Weekend Happenings: January 23 - 25, 2015

2015 Progressive Insurance Minneapolis Boat Show
Minneapolis Convention Center
1301 2nd Ave. S, Mpls.
Jan. 22-25, 2015
Thurs:  2p-9p
Fri:  12p-9p
Sat: 10a-9p
Sun:  10a-5p
Cost:  Adults:  $12, Children 15 and under FREE

Source:  Minneapolis Convention Center

What better way to beat back the winter doldrums than to dream of summer.  And what better place to dream of summer than to go to the boat show!  Even if you aren't in the market for a new boat, there are plenty of things to do while you visit the show.

The Island Experience features a beach/marina environment, complete with real sand, boats at the dock, live music and a pirate ship for the kiddos. Get your feet wet (so to speak) at Paddlefest where people 10 years and older can try kayaking and Stand Up Paddleboarding in a real pool inside the Convention Center. Attend free seminars on all things boating. And snap a picture of a tow boat made entirely out of ice (20,000 pounds of ice, or 10 tons, to be exact).

On Friday visitors can enjoy a night of craft beer sampling at Anchors & Ales featuring eight of the country’s top microbreweries. Anchors & Ales ticket holders can taste a variety of brews while browsing exhibits featuring the newest boats and marine accessories for sale. Visitors can also grab a bite from Seven Sushi & Steakhouse and listen to boating music from Jambo Joe Bones at the Wings Financial Credit Union Island Experience inside the boat show.

Beer Dabbler Winter Carnival

Might Midway and the Coliseum

Minnesota State Fairgrounds

Jan. 24, 2015

3:30p to 7:30p

Cost:  $40 in advance, $50 at the gate ($10 for a Designated Driver). They do have a VIP option, or as they call it, Very Important Dabbler (VID) for $99, which gets you a few more perks.

Source:  sctimes.com

We Minnesotans are hearty folk. So hearty, in fact, that our state’s largest outdoor beer festival takes place in the winter. Of course it does; it’s the Beer Dabbler Winter Carnival, and what a festival it is.

There will be over 120 breweries on hand, so you won’t go thirsty. And you won’t go hungry either as a plethora of food trucks and carts will be there to kick those hunger pangs to the curb. Along with food and drink, you can enjoy some live music, dance in the silent disco, take a ride on a snow slide, flex your knowledge in a trivia scavenger hunt and so much more.

Source:  Minneapolis Happenings Magazine