Activities for Red Wing an surrounding area

Rose Fest

The Kenyon Rose Fest gets under way Friday with community garage sales.

On tap throughout the weekend are a golf tourney, dances, karaoke and family games. Saturday includes kiddie and grand parades in the afternoon. The historic Gunderson House will be open for touring each day.

Rose Fest gives its name from the Boulevard of Roses. The event raises funds for the Parks and Recreation Department.

Goodhue chicken barbecue

GOODHUE — The 45th annual Goodhue Lions Chicken Barbecue will get under way at noon Sunday at the Lions Community Building. Country Wranglers will provide music from noon to 4 p.m. The Sundowners will take the stage from 4 to 8 p.m.

Cost is $8 for adults in advance, $9 at the gate; $6 for children ages 5 to 12, and free to preschoolers.

The Lions expect to feed a couple thousand people. Other refreshments will be available.

El Paso Days

EL PASO — This Pierce County community will offer live entertainment and food this weekend. Pony and horse pulls, a horseshoe tournament and a greased pig contest are planned Saturday. Sunday’s highlight will be the 2 p.m. parade.

Renaissance Festival

SHAKOPEE, Minn. - “A Silk Road: Discover the Riches” is theme Aug. 16-17 for the opening weekend of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. The festival runs weekends and Labor Day plus Friday Sept. 26. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., rain or shine.

For more information call (952) 445-7361 or go online to www.renaissancefest.com.

Minnesota State Fair

Visitors to the 2008 Great Minnesota Get-Together will enjoy a variety of values and bargains during the fair, Aug. 21 through Labor Day.

Discounted admission tickets, midway tickets and Blue Ribbon bargain books are available through Aug. 20 at the State Fair Box Office and numerous locations in greater Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

The discount admission tickets are $8 and are good for any age, any day of the fair. During the fair, regular admission is $11 for adults, $9 for seniors and $8 for kids ages 5-12. Children under 5 are always admitted free.

The State Fair kicks off Aug. 21 with savings for the whole family on Thrifty Thursday. Admission for adults is $8 and kids for just $5.

Monday and Aug. 28 are Seniors Days when people 65 and over are admitted for $5. Kids Days are scheduled for Monday and Sept. 1 and pay just $5.

Aug. 27 is Hop On Transit Day, when State Fair Express bus fare is reduced to $3 round-trip. All express and regular route bus riders may request a coupon for $2 off a regular fair admission ticket purchased at the gate.

Many vendors feature special day deals on Thrifty Thursday, seniors and kids days.

New this year, Sunset Sunday Savings evening promotion features a minimum of 20 percent off at participating vendors from 8 p.m. until close Aug. 24 and 31.

For more information about bargains at the 2008 Minnesota State Fair, visit www.mnstatefair.org or call the recorded information line at (651) 603-6806.

Tags: community, rose, fest, kenyon, state, fair, renaissance