Complete Beginners Guide to St. Cloud’s Granite City Days

Granite City Days is my second favorite celebration in central Minnesota next to the Benton County Fair. It's a weekend filled with concerts, parades, food and fun. The fair kicks off Thursday, June 27 and goes through Sunday, June 30.

Thursday

Lemonade Art Fair--It's held at St. Cloud State University every year and features more than 240 artists whose work will be on sale during the event. From 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. you'll also be able to get your fill of lemonade and cheese curds with various food trucks and vendors on site. Make sure to stick around for the free outdoor concert in the evening. The St. Cloud Mayor will hold the Granite City Days opening ceremonies at 7 p.m. before the live music begins.

Friday

Beaver Island Canoe Trip--for $5 per person you can take a canoe trip through the Beaver Islands. All of your equipment will be supplied.

Liberty Bank Block Party--This free concert featuring nationally known Grand Funk Railroad popular in 1969 kicks off at 6 p.m. in Whitney Park. Grand Funk Railroad is known for hits like, "We're An American Band", "Locomotion" and "Some Kind of Wonderful."

Saturday

Granite City Days Parade--The grand parade kicks off at 10 a.m. starting at the St. Cloud Hospital and running down 6th Avenue then taking a turn down St. Germain Street West and ending at the St. Cloud Public Library.

Band-O-Rama--New this year is the inagural Band-O-Rama at Lake George. The St. Cloud Municipal Band will be performing at 1 p.m. at Lake George.

East Side Street Fair--It's a new event this year featuring live music from Walter's Wheelhouse, Switch and Justin Ploof & The Throwbacks. It goes from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will have a street bazaar, beer gardens, Pantown car show and kids bike rodeo. There's a $5 cover charge.

Sunday

22nd Annual Civil Air Patrol Pancake Breakfast--There's a CAP Car Show at the St. Cloud Regional Airport and all you can eat pancakes and sausage  from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Adult tickets are $7.50 and kids 5-12 cost $4.50.

Granite City Days Sta-Fit Run Series--You'll be able to participate in the 5k run/ walk at 8 a.m., a 5K9 run/walk with your dog at 8:15 a.m. a Silver Sneakers 5k walk/run/jog at 8:45 a.m. and a kids 1k walk/run at 9 a.m. all happening at Lake George.

Family Fun Day--Kids can fish at Lake George from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. when accompanied by an adult. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. there will be a mini tennis camp and various other children's activities. For adults, there's yoga, spark class and silver sneakers at Lake George.

Fred Yiran African Arts Day--From noon to 5 p.m. you can expereince dancing, drumming, storytelling, bead making, food and art at Lake George. Fred Yiran will be the featured speaking talking about African arts, culture and community in the Diaspora.

Sing! St. Cloud--A karaoke contest singing competition kicks off at 5 p.m. at the Lake George band shell. You're encouraged to bring your own lawn chair or blanket. There will be a variety of food vendors on hand and a beer gardens. Live music from FireHouse immediately follows the singing competion