Menahga, Minn.
Enjoy an opening ceremony, coronation of the St. Urho king and queen and the musical comedy of Laverne and Lucy on Friday during the start of St. Urho Days — an annual festival that honors the saint who supposedly chased grasshoppers out of the vineyards of Finland. Most of the events will be held on Saturday, including a pancake breakfast, parade, bar stool races on Spirit Lake, wagon rides, live music and more (tinyurl.com/ycrjbcjj; 1-218-564-4557).
Wabasha, MINN.
March is prime time for viewing bald eagles along the Mississippi River in southern Minnesota and the 25th annual Soar With the Eagles will offer viewing Saturday and next Sunday and March 24-25 at the National Eagle Center. This year's theme is "The Year of the Bird,'' which highlights the 100th anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and includes guest speakers, educational programs, exhibits and artist displays. Also programs featuring live birds of prey will be held nearby at the St. Felix school auditorium (nationaleaglecenter.org; 1-651-565-4989).
St. Peter, New Ulm & Crosslake, minn.
Revelers will be stoked to celebrate St. Patrick's Day on Saturday this year and several towns and cities around the state will be hosting parades and other activities. South of the Twin Cities, a parade will be held in St. Peter, and in New Ulm you can check out a parade and/or an Irish tea and luncheon. North of the Twin Cities, Crosslake's 44th annual St. Patrick's Day parade and celebration features a pancake breakfast, parade, 5K run, live music and more (crosslake.com).
Colleen A. Coles