Garden art and more

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is offering more than glorious late summer perennials this weekend. There's an "Art Crawl Through the Gardens" featuring arts and crafts by local artisans and live music along the Three-Mile Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat. and noon to 4 p.m. Sun. The "Flower, Food & Foto Show" presented by the Men's and Women's Garden Club of Minneapolis, is an exhibit of blue-ribbon flowers, vegetables, photographs and floral designs from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sat. and 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sun. in the Oswald Visitor Center. Daffodil and iris lovers can buy iris rhizomes, including hard-to-find varieties, and a variety of bulbs from the Iris and Daffodil Societies of Minnesota. Gate admission: $12 for ages 13 and older; free for ages 12 and younger. The arboretum is at 3675 Arboretum Dr., Chaska. Call 952-443-1400.

Celebrate Japanese culture

The illumination of lanterns at dusk, which creates a sense of peace and harmony, is the most photographed event of the annual Como Park Japanese Lantern Lighting Festival. But there are plenty of family-friendly events leading up to it, including Japanese art displays, Ikebana (flower arranging) and bonsai demonstrations, martial arts, crafts and entertainment by taiko drumming, music and dance groups, from 3 to 9 p.m. Sun. on the grounds of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Dr., St. Paul. Admission is $3-$5. Call 651-487-8200.

Get corny

How many ears of corn can you eat? Pahl's Market Corn Fest includes a corn eating contest (the record is 26 ears), free fresh-cooked corn, music and tips on growing the sweetest corn, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sat., 6885 160th St., Apple Valley. Call 952-431-4345.

LYNN UNDERWOOD