If your family hasn’t been, you’ve got to go. If you have been, you’ve got to go back — to Rochesterfest 2010 .
The citywide celebration winds down this weekend, offering dozens of fun, family-friendly options along the way. Families can check out an earth-friendly fair, jigsaw puzzle contest, talent show, walking tour, old-fashioned baseball, live music and weiner dog races — all held at various locations throughout the city.
"There's something for everybody," says Carole Brown, Rochesterfest executive director, noting that given the right weather conditions, organizers expect about 150,000 participants over the course of the festival.
One of the big draws on Friday is the Rochesterfest Grand Parade. Starting just east of the Mayo Civic Center, the parade reaches its halfway point at 11th Avenue Southeast before winding its way back downtown. Along the route, families will enjoy the floats, flags, bands, bagpipers, horses, handbell ringers and candy sponsored by local nonprofit organizations, civic clubs and businesses (Boy Scouts, St. John’s Block Party, Paws and Claws, and many more).
"There are 123 entries this year. That’s way up from last year. It’s such a popular parade, everyone wants to be in it," says Brown, adding that a map of the parade route is available online and that the parade will be broadcast live on KTTC.
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Check the website for a complete Rochesterfest schedule of events and for weather-related concerns.
Star of the North
Take a seat in the stands at this weekend’s Star of the North Games. More than 4,000 youth and adult athletes from across the state will participate in baseball, basketball, figure skating, track and field, tennis, volleyball and many more team and individual sports. Events take place in several Rochester indoor and outdoor locations (Eastwood Golf Course, Mayo High School, Quarry Park). A $7 wristband gets family members into all the events. Go online for a schedule of events and locations.
If you go
What: Star of the North games
When: Friday, June 25, through Sunday, June 27
On the web: www.starofthenorthgames.com
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Course work
Sign up now for SEMCIL’s summer classes. Youth ages 16 to 21, with a disability, are invited to participate in a variety of classes (College Organization and Time Management Skills, How to Ride the City Bus, Social/Soft Skills in the Workplace). One-time and ongoing classes are offered in July and August and are free for youth living in Olmsted, Winona, Fillmore and Wabasha counties. Call for a complete list of classes, dates and times.
If you go
What: SEMCIL Summer Transition Classes
Phone: 285-3917
On the web: www.semcil.uhhc.org
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Magic man
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Dr. Bob, professor of reading education, brings magic, juggling and storytelling to the Rochester Public Library's Read! Read! Read! It’s Magic! program on June 30. The program is part of the library’s ongoing Summer Fun program. Offered most Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., the programs are geared toward kids early elementary age and younger.
Free. Upcoming Summer Fun programs include Musical Fun with Tom Pease (July 5), Hans Mayer’s Silly Concert for Kids (July 21) and Ventriloquist Gary Wick (July 28).
If you go
What: Read! Read! Read! It’s Magic!
Where: Rochester Public Library, 101 Second St. S.E.
When: 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 30
Phone: 328-2300
On the web: www.rochesterpubliclibrary.org; www.bobkann.com/StorytellerJuggler.htm
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Supportive environment
NAMI’s Family-to-Family Support Group offers an ongoing opportunity for family members who have a loved one diagnosed with a mental illness. Participation in the peer-facilitated group is free. Parking validated at Mayo.
If you go
What: NAMI Family-to-Family Support Group Meeting
Where: Saint Mary's Hospital, Generose Building, Room M227 (first and third Mondays, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.); NAMI Office, 1700 N. Broadway (second and fourth Wednesdays, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.)
Phone: 287-1692
On the web: www.nami-semn.org
