The Pit - Minnesota Renaissance Festival

from flickr user Paul
The Minnesota Renaissance Festival (south of Shakopee, MN) has been in existence for over 40 years with most of its run at it current site alongside the Minnesota River. In recent years, though, frac sand mining has drawn closer and closer to the festival grounds until this year it finally forced people to walk through the pit in front of the main gate on what appears to be a bit of a long trek. I can only image what this latest change has done to further snarl traffic. The Minnesota Renaissance Festival has announced that it will move elsewhere following next year's run.

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Northern Lights - Scott County, MN

from Twitter user @Overnights_at_9
While it's not entirely impossible for the Northern Lights to be seen during the summer months in Minnesota, it's is rare for the Aurora Borealis to be seen this far south in late June. This photo - taken southwest of Minneapolis in rural Scott County - depicts a vibrant show overnight in a serene countryside setting.

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Twig at Minnesota Renaissance Festival

from flickr user Kristin Chase
There is one actor who stands out above the rest at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival outside of Shakopee, MN. Twig the Faerie has been a fixture at the festival for many years. The non-speaking character is a hit with young children who are mesmerized by her pan flute playing, elaborate costume and almost magical way of entrancing an audience.

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2014 summer flood - Chanhassen and Shakopee, MN

from flickr user Martha Decker
Highway 101 (old US 169) Minnesota River crossing in Shakopee, Minnesota is under water again! It is approaching the June 1993 High Water line on the sign (bottom line) but probably won't reach or surpass that line nor will it even come close to the April 1965 line. Of course we could (and are supposed to) get more rain....

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Winter Sunset - Shakopee, Minnesota

from flickr user Alexander Lamar
Even with a landscape blanketed in deep snow, the setting sun in Shakopee, MN reveals a palette of vibrant blues, oranges, pinks and yellows.

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Soundset 2012 - Shakopee, MN

from flickr user Spencer Flohr
The crowd at Soundset 2012 in Shakopee is enjoying the hot, sunny weather and unique mix of hip-hop acts at the annual music festival held in Shakopee, MN.

Jab Farm Ruins, Jordan, MN

from flickr user radio.sputnik
The Louisville Swamp area of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is apparently filled with bits of history like this one. Probably closer to Shakopee but maybe more closely associated with Jordan, intrepid hikers and photographers alike can access this area via the same entrance used for Minnesota Renaissance Festival traffic. One day soon I am bringing along my hiking shoes and camera gear and checking out this hidden gem alongside the Minnesota River.

Jab's Farm and Prairie - Shakopee, MN

from flickr user Debbie Koenigs
The photographer says: These shots didn't turn out as I had hoped, but I hiked 4 miles to get them, so they're going up.

Louisville Swamp Unit, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge [Shakopee, MN]