Last weekend Valleyfair introduced its Grand Carnivale, an event billed as an international festival and the largest-ever event held at the Shakopee amusement park, a Valleyfair news release said.
The event, which is free with park admission, runs through Aug. 8 on Wednesdays through Sundays from 3 to 8 p.m. and includes a parade at 6:30 p.m. with floats. Music, crafts and cultural performances, including acrobats and dancers, hail from India, Italy, China, Spain and Germany, the news release said. Internationally themed food and drinks will be sold.
The rest of the park is open during the event. Reservations are required to visit Valleyfair. They can be made when purchasing tickets or, for season pass holders, online. For park hours and a schedule of special events, visit valleyfair.com.
Erin Adler
Maplewood
City to reopen nature center, programs
The city of Maplewood in September plans to reopen its nature center, which has been shuttered for more than a year.
Under the reopening plan, the city has merged its parks and recreation department with its nature center unit. The staff, now part of the combined parks and natural resources department, will work at the nature center building, allowing people walking the trails to use the restrooms during business hours. The city also plans to bring back some environmental and natural resources programming.
The center closed in March 2020 when other city offices were shuttered due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The center, at 2659 7th St. E., is surrounded by 40 acres of trails and parkland.
