South Metro: County fairs, BBQs and family fun

APPLE VALLEY

FREEDOM DAYS: Highlights include Family Fun night, 5-9 p.m. Thursday at Johnny Cake Ridge Park; parade 1-3 p.m. Friday starting at Pennock Avenue and Fireside Lane; pre-fireworks party, 5-11 p.m. on Friday with fireworks at 10 p.m. Johnny Cake Ridge Park, W. 144th St. and Johnny Cake Ridge Rd., Apple Valley. 952-953-2300.

Belle plaine

BAR-B-Q DAYS: Parade, bands, fireworks, rides. 4 p.m. July 18 to 10 p.m. July 20. Free. Union Square Park. www.belleplainefestivals.org

BURNSVILLE

INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF BURNSVILLE: Vendor and food tents, cultural displays, live entertainment. 3-9 p.m. July 12. Free. Nicollet Commons Park, 12600 Nicollet Av. S. 952-895-4491.

BURNSVILLE FIRE MUSTER: Police and fire demonstrations, parade, live music, carnival. Fireworks at dusk. Sept. 6. 5 p.m. Sept. 4-5; 8 a.m. Sept. 6; 10:30 a.m. Sept. 7. Free. 952-895-4491. www.burnsvillefiremuster.com.

RIVER CITY DAYS: Medallion hunt, talent competition, disc golf, fun run, sidewalk sale. City Square park and other locations, see www.chaskarivercitydays.com for detailed information. 4 p.m. July 25; 10 a.m. July 26; 9:30 a.m. July 27. City Square Park, 300 Chestnut St.

EAGAN

EAGAN FUNFEST: Carnival, Texas Hold'em tournament, car show vendors. Fireworks at dusk on Friday. 2 p.m.-midnight Thursday; 10 a.m.-midnight Friday. Central Park, 1501 Central Pkwy. 651-675-5001. www.eaganfunfest.org.

FARMINGTON

DAKOTA COUNTY FAIR: 4-10 p.m. Aug. 4; 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Aug. 5-9; 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 10. $2-$5. Dakota County Fairgrounds, 4008 W. 220th St. 651-463-8818. www.dakotacountyfair.org.

INVER GROVE HEIGHTS DAYS: Music and family activities. Sept. 5-7. Oakwood Park, 78th St. and Clayton Av. www.ighdays.org.

JORDAN

SCOTT COUNTY FAIR: Live music, carnival, food, beer garden, 4-H events and contests. Noon-10 p.m. July 23; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. July 24-26; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. July 27. $5-$10. Scott County Fairgrounds, 7151 W. 190th St. 952-492-2436. www.scottcountyfair.com.

SCOTT CARVER THRESHERS STEAM & GAS ENGINE FESTIVAL: Vintage farm equipment, daily parade and flea market. 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Aug. 1-2; 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Aug. 3. $8. Thresher's Park, north of Hwy. 169 near the Scott County Fairgrounds. 952-496-8164. www.scottcarverthreshers.org.

HEIMATFEST: Family activities and entertainment. Sept. 5-6. Free. Lagoon Park, 300 Park Dr. 952-492-2355.

PAN-O-PROG: Fun fair, Miss Lakeville pageant, pet show, orchestra. Fireworks at dusk Friday. Friday through July 13. Lakeville North High School, 19600 Ipava Av. www.panoprog.org.

MENDOTA

MENDOTA DAY: Parade and family activities. Noon July 12. Free. Sibley Historic Site, 1357 Sibley Hwy. 651-322-0827. www.cityofmendota.org.

MONTGOMERY

KOLACKY DAYS: Arts and heri­tage exhibit, blacksmithing demonstration, park dance, log cabin display, live music. Noon July 25; 8 a.m. July 26-27. Montgomery Memorial Park, Park Lane W. and 5th St. SE. www.montgomerymn.org/kdayschedtentative.html.

DOZINKY CZECH HARVEST FESTIVAL: Friday night car cruise and Saturday festival with traditional Czech dishes, beer garden and open-air market. 6:30 p.m. Sept. 19; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 20. Main St. www.newprague.com.

NORTHFIELD

DEFEAT OF JESSE JAMES DAYS: Family entertainment, parade, bank robbery re-enactment, dances and more. Sept. 3-7. Events held at various locations around Northfield. See website for details of times and locations of specific events. www.djjd.org.

PRIOR LAKE

LAKEFRONT MUSIC FEST: Blues Traveler, Smash Mouth, Sugar Ray, Trace Adkins and others. 5 p.m. July 18; 3:30 p.m. July 19. $20. Lakefront Park, 5000 Kop ­Pkwy. www.lakefrontmusicfest.com

LAKEFRONT DAYS: Music, boat tours, business expo and more. Fireworks at dusk, Aug. 9. Aug. 7-9. Prior Lake Lakefront Pavilion, 15836 Ridgemont Av. SE. www.priorlakechamber.com.

ROSEMOUNT

LEPRECHAUN DAYS: Puppets in the park, bluegrass music festival, photo contest, parade and amusement rides. July 18-27. Rosemount Central Park, 2893 145th St. W. www.rosemountevents.com/leprechaun.html.

SHAKOPEE

DERBY DAYS: Market fair, business expo, live entertainment and family activities. July 30-Aug. 3. Huber Park, 150 Fillmore St. N. 952-233-9500. www.shakopeederbydays.com.

WACONIA