Eagan Festivals to draw hundreds, thousands

Two festivals are going on in Eagan, starting today and going through Sunday.

Today marks the beginning of the annual Shakespeare Festival at Caponi Art Park and Learning Center, which typically draws about 600 people, Jenna Strank, communications coordinator for the park. Two Shakespeare plays will be put on this weekend.

At 6:30 tonight, Cromulent Shakespeare Co. will be putting on Julius Caeser. Tomorrow the Minnesota Shakespeare Co. will be presenting A Midsummer Night's Dream. Both plays take place on a 50-foot-diameter brick stage in an outdoor amphitheater at the park, where people can bring their picnic blankets and lawn chairs. The park is at 1220 Diffley Road in Eagan.

The events are open to all ages, and while free, the park is suggesting a $4 donation.

"It's more of a family-friendly event," Strank said.

A big event this weekend will be the 17th annnual Eagan Art Festival. It will take place Saturday from 9-5 and Sunday from 10-5 at 1501 Central Parkway.

Last year the event drew more than 6,300 people, said Wanda Borman, the festival's director.

The festival -- which is free -- allows children and adults to make, view, buy and experience art. People can also see children's entertainment, listen to jazz music, and eat food like cheese curds and funnel cakes. This year the theme is youth in art, and Borman said they hope to include young artists' work in future Eagan Art Festivals.

Young artists, ages 13-19, will be showing their work this weekend. So will 100 professional artists who were selected from a five-state area, according to a statement from the festival. A variety of media will be presented.

A number of activities will be available, including artists' trading cards, which encourages people to make and trade art made the same size as baseball cards. That activity is free, as well.

"It's a wonderful opportunity to be with the community," Borman said.