Arts briefs: Splash pad to open at Woodbury's Bielenberg Sports Center

Woodbury opens a splash pad Saturday, June 6, at its Bielenberg Sports Center.

A larger platform offers dumping buckets, nozzles and flower showers, and a smaller one is designed for little kids.

They will be next to the 16,000-square-foot Madison's Place playground, for which funds are not yet quite in place.

To reduce water use, each splash pad sprays water for four minutes before shutting off. Users can reactivate the system by touching a button.

Excess water goes to a nearby stormwater pond and is reused to irrigate outdoor athletic fields, officials say.

Operating hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Restrooms are available. For information, visit www.bielenbergsportscenter.com or call 651-714-3583.

A Silent Comedy Film Festival will be held on Saturday, June 6, in Hudson, Wis.

Wilson develops historic musical accompaniments as they were performed in major picture palaces during the heyday of the silent film.

Tickets are $23 for adults and $16 for students. Reservations may be made by contacting the ticket office at 715-386-8409 or visiting online at www.ThePhipps.org.

Washington County Library kicks off a summer reading program, "Bookawocky," Saturday, June 6. It runs through Aug. 8.

Children up to the sixth grade complete literacy activities to earn rewards. They can also write or draw book reviews to enter drawings for tickets to the Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Twins' "Reading All Stars" game.

Teens can enter to win tickets to the Fair, and adults can receive a book sale item.

All programs are free and open to the public.

For a complete schedule of summer events, visit www.co.washington.mn.us/library or call 651-731-1320.

Washington County Parks are offering free programs and outdoor demonstrations on Saturday, June 6.

"Explore Your Parks" includes biking, hiking, fishing, running, swimming, geocaching, wildlife viewing and playground action.

The vehicle fee is waived for the day in all Washington County parks.

• Big Marine Park Reserve picnic shelter: 3-4:15 p.m., Turtle Trek led by the Minnesota Herpetological Society; 4:30-5:30 p.m., campfire program.

• Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park fishing pier: 9 a.m.-noon, fishing with the Minnesota DNR; 1-2 p.m., pond dipping for micro invertebrates.

• Lake Elmo Park Reserve: 10 a.m.-noon, introduction to archery by A-1 Archery; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., bicycle safety rodeo; 7:15 p.m., campfire program on the kestrel, presented by Warner Nature Center.

• Lake Elmo Nordic Center: 10 a.m.-noon, open house; noon-3 p.m., "Leave no trace" activities and s'mores.

• Washington County Historic Courthouse: Guided tours.

• Square Lake Park: 9-10:15 a.m., introduction to stand-up paddleboarding by Brown Dog Paddleboard Co.; registration is required, call 651-430-8370.

• St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park: 8:30-9:30 a.m., guided bird hike; 7:15 p.m., campfire program by Wildlife Science Center, devoted to raptors.

Camping is available at Lake Elmo Park Reserve and St Croix Bluffs.

For more information, see www.co.washington.mn.us/parks or call 651-430-8370.

Woodbury Parks and Recreation is taking registrations for summer camps and other programs.

Youth Safety Camp is in its 22nd year. K-9 and self-defense demonstrations, canoeing skills and archery safety are included in a two-day camp at Carver Lake Park. It's July 21-22 for youth entering grades 3-5.

Adventure Camp is a three-day affair — two day sessions followed by an overnight stay. Biking, geocaching, capture-the-flag and kayaking are included, from June 29-30 for children ages 9-14.

Beginner skateboarders can learn proper technique and foot placement at SkateStart Mini-shredder Skateboard Camp. SkateStart boards are provided. The camp is at Ojibway Skate Plaza for children ages 4-12.

Ripper Lacrosse Camp teaches fundamentals at Bielenberg Sports Center. June and July sessions are for children ages 5-8 and 8-12.

To register, visit www.WoodburyRecreation.com or call 651-714-3583.