Spirit of the St. Croix Days

September 26-27, 2009

An Art, Music & Food Festival

The Spirit of the St. Croix Days will be held September 26-27, 2009 in Lakefront Park, downtown Hudson. This year's event will feature an artist village, entertainment, food & beverage vendors and more! The festival is free and open to the public (select activities have fees).This year will feature a free outdoor concert performance by the Minnesota Jazz Orchestra on Saturday evening from 5:00-6:30 p.m. Entry passes will be available for purchase for those who wish to attend the popular "Taste of Hudson: A Food, Wine and Beer Experience" held on Saturday evening in the event tent.

Food & Marketplace Vendors-Come hungry for great food & beverages and to learn about services & products available to purchase right here in the St. Croix Valley. From awarding winning grilled hot dogs & brats to chili, popcorn, pizza & dessert to wine, beer & soda/water, attendees will find everything to keep the entire family happy.

Scarecrows on Parade-The Downtown Retail businesses with scarecrows displayed at their businesses would like to invite visitors and local residents to stop by with their punch card to enjoy treats of the fall season, connect with local growers, and have opportunities to win prizes on both Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Artist Village
10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Over 65 regional artists participate in this juried art show. Organized in conjunction with The Phipps Center for the Arts. The Phipps Center for the Arts has a long history of bringing local and regional artists together to celebrate the uniqueness and the economic value of the arts in the St. Croix River Valley. The Artist Village will be open both days of the event, hosting some of the top artists showcasing their products.

Food Vendors
10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Come enjoy a variety of foods from hot dogs & brats to chili, popcorn, pizza & dessert to wine, beer & soda and water. Limited booths open from 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Business Marketplace
10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Products and information for area businesses. Limited booths open from 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Scarecrows on Parade
10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Visit participating businesses listed in the official program and get your program stamped to be entered into prize drawings.

Music
Bring a blanket or chair for seating.

10 a.m. - Noon
Tommy Bentz Band
Van Morrison meets a jam band, with the pop sensibility and sensitivities of The Beatles or Steely Dan.

12:30 p.m. -2:30 p.m.
Davina & The Vagabonds
Know in The Twin Cities, Minnesota as being the busiest blues band in town. This is due to there hard working professionalism, high energy stage performance, and original sound.

2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Scottie Miller Band
A wide range of Contemporary New Orleans/Delta/Barrelhouse/Piano Blues, with rich and soulful vocals.

5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Minnesota Jazz Orchestra with guest artists Colleen Raye & Company
Live big-band sounds so real, gutsy and smooth you'll want to dance all night long!

Taste of Hudson: A Food, Wine & Beer Experience
6:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Ticketed event ($50). Limited tickets available.
Contact the Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau office at 800-657-6775/715-386-8411 to purchase entry tickets with MC/VIS/Discover.
Must be 21 years or older to attend.

This is the second year of the sell out event highlighting ten independently owned Valley restaurants. One price of $50 gets participants into an elegant tented event to sample the best from each of the participating restaurants, as well as wine, beer, & soda samples. There will also be live music performed by Mr. Twister.

Enjoy tastings from: Afton House Inn, Barker's Bar & Grill, Carmichael's Bar & Grill, Dick's Bar & Grill, Mama Maria's Italian Ristorante, Paddy Ryan's Irish Pub, Pier 500, San Pedro Cafe, The Nova of Hudson, Winzer Stube. Beverage samples from: Leinenkugel's, Knotty Vines and Viking Coca-Cola.

Thank you to Energy Concepts, Inc. & Steiner Plumbing, Electric & Heating Inc. for helping provide "green" solar energy for this event tent.

Theatre After Dark
7 p.m.
Bring a blanket or chair for seating.

Begin at dusk on Saturday, September 26th with a special Spirit of the St. Croix video telling the history of the St. Croix River sponsored by the National Park Service as it presents: The St. Croix-A North Woods Journey. M & I Bank will then sponsor a free family friendly movie in the park. Families are encouraged to bring blankets & stay for the movie where vendors can remain open for food & beverages.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Artist Village
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Over 65 regional artists participate in this juried art show. Organized in conjunction with The Phipps Center for the Arts. The Phipps Center for the Arts has a long history of bringing local and regional artists together to celebrate the uniqueness and the economic value of the arts in the St. Croix River Valley. The Artist Village will be open both days of the event, hosting some of the top artists showcasing their products.

Food Vendors
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Come enjoy a variety of foods from hot dogs & brats to chili, popcorn, pizza & dessert to wine, beer & soda and water.

Business Marketplace
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Products and information for area businesses.

Scarecrows on Parade
10 a.m - 4 p.m.
Visit participating businesses listed in the official program and get your program stamped to be entered into prize drawings.

Music
Bring a blanket or chair for seating.

11 a.m.-1p.m.
Mages - Soulful acoustic musing, precise harmony, the sound of joint songwriting at its finest.

Community Presentation at The Phipps Center for the Arts (109 Locust Street)
1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
North Woods River, a new publication highlighting a biography of the St. Croix River, will bring author, Eileen McMahon and Theodore Karamanski to The Phipps Center for the Arts-River Room for a public talk on Sunday, September 27th. PBS and Twin Cities Public Television will release Ken Burn's most recent documentary series title, The National Parks: American's Best Idea on September 27th.

Music
Bring a blanket or chair for seating.

2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
TC Cats
Best 50's & 60's Rock and Roll in the Twin Cities.

Check back often for updated event information.

Thank you to our event Gold Sponsors: County Market, J & L Steel & Electrical Services, Leinenkugel's, Viking Coca-Cola, and WESTconsin Credit Union

Thank you to our Entertainment Sponsors: Andersen Corporation, Associated Bank, Hudson, Luther Chevrolet Pontiac GMC-Hudson Chrysler Jeep Dodge, M & I Bank, Pioneer Press and Xcel Energy.

Thank you to our Community Supporters: Bakke Norman, Citizens State Bank, Laser Magic, and Viking Electronics.

Thank you to our Corporate Sponsors: