Excelsior sleepaway camp begins its 99th season
It’s summer camp season and one located in the west metro is in its 99th season. Camp Fire Minnesota in Excelsior opened up in 1924 as an all-girls camp. Today it’s inclusive to all young people. The camp is located on the shores of Lake Minnewashta and offers both day camp and sleepaway options. While there have been many updates and renovations to the buildings, camp life hasn’t changed that much, even in the age of technology. There are no cellphones at camp, which the counselors-in-training say is a challenge. Instead they dive into books and make plenty of friendship bracelets.
What's in store at local farmer's markets
FOX 9 Garden Guy Dale K shares what's currently at the local farmer's markets
Jersey Boys at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre
Some of your favorite juke box tunes are coming to the stage at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. Jersey Boys follows the evolution of four blue-collar kids who became one of the greatest names in pop-music history. The show runs through February 24th.
Snake Discovery Center opens in Maplewood
With nearly three million subscribers, Emily Roberts is a hit on YouTube. She creates educational videos about her reptiles at the Snake Discovery Center in Maplewood. Most of her creatures are rescues. There’s a pair of Boa Constrictors who survived a house fire, and an alligator who spent 27 years in an enclosure that was too small, stunting her growth. Emily’s videos took off in the pandemic and the revenue from that allowed her to build the Snake Discovery Center. Her most popular videos are of baby snakes hatching. In fact, one of her hognose snakes just laid 24 eggs. Starting in July the center will be open seven days a week. Guided tours are available at no additional cost at 12pm, 2pm, 4pm and 6pm.
Swifties gear up for Eras Tour in Minneapolis
Taylor Swift Fans in Minneapolis are gearing up ahead of the first Eras Tour show at U.S. Bank Stadium Friday night. FOX 9 met one dedicated mom who flew in from St. Louis to be first in line for the merchandise tent.
Taylor Swift Eras Tour tips
FOX 9's Digital Marketing Lead and resident Swiftie, Addy Van Pelt, stopped by Good Day to break down everything you need to know for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour.
Cats of the Wedge Tour...touring the cats of the Wedge
Don’t be alarmed if you see large groups of people wandering the Wedge Neighborhood in Minneapolis looking in windows, they just want to see your cats. After a year hiatus, the Cats of the Wedge Tour is back. Wedge resident John Edwards started the popular event seven years ago. He got the idea after many walks admiring the architecture and noticing a sizeable volume of cats in the windows. Even though he’s more of a dog guy and doesn’t own a cat, Edwards started snapping pics for his Wedge Live Instagram account and the rest is history. The Cat Tour begins at 6pm on June 21st. The meeting location is Mueller Park at 25th and Bryant Ave South.
Celebrating Juneteenth in the Twin Cities
Monday marks Juneteenth, and there are events planned for across the Twin Cities.
Mirage Performing Arts debuts new show
A Twin Cities based group of performance artists known for putting on innovative shows in unconventional locations is debuting a new piece called Two by Two. The show from Mirage Performing Arts involves creative choreography for the dancers and musicians. The name of the show is meaningful as it will take place on two nights with two dancers and two pianists. Tickets are available on the EventBrite website. DATES: June 20th at 7:00pm June 21st at 7:00pm LOCATION: Antonello Hall MacPhail Center for Music
St. Paul backyard: the unlikely spot for concerts
The Grand Oak Opry in St. Paul is kicking off another summer of concerts. The unique venue is in a backyard in the West Seventh neighborhood set under a large oak tree. The homeowners, Sean Kershaw and Tim Hawkins love live music and wanted to find a way to support local musicians. The concert series began eight years ago. They’ve added on to their house to accommodate the concerts adding another bathroom and a green room. Though payment isn’t required they do ask for a $15 donation and 100% of the proceeds go to the band. The shows are open to anyone, not just neighbors. Doors open at 7 p.m., shows start at 8 p.m. Here’s the lineup for the summer: June 17: Mike Kota July 1: Mayydda July 22: Peter Goggin Quintet Aug. 19: Rogue Valley Aug. 26: Johnny Sincerely Orchestra Sept. 2: Lady Midnight
Human performance lab opens in Edina
A new high-tech lab for physiological testing has moved into 50th and France in Edina. It offers the type of testing that professional athletes utilize to everyone, whether you’re an athlete or not. Human Powered Health measures an individual’s unique health and performance and comes up with a comprehensive approach based on the findings. The team is already planning an expansion to Boston and opening a 2nd location in Edina at 70th and France.
One-of-a-kind art collection on display in Shoreview
The Highlights of a massive private collection of modern and contemporary art is on display at the Cafesjian Art Trust Gallery in Shoreview. At the time of his death, Gerard Cafesjian had 3,000 pieces in his collection, including glass art designed by Pablo Picasso. The new ‘Highlights’ exhibit will run through Oct. 14. The gallery is free and open to the public Thursday to Saturday, but you do need to have a reservation.
Nation's largest vinyl conference in Minneapolis
The vinyl industry is making a comeback, and the new surge of business brings new challenges. The owners of Electric Fetus, Jim and Dawn Novak stopped by Fox 9 Good Day to chat about some of the struggles and the triumphs.
MN State Fair malt flavors: Voting is open
It's time to weigh in on an important vote ahead of the Minnesota State Fair. Midwest Dairy is hosting their Flavor of the Fair competition. There are three new malt flavors: Cookie Time, Cheers for Cherries, and Churro Your Way. Voting runs through June 30th. The winner will make it on the menu at the fair later this summer.
Pickleball gym opens in Shakopee
Two friends who wanted to be able to play pickleball year-round have opened Dropshot Pickleball in Shakopee. It’s located just off Highway 169 and Old Brickyard Road in the Shakopee Town Square Mall. The space was once a grocery store and Jo-Ann Fabrics, but now it is 28,000 square feet of pickball courts and space to socialize. There are 8 courts, 1 instructor court, and there will eventually be a pro shop and outdoor courts. Dropshot will use CourtReserve to book courts and leagues will start up after July 4th, no membership needed.
Wedding season etiquette
From what to wear to what to buy, etiquette expert and coach Juliet Mitchell shares advice on how to avoid some of the common pitfalls during the busy summer wedding season.
Stone Arch Bridge Festival in Minneapolis
More than 200 artists and vendors will be lining the riverbank in Minneapolis for the Stone Arch Bridge Festival. Event director Sara Collins joined the Fox 9 Morning News with a glimpse of some of the fun items you can find at the event.
Oak Station Coffee & Cone in Freeport : Fox 9 Townball Tour
FOX 9's Se Kwon visited Oak Station Coffee & Cone in Freeport ahead of the Town Ball Tour stop on Wednesday night. Se spoke with the owner of the shop and tried her hand at scooping ice cream.
French bakery brings taste of Paris to MN
After training among the best in Paris, Marc Heu brought his delicate desserts and pastry creations to St. Paul. He and his wife initially opened a shop in the Frogtown neighborhood in 2019, but they needed more space and recently moved into a new storefront. Marc Heu Patisserie Paris is now located at 156 Dale St. North. The new café has more seating and will have patio seating soon. It’s open Monday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Minnesota Children's Museum: Get messy this summer
Explore emotions and mud at two new experiences inside the Minnesota Children’s Museum in St. Paul. First, "Emotions at Play with Pixar’s Inside Out" is open now in the Special Exhibits Gallery on the fourth floor of the museum. The exhibit is filled with interactive experiences to help people understand the important role emotions, memory and imagination play in our lives. The other new experience is set up in the backyard area and it’s called the Mud Zone. It contains three areas for messy fun including a mud launcher and mud pie kitchen. The museum has cleaning stations and smocks, but suggests caregivers plan ahead and bring a change of clothes for Mud Zone participants. The museum opens at 9 a.m. daily.