Washington County arts briefs: Free Minnesota Orchestra concert is July 6 in Hudson

The 27th annual free outdoor concert by the Minnesota Orchestra will be held at 7:30 p.m. July 6 in the Lakefront Park band shell in Hudson, Wis.

Assistant conductor Roderick Cox will lead the group in a mix of popular and classical music.

Selections include "The Star-Spangled Banner," Dmitri Shostakovich's Festive Overture, Georges Bizet's "Habañera" and "Danse Bohême" from "Carmen" Suite, John Philip Sousa's "Washington Post" March, John Williams's "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace," Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, Steve Heitzeg's "Blue Liberty," and Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "1812" Overture.

The band shell is at the corner of First and Locust Sts. Audience members are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets.

For more information, contact the Phipps Center at 715-386-2305.

Newport's library and Community Center will host an event in July aimed at safety around dogs.

P.A.W.S. to Read will be held Tuesday, July 14 at 5:30 p.m.

At the end of the event, children will be invited to read to Jazmin and Maggie, the program's registered therapy dogs.

The Washington County Library is seeking participants for its "Maker Fest" on October 24 at Woodbury Central Park,

Maker Fest is a community event where people who embrace the do-it-yourself spirit — artists, crafters, performers, tinkerers, technologists, scientists — showcase their work. Some of the possible topics that could be included at the event are robotics, woodworking, coding, photography and web design.

Anyone interested in participating should complete an application by 5 p.m. August 3. Paper applications are available at libraries; online versions are at http://www.co.washington.mn.us/makerfest. There is no cost.

For more information, visit http://www.co.washington.mn.us/makerfest, or contact Martha Riel at 651-730-0504.

Applications are due July 17 for a jury to review.

The event attracts visitors from the St. Croix Valley and beyond to enjoy live music and a visit with Santa and to shop at vendor booths throughout the building.

Applications are available to print online at www.co.washington.mn.us/hc (click on events, then Victorian Christmas.) For those without web access, call or e-mail the courthouse and an application will be sent.

For more information, call 651-275-7075 or email historiccourthouse@co.washington.mn.us.