Youth Day at Pan-O-Prog was a great find. It happens on a Friday which might make it hard for some to attend, but it was a very well put together free kids activity. I drove 45 minutes to get there, and would do it again.
They had the Teddy Bear Band playing for an hour along with a couple kids activities at library booths. They moved into the “Ball Drop”, I have never been to a ball drop, but Lakeville moms were talking about doing this activity since they were little kids. They broke the groups up by age, then there was designated areas and folks in baskets of trucks tossed ping-pong balls over the crowd. Kids would collect as many balls as they could and the balls were turned in for nickels or quarters – real money given at a free event. They did break the 2 – 4 age group into two, but instead of doing it further by age (big difference in the ball catching skills of a 2 and 4 year old) they did it by last name.
They also provided a free hot dog lunch with granola bars, juice and freeze pops. After the ball drop and lunch, they had a puppet show, but instead we played at the park. They also had a police car and kids could “drive” it and turn on the siren.
I would go back – and I would recommend it to folks with small kids. I think the ball drop ages were from 2 to 13, but the rest of the activities were, in my opinion, tailored to children under 8.
On Sunday, we headed over to Hudson for the Free Minnesota Orchestra concert. It is one of my husband’s favorite free summer events and he goes each year. It draws a large crowd, and it is in a nice area to grab a bite to eat or walk around before the evening concert. If you like orchestra music, it is worth the stop. Bring your own chairs or blankets and bug spray.
Keep Entertained 