Courtesy Textile Center, Photo René Sultra
Twin Cities shopping and event highlights for this week.
The Top Five
Jerome Fiber Artist Project
Sometimes all it takes is a tiny spark to foster a flame and fuel a fire. That spark is a generous project grant awarded to three emerging, Minnesota-based, fiber artists by Textile Center. Janet Dixon, Heather MacKenzie, and Mary Pow (the 2018/2019 Jerome Project Grant winners) rose to the top of the pack and made a lasting impression out of more than 40 proposals. Come Tuesday, public presentations of their projects will be on display for the world to warm up to. Tuesday, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. @ Textile Center, 3000 University Ave. SE, Minneapolis, textilecentermn.org
Minnesota Renaissance Festival
Secure that giant turkey leg, throw on your comfiest kilt, and prepare to shop 250 miraculous merchants at the 48th annual Minnesota Renaissance Festival. The Artisan Marketplace offers endless shopping and a unique, one-of-a-kind experience to take home 15th century-inspired leatherwork, hand-blown glass, fine metal craftsmanship, and more. Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. @ 12364 Chestnut Blvd., Shakopee, renaissancefest.com
Riverwalk Market Fair
Founded in 2010, this European-style, open-air market showcases the talent and hard work of local artists and food lovers alike. Each Saturday, the Riverwalk Market Fair offers a creative combination of locally grown produce, a juried selection of art and fine crafts, live entertainment, and activities for the whole family to enjoy. Whether it’s a painting or a print, a ceramic bowl or metal sculpture, soap or even wearable art, you’ll be sure to find something you can’t leave the beautiful river town without. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. @ Bridge Square (located at Division St. & Fourth St.), Northfield, riverwalkmarketfair.org
Fall is for Planting
With six free workshops and five free demos, every garden grower and landscape lover will be over the moon at Gertens Greenhouse’s Fall is for Planting. Learn insider tips about turf seeding, fall/winter garden care, and tree, bulb, and evergreen planting at one of their various workshops. Or, take a more observational route and soak up all you can at the detailed demos. Topics include fall decorating ideas, weekend projects, and even some must-know-but-never-knew grilling secrets. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. @ Gertens Greenhouse, 5500 Blaine Ave., Inver Grove Heights, gertens.com
Arts Off 84 Art Crawl
Venture along scenic Highway 84 for a 25-mile stretch of all things art at Arts Off 84. At each of the seven stops, you’ll find a wide selection of furniture, fiber art, paintings, photography, ceramics, pottery, and up-cycled creations. Spend your Labor Day weekend supporting local Minnesota-makers while embracing the tantalizing temptations to whip out your wallet. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m, starting at Barclay Ave. in Pine River, artsoff84.com
More can’t-miss events this week:
Maker Days at Linden Hills. Meet more than 50 vendors (including farmers, food entrepreneurs, and city-favorite food trucks) that keep the Twin Cities full of fresh, local, and affordable fare. Sunday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., outside of Settergren’s Hardware, 2813 West 43rd St., Minneapolis, lindenhillsfarmersmarket.org
Fall-A-Palooza. Fight through the fan-favorite Flashlight Corn Maze and enjoy a series of attractions that include pedal car races, tractor rides, raspberry picking, juicy apples, and fresh-baked pies and goods. Friday 10 p.m. to Monday 6 p.m. @ Country Blossom Farm, 1951 Englund Rd. SW, Alexandria, countryblossomfarm.com
