Rochester Downtown Farmers Market

Rochester Downtown Farmers Market. Located at 4th St SE, across from the Super America, the outdoor market runs every Saturday from 7:30 am - noon, through the last Saturday in October. Locally grown produce, meats, plants & flowers, baked goods, cheese, eggs, preserves, and specialty items from a host of neighboring farmers. Music and performances, chef demos, Master Gardeners, and special events throughout the season. More info: 507-273-8232, or www.rochesterdowntownfarmersmarket.org

Cimarron Neighborhood's RColorful Corners Street Mural Painting

RNeighbors empowers Rochester neighborhood residents to work together to create colorful projects, such as street murals, transforming public space into neighborhood assets. Grab your family and join us in the Cimarron Neighborhood near the playground at 20 1/2 Avenue NW and 48th Street NW on Saturday, July 31 for a street mural painting symbolizing "Unity" (rain date-August 1). Contact Rene Jones Lafflam: rene@rneighbors.org for more information.

Children's Zoo Time @ Oxbow Park

Oxbow Park/Zollman Zoo (5731 County Rd 105 NW, Byron) has a number of special events scheduled. For more information on any of these events visit their website at www.co.olmsted.mn.us/parks/oxbow_park_&_zoo.asp or call 775-2451. In case of inclement weather, call 775-2451 for program information/changes.

UPCOMING EVENTS

TREE IDENTIFICATION – Saturday, July 24 at 10:00 a.m. Let us share some basic tree identification tips with you! This "how to" class is great for anyone interested in learning about "trees and such." (Ages 8 and up).

CHILDREN'S ZOO TIME – Saturday, July 31 at 10:00 a.m. This program is one you just can't miss. We will let you get an up-close look at a few of our zoo critters (maybe even touch one), plus learn some interesting facts about the wild creatures that live in southern Minnesota. This will prove to be great fun for the whole family.

Oliver - A Words Players Production

July 23, 7 p.m.; July 24, 10 a.m. & 7 p.m.; July 25, 6 p.m.; July 29, 7 p.m.; July 30, 7 p.m.; July 31, 10 a.m. & 7 p.m. Held in the Historic Stoppel Barn @ the History Center, 1195 West Circle Drive. Call 216-6431 or email boxoffice@northlandwords.org or visit www.northlandwords.org.

Storytime @ ABC/Toy Zone

Storytime at ABC & Toy Zone • Miracle Mile Shopping Center • 286-8440 • www.abctoyzone.com

Story Time with Peter Wednesdays at 10:30am. Story Time with Kristin Fridays at 10:30am. Story Time with Peter Saturdays at 10:30am. Free craft project immediately following Saturday's storytime (11 a.m.).

Open Gym @ JETS

Open Gym - Saturdays, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. $7 members/$10 non-members. Supervised for ages 5 and up. Under 5 must be parent supervised. 2440 Clare Lane NE • 285-9262 • www.jetsgym.com

Parent/Child Class @ Prairie Walls Climbing Gym

Learning to rock climb with your children is a great family activity. In climbing, the challenges and rewards are essentially the same for children and adults, creating a unique family experience. In this two-hour introductory climbing class parents and children 12 and older will learn the basic safety skills required for climbing at Prairie Walls. Including how to put on a climbing harness, tie the rope into the harness, safety checks, top rope belaying, basic vertical movement and bouldering. You learn by doing and we will have you on the wall in no time. Children 11 and under will climb while the parents belay them. Upon successful completion of this class parents and children 12 and older will have the skills required to climb at Prairie Walls on your own. Saturdays 2:00 to 4:00. Tuesdays 6:00 to 8:00. $35.00 for each adult or child 12 and older. $18.00 per child 11 years and younger. The price includes all required rental equipment. Each participant receives a coupon for a free day pass, valid within two weeks of completing the class. With the instructors approval you may stay and climb after class. Reservations requested. www.prairiewalls.com/?page_id=195

Star Gazing @ Chester Woods

Discussion about and electronic presentation on the solar system, followed by sky gazing (if the weather cooperates participants can expect to see the craters on
the moon, planets, the Andromeda Galaxy, various star
constellations, nebulae, and more.)

The program is free, however a $5 daily or $25 Chester Woods annual vehicle pass is required. Meet at Picnic Shelter #6. Call if weather is questionable. Remember a sweatshirt and bug spray. Participants do not
need to bring their own telescope.


Chester Woods Park, 8378 Highway 14 East, Eyota. Saturday, July 31, 8:30 p.m. 287-2624 www.co.olmsted.mn.us/parks/chester_woods.asp