Category: events
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Evolution of the Farmers Market
With the farmers market season upon us it seems fitting to dive into their history and evolution over time. The farmers market was not always a leisure activity for a Saturday morning to get some fresh flowers and a bag of vegetables or honey. It also did not happen just once or twice a week,…
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The Origins of Tailgating: A Kickoff to Tradition
As we wrap up labor day weekend, people all across America are done with spending a day standing in a parking lot. Taken out of context it sounds like the strangest possible activity for a Saturday. Who would want to just hang out in a parking lot all day? The idea is made better when…
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Interactive Art Installation Celebrates Immigrant Stories
It was almost a year ago that I wrote about an interesting piece of artwork installed at the Commons Park in downtown Minneapolis. This year I watched during my lunches as a new educational piece of art was assembled in the same location. The winner of the 2018 Creative City Challenge was Carry On Homes,…
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The Legacy of World’s Fairs: Evolution Through Time
In today’s world we race to build enough structures to accommodate the Olympic Games every four years, but back in the 1800’s, cities raced to build buildings for the World’s Fair. The first World’s Fair on record took place in 1851 at the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, London. Subsequent cities to host the fair…
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Saint Paul Winter Carnival
As I have mentioned in past posts, Minnesota is a state that does not let winter affect their ability to have fun outside. A recent example of this is the Saint Paul Winter Festival, which wrapped up its 132nd season yesterday. I attended my first (and only) Winter Carnival two years ago, right after moving…
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Impact of Super Bowl 52 on Minneapolis: A City Planner’s Perspective
Hearing about Super Bowl 52 began months ago for me because I both live and work in the host city. As a city planner the phrase, “it has to be done by the Super Bowl” was heard more times that anyone could count. I luckily had less to do with the planning than some of…
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Lake Harriet Art Shanty’s
During the winter, we get an extra 1,439 acres of land in Minneapolis that is less accessible in the summer months. When our 13 lakes freeze they can be used as extra space to walk your dogs, cross country ski, and fly a kite. The last activity probably seems a little odd, but the Minneapolis…
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Winter Fun: Hollidazzle and Winter Open Streets
I attended Holidazzle for the first time last winter, but missed the excitement and activity because it was early on a Saturday afternoon. This year I went on the Saturday that coincided with the first Winter Open Streets event, drawing quite a large crowd and making the event more active. It was fun walking around…
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Holiday Train: A Festive Journey Across America
One of the benefits of living in a Midwest city that still operates a thriving rail system is the Holiday Train. While not quite the Polar Express, the Holiday Train still draws a large crowd at each stop it makes as it travels across North America. Despite the freezing cold temperatures last year, I was able…
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Little Mekong Night Market
The fourth annual Little Mekong Night Market was held this past weekend. The market is a mix of food, art, music, and cultural performances located in the heart of the Little Mekong District at Western Avenue and University Avenue in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Last year an estimated 18,000 people attended which appeared to have been…
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The Planning Lady 