Say 'I do' (again) and hop on the night train: What to do this weekend
The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in St. Paul is celebrating its 100th birthday this weekend and you're invited. It's also Night Trains season at the Twin City Model Railroad Museum.
From free events to family fun to adults-only, here's a roundup of events to get you out of the house — or not.
Free: POWs in Minnesota
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OK, so this isn't a weekend event, but because it falls on a school night, you might want to plan accordingly.
Celebrate Veterans Day — Wednesday, Nov. 11 — learning about the prisoners of war who once called Whitewater State Park home.
Local legend has it that German POWs requested to be placed there because of the scenic beauty and friendly people, the DNR says.
The program runs from 7-8 p.m. at the park, which is located in Altura, just east of Rochester. The event is free, but all vehicles need a valid state parks permit, which can be purchased upon arrival. A one-day vehicle permit is $5.
For families: All aboard the night trains
Night Trains season begins Saturday at the Twin City Model Railroad Museum. The lights are turned down, the make-believe town of Matlin is buried in a blizzard and the layouts are adorned with miniature Christmas lights and decorations.
Admission is $10 per person; children 4 and under are free. Family and group rates are available.
Night Trains runs every Saturday through the end of February.
For adults: The more the marry-er
Why not kick off your weekend by saying "I do" all over again — with 99 other couples?
The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in St. Paul is celebrating 100 years this weekend with trivia, music, special gardener talks and a mass renewal of vows.
The first 100 couples to check in Saturday morning will receive a special certificate.
There is no dress code and couples are asked to limit guests to two.
Indoors: Whip it good
Roller derby will crown a new champion this weekend at the 2015 International Women's Flat Track Derby Association Championships in St. Paul.
The Minnesota RollerGirls All-Stars take on the Texas Rollergirls, from Austin, in Game 4 at 8 p.m. Friday at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium. The championship game is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday.
Outdoors: Go on a high-tech treasure hunt
Try your hand at geocaching, a game in which players use GPS-enabled devices to find caches of treasure, at the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary in St. Paul on Saturday.
The free event is open to anyone age 7 or older and all equipment is provided. Participants can register online.