 18 | Rondo Celebration Field
This festival celebrates the thriving and vibrant African American community that was dispersed by the construction of highway 94. Festival includes live music, a parade, dance team competition and great food.
Attendance: 50,000 | http://rondoavenueinc.org
Blues Festival – July 25| Mears Park
The second annual Lowertown Blues Festival brings an exciting lineup of blues musicians to Mears Park for a day of free music on Saturday, July 25th. After a successful inaugural festival last year, 2015 promises more food, more vendors, and more music including Elvin Bishop, Walter Trout, Jimmi and the Band of Souls, and Lisa Wenger.
Attendance: 15,000 | www.lowertownbluesfestival.com/
Irish Fair of Minnesota – August 7-9 | Harriet Island
The nation’s largest free Irish Fair offers attendees an opportunity to celebrate authentic Irish heritage through a multitude of activities such as: step dance, traditional group dance, Gaelic sports, Celtic marketplace, cultural displays, native Irish dogs, traditional tea room, Irish food and drink as well as several local and international bands.
Attendance: 100,000 | www.irishfair.com
Lowertown Guitar Music Festival – August 8 | Mears Park
Unlike other music festivals, which often cater to a specific genre (e.g., jazz, blues), Lowertown Guitar Festival celebrates one of America’s most beloved instruments — guitar — and the diverse artists from coast-to-coast who play it. Last year’s inaugural Lowertown Guitar Festival drew nearly 2,000 attendees to Saint Paul’s vibrant arts district, and this year’s event promises to be even bigger and better.
Attendance: 5,000 |
Summer Beer Dabbler – August 15 – CHS Field
The annual Summer Beer Dabbler is one of the summer’s best beer festivals and this summer will be held in a brand new location at CHS Field in downtown Saint Paul. With craft breweries serving up 100s of beers, live music, gourmet food trucks and vendors, fun games and educational activities, the Summer Beer Dabbler is the perfect festival for long-time craft beer lovers and folks new to the craft beer scene.
Attendance: 5,000 | http://beerdabbler.com
Oktoberfest- September 18-19 | Rice Park
This year’s event will move to Rice Park and feature traditional German food, beer, and music. More details to be announced.
About Visit Saint Paul:
The Saint Paul Convention & Visitors Authority, doing business as Visit Saint Paul, was founded in 1927 as the Saint Paul Convention and Visitors Bureau, making it one of the oldest destination marketing organizations in the United States. The mission of the organization is to generate economic growth for Saint Paul by effectively marketing the RiverCentre campus, Saint Paul and the region as a preferred convention and tourism destination. Visit Saint Paul oversees management of the Saint Paul RiverCentre Convention Center and Legendary Roy Wilkins Auditorium.