![Multicolored flags drape from the eaves of roofs over the dirt streets inside the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. ] (SPECIAL TO THE STAR TRIBUNE/BRE McGEE)](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/SSDUQEYPZZI2HHPZIK67D2B4KU.jpg?&w=1080)
RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL
"Silk Road: Discover the Riches" is the theme for this weekend. Guests can partake in the mystical festivities of the fairy festival. Work your midsection during belly dance lessons. Other attractions include jousting, stage and street acts, live music and more. (9 a.m.-7 p.m. Fri.-Mon. $13.95-$22.95. Minnesota Renaissance Festival Grounds, 12364 Chestnut Blvd., Shakopee. 952-445-7361. www.renaissancefest.com.)
SANDCASTLE CONTEST
Sandcastle, the seasonal restaurant at Lake Nokomis, is hosting a weekend of fun. Bring a pail, shovel and your imagination to a sandcastle-building contest for adults and kids. Sunday, check out a fire truck and Monday includes wiener dog races. Also ice cream-eating contests, live music and more. (1 p.m. Fri.-Mon. Free. Lake Nokomis, 4955 E. Lake Nokomis Pkwy., Mpls. 612-673-2100. www.sandcastlempls.com/ news---events.html.)MELISSA WALKER
