It’s like watching mud separate into clean water or waiting for the sprouts after planting seeds.
My mother has a song for everything, and this weekend, it might be time for a little Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. Nearly one year after being displaced by their house fire, my parents know for a fact, “The waiting is the hardest part.”
But, the waiting is finally over. The appliances are being plugged into place, the painter’s tape is being pulled away and mom’s scolding anyone who comes near her new floors with anything that can stain. The house is about to be home again. We are all so ready. We’ve been patient for so long. Anyone who has sat in meditation knows that waiting is not inaction. It is the effort of non-effort. It is timing. When you can wait, you can do anything.
So, while we are sweating and moving boxes and furniture on this especially warm weekend, I don’t think there will be much complaining. The hard part is over. All that’s left is the doing.
When you can wait, you can do anything.
Have a wonderful weekend, and celebrate for us and for everyone who is done waiting.
Friday
It’s National Dairy Month! Take your kiddos to the Children’s Museum for Discover Dairy! From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., stop by and join local dairy farmer Jean Annexstad and Nicollet County 4-H Dairy members to learn more about dairy and make samples of butter!
Anwen Teachout’s Exhibition of Recent Works will be on display from 2-6 p.m. at the 410 Project. Hosanna Lutheran Church will host Fare for All from 3:30-5:30 p.m., a chance to get incredible deals on food items. Queers & Beers will meet from 5-8 p.m. at the Loose Moose. Head to the reserved tables to meet new folks, enjoy conversation and build the LGBTQ community! Allies are encouraged to attend. More of a morning person? Check out Queer’s & Coffee Saturday morning at the Fillin’ Station.
It’s a big weekend for music! Concerts on Commerce kick off at 4 p.m. with Mal Murphy while supporting their community partner, Mending Spirits Animal Rescue. Enjoy music, food and community! The Festival Solstice kicks off Friday at 4 p.m. at the Land of Memories Park. This outdoor music festival will have live music, entertainment, vendors and more. Get your tickets and see the lineup here. Jazz Groove will be at Indian Island Winery from 6-8:30 p.m. Geoff Elvee will perform 7-10 p.m. at the Landing on Madison, and the What’s Up Lounge with YuWish present MPLS Drew, Joey Bones, Timmy T, Csavoo and more! Tickets are available here.
Saturday
Kickstart your Saturday with a Gravel Ride. Nicollet Bike & Ski takes off from their shop at 7 a.m. The LCARC’s Annual Duathlon and 5k fun run begins at 9 a.m.; registration information is available here. The Nicollet County Fairgrounds will host their Annual Riders with Special Needs Event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you know a youth with special needs who would love an opportunity to ride a horse, don’t miss this event! Learn more and register here.
Enjoy some local shopping and support area vendors! The Farmers’ Market will be in the Best Buy parking lot from 8 a.m. to noon. Or, you can head over to St. Peter for their Farmers’ Market, featuring a 10 a.m. storytime and free books! The Mankato Vintage Market will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a Flea Market & Craft Fair! The ArtSplash Art Fair will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at South Central College! This event raises money for the North Mankato Taylor Library, so head over and enjoy local art, kid’s activities, live music and food trucks!
Queers & Coffee will meet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Fillin’ Station in Mankato. Support and grow the local LGBTQ community!
Festival Solstice continues at Land of Memories Park, kicking off with an 11 a.m. Paddle Jam and its Saturday lineup, including Jon Wayne and the Pain, the Last Revel, Erik Koskinen and more! The Rain Kings will perform from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Indian Island Winery, and you can catch Brett Young at the Vetter Stone Amphitheater at 7 p.m. Ben Scruggs will be performing folk, blues and Americana from 7-9 p.m. at LocAle Brewing Co., and Tri Eight will be at the Circle Inn from 7-10 p.m.
Sunday
Celebrate Juneteenth with the Greater Mankato Diversity Council at 10 Civic Center Plaza at 1 p.m. Commemorate the historical beginning of African American independence in the U.S. Check out their event page to see the lineup.
Bob Stephan will perform from 1-3:30 p.m. at Indian Island Winery, and you can catch Schell’s Summer Music Series from 1-4:30 p.m. at Schell’s Brewery this week, featuring Da Dutchman Friends and food by Sozial. The Red Dirt Duo will play from 3-6 p.m. at the Landing on Madison.
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Weekend High Notes is a regular feature by Molly Butler. Molly covers weekend events, live music, and culture in the Greater Mankato Area. Suggestions are welcome using the MankatoLIFE contact form.
