With an array of the biggest names in Monster Trucks in attendance, a course littered with crazy obstacles and massive jumps launching trucks into the air.  Backflips happened.  One even came to rest nose first into the top of one of the jumps, having not quite made the rotation.


US Bank Stadium makes for a great home for the Minnesota stops for Monster Jam.  A fantastic reprieve from the frigid temps outside in February.  Until next time giant machines of destruction. 

The return of live music and especially outdoor festival like shows, has been long awaited and sorely missed by so many of us.  So, when the Basilica Block Party was announced in the spring, we were all excited while being a bit skeptical that it would actually happen...  Well, it happened.  Despite a few hiccups, it was a great time.  

The last minute removal of The Avett Brothers from the line-up hurt, for sure.  It is unclear why the band chose to cancel just 48 hours before the show, but we can only assume it was Covid related on some level. Rumors of Live Nation's choice not to replace them with another big name act when they had at least one at the ready, is maybe a conversation for another time.  For now, let's just appreciate what a great event BBP2021 was, and be thankful it happened at all.

Two days of great weather, made BBP21 easy to enjoy.  In an effort to keep attendees safe, and the immediate future of live music viable, all guests were required to provide either proof of Covid vaccination or a negative test within the last 72 hours.  Though, I'm sure there are critics of this, it didn't seem to dissuade the thousands that showed up.

Every September on the banks of the Mississippi in Winona, our favorite festival happens.  I’m talking about Boats and ... Bluegrass!  Not only is the scenery majestic, but  the music and the people are just as wonderful.  The festival offers four days and nights of music, camping just outside the gates along the river, and unlimited access to paddle boards, canoes and kayaks.


When I say this event is special, I mean it. Not only is it reflected in type of family friendly, inclusive crowd it attracts, but also the staff who are genuinely excited to be there. I don’t know how many bands I heard say THIS was the gig they looked forward to all year. And it showed.  When the sets were over, the bands didn’t pack up and go home.  Instead, they came together for jams that went on until the early morning.  Despite these all night jams, the crowd remained respectful and the quiet areas were actually quiet!

Looking for a little Halloween fun?  Well, we can recommend you check out Zywiec's Haunting Experience in Cottage Grove.  Last weekend we headed out with our middle schoolers for a good scare and it was a success!  It started with a haunted hayride, complete with clowns armed with chainsaws, and then wrapped up with the biggest haunted house I have ever been through.  Each section was about a 30 minute experience.  The haunted house was definitely the bigger fright.  I will save the details so I don't ruin it for anyone that may be going.  The line wasn't too bad, we waited about 20 minutes.  They also offer zombie paintball during the daytime that I am sure is a blast, pun intended.  If you go hungry or thirsty you are in luck too.  Zywiec's offered food on the grill, snacks, roasted nuts and a beer tent.  They are open Thurs-Sat and if you get your tickets online in advance you can save a couple of bucks.  I recommend you leave the little ones at home!