Grand Old Day Goes Green

For a wonderful 36 years, Grand Avenue has celebrated summer with the largest one-day festival in the Midwest. Mix in 30 blocks, multiple stages, animals, art, a parade or two, and some RollerGirls; add a whole lot of green; and you get this year’s Grand Old Day.

Helping the environment and the parking situation, this year’s Grand Old Day is going green. Guests are encouraged to walk, bike, or take public transportation.

Is that really asking too much? How about if you can win some prizes for doing so?

Simply log 15 noncar trips before August 12 to be entered in a drawing to win prizes donated by neighborhood businesses. Check out <www.grandave.com> for more information on how to help reduce greenhouse gases, and be rewarded for doing so.

On June 7, Grand Old Day is full of nonstop activities from 7:45 AM to 5 PM. The highlight of this year’s event is the green-themed parade—from Fairview Avenue to Dale Street—decked out in green-colored flair made from recycled materials. Perhaps all that green suggests we should do some Irish-style drinking as well.

But that doesn’t mean it’s not a family affair, too. For the children’s parade at 9:45 AM, everyone is encouraged to dress in their favorite costume, and join the fun, before heading over to the Family Fun District.

Check out the International and Art Districts to catch some local and regional artists and performers. Then, head over to the Entertainment District to rock out with some local talent playing live music. Enjoy the festival gardens, too.

The event has enough eye-candy for everyone, plus at least seven different stages, including Lavender’s very own, featuring DJ Red Richard, The Roxxy Hall Band, and Far From Falling.

Art and music not your cup of tea? How about checking out the sexy Minnesota RollerGirls, as they scrimmage in the sun?

After 36 years and tens of thousands of visitors, Grand Old Day will have enough going on to make everyone happy. If not, go anyway to enjoy a day out in the sun with friends, checking out everything Grand Avenue has to offer—and then some.

Grand Old Day
June 7
Grand Ave, St. Paul
www.grandave.com