Secrets of the City

Powderhorn Park! Wahoo!!
Lots of places to sit in the park and you can see the people shooting the fireworks off across the lake, which is sort of neat. Of course any public event has good people watching. This neighborhood is pretty diverse in income and race and age, so you see all kinds having a good time in one place and that is uplifting.

I use to live by St. Anthony Main and I found it challenging to find comfy spot to sit there…but I was not one to show up too too early. The fireworks were nice though. One year I went to Shakespeare in teh Park on Nicollet Island and then watched the show and that was all right.

Shakespeare in the park? Is that something that still goes on? I currently live by st. anthony main, but I thought nicollet island was just for geese to shit on.

Well, there use to be a group called SHIP (SHakespeare In the Park) that did shows around town. Their website is gone though, so they may be defunct.

Looks like a different group, The Cromulent Shakespeare Company, is doing shows this summer in Minneapolis parks.

The biggest fireworks show in the state is on Harriet Island on July 4th.

Yes, those Harriet Island fireworks are nice, but you can go to them all week during the taste and you have to go to Saint Paul to see them. They have nice free music there!

Holy schizzle! David Cassidy will be at the Taste on July 4th!

He and Barry Williams should tour together.

The Taste of MN show to see is the Hopefuls opening for Soul Asylum on the 3rd!

Was the Taste of MN website designed by somebody in Jr High?

The best fireworks show I have ever seen was at Midway Stadium after a Saints game. You get upclose and personal with them!

Ugh…I definately DO NOT recommend TASTE of MINNESOTA.

It is a nightmare to park and last year I wis disgusted by all the litter and trash that was literally strewn everywhere. It was disgusting.

To top it all of the over-priced food was lousy and the fireworks were
l-a-m-e!

It’s too bad they don’t still have fireworks at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand. I went one year and it was a pure delight.

Best fireworks I ever did see were in Boston at the Colonade I think its called with the Boston Pops. Absurdly astounding. It almost made you feel “proud to be an American.”

Almost.

Was the Taste of MN website designed by somebody in Jr High?

“Hope you have a really neat summer!”

There are fireworks at the Grandstand every night during the State Fair.

For the best fireworks, wait until the Minneapolis Aquatennial. They’re ten times better than Minneapolis’ weak 4th of July show.

What about the Excelsior fireworks on Lake Minnetonka? Being on the boat for the 4th is fun (although it’s a beast to get back to shore after the show is over) and to me it’s the epitome of Minnesota summer — fun and sun on one of our 10,000 lakes.

I agree about Aquatennial. CLEARLY the best fireworks show in the area.

Also, I don’t know if the Guthrie reserves their new balcony seating thing on the endless bridge to people on the 4th, but it sits out above the river and would have the best seats to watch fireworks. I wouldn’t give away this secret usually, but I won’t be in town for either fireworks display.

I love the Aquatennial fireworks and go every year. But, I still think people should try the Taste of MN (on the 4th only) because they are being sponsored by Melaleuca (again, only on the 4th). In the past, they’ve paid for the Memorial Day ones and they have been outstanding. However, I do understand the parking complaints. I would stay on the downtown side of the river rather than crossing the bridge and dealing with Harriet Island.

Just think how easy it will be to get to the Taste once they finish the LRT University line! Of course it will be right around the Tricentennial.

I was super underwhelmed with the fireworks on the river last year. In fact, the damned guthrie opening fireworks were better (and about 15 minutes longer). I somehow doubt the guthrie is going to allow joe public onto its balcony for the 4th, though. That’s most likely for the big cash donors and the such. Black tie affair, &etc. Or at least it would truly shock me if that weren’t the case.

Insider tip — Walker, MN has an incredible fireworks display. All of the Leech Lake resorts and the chamber of commerce contribute to fund the show and the result is really, really spectacular — I’ve seen most of the displays at Minneapolis and St. Paul in past years and I prefer Walker’s show hands down.

I grew up going to Walker every year to watch those fireworks. They are spectacular. If the Cities have nothing better to offer, I’ll just spend the fourth at Matt’s and see if I can break my Jucy Lucy record.

I rarely venture over into St. Paul, but want to go on the fourth for the fireworks. Anyone know of a good spot to watch them where we will be able to also hear the music that the show is being sychronized with? Any suggestions for a fun place to go hang out and either grill or get dinner before hand (other than taste of MN)?

I’ll be at Powderhorn this year. The display has always been great, but I think the best part of it for me is the realy pleasant communal atmosphere created by the bowl-shape of the park surrounding the lake/pond.
I tend to find the crowds at Taste more trouble than they’re worth, but if you’re going there just for the fireworks, one of the best places to watch them from is the steps around the Cathedral. You’re close enough for the display to be large and clear, but far enough to enjoy the show rather than have to jostle for space. Plus you have that gorgeous architechture looming above you.
Btw, though, “venture over into St. Paul” is one of the most small town, provincial phrases I’ve heard for a while. It’s ten minutes away for chrissakes.

The Magnolia Blossom riverboat has fireworks cruises every night of the Taste of MN. It leaves Watergate Marina at 8:30pm. Parkings a breeze and you get to see the fireworks from the river. Full bar onboard doen’t hurt either. http://www.magnoliablossom.net

Heading out to Prior Lake…my old stomping grounds as a kid, teenager, etc. I’d say any chance you have to view fireworks near a body of water is recommended for a couple of reasons…

1.) The reflection on the water adds a nice effect to the show
2.) The safety factor…you never know what might happen when large amounts of explosives are involved

…heck, I might even crack out my old 3-person water balloon slingshot and target a few boats for old times sake

i think Park Rapids has the best 4th of july fireworks in minnesota because you can go on the river and watch them because they shoot them of right there!!!!!!!!!!!!

the most dangerest fire works are spalkers.

Agreed Walker MN has the best fireworks display I have ever seen! Long drive from the cities….but worth it!

Any one know of great firework shows south of the river? Lakeville, Applevalley area? and where is Walker Mn?

Park Rapids has the best fireworks…there is no comparison.

The Aquatennial has by far one of the best…

I would like some help. please
BIG displays are nice but sometimes the little one are lots of fun too.
I live in the Robbins dale area and we hear fireworks throughout the summer
sometimes we can even hear the ones for state fair final..
What I would like is to find / have a way to know about displays
before hand, so we could decide if we want to go see them…
For instance Golden Vally Daze display looked very good
But we knew nothing about them until they started going off..darn it
so does anyone have a really good way to find displays in the twin cites
??? A list perhaps without calling every township?..thanks
go ahead and email me if you have a list / website

I drive to Brainerd every year, as I feel that their show is one of the best. It has a parade before and lots of space for the kids to run around.

The entire lakes area does a great job in putting things on each day. Pequot Lakes does a cool day on the 3rd.

You can watch fireworks at the Guthrie’s Endless Bridge for $15 a person.

http://www.examiner.com/x-2620-Minneapolis-City-Guide-Examiner~y2009m7d2-Fourth-of-July-fireworks-on-the-Guthrie-Theatres-Endless-Bridge

Steve,

the website for Taste of Minnesota is http://www.tasteofminnesota.com, NOT http://www.tasteofminnesota.org.