After two weeks of nearly non-stop rain, we could all use a little sunshine and fresh air. On Saturday, June 3, a variety of outdoor and family-friendly activities are scheduled around the east metro to help kick-off the summer. Events include WaterFest at Lake Phalen in Maplewood/St. Paul, Explore Your Parks Day at Washington County Parks, and Lake Fest in Forest Lake.
WaterFest – Lake Phalen, Saturday, June 3, 11am-4pm: WaterFest is an annual event coordinated by the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District to celebrate watershed awareness and clean lakes with an amazing assortment of free activities. On the water there are Voyageur canoe rides, fishing lessons and a fishing contest, solar pontoon rides, canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. Activities on land include arts and crafts for kids, a climbing wall, live reptiles and amphibians, dozens of exhibits about water and wildlife, a native plant give-away, and live music. There is also food for purchase. For more information, visit www.rwmwd.org.
Explore Your Parks Day – Washington County Parks, Saturday, June 3: Explore Your Parks Day offers a variety of activities at Washington County Parks throughout the day on June 3. For people eager to get out on the water and try a new sport, there will be stand-up paddleboard demonstrations at Point Douglas Regional Park from noon-3pm, led by Prescott Paddle Co. and at Square Lake Regional Park from 9:00 – 9:20 a.m., 9:30 – 9:50 a.m., and 10:00 – 10:20 a.m. There will be a StoryStroll at 9:30am at Big Marine Park Reserve and Remarkable Reptiles will present the evening campfire program at St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park at 7:15pm.
In Stillwater, the Historic Courthouse will be celebrating its 150th Anniversary with a Community Social from 11am-3pm. Other events include the grand opening of a new Civil War exhibit at the Historic Courthouse at 9am and a fitness hike on the Stillwater stairs, which will meet on the front stairs at the same time.
At Lake Elmo Park Reserve, there will be outdoor yoga demonstrations at 12:00-12:20 p.m., 12:30-12:50 p.m., and 1:00-1:20 p.m. at the South Picnic Pavilion (bring a mat to participate). A guided bird hike meets at the Nordic Center at 9am and A-1 Archery Pros will be teaching archery at the Archery Range from 10am-1pm. The day’s activities conclude with a campfire program at 7:15pm called “Something’s Fishy!,” which will be presented by Leave No Trace – Minnesota Chapter.
More info at: www.co.washington.mn.us/1564/Explore-Your-Parks-Day.
Lake Fest – Forest Lake, June 2-11: Lake Fest is a weeklong celebration in Forest Lake, with a variety of events scheduled for Saturday, June 3. The day begins with a 5k run/walk at 9am, as well as Breakfast in the Park from 9am-10:30am at Lakeside Memorial Park. The Arts in the Park Craft and Vendor Fair will take place from 10:30am-1:30pm. During this time there will also be boats on display, built by the local elementary schools, free children’s activities led by Forest Lake educators, and a variety of musical and dance performances. For more info, go to: http://fl-lakefest.com.
East Metro Water 