Weekend Planner: A Beer Bash, Dashing Dachshunds and Family Portrait Day at Caponi

Royal Ale Fest at the Minnesota Renaissance Fair, Part I
The Ren Fair will host a happy, hoppy event this weekend, both Saturday and Sunday, with free beer tastings (12:30p.m. & 2:30 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. at the Pavillion) and  Byggvir's Big Beer Cup, a homebrew competition sponsored by the Minnesota Homebrew Association. The competition focuses on historically accurate beers, meads, and ciders (10:00 am - 4:00 pm in the Blue Lions Tent with brewing demos all day).

Royal Ale Fest at the Minnesota Renaissance Fair, Part II
The beer and ale party coincides with another Ren Fest tradition, the Seventh Annual Pet Fest  which boasts over 40 pet-related vendors, costume contests, pet entertainment and, best of all, the wiener dog races. 

Come and watch the tiny dachshunds test their little legs and speed in the Wiener Dog Races! The fastest pups will win fun prizes! We highly encourage pre-registration for the race to secure a spot and to receive a free admission ticket and free gift from Long Dog Apparel!

The races will begin at 12:30 p.m.

Family Portrait Day at Caponi Art Park
Caponi Art Park will host a Family Portraiture with Legacy Creative Images. On August 24th Legacy Creative Images will be at the park to take outdoor photos of families, couples or individuals. For a $40 sitting fee, you will receive a private 20-minute session and digital copies of 5 photos of your choosing. It's a great opportunity for friends of the Art Park to get their family pictures taken in a beautiful space by a professional photographer. Reservations required. Please contact 651-454-9412 to reserve your time slot.

Riverwalk Market Fair in Northfield
The art fair/farmer's market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Browse fresh, local and organic farm produce, while listening to this week's featured performer, singer/songwriter Barb Piper. There will also be rain barrel painting for kids, hosted by the Cannon Valley Watershed Partnership.