Eagan Funfest off to a Happy Start

Frowns were hard to find Saturday as Eagan's July 4th Funfest got off to a happy start.

Helped by near-perfect weather -- and perhaps by a lack of competition this year from the Taste of Minnesota, which was canceled for this summer -- the Funfest drew a large crowd Saturday.

When asked, most said they were Funfest regulars anyway.

"We've gone to the Taste of Minnesota," said Mary Olson of Burnsville. "But when you have small children as we do, this fair suits us better."

The Funfest events continue Sunday and Monday.

Taking place on Sunday are a Patriotic Day event, a children's bike parade at noon and a military statue unveiling presentation at 3 p.m. The carnival and vendors open at noon and run until midnight. There's also a Texas Hold 'Em Tournament from 6 to 10 p.m. and a concert featuring Joe Ride which starts at 8 p.m.

On Monday, the day starts with an Ambassador Farewell reception at 8 a.m., followed by the Hometown Heroes parade at 10 a.m. The carnival opens at noon. The fourth annual Royal Brain Freeze starts at 1 p.m., and children's games are from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. A Texas Hold'em tournament is again in the evening. The Funfest Concert featuring The Dweebs starts at 8:30 p.m. Fireworks begin at 10 p.m.

See more coverage of the Funfest here, where you can find a complete schedule of events.