We love a parade! Linden Hills Co-op Grocery & Deli is hosting a "Parade to Sunnyside" at noon on Sunday. Co-op members, shoppers and friends will walk from the current co-op at 2813 W. 43rd St. to its newer, bigger digs at 3815 Sunnyside Av., Mpls. The eight-piece Jack Brass Band will lead the Mardi Gras-themed march. Kids are encouraged to decorate their bikes, while parade participants are asked to bring beads and horns from home. Anyone with Linden Hills Co-op memorabilia may place it in a wheelbarrow that will be pushed to the new store, where it will become part of a time capsule. The new co-op officially opens Sept. 23.
Nicollet Island history Nicollet Island Inn celebrates its namesake location with a special "Wine & Words" dinner Sept. 23, featuring a three-course menu from executive chef Adam Droski with wine pairings. The words come from Christopher and Rushika February Hage, authors of "Images of America: Nicollet Island," who will give a special presentation on the visual history of what is the only inhabited island on the Mississippi River. Each guest will receive a signed copy of the book. Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Mississippi River Trail. Cost is $60 per guest. For reservations, call Erin at 612-331-1800, or visit www.nicollet islandinn.com/wine-dinner for more information.
Czech Slovak Festival Suffering from State Fair calorie withdrawal? Consider the 21st annual Czech Slovak Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Highland Park Pavilion, 1200 Montreal Av., St. Paul.
The free festival celebrates the ethnic and immigrant culture reaching back to St. Paul's first Czech Slovak settlement in the 1860s. There will be folk music (Slov-Czech Trio, Zuhrah Shrine Band) and folk dancing.
But the real lure is the menu of dumplings, pork ribs, sauerkraut, cabbage rolls, sausages and much more. To help or join in the fun, call 651-297-9000 or send e-mail to festival@sokolmn.org.
Even more sausage Kramarczuk's is hosting its first-ever Kielbasa Festival on Friday and Saturday, complete with a Kielbasa king and queen. The Minneapolis landmark recently was featured on the Food Network show "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," and decided to build on the buzz, as well as thank the community. There will be a kielbasa recipe contest, live music, sausages, T-shirts, souvenir prints and more. Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at 215 E. Hennepin Av., Mpls. Tickets are on sale at the store and online for $10 at www.kramarczuk.com. Attendees receive one free beer and souvenir stein with ticket purchase.
