The Best Festival Money Can’t Buy

Who doesn't like a free festival in the park?

Reader publisher Bob Boone has been talking about it for months. The local rag is celebrating its 15th anniversary and Boone wanted to throw a party. It's his way of giving back... and letting everyone know he's still here.

It’s ReaderFest, a full week of free events for the Northland community. A lot of these attractions we take for granted because we live here, but if you've got company from out of town and their hankering to see a bit of the Twin Ports, or you just need an excuse to get out of the house, then here's your chance courtesy the Reader.

On page 28 of the current issue of the Reader, the one with a chimp on the cover, there’s a Clip & Save coupon with a list of this week’s special events. It’s a bit late for Sunday’s free Huskies game and Monday’s free admission to the Lake Superior Zoo. But it’s not too late for the rest.

Today, July 24, your coupon will give you free admission to the Adventure Zone from 4 pm to 8 pm with free arcade, mini-golf, lazer tag and more. And from 9 am to 4 pm you get free access for a ship tour of the Meteor at Barker’s Island. If you’ve never been, it’s a nice inside peak at a piece of our Great Lakes history.

Wednesday, everyone with a pass can take a ride on the Alpine Coaster, Zip Line or Mini Golf. We’ve all read about it in the papers. Now’s your chance to check it out. Something else you can do on Wednesday is to take a free tour of the Two Harbors Lighthouse Station Museum from 10 am to 6 pm.

Thursday is another special day with free admission to the Duluth Children’s Museum from 4-8 pm. Then there’s Beer & Wine Tasting at the Great Hall beginning at 5:30. Limited to the first 350 people. Be there or be…

Wait, you better save your energy for the weekend.

Friday there are free William A Irvin tours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Uprising is one of nine bands performing Saturday in the park.

And then Saturday... the Big Bash in Bayfront Park. ReaderFest 2012. Here's the shakedown, with Vicci Martinez ripping it up as headliner.

12:30: Brothers Burn Mountain
1:30: Hannah Rey
2:30 Ultraday
3:30: The Cutthroats
4:30: Bryan Olds Band
5:30: Uprising
6:30: Centerville All-Stars
7:45: Molly & The Danger Band
9:00: Vicci Martinez

And let's not forget the DJs: DJ Path Annu, DJ Vincent Banks & DJ Nola. Cross your fingers for good weather, Bob.

Uprising photo courtesy Tara Stone.