Annual Rosefest Festival Starts Saturday

Rosefest, Roseville’s annual summer festival, begins an eight-day run Saturday, June 23 with this year’s extravaganza offering more than 20 events.

The summer celebration kicks off with a “Run/Roll for the Roses,’’ 5K and10K races for able-bodied runners and wheelchair participants that finish at the Roseville Skating Center. The races typically attract some 300 to 400 participants, according to city Parks and Recreation officials.

The festival concludes on July 4 with a day of games, concessions and entertainment at Central Park at Lexington Avenue. A  fireworks show is set for 10 p.m. over Bennett Lake.

In between those starting and ending days, a myriad of other events are scheduled including a golf tournament, charity police and fire softball game, a blues festival, food and wine tasting, outdoor movie night and 22rst annual Rose Parade, with the title sponsor Roseville Affinity Plus Credit Union.

City Parks and Recreation officials said they try to hold events that will appeal to a variety of people. They said the parks department oversees organizing Rosefest but the celebration is also largely a volunteer-driven endeavor.

Some Rosefest highlights:

Saturday, June 23: 

7:55 a.m, 5 and 10K races.  Roseville Skating Center.

7 to 9 p.m. Rosefest Campfire at Harriet Alexander Nature Center.

Sunday, June 24

4 p.m. Guns & Hoses benefit softball game at Central Park at Lexington.

6:30 p.m. Minnesota Sinfonia at Central Park Frank Rog Amphitheatre.

Monday, June 25

6:15 p.m.  Annual Rose Parade, which starts from Roseville High School  and finishes at the Roseville Skating Center.

Tuesday, June 26

6 to 9 p.m. Blues festival at Central Park Frank Rog Amphitheatre .

Thursday, June 28

5 to 8 p.m.  Taste of Rosefest  at Central Park Muriel Sahlin Arboretum.

5 to 7 p.m. Touch a truck. See the big rigs  at Central Park.

Wednesday, July 4

1 to 10:30 p.m.Games, concessions and entertainment at Central Park. Evening fireworks show concludes the day.

A complete schedule of Rosefest can be found by clicking this link.