Highlights this week and weekend include Buffalo Days in Luverne, Northern Spark throughout Minneapolis and St. Paul, Onamia Days in Onamia, Street Faire at the Lakes in Detroit Lakes, and the Boreal Birding & Northern Landscapes Festival at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais.

This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.

Southern Minnesota

The annual Buffalo Days celebration will be held Friday and Saturday, June 3 & 4, throughout the city of Luverne. Featured will be a Friday evening Cruise-in for all vehicles including motorcycles, followed by a rock band and street dance. On Saturday, enjoy a parade, motorcycle rally, waffle feed, live entertainment, the infamous buffalo chip throwing contest, 5K & 10K runs, and Arts In The Park with 110 vendors. And stick around for the Buffalo Days Worship Service at the Historic Palace Theatre on Sunday, June 5. 1-888-283-4061; luvernechamber.com

Wineries along the Great River Road Wine Trail, running along the Mississippi River, will host Local Foods, Local Wines from Friday through Sunday, June 3-5. Enjoy a long weekend of romance and adventure on the Great River Road Wine Trail. Each winery will feature their award-winning wines and ciders paired with an array of local foods designed with gourmet flair. Some wineries will also feature live music by local talent. In Minnesota, visit the wineries at Winona, Red Wing and Cannon Falls. greatriverroadwinetrail.org

A Rhubarb Festival will be offered on Saturday, June 4, at Sylvan Park in Lanesboro. Everyone is invited to taste-test everything rhubarb, including pies, crisps, cakes, soups, chutneys, chili, jams, ketchup, leathers, drinks and more! In addition to free sampling, enjoy Rhubarb Olympics for all ages, the Rhubarb Rant Speaker's Corner, live music and entertainment, prizes, local produce and plants at the Lanesboro Farmers Market, and children's Rhub-Art activities. 1-800-944-2670; RhubarbFestival.org

Lake Winona and Unity Park in Winona will be the site of the Winona-Dakota Connection from sunrise on Saturday, June 4 until sunset on Sunday, June 5. The Dakota Gathering celebrates the growing relationship between the people of Winona and the people of the Dakota Nations. Highlights include youth language & cultural events, a Blended Spiritual service, stage performances, the Bob Bone Native American Moccasin Tournament, Indigenous Nations Arts & Crafts Show, the Dakota History & Cultural Tent, Elder Genealogy Tent, a Wacipi with Grand Entries, Talk Circle, Covenant Ceremony, and Unity Feasts. Camping is available on site. 507/452-2278, 1-800-657-4972; dakotahomecoming.org/g5-bin/client.cgi?G5genie=294

The annual Riverfest celebration will be held Monday, June 6 through Sunday, June 12, in downtown Windom, with ongoing festivities including a grand parade, fireworks display, arts & crafts show, sports events, classic car & tractor show, great food, live entertainment, dance, and more! 1-800-7-WINDOM; winwacc.com/riverfest.htm

Sailboard Beach at Lake Okabena in Worthington will be the site of the annual Windsurfing Regatta & Unvarnished Music Festival, Friday through Sunday, June 10-12. This festival draws people from all over the United States and other countries for World Class Competition Windsurfing and amazing live music by numerous regional acts. In addition, enjoy a sailboard swap meet, windsurfing lessons, a percussion workshop, the Regatta bike ride, great food, and unamplified music jams on the beach at sunset. 1-800-279-2919; worthingtonwindsurfing.com

The Zumbrota Covered Bridge Quick Draw will be held Saturday, June 11, at Zumbrota's Covered Bridge Park, with a 40 artists creating oil, acrylic, pastel and watercolor paintings in just two hours! There will also be a Kids Paint Out event, free wine and cheese, and a free concert. The 40 paintings will be on display through the rest of the month at Crossings, where people may bid on them. 507/732-7616; crossingsatcarnegie.com

Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity

The Cirque du Soleil OVO Big Top Tour will be held under a blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau at the Mall of America's north parking lot in Bloomington, beginning Thursday, May 26 and running through Sunday, June 19. OVO is a colorful ecosystem teeming with life, where insects work, eat, crawl, play, fight and look for love in non-stop movement. The insects’ home is a world of biodiversity and beauty filled with noisy action and moments of quiet emotion. The production is jaw-dropping entertainment for the entire family. 415/274-2552; cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/ovo/tickets/minneapolis.aspx?cid=hadley/ovo/minneapolis/general/exploreminn

The 45th Annual Edina Art Fair will be held Friday through Sunday, June 3-5, at the 50th & France Neighborhood in Edina. This is the second largest art fair in Minnesota, featuring over 340 fine artists and crafters from around Minnesota, the U.S. and Canada. There will also be live music, lifestyle demos, a Kids' Art Zone, food vendors, fashion shows, cooking demos, and more. 952/922-1524; 50thandfrance.com/events.php?event=66

The Wildlife Science Center in Forest Lake will offer its annual Canine Carnival on Saturday, June 4, in a tribute to dogs both wild and domestic, with presentations on the resident wolves, wolf-dog hybrids & foxes. Please check the website for an up-to-date list of presenters and vendors - bring your pet along for the fun! 651/464-3993; wildlifesciencecenter.org

The Flint Hills International Children's Festival Family Weekend will take place Saturday and Sunday, June 4 & 5, at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul. Inside the Ordway, performing artists from around the world will take the stage. In addition, downtown St. Paul will come alive, with free arts activities, arts exhibitions, and performances at parks around the Ordway. 651/282-3000; ordway.org/festival

Northern Spark is a new Minnesota rendition of the popular Nuit Blanche arts events held in other world cities. A full night of interactive arts throughout Minneapolis and Saint Paul takes place from sunset on Saturday, June 4, until sunrise on Sunday, June 5. Experience music, illuminations, interpretative events and other unique experiences in parks, plazas and buildings in both cities' downtowns, riverfront areas and arts districts. Northern Spark will include more than 200 artists are presenting 100 installations and performances for Northern Spark from the top of the Foshay Tower to boat rides along the Mississippi to light sculptures and projections to performances galore, including car horn and brass band fanfares, color guards, river dancing, sewer pipe organs, lullabies, and storytelling. It's worth losing sleep over! http://www.northernspark.org, northernspark.org/wp-content/files_mf/northern_spark_guide_book.pdf

Historic Grand Avenue in St. Paul will be the site of Grand Old Day on Sunday, June 5. This is the largest one-day festival in the entire Midwest, with the Grand Old Day parade, an Entertainment District with nearly 20 local bands, an Art District showcasing regional artists, Family Fun District with inflatables, petting zoo, games, cultural arts performances and Teen Battle of the Bands, a Sporting District highlighting local sports teams and organizations, and over 140 outdoor food and merchandise vendors! 651/699-0029; grandave.com

The 18th Annual Winstock Country Music Festival will be held Thursday through Saturday, June 9-11, at the Winstock Festival Grounds in Winstad, with headliners Jason Aldean and Darius Rucker, as well as many more of country music's top artists. This is one of the Upper Midwest's premier outdoor country music and camping festivals! 1-888-946-7865; winstockfestival.com

The city of Spring Lake Park will hold their annual Tower Days Community Celebration, Thursday through Sunday, June 9-12. Just some of the many highlights include a parade, miniature-golf tournament, all-city garage sale, games, contests, street dances, live entertainment, car show, craft show, food vendors, fireworks and more! 763/742-7201; ci.spring-lake-park.mn.us/TowerDays

And just some of the upcoming concerts and performances include:
The Envision Academy Of The Arts Presents "Broadway Bound" at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, June 2
Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me Tour with Special Guests at the Target Center in Minneapolis, June 4
Brett Dennen: 2011 Loverboy Tour at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis, June 5
The Script at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, June 7
The Moody Blues at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, June 9
Ira Glass at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, June 11
Bill Moyers In Conversation With Garrison Keillor at the Fitzgerald Theater, June 13
The Go Go's Ladies Gone Wild Tour at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater in Apple Valley, June 14
Taylor Swift at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, June 14 & 15
Rihanna: Loud Tour at the Target Center, June 16
Demetri Martin at the Pantages Theatre, June 17
 Florence and the Machine at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, June 17
John Fogerty at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, June 17
Matthew Morrison at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, June 18
The Sexy Liberal Tour with Stephanie Miller, Hal Sparks and John Fugelsang at the Historic State Theatre, June 18
Deep Purple at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, June 19
Krishna Das at the Fitzgerald Theater, June 22
 Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, June 22
Bill Maher at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, June 25
Jethro Tull at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, June 25
Nanci Griffith at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, June 25
Jack's Mannequin at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, June 28
Elvis Costello at Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, June 29
Taj Mahal at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, June 29
Matisyahu & North Mississippi Allstars at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, June 30
The Monkees at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater in Apple Valley, July 1 & 2
Eddie Vedder at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, July 2
The Black Keys at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium at St. Paul RiverCentre, July 3
A Perfect Circle at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium at RiverCentre in St. Paul, July 6
Britney Spears with Nicki Minaj, Jessie & the Toy Boys, and Nervo at the Xcel Energy Center, July 6
Josh Groban: Straight To You Tour at the Target Center, July 8
The Cities 97 Basilica Block Party at the Basilica of St Mary in Minneapolis, July 8 & 9
Katy Perry at the Xcel Energy Center, July 9
Toots and the Maytals at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, July 9
Kid Cudi at the Target Center, July 12
West Side Story - Touring at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, July 12
Indigo Girls at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, July 13
Jennifer Hudson at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, July 15
New Kids On The Block & Backstreet Boys at the Target Center, July 15
The Suburbs at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater in Apple Valley, July 15
Dave Koz at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, July 16
Fleet Foxes at the Historic State Theatre, July 17
Five for Fighting at the Fitzgerald Theater, July 19
WWE Smackdown at the Target Center, July 19
Gillian Welch at the Fitzgerald Theater, July 20
Xtreme Challenge 188: Davila vs. Larson at the Target Center, July 23
Steve Earle And The Dukes at the Pantages Theatre, July 23
Dolly Parton at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, July 27
Journey with special guests Foreigner and Night Ranger at the Xcel Energy Center, July 28
Owl City at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium at St. Paul RiverCentre, July 30
Marc Cohn at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, July 31
The Beach Boys at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, July 31
The Wiggles Big Birthday! at the Historic State Theatre, August 2
Wanda Jackson & Justin Townes Earle at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, August 6
Los Lobos & the Los Lonely Boys at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, August 9
Sade with very special guest John Legend at the Target Center, August 9
ZZ Top at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, August 11
Brandi Carlile at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, August 13
Chris Isaak at the Historic State Theatre, August 13
George Thorogood & the Destroyers at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, August 17
Boyz II Men at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, August 18
Art & All That Jazz Presents The Mike Stern Band Featuring Dave Weckl at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, August 19
Jeremy Messersmith at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, August 19
Return To Forever IV: Zappa Plays Zappa at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, August 24
Gaelic Storm at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, August 25
Reba with special guest Ronnie Dunn at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, August 25
Death Cab for Cutie at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium at the St. Paul RiverCentre, August 26
Def Leppard with Special Guest Heart at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand in St. Paul, August 26
Big Time Rush at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, August 27
The Happy Together Tour: The Turtles, The Association & The Grass Roots at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, August 29
Ke$ha Presents The Get $leazy Tour at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium at St. Paul RiverCentre, August 30
Steely Dan at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, August 30
Toby Keith with special guest Eric Church at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, August 31
Marc Anthony at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, September 1
A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, September 2
Maroon 5 and Train at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, September 5
Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, September 13
Andre Rieu at the Xcel Energy Center, September 16
Ani DiFranco at the Pantages Theatre, September 23
John Oliver at the Pantages Theatre, September 24
Roger Daltrey Performs The Who's Tommy at the Target Center, October 5
Jim Gaffigan at the Historic State Theatre, October 7 & 8
Keith Urban - Get Closer World Tour 2011 at the Target Center, October 15
Joe Bonamassa at the Historic State Theatre, October 25
David Sedaris at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, November 13
For further information on any of these performances or events, please contact Ticketmaster at 651/989-5151, or visit www.ticketmaster.com
Central Minnesota

Herington Park and venues throughout the city of Onamia will be the site of Onamia Days, Friday through Sunday, June 3-5, with a carnival, kid's parade, games, food vendors, beer gardens, sidewalk sales, street dances, grand parade, classic car show, demolition derby, book sales, children's activities, and much more! Onamia is located at the junction of U.S. Hwy 169 and MN State Hwy 27, three miles south of Lake Mille Lacs. 320/532-3202; onamiamn.com

The Minnesota Homegrown Kickoff will be held June 3-5 at El Rancho Manana in Richmond. This three-day outdoor music and camping festival includes stage shows by twenty regional bluegrass, old-time, and related acoustic music groups. In addition, enjoy workshops, food vendors, jam sessions, and camping. 1-800-635-3037; minnesotabluegrass.org

On Sunday, June 5, the city of Little Falls will be the site of numerous Free Family Fun Day Open Houses, at venues such as the Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Museum, Charles A. Lindbergh State Park, Lindbergh Historic Site, Minnesota Fishing Museum, Pine Grove Zoo, and Linden Hill Musser Mansion. In addition, enjoy a Dad's Belgian Waffle Brunch at the Little Falls VFW, a Yard Sale at the Rosenmeier House, a Volunteer Yard Sale and Plant Sale Fundraiser at the Linden Hill Pavilion, and Animal Antics and Escapades - Canine Capers at the Pine Grove Zoo. 1-800-325-5916; LittleFallsMN.com

The Rum River Festival will be held Sunday, June 5 through Sunday, June 12, throughout the city of Princeton, with a Medallion Hunt, Miss Princeton Pageant, city-wide garage sales, a 5K Run, craft fair, children's games, Fly-In Breakfast. and car and model airplane show. 763/389-1676; princetonmnchamber.org/RumRiverFestival.aspx

Minnesota State Fergus Falls Campus will host Rural Arts & Culture Summit 2011 from Wednesday, June 8 through Saturday, June 11 to build cultural capital by connecting rural arts, culture and heritage through education, exchange, critical dialogue and celebration. Just some of the many highlights include keynote speakers, over 40 presentations and panels, films by rural artists, peer roundtables, exhibits, concerts, and tours of area arts and culture organizations. And don't miss the Great American Think-Off on Saturday, June 11, in nearby New York Mills. 218/998-2787; racsummit.org

The 12th Annual Nisswa-Stamman Scandinavian Folk Festival will take place Friday and Saturday, June 10 & 11, at Pioneer Village in Nisswa. This Scandinavian folk music festival includes 130 costumed folk musicians playing the music of Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland, Scandinavian food, a smorgasbord, workshops, dancing and many children's activities in the beautiful wooded setting of the Nisswa Pioneer Village in downtown Nisswa. 218/764-2994; nisswastamman.org

Northwest Minnesota

A Spring Healer's Retreat will be offered at Crow Wing Crest Lodge in Akeley, Friday through Sunday, June 3-5, with continental breakfasts, drum circles, sauna sweats, sunset and morning mist cruises around the lake, aromatherapy classes, on-site massage, healing touch, reflexology, intuitive readings, and myo-facial & cranial sacral work. A variety of lodging options are available. 1-800-279-2754; crowwing.com

Downtown Detroit Lakes will be the site of Street Faire at the Lakes, Friday, June 3 and Saturday, June 4, with six blocks of art, music, entertainment and food. This juried arts and craft show features more than 120 invited artisans from across the country, as well as a variety of food venues and live entertainment. 1-800-542-3992; VisitDetroitLakes.com

The 20th Annual Willie Walleye Day will be held throughout the city of Baudette on Saturday, June 4, with a 5K Run & Walk, craft vendors, food vendors, inflatables for the kids, carnival games, a Health And Wellness Fair, live music, a juggling duo, 18-Hole Golf Scramble, scavenger hunt, bingo, and more! 1-800-382-3474; http://www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com, lakeofthewoodsmn.com/pdfs/ww%20day%20poster_Layout%201.pdf

The city of Hawley will hold the Hawley Rodeo Fest from Saturday, June 4 through Saturday, June 11. Just some of the many highlights include the 11th Annual Breakfast on the Farm at the Western Minnesota Steam Thresher Grounds in nearby Rollag, a kids' pedal tractor pull, Community Cowboy Church and Benefit Horse Show at the Rodeo Grounds, the Little Miss Hawley & Miss Hawley Scholarship Pageants, a health fair, Pitchfork Steak Fondue, Classic Car & Motorcycle Show, a Kiddie Parade, car cruise, and Rodeo Fest Parade. Rodeo Fest concludes with two nights of PRCA Rodeo performances. 218/483-3331; hawley.govoffice.com

143rd Annual White Earth Pow Wow will be held Friday through Sunday, June 10-12, at the White Earth Pow Wow Grounds, with Grand Entries each day. In addition, there will be Jr. and Sr. Princess and Brave contests, Specials with prizes, and a 5K Run & Walk. 218/983-3285; hwhiteearth.com/events/?event_id=34

Downtown Nevis will be the site of the 1st Annual 50s & 60s Event on Saturday, June 11, with live 50s & 60s music, a classic car show, Hula Hoop Contest, the Bop Til You Drop dance contest, and downtown specials. And while in Nevis, check out the Gene Cirks Memorial Scholarship Fishing Tournament will be held Saturday, June 11 on Lake Belle Taine. 1-800-247-0054; parkrapids.com

Northeast Minnesota

The North House Folk School in Grand Marais will be the site of the Boreal Birding & Northern Landscapes Festival, Thursday, June 2 through Sunday, June 5. Come discover the birds, wildflowers and geology of this dynamic and rich northern landscape, and enjoy a series of inter-related, field-focused workshops and courses, unique field trips, classroom discussions, evening presentations and programs. 1-888-387-9762; northhouse.org/programs/events/birdingfestival.htm

The 33rd Annual International Polka Fest will be held Friday through Sunday, June 3-5, at the Black Bear Casino & Hotel Otter Creek Convention Center in Carlton, with 14 bands performing over three days. There will also be a World Championship Polka & Waltz Contest, Hall Of Fame Induction, and lots of dancing on a large wooden dance floor. 1-888-771-0777; funtimeband.com

The North West Company Fur Post in Pine City will present North West Company & the War of 1812 on Saturday, June 4, when costumed re-enactors will portray North West Company agents enlisting all able-bodied voyageurs to help defend the business of the fur trade in 1812. And while in Pine City on Sunday, June 5, head to Voyageur Park for the 7th Annual East Central Minnesota Pride Celebration. This year's theme is “Out in the Country,” with vendors, a silent auction, food, homespun fun and lots of live entertainment. 320/322-4040; pinecitychamber.com

Barnum Spring Fever Days will be held Thursday, June 9 through Sunday, June 12 throughout downtown Barnum. This community celebration includes a Miss Barnum Pageant, Spring Fever parade, classic car show, a steak fry, 10th Annual Katie Poirier Memorial 10K Run & 5K Walk, beer gardens and karaoke, pancake breakfast, a talent contest, Air Band contest, crafts and concessions, children's games at the Barnum Fire Hall, and much more! 218/389-6814; cityofbarnum.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={AF8B1189-1080-49C7-96D7-C5EE6334A622}

Timber Hall in Embarrass will host the 25th Annual Finnish American Summer Festival on Saturday, June 11. Come experience Finnish culture, music, crafts and food in a one day celebration, and enjoy great food, live entertainment, games for children and adults, and historic homestead tours. 218/229-2198; embarrass.org