Enjoy an assortment of organic food, vegetables, crafts, fruits and local specialties.
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We have several new vendors that you will enjoy meeting and trying their products:
Applecrest Apple Orchards; Dawn & Bob Gilbert garden; The Sunshine Barkery; Log House Sugar Bush Maple Syrup; Community Homestead; Infusion Gardens; Kuhn Family Poultry, farm fresh eggs, St. Croix Mushrooms, Willows Coffee, Vue’s produce & Flowers; Paula Madrina’s, Argentinean Sweet Treats; Strong Heart Farms; Paul Edgerton Knife Sharpening ; Czech Sisters baked and canned foods, Face Punch hot sauce, Chowe Empanadas, Blu Lu hot sauce, Soapy Toad soaps, Tumulty Honey, Willow”s Coffee
Fourth of July fireworks are back in downtown Minneapolis!
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Enjoy a full day of activities and end the day with a breathtaking fireworks display, lighting up the Minneapolis skyline and riverfront in a show of color, sparkle, and celebration.
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🎉Day-to-Night Lineup of Fun
Celebrate all day long with free fitness, family-friendly fun, dance sessions, shopping, music, and more. Here’s what’s in store:
🧘♀️ Morning Movement 10:30 am – Yoga with Bouldering Project
Start your day grounded and energized with a free outdoor yoga session.
🛍️ Local Shopping 10 am-4 pm:Minneapolis Park Market
Browse 20+ local makers, including handmade ceramics, jewelry, pet treats, and kid-run businesses.
🏓 Pickleball on the Parkway 3:30-8:30 pm: Open Play
Grab a paddle and join the action—no registration needed!
💃 Evening Dance Sessions 5:30-6:30 pm:Line Dancing with Deena 6:45-7:45 pm:K-Pop Random Dance Play 8:00-9:00 pm:Zumba Dance Jam
Whether you’re two-stepping or popping and locking, there’s a dance floor with your name on it.
🎧 DJ Dance Party 9:00–10:00 pm: Keep the energy up before the fireworks with a high-energy dance party set by our live DJ.
🌮 Food Trucks
Twelve diverse food trucks will be serving up delicious eats all day long—come hungry
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Red, White, and Boom | July 4, 2024
🎆 Fireworks Over the Mississippi | 10:00 pm
End the day with a breathtaking fireworks display, lighting up the Minneapolis skyline and riverfront in a show of color, sparkle, and celebration.
In the 18th and 19th century, hair art was displayed on walls in the same way that families hang photographs today.
Dan Gunderson | MPR News
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Minnesota artist weaves human hair into wearable art, reviving an ancient craft!
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Karen Keenan holds a bracelet made of human hair on May 16th at the North Folk School in Grand Marais, Mn. Keenan trying to revive the centuries old art of using human hair to make jewelry and works to display.
Dan Gunderson | MPR News
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Karen Keenan is on a mission to revive the centuries-old art of making jewelry from human hair. But first she needs to overcome the ick factor.
“I have gotten anything from ‘Oh, that’s disgusting,’ to ‘Oh, that’s creepy,’ to ‘Yuck,’” Keenan said when she pitches people on the history of hair art. “And then they say, ‘Huh.’ You can almost see the change happening in them. And then they say, ‘This is very interesting.’”
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Strands of hair are divided for weaving.
Dan Gunderson | MPR News
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Keenan’s well-grounded in the craft, known as hairwork. Her mother kept a brooch of hair as a family heirloom. Combing through her family history a decade ago, Keenan discovered she came from a long line of hairworkers from Våmhus, a village in central Sweden.
In 2018 she traveled to Sweden on an American Scandinavian Foundation fellowship to learn the old ways. Now she teaches them at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais.
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‘Making beautiful things’
During a recent class, Keenan showed how to attach strands of hair to a weight called a bobbin that looks like a big fishing sinker. She uses horsehair to introduce the technique to students because it’s thicker than human hair.
The strands are stretched across a hair table 9 inches across with a hole in the middle. It looks like a big bagel on legs. Each strand holds a bobbin on one end and attaches to a counter weight in the center of the hair table.
“Eight strands of five hairs each,” explained Keenan. “And then it’s a matter of weaving.” The braids can be hollow with wire inserted to hold shapes, cord like or flat.
Counting hairs can be tedious, says hairworker Karen Keenan. But she loves the process of braiding the strands, calling it “meditative.”
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Counting hairs can be tedious, says hairworker Karen Keenan. But she loves the process of braiding the strands, calling it “meditative.”
Dan Gunderson | MPR News
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Keenan’s taught more than 100 students, typically classes of five or six. Many come with a strong interest in folk art and a desire to connect to the past.
Katrina Haugen works at a curiosity and oddity store called Twelve Vultures in Minneapolis.
The self described “morbidly curious human being” was intrigued by the traditional use of hair jewelry as memento mori, or mourning jewelry.
“I’m wanting to kind of reintroduce that to people and offer it, maybe hopefully even modernize it, or just revitalize and bring it back and show it the respect that it deserves,” said Haugen.
Dawn Sahouani, a fiber artist and retired teacher from Hastings, said she wanted to learn another art tied to her Nordic culture. She was surprised to learn the practice is common in many cultures.
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(L-R) Pocket Miller, Katrina Haugen, Britta Keenan and Dawn Sahouani watch instructor Karen Keenan during a hair work class May 16, at the North Folk School in Grand Marais, Minn.
Dan Gunderson | MPR News
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“To find out that Japanese culture and other places have this sort of tradition of making beautiful things out of human hair is really interesting to me, how universal it is,” she said.
Sienna Nesser, who lives just down the shore in Two Harbors, said she’d been interested in hairwork since college. She has a collection of hair jewelry her grandmother purchased over the years. She heard about Keenan’s classes three years ago, “and I thought, no way! I can finally learn how to do it myself.”
Nesser kept coming back and now helps Keenan as a class assistant.
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‘A very precious thing’
Human hair is considered sacred in many cultures, Keenan said. When northern European immigrants came to the United States they often brought hair jewelry. A man might carry a watch fob made of his mother’s hair, knowing he would never see her alive again.
Women wore brooches or necklaces made of hair. Hair art hung on the walls of many immigrant homes.
“People were very sentimental about their loved ones and they had very few ways to remember them. Pictures were very expensive and these were poor people,” she said. Immigrants couldn’t bring much to the new country but hair was light and “a very precious thing.”
In the 1700s and 1800s, hair jewelry was a respected art form. British Queen Victoria was a big booster. Keenan learned that hairworkers from Våmhus would sometimes travel to London to create art.
Keenan, 74, remains a working potter. But the discovery of her grandfather’s roots in Våmhus and the village’s 200-year-old tradition of hairwork led her to want to keep the practice alive. Her daughter Britta is learning the craft now.
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Hanks of human hair to be used during a hairwork class at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais.
Dan Gunderson | MPR News
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Counting hairs can be tedious. It requires precision and attention. But Keenan said she loves the process of braiding the strands.
“It can be a meditative thing,” she said. “Sometimes when I’m making jewelry for a friend, I’m thinking about our relationship. So, there’s a very strong connection.”
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Karen Keenan watches her daughter Britta during a class at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais.
Photograph by Inez & Vinnodh, styled by Katie Grand
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From the feathered look of the ’70s shag to the bouncy, brushed-out blowouts that ruled the ’90s, vintage hairstyles are taking over FYPs and salons alike.
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Beauty:These throwback looks aren’t just back—they’re getting millions of views, modern updates, and (most impressively) the Gen Z stamp of approval. Below, we spoke to hairstylists to learn about how these legendary styles are being reimagined with a fresh twist. Get ready to screenshot, save, and maybe even raid your aunt’s stash of old hair rollers.
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’70s Shag
According to Eric Vaughn, hairstylist and Amika stylist collective member, the ’70s shag is defined by choppy, feathered layers starting high at the crown, creating volume and movement throughout the hair, he says. This look is ideal for those with wavy hair, as the layers combined with the waves creates that effortlessly tousled, lived-in feel that’s synonymous with the look.
To modernize the ’70s shag, Vaughn recommends giving a more blended feel to the layers. For wavy hair, start by scrunching the Amika Curl Corps Defining Cream into the hair and diffusing to add texture and definition, says Vaughn. If your hair is on the straighter side, add in a blowout spray to enhance body and create more volume. Finally, keep in mind that while a shag can add movement, too many layers on fine hair can do the opposite, so be careful not to overdo it.
Amika Curl Corps Curl Defining Cream
$30
See on Sephora
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Bardot Bump
“The Bardot bump is a classic style with a lot of volume at the crown and flatter pieces around the face,” explains Christina Marie, a master colorist and hairstylist based in Los Angeles. “I think volume at the crown will always be in style, but for a modernized look, less volume would be more on-trend.”
To get the look, take even sections at the crown, spritz on a stronghold hairspray (like the Color Wow Texas Hold ’Em Big Hold Hairspray), and gently begin to backcomb. “A good tip for an even amount of volume is counting each time you’re backcombing so every section has the same amount of volume,” says Marie. You can also play up the style—pair the bump with a ponytail, waves, curls, or a fun headband.
Color Wow Texas Hold ‘Em Big Hold Hairspray
$30
See on Sephora
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Curtain Bangs
Curtain bangs first found fame in the ’60s and ’70s with icons like Brigitte Bardot rocking the look, but their resurgence today feels entirely fresh. “Curtain bangs of the past generally blended into the rest of the layers and almost always used a center part,” says Michael Dueñas, celebrity hairstylist and cofounder of AROVE. “The curtain bangs of today tend to be a bit heavier, have a disconnection from the rest of the cut, and play with the person’s natural part.”
Starting on damp hair, wrap the hair underneath a round brush (Dueñas prefers a metal round brush for straighter textures since it adds more curl; coarser textures should use a boar bristle, because it helps to smooth). “Once the bangs are 95 percent dry, roll them up tight to your scalp so that the round brush sits at the top of the head like a hot roller. Heat it up until the hair is dry, then once it’s cool, unroll and rake your fingers through it, combing down toward your face. The ends will naturally kick back out of the way, and your bangs will drape nicely over your forehead and cheekbones,” says Dueñas.
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’90s Supermodel Blowout
Big, bouncy, and impeccably glossy, the ’90s supermodel blowout was the crown jewel of the decade and still remains popular today. “This style’s landmark features are the face-framing layers, brushed-out soft curls, and glossy, healthy shine,” says Vaughn. The ’90s blowout is a style that’ll always be on-trend, but if you’re looking to reimagine it for today, try pairing it with a modern, on-trend hair color.
To achieve the look, start by prepping the hair with a blowout cream (like Unite’s 7seconds Blowout Creme) to lock in moisture and extend the life of the blowout. Then, use high tension and a blowdryer to create maximum volume. Finish off with the Redken Naked Gloss Lightweight Shine Oil for mirror-like shine and frizz control.
Unite 7 Seconds Blowout Crème
$36
See on Unite Hair
Redken Naked Gloss Lightweight Shine Oil
$45
See on Ulta
Don’t fret if your hair leans fine—Vaughn says that if that’s the case, the right haircut is everything. “A blunt perimeter with long layers and a face frame is key,” he says. You can also play around with Velcro rollers—after blow-drying each section, wrap the hair around the roller while the hair is still warm, and let it cool in this position before releasing.
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Flipped Lob
The flipped lob—which Dueñas describes as having slightly shorter layers on top and flipped out ends around the perimeter of the hair—has become popular again because of how low-maintenance it is. “It can grow to and past the shoulders and still keep the exact same shape,” says Dueñas. To create that clean shape of a lob, ask your stylist to keep the tension light and work with horizontal sections when cutting.
This look is all about keeping things smoothed and polished. For in-shower prep, work in a nourishing hair treatment like the Wella Ultimate Smooth Hair Mask to revive dull, damaged strands. Then, use a blowdryer to curl the ends up and out. To further create a soft bend, take a flat iron to the ends, twisting them away from your face in quick, outward flicks. Pair with a center part or tucked behind one ear.
Wella Professionals Ultimate Smooth Hair Mask
$72
See on Ulta
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French Bob
Unlike a classic bob, the French bob typically has volume at the sides, lands above the chin line in length, and more often than not incorporates a fringe, says Marie. To modernize the style, skip the ultra-precise lines and ask for soft, slightly textured ends instead. Adding slight layers or internal shaping can help add natural movement to the style. Also, Marie says you can go for a slightly longer variation of the cut that ends at the chin or slightly below.
When it comes to styling, embrace air-dried waves or use a flat iron to bend small sections for a tousled finish. Finish off with a texture spray—Marie recommends the Kenra Design Spray 9—for enhanced definition.
Camping at Moose Lake State Park in Moose Lake, MN. (Alex Kormann/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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One increasingly popular amenity: pickleball courts.
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From the rise of farm camping to the lure of pickleball, several national camping trends are worth watching on Minnesota’s outdoors scene.
The Dyrt, a popular campsite review and booking app, issued its 2025 report this week. The platform surveyed more than 6,000 of its 30 million users, U.S. residents, and government-run and private campground managers.
Farm campers aside, Dyrt owner Kevin Long said an interesting result of the report is that 80% of respondents camped the same volume or more in 2024. Long and his wife, Sarah Smith, both former Minnesotans, own and run The Dyrt.
“Once again, camping is definitely showing it’s inflation-proof,” he said. “It was a rough, rocky year with inflation, interest rates, and politically. Camping is not taking a hit.”
Minnesotans, perhaps, can take some credit. The Midwest region had the highest percentage of residents who took children camping.
Here are five other takeaways from the report:
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‘Farm campers’ are words with traction
Campers are looking to set up on farms. One in seven reserved space on a farm last year, a 3% increase since 2019. Amid the rise, the report said more than half of all farm campers prefer to anchor in recreational vehicles. Farm campers also are more likely overall to camp in winter and go solo.
Long said farm visitors are likely returning customers who possess the equipment, They might also seek a different experience, like touring working land.
A Hipcamp spokesperson said the campsite reservation platform has had a 47% increase in farm stays in the past two years. There are 7,500 farm camps on the site, including more than 60 in Minnesota. One highly rated is Gilles Family Dairy & Woodland in Houston, in Minnesota’s bluff country. The dairy promotes its secluded campsites, wildlife and winding trails on 100 acres.
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Have pickleball, will travel
What comes to mind when you think of campground amenities? Electrical hookups? Wi-Fi? A new trail? Pickleball was the top new feature in 2024, with 17% of private campgrounds adding courts.
The Minnesota Pickleball Association supports weekend tournaments that routinely draw 300 players or more. Association president Andrew Trentor fielded inquiries from travelers in search of campgrounds around the Midwest where they can set up and get out the rackets.
“I’m not surprised at all,” said Trentor of the rise of courts at campgrounds. “People build it into their vacation or travel plans.”
Like him: Trentor intentionally sought out resorts with courts for his honeymoon two years ago.
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Solo is in
Of all trips, solo outings increased for the third consecutive year. The preferred means: tent, followed by RV and camper van. Why? The majority cite the solitude, while more than half said they got out alone because friends and family were unavailable.
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Mixed signals for glamping
Glamping, aka camping with well-appointed amenities, has come down from its 2022 peak. Cost could partly explain the dip, as well as travel slowing to pre-pandemic activity. A little more than 4% of campers went glamping in 2024, a 9% drop from 2023.
Conversely, Hipcamp predicts families watching their pennies will drive glamping this year, doubling their bookings from 2024. Sauna experiences are also a growing incentive. Another glamping trend: It is the type of camping overall with the most availability.
Glamping might be mixed nationally, but winter availability and Minnesotans’ general spirit for recreation seem to be an advantage in this state.
Kelsey Braun and Chris Austin said marketing for winter is fundamental for their Cuyuna Cove cabins near the state recreation area in Crosby and their newest property in Tofte.
“We pick our locations because of the location year-round,” Braun said.
Word-of-mouth and return customers also have helped business at an overall challenging time of the year in the state’s hospitality industry. Braun said collaborating with other businesses that, for example, run dog sled tours or crank up saunas has helped, too.
“It’s really cool in these small towns, we’ve learned,” she added.
The couple is more interested in producing distinctive, customized cabins — however the experience is defined in the camping realm — that overlap with customers’ desire for recreation.
Tofte Trails Cabins opened in September of 2023: Five cabins built with reclaimed wood from a 140-year-old barn on 17 acres.
One of five Tofte Trails cabin. The property opened in September of 2023. (Hans Isaacson)
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While they anticipate more glamping-type properties like theirs on the landscape, Austin added that small operations should remain in a rewarding but challenging sweet spot of expense vs. return.
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Fewer campers are no-shows
On an upbeat note, no-shows and cancellations decreased by nearly 17% in 2024, meaning more sites were available. More than 70% of campers said they used all their reservations last year.
Campers with reservations at Minnesota state parks receive 15- and three-day communications ahead of their stays. The notifications rolled out systemwide last year to help stem no-shows. A state parks and trails spokesperson said the numbers of canceled reservations and modified reservations have been steady the past three years.
