Parktacular 2013 To Be 'Bigger Than Ever in All Areas'

When Parktacular 2013 kicks off this Thursday, June 13, President Joan Fenton said it will give the St. Louis Park community a chance to put its best foot forward.

"This is our 18th year and we're very excited," Fenton said. "It's going to be way bigger than ever in all areas."

Size is literally one of the selling points for new addition "The Hippo," which Fenton said is the world's largest inflatable water slide. The Hippo is 36 feet high, 47 feet wide and 175 feet in length, according to manufacturer Freestyle Slides.

"Somewhere along the way I might have said I'd try riding the Hippo," Fenton said. "I unfortunately may have to actually ride it, now."

The event's annual Grand Day Parade, which goes from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 15, will feature both the WCCO weather mobile and Grand Marshal Jason DeRusha. 

The weekend's biggest event is the "Rock the Block" Concert, which Fenton said brings new performers the Casablanca Orchestra's mixture of rock and soul music to the Shops at West End. The concert starts at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 14, with admission running $5 or free to anyone sporting a Parktacular button.

"We're hoping for a big turnout for the show, as they're a pretty well-known band," Fenton said. "God willing, the rain with stay out of sight for the concert."

In keeping with the theme of "bigger," the Kidtacular area—sponsored by Nordic Ware—will sport more activities, including the Nickelodeon Universe Scream Team, MN Pro Paintball Shooting Range, inflatables and face painting.

For this year's Parktacular, Fenton said she hopes there is something for just about anyone who might be attending the celebration.

"Parktacular is a way that we can show off the good things about St. Louis Park to the residents of SLP as well as to the people who come to visit us from other communities," she said.

Below, you can find a full rundown of events, sorted by date. All events are free, unless otherwise noted.

Thursday, June 13

• Parktacular Senior Dinner and Coronation: 4:30 – 8 p.m. NEW BAND! An Evening in Paradise, music by Cyril Paul & the Calypso Monarchs.

Friday, June 14

• Friends of the Foundation Benefit for SLPCF: 5:30 – 7 p.m.
• Rock the Block with Casablanca Orchestra: 6:30 – 11:30 p.m. NEW BAND! gates open at 6 pm. Ragtown is up first with their acoustic music, then enjoy CBO’s rock and soul dancing tunes.

Saturday, June 15

• Dad Dash 5K Fun Run/Walk sponsored by SLP Flyers Track and Field: 7:30 a.m.
• Memorial Blood Centers Blood Drive: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  
• DNR Family Fishing Clinic: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. 
• Family Fishing: Noon – 6 p.m. 
• Parktacular Food Garden sponsored by SLP American Legion: 11 a.m – 10 p.m.
• Grand Day Parade: Noon – 2 p.m. 
• Water Slides and Inflatables: 2 – 8 p.m.
• Promote Yourself Tradeshow: 2 – 6 p.m 
• Health Fair sponsored by Park Nicollet Health Services: 2 - 6 p.m. 
• Kidtacular sponsored by Nordic Ware: 2 – 6 p.m.
• Parktacular Miniature Art Hunt awards: 4:30 p.m.
• Junior and Young Adult Ambassador Coronation: 4 p.m.
• Bingo sponsored by SLP Knights of Columbus: 5 – 10 p.m.
• FREE Concert - Beatles Tribute Band Rubber Soul sponsored by Park Nicollet Health Services: 7 – 10 p.m.

• Belgian Waffle Brunch sponsored by the Boy Scout Troop #282: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Community Faith Service: 10:30 a.m. - Noon