(Saint Paul, MN) The Saint Paul Convention and Visitors Bureau is gearing up for its busy festival season and this year has an array of offerings to suit every taste and demographic. The city shrugs off winter and prepares to celebrate spring on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, with An Irish Celebration, a day of parades, entertainment and crafts celebrating the Irish heritage of many of the city's residents. Follow the green line down 4th Street to March in the noon time parade, enjoy Irish music and dancing at the Landmark Center and stop at The Liffey, McGovern's, O'Gara's or another of Saint Paul's Irish pubs to gear up for green beer and lively music and song.
Ethnic celebrations continue April 29 through May 2 when Festival of Nations, the state's largest multi-cultural celebration, showcases 90 ethnic groups presenting cafes, folk dances, cultural exhibits, guest entertainers and an international bizarre.
April is also "Art Crawl" month, a self guided tour of artists' studios and galleries takes place April 23-24 in the trendy Lowertown area, where many artists live in renovated loft spaces with outstanding lighting and views.
Minnesotans move outdoors by May, just in time for the Cinco de Mayo Mexican Fiesta, the upper Midwest's largest Latino/Hispanic celebration featuring ethnic foods, live entertainment, a salsa eating contest and a vibrant colorful parade. The celebration takes place in the city's District del Sol, so visitors can grab a bite in many Mexican restaurants and grocery stores that surround the festival area.
The Melaleuca Freedom Celebration is held on Harriet Island on Memorial Day and pays tribute to our nation's veterans, but also features the state's largest fireworks display, which draws 200,000 visitors each year.
Kids take center stage in June during the Flint Hills International Children's festival for children ages 4-10. This celebration of the arts held at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts June 1-6 was named a top group tour festival in 2003 by the Minnesota Office of Tourism. The year's festival features a giant fairytale Sand Castle which will soar 30 feet into the air on Market Street next to Landmark Plaza. Construction on the castle, which will be made of 150 tons of sand, will begin May 27th. Those who missed Saint Paul's Winter Carnival Ice Palace will NOT want to miss the Summer Sand Castle!
Grand Old Day is a great excuse to meander along a three-mile stretch of Grand Avenue, one of the city's favorite shopping and dining spots, and enjoy a day of entertainment including a morning parade, food, music and family activities on June 6.
Classic cars line the downtown streets Friday and Saturday nights during the summer months for Capital City Classic Cruisers. If you really want to get revved up, go to the Back to the 50s Car Show held at the State Fairgrounds June 18-20. Over 300 acres of street rods are an amazing site, but talking with their owners who come from thousands of miles to show off their pride and joy is a real treat.
Fourth of July is always an exciting time at the Taste of Minnesota Festival on Harriet Island, but this year a visit promises to be a once in a lifetime, no, make that once in two lifetimes experience, as it takes place during Grand Excursion 2004.
Grand Excursion 2004 is a celebration of the upper Mississippi that culminates with the Grand Flotilla, the largest steamboat flotilla on the upper Mississippi in 150 years, which will travel 400 miles from the Quad Cities of Iowa and Illinois arriving at the Port of Saint Paul July 4th weekend. A terrific lineup of special events is scheduled including a Welcome Ceremony, the world's largest balloon arch, special musical and theatrical performances, fireworks extravaganzas and more. For a detailed schedule of Twin Cities events visit www.visitsaintpaul.com and follow the Grand Excursion link. For Grand Excursion boat and train tickets or for information on regional events, please visit www.grandexcursion.com or call the ticketing number 1-866-GEX-2004.
The festivities continue in August with the 10th Annual Circus Juventas, held in Highland Park August 5-15. It?s an opportunity for area youth to show off their skills as they perform Cirque du Soleil-like acts of awesome grace and daring.
Entertainment takes a turn towards the green when Irish Fair of Minnesota comes to Harriet Island August 13-15. The free festival showcases top notch Irish musical entertainment, dance, food, demonstrations, contests, folklore, a marketplace and more.
The Minnesota State Fair signifies the end of summer, but the beginning of the biggest 12 days of fun in town. Livestock demonstrations, national musical acts, exhibitions, a thrilling Midway area and at least 25 varieties of food on a stick are reasons to visit the State Fairgrounds August 26 through Labor Day.
When the autumn sun smiles on Saint Paul, the city's German population kicks up its heels at Rheinfest on the Mississippi, an Oktorberfest-type celebration on Harriet Island. Celebrate German culture and heritage with food, beverages, music and educational performances.
For detailed information on festivals and events, visit the web site at www.visitsaintpaul.com and follow the Events Calendar link or call 1-800-627-6101.

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NOTE TO MEDIA: Digital images of many festivals are available. To request a CD of images or to have a selection emailed to you, please contact Pat Laurel, Publications and Graphics Coordinator at 651-265-4921 or [email protected].