Are you staying in town for Memorial Day weekend? Here are a few things people can see or do this weekend in Eden Prairie.
Memorial Day ceremony
A Memorial Day ceremony is at 11 a.m. Monday, May 30, at the Eden Prairie Veterans Memorial in Purgatory Creek Park, 13001 Technology Drive.
The program includes patriotic songs played by the Eden Prairie High School band as Viking Civil Air Patrol cadets post the U.S. flag and the Eden Prairie Police Reserves Honor Guard raise the colors to full staff.
Eden Prairie author Tom Newman is the keynote speaker. He recently wrote the book “Just War,” detailing his survival as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam.
The Eden Prairie Veterans Memorial Committee hosts the annual ceremony. Mayor Ron Case will offer welcoming remarks, while committee chair Kevin Rofidal provides the closing remarks. Pastor Rod Anderson will give the invocation.
People are asked to bring a folding chair.
New neighbor
The resident herons, red-winged blackbirds and frogs have a new neighbor at Purgatory Creek Park.
Minnesota artist Jerry Carlson, who hails from Lindstrom, installed a traditional Icelandic-style elf house along the park trail on May 26.
In Iceland, according to Carlson, the elves are known as the Huldufolk. He said the Huldufolk are rumored to grant wishes to humans who ask politely (leaving treats for them helps). Many Icelanders build elaborate residences for any nearby elves. However, humans who tease the elves might find themselves victims of a nasty trick, such as a troll booger in their bed. In Iceland, children are cautioned never to throw rocks because they might accidentally hit an elf.
This elf house in Purgatory Creek Park is part of Eden Prairie’s Rotating Art Series for public art. Rustic in appearance, the house was built with reclaimed and secondhand materials. The installation also features a small mailbox, should people wish to leave letters for the elves.
Bryant Lake beach
Swimming at Bryant Lake Regional Park, 6800 Rowland Road, Eden Prairie, opens for business on Saturday, May 28.
The beach is unguarded and free; the lake has a sand bottom. Hours are 9 a.m.-8 p.m. daily through Labor Day.
The 170-acre Three Rivers Park District park offers many other amenities, including disc golf, boating, paddling, and geocaching. The park is also the host training site of the Twin Cities Youth Rowing Club.
Round Lake splash pad
The Round Lake splash pad officially opened for the summer on Friday, May 27, while the Miller Park splash pad will open in early June.
Round Lake’s splash pad is now open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Those are the same hours for the Miller Park splash pad when it opens.
Both are free to use.
To operate the Round Lake Park pad, press the button on the back of the red apparatus that resembles a megaphone. An automatic timer regulates the length of time the sprays operate.
The city’s Riley Lake and Round Lake beaches are anticipated to open on June 11.
Nature Rocks!
The Nature Rocks! open house takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 28, at the Outdoor Center, 13765 Staring Lake Parkway.
It’s billed as “free family fun,” where people can see the center’s resident animals and learn about future programs and events.
If you can’t make Saturday’s event, the Outdoor Center will host two more, one on June 4 and another on June 11.
Entertainment
* Fat Pants Brewing Co., 8335 Crystal View Road, Eden Prairie, offers some “tasty brews and slick tunes” (according to its Facebook page) all Memorial Day Weekend.
Musicians slated to entertain are Ryan Q. McGlennen (7-10 p.m. May 27); Kid Dakota (7-10 p.m. May 28); Thomas Larson (3-6 p.m. May 29); and Me & Todd with Maryn (6-9 p.m. May 30).
* Flying Dutchman Spirits, 6801 Flying Cloud Drive, has live music (as it does most Friday and Saturdays) this weekend. Billy Johnson will perform at 6 p.m. on May 27, while Geoff Jones will perform from 6-9 p.m. on May 28.
Next week
The Eden Prairie Lions Club’s 2022 Schooner Days will be at Round Lake Park, 16691 Valley View Road, next weekend.
Hours are 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, June 3, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 4, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 5.
Activities include carnival rides, children’s games, a bingo tent, food, beer, and a pickleball tournament on June 4.
There will be a courtesy shuttle from the Community Center and High School parking lots.
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