Best 4th Of July Parties In Minnesota
This year marks 240 years in the celebration of Independence Day. Nationally, this year's July Fourth celebration is not quite a quarter-millennial. But keep counting down (correction: up) for another decade. That is to say, keep moving forward and count to 10 because, for the rest of us, more Freedom Days are to come.
Apple Valley Freedom Days Anniversary
14870 Granada Ave.
Apple Valley, MN 55124
(952) 432-0386
www.avfreedomdays.com
In Apple Valley, 2016 marks the 50th anniversary of Freedom Days across two quarter centuries. The town has extended the Fourth Of July celebration to a four to five-day fest. It's nearly a week of family fun for all ages. Several events are scheduled for the 50th Freedom Days anniversary. Here are a few highlights and their venues:
Annual Junior Golf Classic
4851 McAndrews Road
Date: June 27, 2016 - time to be announced
Registration is required for this exciting annual golf tournament.
Fishing Derby
Lac Lavon Fishing Pier (off Gardenview Drive)
Date: June 29, 2016 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Sponsored by the In-Valley Fisherman, registration for this event begins at 5:30 p.m.
J & K Amusements Carnival
Johnny Cake Ridge Park E.
5800 140th St., West
Date(s): July 1, 2016 thru July 4, 2016 at various times
Enjoy rides and other amusements. Purchase refreshments or bring a box lunch. Hours on opening night are from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Hornicoupa
Johnny Cake Ridge
5800 140th St.
Date: July 1, 2016 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Feeling a trifle nostalgic? Hornicoupa plays 50 years worth of dance music from 1966 thru 2016. After all, it is the 50th anniversary of Freedom Days.
Related: Best Swing Dance Clubs In Minnesota
Car & Motorcycle Show
Johnny Cake Ridge Park E.
5800 140th St., West
Date: July 2, 2016 from 4:00 to 9 p.m.
Entry fee is $15. Register your wheels to enter the show. Awards will be presented. Dance to the music by DJ Sounds. Purchase refreshments. Get ready for a smooth and wild ride.
Cub Foods Family Fun Night
Johnny Cake Ridge Park E.
5800 140th St., West
Date: July 3, 2016 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Enjoy pony rides, a petting zoo, games, refreshments, a kid's parade and a kid's dance. C'mon, parents love to dance, too. Why should kids have all the fun?
Fourth Of July At Apple Valley
Johnny Cake Ridge Park E.
5800 140th St., West
Date: July 4, 2016 from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Finally, the big day is here. The Fourth kicks off at 1 p.m. with a parade at Fireside Lane and Pennock Ave. It ends spectacularly with fireworks at 10 p.m. Before the fireworks is a quiet family leisure pre-fireworks party from 6:00 to 10 p.m. It's also the last day of the carnival. With all the rides, games, eating and dancing that end in fireworks, the grownups won't have time to rest.
Mystic Lake Rock And Rockets
Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
2400 Mystic Lake Blvd.
Prior Lake, MN 55372
(952) 445-9000
Website
Run, don't walk to Prior Lake. Mystic Lake Casino Hotel will be hosting a large Fourth of July celebration. An event spectacular not to be missed, it's free and open to Independence Day revelers of all ages, beginning at 5 p.m. The celebration features live outdoor music and food trucks. Martin Zellar and Junk FM will take the stage to entertain with dance party music. This lively and funky band will try not to mess up your favorite Top 40 hits while mashing them up. The resort is beautiful and worth touring during the free Fourth fest. If food truck fare is not enough fare, Mystic Lake Casino Hotel has a grand assortment of restaurants and cafes to choose from. The Minnehaha Café is open 24 hours, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night bites.
Cheap Date Night
Bryant-Lake Bowl Theater
810 W. Lake St.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 825‑3737
www.bryantlakebowl.com
July 4 is a great day to be at this bowling/theater partying bar club. On this special Monday, Cheap Date Night is celebrated. The party runs from 6 p.m. to midnight and costs only $28 per couple. For the money, you get two entrees, one round of bowling and a bottle of wine or a few rounds of beer. Not only is the menu organic and local, it's superb. One cold platter can serve 10 to 15 hungry guests. Perhaps you should make Cheap Date Night a double foursome. Coincidentally, you can stay past midnight until 2 a.m. for a little more bowling and extra rounds of drinks. The cost will be just a wee bit more. But consider the $1 discount off beer, wine and craft cocktails.
Related: Best Cheap Dates In The Twin Cities
Linda Cameron has written home design, home improvement and lifestyle articles for The Boston Globe and City Shopper Magazine. She has related interests in the building industry, travel, real estate and financing. She is a contributor to Examiner, House Spot, Techsling and Behance, covering topics on career, people, businesses, education and technology.
