We at The Growler are confident to report that summer in the Twin Cities will officially begin this weekend. How can we be so sure? Grand Old Day, silly. The (free!) annual street festival is the largest one day event in the Midwest and with live music from 25 bands on 5 stages, 85 food vendors, kids activities, and craft beer, Grand Old Day truly offers something for everyone. So get your sunscreen out and make your way to Saint Paul this Sunday, June 1st.
Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your G.O.D. experience…
1) Get your wristband ahead of time
For the first time ever, event goers can avoid long lines at the wristband booth by purchasing a Festival Garden Pass online in advance. Just show your receipt and a valid ID in the express EventBrite lines at any wristband booth. Purchase advance tickets at http://www.grandoldday.eventbrite.com
2) Come early for the parade
Who doesn’t like a parade?! Grand Old Day starts bright and early on Sunday with a huge parade presented by White Bear Mitsubishi that will kick-off promptly at 9:30 am. The route begins at Dale and Grand and proceeds west along Grand to Fairview. Remember: Grand Avenue and all side streets are closed after 8:00 am.
3) Drink craft beer
The Pier 1 Festival Garden will play host to a craft beer sampling and some great live music from local musicians including; General B and the Wiz, Black Diet, and Chastity Brown! Beer sampling from the likes of Alaskan Brewing Company, Oskar Blues Brewery, Tallgrass Brewing Co., Goose Island Brewery, Lift Bridge Brewing Co., Lucid Brewing, Odell Brewing Company, and Widmer Brothers Brewing.
4) Go see the whole lineup on the Dixie’s Stage!
With a lineup like this, it will be hard to pull yourself away from the live music at Dixie’s throughout the day. Grand Old Day veterans Heiruspecs will rock the Dixie’s stage in between sets from Charlie Parr and Sonny Knight and the Lakers.
5) Eat way too much food
Grand Old Day will feature 85 different food vendors serving every kind of street/fair food under the sun. From food trucks to elephant ears, you shan’t go hungry in Saint Paul this Sunday.
BONUS: Watch other people eat way too much
This time we’re not talking about your uncle Frank and his affinity for cheese curds. We mean professional eating. Watch top-ranked eaters including Badlands Booker and Yasir Salem of New York, Steve Hendry of California, and Andrew “The Bear” Kogutkiewicz of Wisconsin compete in the official Minnesota qualifying contest for the official Nathan’s Fourth of July Hot Dog-Eating Contest
6) Take a free bus
Download a free ride pass from grandave.com courtesy of Metro Transit, valid for a regular route (bus or lightrail) to get to and from Grand Old Day. Plan your trip using a Metro Transit trip planner: metrotransit.org or 612-373-3333. You can also bike, walk, drive, or take our shuttle buses along Summit Ave. More details on getting to Grand Old Day.
7) Bring the kids
There’s fun in the sun for the whole family at Grand Old Day on Sunday, June 1st! Many of the activities are in the Family District, our fastest growing festival district. Each year, there are NEW things to try!
What’s your favorite Grand Old Day tradition? Let us know in the comments below.
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