ST. CLOUD – It’s been nearly four years since Minnesotans passed the Land and Legacy Amendment.  Since then, millions of dollars have been collected for arts programs and the outdoors across the state.

Explore Minnesota – along with other organizations – are featuring some of those projects with five Legacy Destination Weekends in various communities.  This coming weekend is St. Cloud’s turn to be highlighted.

From Thursday through Sunday there will be a number of events held, most thanks in part to funding from the Legacy Amendment.

Check out the list of activities and events scheduled:

Thursday, July 19  

Sunset Stages at the College of St. Benedict ~ Featuring Kevin Kling

Free Event! 7:30 pm
Darnall Outdoor Amphitheatre
College of St Benedict 37 South College Ave St Joseph, MN (320)363-5777
Kevin Kling, best known for his popular commentaries on National Public Radio’s All Things Considered and his storytelling stage shows like Tales from the Charred Underbelly of the Yule Log, delivers hilarious, often tender stories. For this show, Kevin will perform three of his original stories: “Softball (Odysseus)”, “My Brother’s Bachelor Party” and “Grace”. Rain or Shine

Thursday, July 19 – Saturday, July 21  

Pioneer Place on Fifth Theatre Presents “Chicago”

7:30 pm  $16 senior/students; $19 adults
Tickets available at www.ppfive.com or call 320-203-0331
22 5th Avenue South St. Cloud, MN 
Curtain Call Community Theater presents the hit musical Chicago.

“Flashback to 1968 Exhibition” Presented by St. Cloud Great River Regional Library

Free Event! July 19 10:00 am – 9:00 pm, July 20 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, July 21 10:00 am -5:30pm Special Reception Saturday, July 21 2:00 pm – 5:30 pm 1300 West St Germain Street, St. Cloud, MN  (320)650-2500 www.griver.org
Experience what it was like being a teenager in MN during the turbulent 60s through the stories of those that lived it. Please join us at the St. Cloud Library for a reception for the Flashback to 1968 exhibit provided through partnership with the Minnesota History Center.

Friday, July 20 – Sunday, July 22  

GREAT Theatre Presents “Broadway in the Park”

Free Event!
July 20 & 21 7:30 pm Stearns History Museum
235 South 33rd Ave St. Cloud, MN
July 22 3:00 pm Munsinger Gardens
Riverside Drive SE St. Cloud, MN
(320)258-2787 www.greattheatre.org
The Great River Educational Arts Theatre (GREAT THEATRE) performs a Broadway Musical Revue featuring the songs from classic Broadway hits like Mame, 42nd Street and My Fair Lady to today’s most popular songs from Wicked, Les Miserables and Newsies. Over 30 community performers with a live band will be performing this family friendly event. Rain or Shine

Saturday, July 21  

Stearns History Museum – Free Day!

10:00 am to 5:00 pm
235 South 33rd Avenue St. Cloud, MN
(320)253-8424 www.stearns-museum.org
Visit the Stearns History Museum with two floors of exhibits, a children’s play room, Research Center for genealogy, and a Museum Store. Hike the 4 miles of walking trails, enjoy the wildlife and watch the skateboarders at Heritage Park. The Museum is located in the center of the park.

Quarry Park and Nature Preserve – Free Day!

Park Hours 8:00 am – Sunset
1802 Co. Road 137 Waite Park, MN
(320)255-6172 www.co.stearns.mn.us
Quarry Park is a regional park in Greater Minnesota that preserves undisturbed granite bedrock natural communities, but also the remnants of a major quarrying industry. The site contains 21 water filled quarries The park contains a swimming quarry 116 feet deep (no lifeguards present). Trout fishing is available with proper licenses in 7 of the quarries. SCUBA diving (by permit) is allowed in 4 of the quarries. Rock climbing (by permit) is allowed at Quarry 17. Observation decks provide a scenic overview of the site and surrounding area. There are also 2 miles of mountain bike trails within the park.

Paramount Theatre Visual Arts Center Open House

Free Event! 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
913 West St Germain Street, St Cloud, MN
(320)257-3129 www.paramountarts.org
Located in the lower level of Downtown St. Cloud’s historic Paramount Theatre. Enjoy a variety of free artist demonstrations and hands-on activities for all ages.

Sunday, July 22  

St. Cloud Short Film Showcase hosted by Pioneer Place on Fifth Theatre

Free Event! 7:00 pm
22 5th Avenue South St. Cloud, MN
(320)203-0331 www.ppfive.com
Enjoy a showing of 15-20 short films made by Minnesotan filmmakers. This event is a prelude to the St Cloud Film Festival taking place over 3 days in September 2012.


Other Legacy Funded Activites ~ Check Out Anytime ~ FREE! 

St. Cloud Riverwalk Self-Guided History Tour

The “Preserving St. Cloud” History Tours will take you back to a simpler time in St. Cloud when front porches were used to greet neighbors and horse drawn carriages were the primary mode of transportation in downtown.  This educational tour explores sixteen interesting landmarks along the Mississippi River. Taking the tour is fun and easy! Download to your personal mp3 player through iTunes, view online at the City of St. Cloud’s website www.ci.stcloud.mn.us, view online on YouTube, or check out an mp3 player at St. Cloud City Hall.

St. Cloud River Bluffs Regional Park

The River Bluffs Regional Park is a stunning addition to the St. Cloud parks system and provides new access to the Mississippi River at river mile 919. Directions from I-94 are to exit at Hwy 75 (St. Cloud). Proceed north 0.8miles, turn east on 38th St. S, one block to River Bluffs. There is a picnic area as well as a boat launch. Park hours are from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm.

Other Events (non-legacy funded) 

JULY 18
SummerTime By George! Featuring Collective Unconscious

Free Event! 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Lake George, Downtown St. Cloud
Summertime by George! is a free concert and festival put on by the
Rotary Club of St. Cloud at the newly renovated Lake George! The area will be transformed into a fun and active place every Wednesday with free live music from local and regional bands, local vendors, artisians, and a kid’s zone for the entire family to enjoy! This free 12-week event is  held every Wednesday starting June 13th and running through August 29th.  It will run from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. each night, with the band starting at 6:30 p.m.

JULY 18 & JULY 19
Don Williams at St. Cloud’s Historic Paramount Theatre

July 18 at 7:00 pm & July 19 at 1:30 pm
Tickets $28-$44
913 West St. Germain Street St. Cloud, MN
(320)257-3129 www.paramountarts.org

JULY 19
“Art in the Park” at Munsinger and Clemens Gardens

Free Event! 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Free Art Fair at Munsinger  and Clemens Gardens with an amazing variety of unique artwork for sale from local artists. Enjoy the flowers and music. Food and beverages available. Presented by the  Munsinger Clemens Botanical Society.

GREAT Theatre Presents “Theatre Under the Stars”

7:00pm at Thompsen’s Greenhouse
Tickets $40
29754 156th Avenue St. Joseph, MN
Enjoy a magical evening of Broadway music, wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, raffle and silent auction.

JULY 21
Soul Asylum at St. Cloud’s Historic Paramount Theatre

7:30 pm Tickets $25-$31
913 West St. Germain Street St. Cloud, MN
(320)257-3129 www.paramountarts.org

 

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