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. August Special Events: 8/14 The Toyota Farm to Table Tour comes to the RDFM! 9 local chefs will provide bite-size tastings of food prepared from local growers' ingredients; customer gifts; music all morning; Mayo dietician interns will furnish recipes and samples of the "Sweet Treats of Summer."
8/28 hands-on demonstration at the Master Gardeners'booth: Making Bread Pots.
More info: 507-273-8232, or
www.rochesterdowntownfarmersmarket.org

"Spongebob Squarepants" free kids movie @ Chateau

"Spongebob Squarepants" at the Cinemagic Chateau Theatre. Doors open at 10:30, movie starts at 11:00. First come first serve. 507-206-5500 (work)

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 Gymnastics

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

Rochester Art Center's Free Family Day @ 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

COLLABORATION WITH THE ROCHESTER ART CENTER. Saturday August 7 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Make a watercolor painting of your favorite zoo animal or simply paint the beautiful landscape at Oxbow Park. Visitors of all ages are free to roam the park grounds and enjoy a day of self-guided painting. Art supplies will be provided free of charge. Art center and park staff will be on hand to assist.

FEED THE OTTERS. Saturday August 14 at 1:00 p.m. The otters eat, you watch! Who will you root for, the otters or the minnows? This popular program promises to educate and entertain! (All Ages)

PRAIRIE HIKE. Saturday August 21 at 10:00 a.m. Come and enjoy a beautiful morning stroll through one of Oxbow's restored native prairies. A park naturalist will guide you on a short hike while discussing the benefits of native prairie grasses.(All Ages).

DEER AND ELK FEEDING. Saturday August 28 at 1:00 p.m. A short hike over to the elk and deer pens will allow participants to get a closer look at these spectacular creatures. Come and learn more about antlers, deer and elk behavior, and possibly even get the chance to give them a treat!(Accommodations CAN be made for non-hikers, seniors, etc.)


BEAR FEEDING. Saturday September 4 at 10:00 a.m. Our resident black bear is hungry once again! Join us as we share some natural history facts about black bears. We will tempt her with a wide variety of foods. What will she eat first? Come to this program to find out! (All Ages).

RAPTOR FEEDING. Saturday September 11 at 3:00 p.m. Spend an afternoon learning more about some of our area's most common birds of prey. Not only will you enjoy hearing interesting facts, but you'll also enjoy watching them eat. (All ages)


BISON FEEDING. Saturday September 18 at 1:00 p.m. Bring the entire family out for a closer look at the majestic Plains Bison. You'll learn interesting facts about these marvelous beasts and get a close-up look at feeding time. A short hike is involved, and accommodations can be made for folks needing to drive to the bison pen. (All Ages)


SEED COLLECTING – Saturday September 25 at 10:00 a.m. Come and enjoy a beautiful morning stroll through one of Oxbow's restored native prairies. A park naturalist will guide you on a short hike while discussing the benefits of native prairie grasses. (All Ages)

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