Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Grand Old Day 2012

Grand Old Day is almost here! I am giving you the inside scoop on one of the best events to kick off your summer.

Sunday, June 3 is Grand Old Day - a celebration that takes place on Grand Avenue from the cross streets of Cretin to Dale in St. Paul, Minnesota.

There are four 'zones' that make up the celebration: Family Fun District (Cretin to Snelling), Art District (Saratoga to Albert), Sporting District (Hamline to Dunlap), and the Entertainment District (Lexington to Dale).

The Family Fun District features games, pony rides, a petting zoo, music and entertainment fit for the entire family! In the Whole Foods Market lot, there are several entertainers provided. The day starts at noon with Paul Spring and progresses to Koo Koo Kangaroo, Snapdragon Seeds, and Radio Disney. At Grand & Cambridge, the little ones can enjoy free pony rides, petting zoo, inflatables, mini-golf and other games!

The Art District is likely to draw major crowds as it features art and crafts by local and regional artists. From Saratoga to Albert, you can get your fill of art and crafts. Noon-5pm will feature the Artstart Art Project at Pascal & Grand. There you can make your own Grand Hand Headpiece out of recycled materials!

The Sporting District features interactive games and fun from the Minnesota Wild, St. Paul Saints, Minnesota Timberwolves, Minnesota Rollergirls and more!

Also in the Sporting District is Bike Parking. Free bike parking is available on the Ayd Mill Bridge. There are over 140 bike parking spaces installed along Grand Avenue for convenient parking. Generally it will be easier to find a bike parking space than a space for your vehicle.You should bring your own bike lock. 

Perhaps the most popular area of the Grand Old Day is the Entertainment District! This district, from Lexington to Dale, presents live music in 6 festival gardens.

In the Grand Garden (between Lexington and Oxford), bands will kick off the day in the US Bank Lot. At noon Zachary Scot Johnson will perform, followed by Dan Rodriguez at 1pm and SarahLou at 3pm. This garden is presented by Summit and Barefoot Wine, which means you should gear up for a good time!

At the Billy's Stage you will hear performances by Arc Flash Hazard, Orange Whip and Hookers and Blow. The Wild Onion Stage will bring White Iron Band and Rocket Club. The Grand Country Stage, located in the Pier 1 Lot, will feature Maiden Dixie and Tim Sigler. The 80's Stage in the Walgreens Lot will highlight Mish Mash and Boogie Wonderland. The Dixie's Stage will feature a heavy and fun lineup with Charlie Parr, Blind Shake, The Soviettes and Solid Gold. The Grand Old Parade starts just after Dale & Grand and finishes in the Family Fun District at Fairview & Grand.

7:45am
ON THE GO SPORTING EVENTS w/ start/finish line at Wheeler & Grand
7:45am In-Line Skate
7:50am 8K Run
9:05am 1/2 Mile Youth Run
9:15am 5K Walk/Jog

10:00am 
GRAND OLD DAY PARADE - "A Grand Salute to St. Paul" from Dale to Fairview

10:15am 
KID'S PARADE - registration at 10am, from Dale to Fairview

10:30am
FAMILY FUN ZONE until 5pm

12:00pm 
ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT from Dale to Lexington
6 festival gardens with live music (21+)

TEEN BATTLE OF THE BANDS until 5pm
WHOLE FOODS MARKET FAMILY FUN STAGE until 5pm
ART FAIR STAGE until 5pm

6:00pm 
EVENT CONCLUDES

There is free parking located in the Anderson Parking Ramp at the University of St. Thomas (Cretin & Grand). A free shuttle runs along Summit Avenue (one block north of Grand Avenue) from Cretin to Dale from 10am to 7pm.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

P.J. Walters and Morneau Lead Twins to Win Over White Sox

The Minnesota Twins bullpen hasn't had a whole lot to smile about this year. Then came P.J. Walters.

Walters threw his first career complete game as the Twins routed the Chicago White Sox 9-2 on Tuesday.

Five relievers combined to throw 6 1/3 innings in the Twins 16-4 loss to the Brewers. Five were used for an inning apiece in Saturday's 11 inning win.

Walters (2-1) cruised in his third start of the season to snap Chicago's four-game winning streak. He gave up a solo homer to Gordon Beckham with one out in the first inning. Walters allowed little else. He struck out eight and allowed just five hits and two runs.

Minnesota's offense came to life early (coming to life at all this season has been a rarity). The Twins sent nine men to the plate in the second inning against Gavin Floyd. Alexi Casilla's two-run double put the Twins on the board. Jamey Carroll and Denard Span followed with run-scoring singles.

Justin Morneau hit a three-run homer for the Twins.


Thursday, May 17, 2012

Minnesota State Fair Grandstand Acts Announced

The Minnesota State Fair announced its 2012 Grandstand Concert Series. Tickets go on sale Saturday, May 19. Here are the concerts coming to the MN State Fair! 

An Evening with Anita Baker
8pm Sunday, Aug. 28

Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller
630pm Monday, Sept. 3

Journey 7pm
Saturday, Sept. 1

Other grandstand shows available now are:

Bonnie Raitt with Mavis Staples 8/23
Alan Jackson 8/24
The Happy Together Tour 8/27
Kiss and Motley Crue 8/29
Rascal Flatts with Little Big Town, Eli Young Band and Edens Edge 8/30

Monday, May 14, 2012

Minnesota Twins Cleveland Indians Tickets


The Cleveland Indians will be making their way to Target Field tonight. The Twins host the Indians tonight and Tuesday for a short two-game series. Kick your week off right and be there to catch the AL Central battle between the Indians and Twins. Both games start at 7:10.


Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Senate, House Pass Separate Vikings Stadium Bills


The Minnesota Vikings stadium legislation won approval after 11 hours of debate from the state Senate.

The Senate's 38-20 vote Tuesday came a day after the House approved its own stadium bill. If both chambers pass the final product of the stadium bill, the Vikings will have a new stadium!

Scott Diamond Leads Twins to Win


Scott Diamond was pulled after only three innings in Triple-A Rochester. The pull wasn't a result of Diamond performing poorly, it was to preserve him for his Major League call-up.

The Twins will use Diamond to replace Liam Hendriks in the rotation. The hope is that Diamond will bring some fire to the Twins rotation. The Twins currently have the worst rotation in the majors. Minnesota's starters have a 6.73 ERA - almost a full run worse than every other starting rotation in the majors. That same rotation has stuck out a major league-worst 4.66 batters per nine innings.

Scott Diamond came to the Twins with a 4-1 record and a 2.60 ERA. After Tuesday's game, Diamond moved to 1-0 for the Twins. The Twins beat the Angels 5-0 as Diamond pitched seven scoreless innings. Diamond allowed just four hits.