The 4th means flags, parades and fireworks - plus some car shows and cruise-ins today and this week. The huge four-day Iola, Wis., car show starts Thursday and great old cars cruise to Porky's in St. Paul on nice days. NOTE: Admission for spectators is free at events listed below unless noted.
Friday
Firecracker Car Show, Central Park, Eagan (11 am–5 pm; donations accepted for soldiers' memorial; 612-963-4081, marty6565@comcast.net, www.mnrollingthunder.com).
Chanhassen Classic & Antique Auto Show, W. 78th St. & Kerber Dr. (11 am–2:30 pm, cdhorn@aol.com, chanhassenrotary.org).
North St. Paul History Cruze
(6-10 pm; 651-773-8274).
Top 50 Car Show, Jack & Jim's, Duelm (9 am–3 pm, 320-968-9995).
Freedom Fest Car Show, Pine City Fairgrounds (9 am–3 pm, 320-629-2069).
4th of July Free Car Show, Dunlap Island, Cloquet (11 am–3 pm, 218-727-7797).
4th of July Car Show, downtown Superior, Wis. (5-9 pm, 218-391-1958, 715-392-5236).
Saturday
Anoka Saturday Night River Run (5 pm-dark; 763-427-1460).
17th Annual Blast from the Past Car Show, Chetek, Wis. (9 am–3 pm, 715-837-1056).
30th Annual Trophy Car Show, Bay View Park, Ashland, Wis. (9 am–3 pm, 715-682-6237/5000/5378).
Sunday
14th Annual Trophy Car Show, Main St., West end, Elysian (8 am–3 pm, tjkmkmz@frontiernet.net, www.elysianmn.com).
Bean & Bacon Days Auto, Truck & Tractor Show, Memorial Field, Augusta, Wis. (7:30 am–4 pm; non-perishable food item; 715-456-2880).
Monday
Culver's, Eagan (6-9 pm; 612-685-1272, 612-747-1546).
Tuesday
5-8 Grill & Bar, Champlin (5-8 pm; 763-425-5858, 63galaxieman@jmknowlton.com).
American Legion Post 334, Coon Rapids (5 pm-dusk; 763-421-6260).
VFW Post 295, South St. Paul (6-9 pm, 651-455-7408).
El Tequila, Inver Grove Heights (5:30-8:30 pm; 651-455-1650).
Wednesday
Carver Car Cruise, Broadway St., downtown Carver (6-9 pm, 612-989-5454).
Oak City, Brooklyn Center (7-9 pm; 763-531-0235, 612-529-4630).
Central Park, North Branch (6:30 pm departure for a short cruise to a restaurant; 651-674-0020, 651-283-3359).
Pizza Ranch, Waconia (6-9 pm; 952-442-9255, 952-448-4946).
Culver's, Albertville (5 pm-dusk, 763-497-1042).
Thursday
Iola Old Car Show, Iola, Wis. (6 am–6 pm Th/Fri/Sat, 6-3 Sun; $8, $15 four-day pass, under 11 free; www.iolaoldcarshow.com). 2,500 vintage cars (1900-79), auction, cars for sale, vendors, major displays, 4,000+ swap spaces.
The Pizza Shop, West St. Paul (5-10 pm; 651-224-4133).
Culver's, Forest Lake (5:30-8:30 pm; 763-434-6629).
Minnetonka Drive-In Restaurant, Spring Park (5 pm-dusk).
