Taste of Minnesota

Five days of free entertainment plus nightly fireworks at this annual family-fun event on Harriet Island

In Short
This is the granddaddy of Minnesota food festivals, lasting five feasting days. Where else can you sample a Cajun steak sandwich and deep-fried jalapeno cheese curds, then wash it all down with a watermelon smoothie or an Italian soda? Finish it (and yourself) off with New York cheesecake, baklava or a Wacky Mountain sundae. Located on the banks of the Mississippi River in downtown St. Paul, more than 50 area restaurants set up stands alongside live music and dazzling nightly fireworks.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Taste of Minnesota's musical lineup for the 2005 summer festival will entertain fans young and old. Featured acts include Smokey Robinson, Mary Wilson of the Supremes, 90s R&B stars Boyz II Men, and the funk-rock group Sugar Ray. The state's largest FREE festival runs June 30-July 4 along the Mississippi River in downtown St. Paul.

The lineup will also feature local favorites including Olympic Hopefuls, Tina Schlieske,

gb leighton, Tim Mahoney, the Big Wu, and the Honeydogs.

"This year's A Taste of Minnesota will bring together locally and nationally known acts that will appeal to all musical tastes. It has always been our desire to showcase a variety of musicians to make sure we reach people of all ages,"said John Labosky, president of the Capital City Partnership, which owns A Taste of Minnesota. "It's rare to have such a diverse mix of performers on stage in an ideal open space like Harriet Island - and it's free!"

In addition, the 2005 festival will pay homage to the 50th Anniversary of Rock & Roll with performances by Chubby Checker and Bo Diddley. It's such an honor to have these rock and roll legends perform at this year's A Taste of Minnesota," said Ron Maddox, festival general manager. "I can't think of a better way to recognize this milestone in American pop culture."