Where to find Fourth of July celebrations

Have a better weekend in Minnesota 

View this email as a web page July 1, 2021 July is starting out hot and dry, and in addition to fireworks, some of the booms you'll hear on Sunday may be coming from thunderstorms. This week we have guides on where to find Independence Day celebrations, as well as some quieter options. Where to watch Fourth of July fireworks Oooo, ahhhh! Firework displays are back in full force this year. Grab your lawn chairs or picnic blanket and find one in a city near you using this helpful list by Explore Minnesota. Your furry friends might not be as interested in pyrotechnics, here's a guide to keeping pets calm during the noisy weekend. Community Independence Day celebrations Fourth of July celebrations aren't just fireworks. Check out these community celebrations for carnivals, parades, live music and more: July 4th Funfest in Eagan | Community celebration in Coon Rapids | Freedomfest in Austin | 4th of July celebration in Erhard | 4th of July Celebration in North Morristown | Celebration in Delano | Events around Minneapolis | 4th in the Park in St. Paul | Fourth Fest in Duluth | Water Carnival in Bemidji | 4th Fest in Rochester | Celebration in Moorhead | Fourth of July in Harmony Art Hounds recommend summer sweets Jodi Reeb's new exhibit turns beeswax into paintings, a debut album by Champagne Drops celebrates female friendship and mother-daughter relationships and the Hovland Arts Festival celebrates 15 years. Ibram X. Kendi recommends 6 books to help your kids understand race Writer Ibram X. Kendi has been reading a lot of books about "the human rainbow" to his daughter — so NPR asked him to recommend some books kids can read to gain a better understanding of race in America. How do you garden in a drought? Have your poor plants been struggling in the June heat? Two experienced gardeners joined MPR News host Kerri Miller to talk all things gardening. Listen to their conversation for tips on helping your garden thrive when its hot and dry. Eating healthy, staying refreshed We're keeping it light in the food department this week, because there's something especially satisfying about crunching into a summer salad on a hot day. Try tossing up some of these recipes: Summer greens and melon salad, fresh summer Asian salad, cumin-scented summer bean salad and the perfect summer salad. State park events are back! After a pandemic hiatus, Minnesota's state park and trails will be hosting educational events for all ages once again. Get outside, enjoy a hike and learn: Wild about Wildlife at Flandrau State Park | Bugs and Blooms! Wildflower Walk at Itasca State Park | Slither Critters at Blue Mounds State Park  | Down to the river at Fort Snelling State Park | Tour the Glacial Potholes at Interstate State Park | And much more Preference Center ❘ Unsubscribe This email was sent by: Minnesota Public Radio 480 Cedar Street Saint Paul, MN, 55101