There will be a Santa Brunch at Audubon Park, 1320 29th Ave. NE, Saturday, Dec. 17, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. This year they will be splitting the Santa Brunch into two different time slots to accommodate all the families that enjoy this event. They will still have pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, fruit and beverages. They will also be having a gingerbread house making craft and will have all the goodies needed to make a gingerbread house. Santa will be making a stop as well, so the little ones can have a picture taken with him. Make sure to pre-register each participant and only the children will be able to make gingerbread houses. Cost is $6/person. More info at audubonneighborhood.org.
Family Fun
Custard, Sprinkles, Santa and Holiday Performance
Middle school kids will perform a short play called “Toy of the Year” before Santa arrives. Children can take photos with Santa, make a photo craft and enjoy custard, punch and cookies with Santa. Ages three and up with parent, $7. per child. Tuesday, Dec. 13, 6 p.m. at Murzyn Hall, 530 Mill St. NE, Columbia Heights. Register for all activities online, www.ci.columbia-heights.mn.us under recreation, or call 763-706-3730.
Carriage Rides
The St Anthony Village Shopping Center, 2900 Pentagon Drive, will have carriage rides Dec. 9, 4 p.m.-8 p.m., sponsored by the St Anthony Village Shops, St Anthony Chamber of Commerce, St Anthony Garden Club and St Anthony Kiwanis. Enjoy a trolley ride from the mall to see Santa, walk the luminary path, tour the lights of the city and check out the activities the merchants have to offer. Shop at the craft fair, enjoy hot cocoa, chai tea samples, holiday crafts for children, paint your own masterpieces, have s’mores over a bonfire, elf on a shelf search and much more.
Totally Awesome 1980’s Christmas event
The Fridley Historical Society dives deep to recreate the 80’s in their Totally Awesome 1980’s Christmas event. While kids are entertained with games and activities, the adults can point, laugh, and groan at everything they loved and hated about the decade. Exhibits include children and teen bedrooms, a living room, and a kitchen, all decked out to the max for Christmas. A section of original sports memorabilia is the “granddaddy” of the man cave and an original Ms. Pacman operates at the 80’s price of a quarter. The exhibit is free and runs Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Nov. 19-Dec. 18. at the Fridley Historical Society, 611 Mississippi St. NE, Fridley, www.fridleyhistoricalsociety.org.
Heights Art Fest
Heights Art Fest will take place Wednesday, Oct. 26, 6-9 p.m. at Murzyn Hall, 530 Mill Street NE, Columbia Heights. This event is free and open to the public. The event will feature food trucks, Dine 1-1, Tastebuds, and A Peace of Cake. There will be local artists, vendors, live music, adult and youth coloring contest with prizes, free beer and wine sampling, a Lions Club cash bar and craft tables featuring local businesses, Created to Grow & Crayola Experience.
Villain’s Halloween Ball
On Friday, Oct. 14, 6-8 p.m., the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board will host fairytale princesses and villains for a family-friendly Halloween ball at Columbia Manor, 3300 Central Ave. NE. Tickets are available now at www.minneapolisparks.org. $25 for Minneapolis residents and $30 for non-residents. (One adult admission is included with each paid child.) “Your favorite princesses are throwing a royal Halloween ball, but wait, the Horned Sorceress and other villains crash the party and declare it their night. In order to banish the villains before the end of the ball, the princesses turn to their guests for help!” The event will feature a dance and DJ, princess and villain photo ops, and other themed activities, recommended for ages 3-13. Costumes are encouraged. The villain’s Halloween ball is presented in conjunction with Occasions with Character LLC. You can learn more about the character group at www.OccasionswithCharacter.com.
St. Anthony Village Fire Department Open House
The St. Anthony Village Fire Department, 3505 Silver Lake Rd NE, will be holding their annual open house Saturday, Oct. 8, 1-4 p.m. This free event is an opportunity for families to get to know the firefighters that serve them as well as learn about fire safety.
Northeast Farmers Market Harvest Gala
In celebration of the strength and bounty of the local food movement, join the Northeast Farmers Market (NEFM) 629 NE 2nd St., for their fifth annual Harvest Gala, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 6:30-9 p.m. The NEFM Harvest Gala features an innovative format that pairs farmers market vendors and local chefs. Chefs and farmers team up to create tasty appetizers using ingredients sourced from the Northeast Farmers Market. Appetizers are paired with custom cocktails, local beers, and ripe wines. The vinyl will be spinning by “The Ring Toss Twins.” A silent auction will feature art, curated packages, certificates and services donated by local artisans, restaurants, businesses and individuals. Admission to the Gala is $15 and $20 at the door. Purchase tickets here, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/harvest-gala-2016-tickets-26622977041?aff=es2. Proceeds from the event will be used to fund the activities and mission of the Northeast Farmers Market.
Community Garden Day Events
The following Community Garden’s will be hosting events for Community Garden Day, Saturday, Sept. 17:
Beltrami Community Garden, 1213 Spring St. NE, 11a.m.- 1p.m., will be hosting a casual event to mingle and swap tips and ideas for next year’s gardening season. They will have some dishes to share and will host a recipe swap. Other activities may be added. Please bring garden tips and recipes to share.
Friendly Manor Highrise Community Garden, 1206 2nd St. NE, 1-2:30p.m., join residents as they showcase their herb garden. Stick around for samples of stewed Swiss chard and other favorite garden recipes.
Northeast United Methodist Community Garden, 2510 Cleveland and 2535 Cleveland St. NE, 9-11a.m. Guests can tour their gardens and Walipini, while participating in mini canning demonstrations, creating miniature fairy garden furniture, and offering input for future skill-shares. Rain or shine!
Waite Park Community Garden, 3601 Lincoln Ave. NE, 4-6p.m. At the Waite Park Community Garden stroll, taste and vote on dish ideas prepared by gardeners. Gardeners are invited to prepare a recipe featuring zucchini, and bring samples to share with the public and a panel of community-member judges. There will also be garden tours, children’s activities and even a Pokémon Go Poke Stop.
For more information visit www.gardeningmatters.org.
Eighth annual Waite Park Pushcart Derby
The eighth annual Waite Park Pushcart Derby will be taking place Saturday, Sept. 10 at Waite Park, 1810 34th Ave. NE. Teams from all over Northeast Minneapolis will have a chance to take home the title of “Pushcart Champion” as well as a total of $400 in prize money. Stick around after the derby for food, music and games for the kids, including a bouncy castle. On the day of the race, check-in begins at 11 a.m. and the preliminary races begin at noon. For more information go to www.waiteparkneighborhood.org/push-cart-derby.html.