Homes calendar

60th Parade of Homes. Tour 497 model homes in 105 communities throughout the Twin Cities metro area. Homes range from a $119,900 townhouse in Cambridge to a $3.5 million house in Wayzata. More than 100 free seminars on topics such as home staging, home buying and selling tips, eco-friendly landscaping and green building will be held at homes on the parade Sept. 6 through Oct. 5. Hours: 3 to 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Free, with the exception of a $5 charitable donation to the two Dream Homes. Guidebooks are available at Twin Cities Holiday station stores and at www.paradeofhomes.org. Presented by the Builders Association of the Twin Cities. 651-697-1954.

Minnesota State Fair Eco House. The 2,000-square-foot flat-roofed home, designed by SALA Architects, showcases green building features such as a solar water-heating system, passive heating and cooling features, rain screen system and energy-efficient fixtures and appliances. The home, furnished by Natural Built Home, will be open for tours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Sept. 1 as part of the Eco Experience in the Progress Center Building, at the corner of Cosgrove Street and Randall Avenue. Fair admission: $11 adults, $9 seniors, $8 ages 5-12. 651-288-4400.

Homes by Architects Tour. More than 25 homes designed by members of the Minnesota chapter of the American Institute of Architects in the Twin Cities, Lindstrom and Lake City, Minn. Architects will be in homes to answer questions. Appetizers prepared by Twin Cities chefs will be offered in select homes. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 20 and 21. Tickets: $30 at www.homesbyarchitects.org and 612-338-6763. Discounted tickets are available at restaurants listed at www.tcoriginals.com.