This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.

Southern Minnesota

Rochesterfest 2011 will take place throughout the city of Rochester from Friday, June 17 through Sunday, June 26. Festivities include the Hambone Music Festival, "Much Ado About Nothing" performances, a Rockin' 50's dance, "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare," bed races, Rochester Kennel Club K-9 Carnival, Oxbow Park/Zollman Zoo Feed the Critters shows, a Strongest Man contest, tours of Historic Mayowood Mansion, a Summer Solstice hike, walking tours, a Treasure Hunt, PossAbilities Ice Cream Social with carnival games, Million $ Hole In One Golf Shoot Out, Kids' Fishing Contest, the Rochester Kiwanis Parent/Child Free Fair, and much more! rochesterfest.com

Lanesboro Legacy Week will be held Saturday, June 18 through Saturday, June 25, throughout the city of Lanesboro. Nestled in the scenic bluffs and farmland of Southeastern Minnesota, Lanesboro is a mecca for history, the arts, and outdoor recreation. Just some of the highlights include a public reception for “Art in the Park” artists, “A Girl Named Vincent” at the St. Mane Theatre, the documentary film “Waste Land,” "The Little Shop of Horrors" at the Commonweal Theatre, Lanesboro Inns' garden tours, a "tree tops experience" at the Eagle Bluff Ropes Course, an Old Buzzards Birding Eco Tour of the Root River watershed, and the Art in the Park Father’s Day Arts Festival, with more than 85+ arts & crafts booths, live music, theatre performances, local foods and unique kids' activities at Sylvan Park. 1-800-944-2670; lanesboro.com

Lake City will hold their 40th Annual Water Ski Days Festival, Friday through Sunday, June 24-26, in a celebration of the invention of water skiing on Lake Pepin. Festivities include live music and entertainment each night, an arts & crafts fair, water ski show, Venetian Boat parade, classic car show, carnival, beer tents, bean bag tournament, and a Grande Parade. 1-800-369-4123; lakecity.org/waterskidays.html

The Dawson Riverfest will be held June 24-26 at the Dawson City Park, with numerous fun activities and events including fireworks, a parade, craft & flea market, the unveiling of the annual Honorary Gnome, 'The Price is Right,' canoe races, beer gardens & food stands, a fishing contest, water fights, an antique tractor, car & motorcycle display, waffle feed, and Church in the Park. 320/769-2981; dawsonchamber.com/event_calendar.htm

The city of Henderson will hold Sauerkraut Days, June 24-26. Highlights include a Kraut car cruise, 5K Kraut run, tractor rides, kiddie parade, Grande parade, Miss Henderson Coronation, the World Champion Sauerkraut eating contest, car show & mini rods, live music outdoors, a Cabbage Toss, free Frank’s Kraut! 507/248-3234; kraut.hendersonmn.com/Henderson_Sauerkraut_Days/Events.html

Bandshell Community Park in the city of Austin will be the site of the annual Fourth of July Freedomfest, Saturday through Monday, July 2-4. Festivities will include a treasure hunt, SPAM burger cookout, family games, free live music and entertainment, vendors, great food, a parade, and fireworks! Also scheduled are the annual Hog Jog, fishing contests, and a bike race throughout Austin. 507/437-4563; spamtownusa.com/new/html

An Old-Fashioned 4th of July will be offered throughout the city of Harmony, Saturday through Monday, July 2-4, with an Ice Cream Social, Music in the Park, children's games, mini-golf, carnival games, church dinners, an ecumenical service, the Harmony Hustle 5K, Kiddie Pedal Pull, fireworks, a kiddie parade, and a Grande Parade. 1-800-445-6481; exploreharmony.com/celebrate.html

Just some of the other cities in this region of the state offering Independence Day Festivities on the 4th of July include Albert Lea, Fairmont, Lake City, Morton, New Ulm, St. Peter, Sleepy Eye, and Worthington.

Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity

The city of White Bear Lake will hold their 44th Annual White Bear Lake Manitou Days celebration through Monday, July 4. Highlights the weekend of June 24-16 include Water Ski shows, a farmers' market, Flyers & Fun at Benson Airport, Apre Lakeside Live at Tally's, a Lacrosse tournament, pet parade, a St. Francis Blessing of the Pets, pet contest, the 'Bearly Racing' Regatta & Race, and more! 651/653-5122; explorewhitebear.org , manitoudays.webs.com

Howard Lake Good Neighbor Days will be held Thursday, June 23 through Sunday, June 26, throughout the city of Howard Lake, a Queen’s Tea, Sail into Good Neighbor Days Kickoff Banquet, pontoon rides, ice cream and fresh strawberries, root beer floats, beer gardens, rock climbing wall, the KRWC Road Show with music, games and prizes, kiddie parade, fireworks, 29th Annual Fishing Contest at Lions Park, craft sale, book sale, strawberry shortcake, 21st Annual One Block Run, carnival games, turtle races, outdoor community church service, car show, Grande Day parade, raffle drawing for cash prizes, and more! 612/910-1724; howardlakegoodneighbordays.webs.com/2011scheduleofevents.htm

The Eagan Community Center and Festival Grounds will be the site of the Eagan Art Festival, Saturday and Sunday, June 25 & 26, with fine art and original handmade crafts by over 100 artisans. In addition, enjoy music performances, art activities for all ages, and a variety of mouth-watering foods. And on Friday and Saturday evenings, June 24 & 25, don't miss the Shakespeare Festival offered at the beautiful Theater in the Woods outdoor amphitheater in Eagan, with full-length Shakespeare plays. 1-866-324-2620; eaganartfestival.org , caponiartpark.org/programs/shakespearefestival

The Delano 4th of July Celebration will take place Friday through Monday, July 1-4, at Delano's Central Park. In addition to Minnesota's oldest and largest 4th of July parade, enjoy nightly dances under a big top tent, a kiddie parade, bingo, helicopter rides, Star Gazing with Mike Lynch, the Delano Royalty Coronation, Buck Zumhofe's Rock-N-Roll Wrestling, carnival games and rides, and an American Legion wood bat baseball tournament. 763/972-6756; delano4th.com/Events

Bloomington's Normandale Lake Park will be the site of Summer Fete on Sunday, July 3. Don't miss the 84th Street Kids' Carnival which includes two stages featuring a great lineup of performers. Also enjoy lots of great food vendors and information from local organizations. The day will culminate with a fantastic fireworks display! Admission is free! 952/563-8895; ci.bloomington.mn.us/cityhall/dept/commserv/parkrec/specevnt/sumrfete/sumrfete.htm

Minneapolis' annual Red, White & Boom! festival will be held Sunday and Monday, July 3 & 4. Enjoy movies and music at Nicollet Island Pavilion Sunday night. Then on July 4, head to Father Hennepin Bluffs Park for live music on four stages, and lots of fun, family entertainment in the Riverfront District, followed by Minneapolis' amazing fireworks display at 10:00 p.m. 612/230-6415; mplsredwhiteboom.com

Just some of the other cities in this region of the state offering Independence Day Festivities on the 4th of July include Afton, Cambridge, Lakeville, Richfield, Roseville and St. Paul.

Central Minnesota

Willmar Fests will be held throughout the city of Willmar, beginning Thursday, June 23 through Sunday, June 26. Just some of the festivities will include Grande Day & Kiddie parades, the Little Crow Ski Show, Jaycee’s Block Party, Zumba demo, Willmar Amazing Races, performances of Godspell, a street dance, pancake feed, Queen of Festival coronation, Beach Party at Robbins Island, and fireworks with synchronized music! 1-800-845-8747; willmarfests.com

The city of Perham will host the Perham Turtle Fest through Sunday, June 26, with the Wacky Quacky Ducky Derby with prizes at Zorbaz on Little Pine Lake, a medallion hunt, Chuck-a-Duck off the Zorbaz dock, turtle races, a Dog Expo, Kiddie & Dog Parade, citywide garage sales, arts & craft show, the Teddy Bear parade, fireworks, live music, inflatables, Pork Chops On A Stick, a dunk tank, water wars, mechanical bull, laser tag, Perham express train rides, kiddie train rides, horse and carriage rides, Perham Idol singing competition, street dance, beer gardens, and more! 218/346-7710; perham.com

Granite City Days will be held Thursday through Sunday, June 23-26, at various locations throughout the city of St. Cloud. This annual festival opens Thursday with the Lemonade Concert & Art Fair, with 240 artists participating, as well as the Little Lemon's Art Park with children's art activities, a farmers' market, the Granite City Days opening ceremonies, and a performance by the St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra. Festvities offered over the weekend will include the Liberty Savings Block Party featuring Tanya Tucker, the Granite City Days 5K, Grande Parade, concerts, a talent show, canoe ride, performance of "A Girl Named Vincent," Airport open house, fishing derby, Family Fun Day, and more! 320/251-4170; granitecitydays.com

Oak Leaf Park and downtown Glencoe will be the site of Glencoe Days 2011, Friday and Saturday, June 24 & 25, to honoring Glencoe's rural heritage. On Friday evening, enjoy the annual corn feed, bingo, Kids' Fun Zone and youth activities, Balloon Blast contest, classic car cruise, Beer Pong, Minute To Win It, and live music by local acts. Festivities on Saturday include a craft & antique fair, co-ed mud volleyball tournament, Glencoe Days Fun Run & Walk, Kids' Fun Zone and youth activities, bingo, kiddie tractor pedal pull, Glencoe Days’ Parade, Pie in the Park, fireworks and live music. 320/864-3650; glencoemn.org

The Pine River Summerfest will take Friday through Sunday, June 24-26, in Pine River, with a parade, children's theater production, sidewalk sales, library book sale, children's activities, Pine River Firemen's street dance, Lions Club fly-in & drive-in breakfast, duck races, food fair, and Pine River Art Club art show. 218/587-4000; pinerivermn.com/Festivals_Summerfest.htm

A 4th of July in Spicer will be held Saturday through Monday, July 2-4, throughout the city of Spicer, with a Bell Tower Antique & Flea Market, Spicer Lion's pancake breakfast, Briggs-Motley Arts & Craft Fair, petting zoo, pony rides, the Spicer Kiddie Parade & Grande Day Parade, Church on the Beach, Band on the Beach, Dad's Belgian Waffle feed, community band concert, and fireworks display. 320/796-8066; spicermn.com

The Breezy Point/Pequot Lakes Stars and Stripes Days will be held throughout the cities of Breezy Point and Pequot Lakes, Sunday and Monday, July 3 & 4. Festivities will include a Firemen's Rodeo, carnival games, live music, dance, a flea market, Paul and Babe’s Brightest Stars youth, teen & adult karaoke contests, Money in the Haystack, a kiddie parade, Stars & Stripes Parade, bed races, library book sales, and lots of food and refreshments. 1-800-450-2838; ExploreBrainerdLakes.com

Just some of the other cities in this region of the state offering Independence Day Festivities on the 4th of July include Fergus Falls, Garrison, Hill City, Prinsburg, and St. Cloud.

Northwest Minnesota

The Moondance Jammin' Country Fest will be held at Moondance Ranch in Walker, Thursday through Saturday, June 23-25, with national performances such as Dwight Yoakam, Dierks Bentley, Big & Rich, and Gretchen Wilson! Camping is available. Moondance Ranch is located 6.5 miles E of Walker on Hwy 200. 1-877-666-6526; jammincountry.com

Sister Wolf Books in the town of Dorset will be the site of the Festival of Authors & Artists all day Friday, June 24, with 30 Minnesota authors indoors discussing and signing their books. In addition, there will an outdoor art fair, and special offers at local restaurants and stores. The town of Dorset is located midway between Park Rapids and Nevis, just off Hwy 34. 218/732-7565; sisterwolfbooks.com

The city of Akeley will hold their 63rd Annual Paul Bunyan Days celebration, Friday through Sunday, June 24-26, in a decades-long celebration of the legendary lumberjack, Paul Bunyan. Highlights will include a fish fry, bingo, turtle races, cakewalk, horseshoe tournament, games for kids and adults, a pie social, minnow races, kids’ fishing contest, mini tractor pull, dances, a money hunt, outdoor ecumenical church service, great food, refreshment garden, flea market, crafters, and parades. 218/652-2315; akeleymn.com

The annual Lady Slipper Celebration will be held Saturday, June 25, at the Blackduck Wayside Rest in Blackduck, when area lady slippers typically bloom. The event celebrates the area's natural environment, history, cultural heritage, and diverse arts, with live music, Art Around Town, a nature hike, Lady Slipper bus tours, children's activities, and tours of historic CCC Camp Rabideau. And on Sunday, June 26, check out the Eighth Annual Walleye Classic on Blackduck Lake. Blackduck is located at the top of the Lady Slipper Scenic Byway (Beltrami County Highway 39). Please note that highway construction is taking place on the south end of the route. 218/760-4611; hladyslipperscenicbyway.org/festival.html

The city of Park Rapids will host the 33rd Annual Park Rapids Professional Bull Ride, Friday through Sunday, July 1-3, with an all-star cast of the greatest bull riders and bucking bulls in the world. There will also be kids' sheep riding, nightly dances, freestyle cowboy poker, and a freestyle Moto X halftime show. And while in Park Rapids, enjoy various events on the 4th of July including a parade, community band concert with patriotic music and marches at Red Bridge Park, and fireworks at dusk over the Fishhook River. 1-800-247-0054; ParkRapids.com

Good Ol' Times will be held in Warroad, Saturday through Monday, July 2-4, with bands, vendors, an art show, Native American crafts, street parade, boat parade, chili cook-off competition, pie back-off, games, minnow races, church on the beach, and fireworks display. 218/386-3543; warroad.org

Just some of the other cities in this region of the state offering Independence Day Festivities on the 4th of July include Detroit Lakes, East Grand Forks, Longville and Walker.

Northeast Minnesota

Grand Portage Lodge & Casino will offer a Retro Rock Revue - 60s, 70s & 80s Festival, Friday and Saturday, June 24 & 25, with performances by six concerts, as well as an Antique Car Display. Famous Dave's Legendary Pit Bar-B-Que will also be available. Admission is free! 1-800-543-1384; grandportage.com

The 11th Annual Boundary Waters Blues Festival will be held Friday through Sunday, June 23-25, at the Itasca County Fairgrounds in Grand Rapids, with three full days of blues music in a fun festival atmosphere - over 20 performers in all! rangeblues.com. And while in Grand Rapids on Saturday, June 25, check out the Be a Lumberjack Children's Program at the Forest History Center, the Petting Zoo at the Children's Discovery Museum, and the 5th Annual Young Angler Tournament at Tioga Beach on Pokegama Lake. 1-800-355-9740; VisitGrandRapids.com

The Pine County Fairgrounds and other sites in the city of Pine City will be the site of Freedom Fest, Friday through Sunday, June 24-26. The weekend kicks-off with Art in the Park on Friday night. On Saturday, enjoy a car show, antique tractor show, children's activities and carnival games, a triathlon, kayak/canoe paddle, kids' bike parade, live music and street dance , K-9 demonstration, train rides, a performance of "Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" by the Pine City Heritage Players, and fireworks display. And stay for Praise in the Park on Sunday. And while in Pine City on Friday and Saturday, June 24 & 25, head to the North West Company Fur Post for an Arrowheads & Stone Tools Workshop. 320/322-4040; pinecitychamber.com, pinecitychamber.com/pdfs/FreedomFest

The 7th Annual CHUM Rhubarb Festival will be held at the First Lutheran Church on London Road in downtown Duluth on Saturday, June 25, with everything rhubarb, as well as "Little Shop of Horrors" by Duluth's Playground Theater, games, crafts, live music, auctions, stage shows, a Children's Tent, Iron Chef contest, Smart Phone scavenger hunt, a performance by Peter Mayer, and more! 218/720-6521; chumduluth.org/rhubarbfestival.htm. And while in Duluth, June 25 & 26, head to the Park Point Recreation Area for the 40th Annual Park Point Art Fair, with 120 juried artists participating! 218/428-1916; parkpointartfair.org

The city of Aurora will be the site of the Northern Lights Music Festival with 20 free classical music performances from Monday, June 27 through Saturday, July 16. Most concerts will be offered at the Mesabi East High School Historic Auditorium in Aurora. northernlightsmusic.org.

And Saturday through Monday, July 2-4, check out Freedom Fete in Aurora. This annual music festival and hog roast features national, regional and local entertainers, as well as carnival games, parades, pie eating contest, fine art show and sales, and Flyover. 218/229-3335; freedomfete.com

Ranier Canada Day will be held Friday, July 1 in International Falls, with concerts, events, and fireworks across the bridge at Fort Frances. On Saturday, July 2, check out Pulling for Peace "International Tug-of-War" at the Pat Roche Access in International Falls, when teams from the U.S. and Canada stretch a 1200 foot rope over Rainy River for a Tug of War! Then on Sunday and Monday, July 3 & 4, enjoy an Independence Day Celebration at Smokey Bear Park, with a Sunday night street dance, and parades, fireworks, games and great food on the 4th of July! 1-800-FALLS-MN; rainylake.org

Just some of the other cities in this region of the state offering Independence Day Festivities on the 4th of July include Biwabik, Cloquet, Crane Lake, Eveleth, Grand Marais, Mountain Iron, Side Lake, Two Harbors, Virginia.

This information is produced by Explore Minnesota Tourism.  To subscribe, go to exploreminnesota.com/eNewsletterSignup.aspx