⚾Fenders, Food Trucks & Foul Balls

Your weekly roundup of fun things to do!

Author

Joe Carmack
May 13, 2026

Your Weekend Forecast

Mainstreet Day Festival, Hopkins

5/16

A sure sign festival season has officially arrived. This longtime Hopkins tradition turns Mainstreet into a pedestrian takeover filled with local artists, makers, food vendors, live music, and plenty of reasons to linger. Family-friendly without feeling overly kid-focused, it’s a great excuse to browse local goods, people-watch, snack your way down the street, and somehow convince yourself that handcrafted home décor was always part of the plan.

Hot Rods for Hope

5/16

Classic cars, motorcycles, custom audio, live music, food, and plenty of polished chrome. Part community event, part car enthusiast hangout, with the bonus of supporting Minnesota’s recovery community. Even non-car people will find plenty to wander through.

 

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

5/17

Even if you’re only casually familiar with the wizarding world, this is less “play” and more full theatrical spectacle. Time travel, family drama, wild stage illusions, and plenty of how-did-they-do-that moments at the Orpheum. Enough visual magic and plot twists to keep even non-superfans engaged.

 

Bark in the Park

5/17

If your dog treats every walk like a social event, this one fits. Pet vendors, rescue groups, pup pools, treats, K9 demos, and enough distractions to keep tails in constant motion. Family-friendly too, with face painting and caricatures for the non-furry attendees.

 

St. Paul Saints

5/14 - 5/16

A night at a St. Paul Saints game is always a solid call. Baseball, ballpark food, a great downtown setting, and one of those easy summer nights that doesn’t need much more than that. Want to make it a little more memorable? Upgrade to the fireside seating with a bonfire and s’mores.

Instead of the usual dinner reservation where everyone politely pretends to split dessert, this one turns date night into a full-on food adventure. The Minneapolis Riverwalk Food Tour winds through the Mill District and St. Anthony on Main, with stops serving everything from handmade pierogi and empanadas to Thai spring rolls, chicken stir fry, mochi, matcha, woodfired pizza, and homemade ice cream. It’s basically a progressive dinner, but with better scenery and far less commitment to a single menu.

What makes it especially fun is everything happening between bites. You’ll stroll along the Mississippi, take in some of the best skyline views in the city, and cross the Stone Arch Bridge while hearing stories about Minneapolis’s early milling days and immigrant roots. Between the Guthrie, Mill City Museum, St. Anthony Falls, and the historic streets of Northeast, it feels less like a tour and more like accidentally having a really interesting date.

Sometimes the best reset is closer than you think. A road trip to Faribault delivers historic downtown charm, good food, local shops, and just enough distance to feel like you got away.

🗺️ Getting There

Sure, I-35 is faster. But for this one, take the scenic route instead. Head south on Highway 3 through Farmington and Northfield. It adds a little time, but it’s a much better drive, especially if you’re making an evening of it. Northfield makes for an easy first stop: Coffee at Goodbye Blue Monday Coffee House, a quick wander through downtown, then keep heading south.

Plan to stop for lunch at Keepsake Cider just outside Northfield. Rotating food trucks, plenty of outdoor space, and a full summer lineup of live music and events. Solid stop.

🥾 Things to Do

Before making your way into Faribault, consider one more detour for a little fresh air. Cannon River Wilderness Area is an easy stop for an afternoon hike, some river views, and a chance for the kids to burn off energy..

Then head into downtown Faribault for the main event: Car Cruise Night which happen monthly throughout the summer. Classic cars, customs, muscle cars, live music, and a downtown that actually feels made for strolling around on a warm evening.

Grab dinner nearby at Basilleo's Pizza if pizza and beer sound right, or The Signature for burgers and comfort food. Then just wander downtown with dessert in hand and enjoy one of those classic small-town Minnesota summer nights.

As always, happy trails!

-Joe

PS: If your 2026 plans include a new home, give us a call! We’d love to help. :)

Joe & Haley Carmack
LivingInMN.com