Royal Ale Fest & Pat's Tap Block Party: Your Weekend Best Bets

Each week, we'll bring you five Best Bets to make sure your summer weekend isn't wasted. This week we bring you alternatives to the Great Minnesota Get-Together.

• Saturday, August 25, 10 a.m.
• 7210 County Road 110 Ext, Minnetrista

Explore the Gale Woods Farm barn, where you can meet animals, assist a Gale Woods farmer with chores, and participate in other seasonal farm activities.

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• Aug. 25-25
• The Festival is located three miles south of Shakopee on Hwy 169.

Celebrate the art and history of beer this weekend! The Royal Ale Festival has been a staple weekend with special events including free beer tastings, Homebrew Competition, Bird Show, Bean Bag Tournament, and Barbecue Competition with vendors. 

• Saturday, August 25, Noon
• , 3954 Bryant Ave S, Minneapolis

Fun for all ages at this popular neighborhood festival in south Minneapolis.  Enjoy delicious grilled food while rocking to live music from The KGB Band and The Word Party. Twin Town Guitars will feature a showcase of their student talent along with a musical petting zoo. 

Pat's Tap Block Party

• Saturday, Aug. 25, 3-9 p.m.
• 3500 Block of Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis

The increasing trend of restaurant-hosted block parties continues at Pat's Tap, which will throw a block party in conjunction with SOO Visual Arts Center. The party will feature food festivities and live music. You might see life-size animal crackers or a magic unicorn mountain! 

• Saturday, Aug. 25, 6:30-10 p.m.
• Your Art's Desire, Minnetonka

An exhibition about recovery (from addiction) by artists in recovery. This year, artists explore the theme of "finding strength" in the medium of their choice. An opening reception will be hosted from 6:30-10 p.m. on Aug. 25 at Your Art's Desire in Minnetonka. The show will run continuously during gallery hours through the month of September in honor of National Recovery Month.