Sure, Minnesota gets cold in the winter. Our winters can last pretty long too! But that doesn't stop us from taking advantage of every bit of summer we do have!

I learned this during my first Rochester summer in 2016. I moved here in July of that year, but a month later I was already invited to a cookout by some co-workers. It was SO MUCH FUN! Okay, the pool they had made it better - but still, it was a great way to enjoy a summer day.

TSM Rochester / Val Kleinhans
TSM Rochester / Val Kleinhans
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If you're new to Rochester, a local, or just spending time here temporarily, here are some things you must absolutely do during our summer.

  • Attend a 'Thursdays' block party downtown. You're going to hear "Wanna go to Thursday's tonight?" out some someone's mouth on a Thursday in Rochester during the summer. It's not a restaurant. It's a party. Tonight, it returns for Summer 2018 and it's held into August.
  • Watch the Twins at Rooster's. If we're being honest, Rooster's (north or south) is just one of many cool sports bar hangouts in Rochester, but there's a sense of community at Rooster's when the Minnesota Twins are on.
  • Bring beer to a cookout. Your neighbors and friends will thank you. It's an easy way to make friends if you haven't yet. Plus, cookouts are pretty much religion here. It's not summer without them.
  • Hike at Quarry Hill. It gets a little crowded on the weekends sometimes, but this is a perfect family-friendly thing to do in the summer. Trails are easily marked so there's no confusion.
  • Enjoy Rochesterfest. In the summer, there's no better place to be seen in the community than at Rochesterfest. It's got several events all week long tailored to everyone - seriously. The parade on Saturday of that week at 2 pm is the highlight.

There ya go! If you needed any ideas for what to do in the summer in our area, I can't think of a better way to spend it than by completing that list.

Listen to Val afternoons from 2p to 6p on Quick Country 96.5

Listen to Val from 10a to 2p on Z-Rock 107.7.

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