In Brief - Events for you

Countywide events and activities

Monthly

Vaccine Clinics

Dakota County Public Health offers recommended vaccines for eligible children and adults. Supply is limited. Visit www.dakotacounty.us and search clinics, or call 952-891-7999 for more information.

Fix-It Clinics

Get free help fixing everything from sweaters to vacuums. www.dakotacounty.us, search fix-it clinic.

• March 16, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Robert Trail Library, Rosemount

• April 20, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Kaposia Library, South St. Paul

• May 18, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Farmington Library, Farmington

• June 15, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Inver Glen Library, Inver Grove Heights

• July 21, 1–4 p.m.

Burnhaven Library, Burnsville

• Aug. 17, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Wentworth Library, West St. Paul

March

Rain Barrels and Compost Bins

Starting March 1, Dakota County residents can order rain barrels and compost bins while supplies last at www.recyclemn.org. Use code Dakota at checkout for a 30-percent discount. Pick them up in May.

Recycling Ambassador Course

Learn to reduce waste, recycle more and inspire others to do the same, during this six-week virtual course on Tuesdays, March 19–April 23, 6–8 p.m. Field trips planned. Program graduates volunteer 30 hours to put their skills to work.

Salt Take Back

Dakota County will accept unused, clean salt from winter maintenance professionals to prevent improper disposal. Call 651-755-3121 for an appointment from March 1–May 31.

Landscaping for Clean Water

Learn about simple yard landscaping that also improves water quality and provides pollinator habitat during in-person and virtual programming. www.dakotaswcd.org, search landscaping for clean water.

April

WHEP Volunteering

Volunteer with the Wetland Health Evaluation Program to help monitor county wetlands this summer. Registration opens Monday, April 8. www.dakotacounty.us, search WHEP

Outdoor Gear Swap

Drop off your usable outdoor clothing and equipment for something new to you on Monday, April 22 from 5–8 p.m. at Dakota Lodge at Thompson County Park, West St. Paul.

June–August

Music in the Park

Visit Whitetail Woods Regional Park for entertaining musical performances and tasty food trucks.

www.dakotacounty.us/parks, search music

• Tuesday, June 25, 5–7 p.m.

• Tuesday, July 30, 5–7 p.m.

• Tuesday, Aug. 27, 5–7 p.m.

June

Summer Solstice Party

Celebrate the start of summer with live music, yard games, food trucks and fun on Thursday, June 20 from 6–9:03 p.m. at Thompson County Park, West St. Paul.

www.dakotacounty.us/parks, search solstice

August

Dakota County Fair

Visit the Dakota County Government Building exhibit and enjoy free activities during the Dakota County Fair, Aug. 5–11 in Farmington. Join us to celebrate the county's 175th anniversary.

Starry Trek

Search area lakes for starry stonewort, a type of algae that is Minnesota’s newest aquatic invasive species, on Saturday, Aug. 17.

www.dakotacounty.us, search AIS

Dakota County Library

Monthly

Homework Help

Work with a volunteer for help with homework assignments in any subject. Open to K–12 students, no appointment necessary.

• Tuesdays, 5–7 p.m.

Galaxie Library

Wentworth Library

• Wednesdays, 5–7 p.m.

Burnhaven Library

March–April

Waggin’ Tales

Read to trained therapy dogs in a supportive environment to help build literacy skills and confidence in reading out loud. Events will be held in the children's areas. Geared for youth ages 5–10.

• March 2 and April 6, 10–11 a.m.

Robert Trail Library

• March 9 and April 13, 10:30–11:30 a.m.

Wescott Library

• March 16 and April 20, 10–11 a.m.

Galaxie Library

Inver Glen Library

Move and Groove

Join Miss Aimee at the library for a fun music and movement program with dancing, singing and playing. Geared for youth ages 2–8 with their caregivers.

• March 9 and April 20, 9:30–10 a.m.

Farmington Library

March

Tjärnblom

Hear acoustic traditional music from Sweden, Finland and Minnesota played on nyckelharpas, mandolins and a harmonium. Performed by Tjärnblom. Geared for adults.

• March 21, 10–11 a.m.

Burnhaven Library

Crafternoon

Bring your own craft to work on while visiting with other makers and get help with individual projects and techniques on the third Thursday of the month. Geared for adults.

• March 21, 1–3 p.m.

Inver Glen Library

April

Creative Writing with a Neurodivergent Lens

Explore neurodivergent perspectives in writing and artmaking through craft exploration and guided writing. Geared for adults. Register online at www.dakotacounty.us/library, click Events

• April 2, 6–7:30 p.m. Online

Musician Gao Hong

Learn about an instrument called a pipa through a performance by musical wonder Gao Hong. Geared for adults.

• April 6, 2–3 p.m.

Heritage Library

May

Author Allen Eskens

Enjoy an evening with Allen Eskens, award-winning and bestselling author of “The Life We Bury,” “The Guise of Another” and many more, including his recently published book, “Saving Emma.” Geared for adults.

• May 29, 6:30–7:30 p.m.

Heritage Library