FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEET MINNEAPOLIS ANNOUNCES SECOND ANNUAL MINNEAPOLIS PATIO WEEK, SUMMER EVENTS

(MINNEAPOLIS) MAY 19, 2014 To kick off a summer filled with events, parades, activities and promotions, Meet Minneapolis, Convention and Visitors Association, launched their second-annual MINNEAPOLIS PATIO WEEK TODAY THROUGH MAY 26. Visitors and residents alike can enjoy food and beverage deals arranged at 38 restaurants and bars throughout the city, while dining on the rooftop, on a deck, on the sidewalk or by the water. For the entire list of Patio Week participating partners, visit the www.minneapolis.org/patios [http://www.minneapolis.org/patios] and use the handy map or check out the hours and specials available at each spot. In the event the weather prevents using the patio, dont stay away the specials are good inside the restaurants, too!

Summer is finally heating up in Minneapolis the busy season includes many events you wont want to miss:

JUNEALL SUMMER LONG, THE MINNEAPOLIS PARKS AND RECREATION BOARDS MUSIC & MOVIES IN THE PARK will screen classics, favorites and recent movies at parks throughout Minneapolis, from June 7-Aug. 24.

On June 14, the winner of the CREATIVE CITY CHALLENGE, BALANCING GROUND, will be unveiled alongside other artists in the dusk-to-dawn festival, NORTHERN SPARK, at the Minneapolis Convention Center Plaza. Balancing Ground is a welcoming interactive space which can be activated by one or 100 people. The public art installation transforms continuously, with shadow patterns and colors woven throughout the space. Balancing Ground will be there all summer long and is open to all. More information about Balancing Ground and the Creative City Challenge can be found here [http://www.minneapolis.org/minneapolis-convention-center/ccc/finalist/balancing-ground].

Rocking artists will take over the Walker Art Center Lawn June 21-22, with MPRs The Currents annual concert, ROCK THE GARDEN. The following weekend, TWIN CITIES PRIDE FESTIVAL will inundate the streets of Minneapolis and Loring Park with all-day concerts and one of the largest parades in the Midwest.

Also, you will see 35,000 volleyball players ages 12-18 and their families, friends and fans throughout Minneapolis during the USA VOLLEYBALL GIRLS JUNIOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS at the Minneapolis Convention Center June 24 July 3. Tickets to the championships are available through June 15 online [http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Events/Indoor/Girls/2014-Girls-JNC/Tickets] or starting June 23 at the MCC. The ticket booth will open at 7 a.m. starting June 24-July 3.

JULYMINNEAPOLIS IS THE PLACE TO BE IN JULY. ON THE FOURTH, CELEBRATE BY RUNNING THE RED WHITE AND BOOM TWIN CITIES HALF MARATHON before indulging in grill-out delicacies and outdoor fun. A spectacular fireworks display will light the sky along the Riverfront at 10 p.m. after the Red White and Boom celebration.

The 20th Annual BASILICA BLOCK PARTY will move into the Basilica of Saint Mary July 11-12 with bands including Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, The Airborne Toxic Event and Train.

In celebration of the Major League Baseballs 2014 All-Star Game, held at Minneapolis own Target Field on July 15, the T-MOBILE ALL-STAR FANFEST will be held July 11-15 at the Minneapolis Convention Center, the largest interactive baseball theme park in the world. In addition to FanFest, THE COLOR RUN MLB ALL-STAR 5K, PRESENTED BY NIKE will be held on July 13 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, where runners can expect to cross the finish line coated in different colors.

From July 18-26, the MINNEAPOLIS AQUATENNIAL will fill downtown Minneapolis with fun events, an annual block party and Target Fireworks, capped off with the Torchlight Parade. Creative City Challenges PLAY DAY ON THE PLAZA will encourage and empower the community to be active both mentally and physically on July 19. To kick off the day, attendees will practice yoga on the plaza, followed by other mind/body programs such as meditation and electronic hopscotch. The next day, Minneapolis will celebrate SISTER CITIES DAY with international entertainment and free ice cream sundaes to learn more about the citys 10 Sister Cities at Nicollet Island Pavilion.

Starting July 31 through Aug. 10, head to the MINNESOTA FRINGE FESTIVAL, where artists showcase their theatrical talents in performances that never last more than an hour.

AUGUSTTHE FIRST WEEKEND OF AUGUST KICKS OFF THE 51ST ANNUAL UPTOWN ART FAIR, featuring artists from 12 different media and known as one of the largest juried fine art fairs in the country. Browse the art, enjoy some delicious offerings from various food vendors and stop by the youth art fair to see Minneapolis talented young artists. The same weekend, you can explore more art at the LORING PARK ART FESTIVAL and the POWDERHORN ART FESTIVAL, which you can visit easily with the Metro Transit Art Pass.

From Aug. 16-Sept. 28, head to the MINNESOTA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL to get a glimpse into medieval life and enjoy various competitions including jousting, axe-throwing and lute-playing.

DISCOVERY DAY will be held Aug. 16 on the MCC Plaza, featuring a city-wide mystery game as well as booths and projects from local schools. Discovery Day is a great way to discover many of Minneapolis cultural, natural and retail marvels, and is an official event of the Creative City Challenge.

To wind down, attend the MINNESOTA STATE FAIR from Aug. 21-Sept. 1, where you can enjoy delicious fried anything on-a-stick, take home a bag full of freebies, check out the art and agricultural exhibits and ride a rollercoaster in the Mighty Midway to wrap up a terrific summer.

_ALL SUMMER_

Watch for Meet Minneapolis new event calendar, sample itineraries, maps, links and more on minneapolis.org [http://www.minneapolis.org/]. For deals on hotels, restaurants, attractions and exclusive experiences, check out go.minneapolis.org [http://go.minneapolis.org/].

_ABOUT MEET MINNEAPOLIS_

Meet Minneapolis is a private, not-for-profit, member-based association. It actively promotes and sells the Minneapolis area as a destination for conventions and meetings, works to maximize the visitor experience and markets the city as a desirable tourist destination to maximize the economic benefit of the greater Minneapolis area.

Online: WWW.MINNEAPOLIS.ORG [http://www.minneapolis.org/] and HTTP://GO.MINNEAPOLIS.ORG [http://go.minneapolis.org]

On Facebook: HTTP://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MEETMINNEAPOLIS?REF=TS [http://www.facebook.com/meetminneapolis?ref=ts]

On Twitter: HTTP://TWITTER.COM/MEETMINNEAPOLIS [http://twitter.com/meetminneapolis]

On Pinterest: HTTP://PINTEREST.COM/MEETMINNEAPOLIS/ [http://pinterest.com/meetminneapolis/]

_MEDIA CONTACT_

Kristen Montag, media & communication manager, 612.767.8038, KRISTENM@MINNEAPOLIS.ORG [kristenm@minneapolis.org], MINNEAPOLIS_PR [http://goo.gl/M48J8] on Twitter.

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