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Fourth of July in Minnesota: A 2012 guide

by Andrea Swensson

July 02, 2012

We normally stick to covering music here on the Local Current Blog, but let's face it: when it comes to the Fourth of July, the real draw is the fireworks display. Here's your guide to fireworks (and some music!) in the Twin Cities metro.

Downtown Minneapolis is hosting its annual Red, White and BOOM festivities all along the riverfront, with prime fireworks viewing along St. Anthony Main and in Boom Island Park. Prior to the fireworks, Romantica will perform at the Nicollet Island Pavillion at 7 p.m., and a screening of Captain America will begin at 9 p.m.

Minneapolis also has a firework display in Powderhorn Park, along with a full day of family-friendly activities. Musicians performing in Powderhorn this year include Phil Heywood (4:30 p.m.), Detroit Don King (8:30 p.m.), and more.

And Saint Paul will launch fireworks from Harriet Island this year, even in the absence of the annual Taste of Minnesota celebration. The new fireworks display is being funded by Live Nation, who just threw their inaugural River's Edge Festival in that space last month. 

To help you navigate this year's fireworks and find the display closest to you, we've compiled a map of the major 2012 fireworks shows happening throughout the state this week.

You can also find a list of many of the Twin Cities and statewide fireworks, including start times, below.

Albert Lea: Dusk at Fountain Lake
Alexandria: Dusk at Arrowwood Resort
Andover: 8 p.m. at Fun Fest (1685 Crosstown Blvd)
Anoka: 10 p.m. at Anoka High School
Apple Valley: 10 p.m. at Johnny Cake Ridge Park
Blaine: 10 p.m. at Aquatore Park
Bloomington: July 3, 10 p.m. at Normandale Lake Bandshell
Burnsville: Dusk at Raceway Park
Chanhassen: 10 p.m. at McKnight Park
Coon Rapids: 10 p.m. at Sand Creek Park
Cottage Grove: 10 p.m. at Kingston Park
Delano: Fireworks at 10:30 p.m. at Central Park
Duluth: 10:10 p.m. at Bayfront Festival Park
Eagan: 10 p.m. at Eagan Community Center
Eden Prarie: 10 p.m. at Round Lake Park
Elk River: 10 p.m. at Korean War Memorial in Lions Park
Excelsior/Lake Minnetonka: 10 p.m. at Excelsior Commons
Faribault: 10:15 p.m. at Alexander Park
Hudson, WI: July 3, 10 p.m. at Booster Days Festival 
Lakeville: Pre-dusk fireworks, main firework show after dusk at Lakeville North High School
Minneapolis (downtown): 10 p.m.
Minneapolis (Powderhorn Park): 10 p.m.
Prior Lake: 10 p.m. at Watzl's Beach
Oakdale: 10 p.m. at Walton Park
Richfield: 10 p.m. at Veteran's Park
Roseville: 10 p.m. at Bennett Lake
Shakopee: 9:50 p.m. at Valleyfair 
St. Cloud: 10 p.m. over Mississippi, view from Hester and Wilson Parks
St. Louis Park: 10 p.m. at Aquila Park
Stillwater: 10 p.m. over the St. Croix River
White Bear Lake: 10 p.m. at Memorial Beach
St. Paul (Harriet Island): 10 p.m.
Woodbury: 10 p.m. at Ojibway Park

Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment
This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.