Q: What’s better than enjoying a gorgeous sunny day in early June eating outdoors, shopping, and seeing live music?

A: Not much

The forecast for Sunday June 3rd calls for a small chance of precipitation, and highs near 80, but otherwise, nice weather. No bad storms, tornadoes, heavy rain, hail, or high winds–exactly what one might consider a pretty nice summer day (barring insane humidity). Can’t get much better than that for Grand Old Day 2012.

Grand Old Day is St. Paul’s first rite of summer and takes place all along the city’s historic Grand Avenue on the first Sunday in June. The Grand Avenue Business association produces Grand Old Day each year and collects monies from the event for marketing the Avenue, annual events, business-to-business opportunities and avenue beautification.

The day gets rolling early at 7:45am with Grand Old Day On The Go, which features an 8K inline skate, and 8K run, a 5K run/walk, and a youth run. See the info at the link for registration information and see the schedule for event times and details.

Along Grand Avenue you’ll find over 150 food and beverage vendors waiting to satisfy your hunger and thirst. They won’t take cash or credit, only tickets. Hit up one of the 17 ticket booths along the street for tickets at a cost of a sheet of 10 tickets for $5. Use the tickets at business and vendors all day long.

While there’s no cost for Grand Old Day itself, bring cash for tickets and for live music. Fork over just $6 now (or $8 that day) for a wristband to get into the festival gardens to have some drinks and check out the live music. You must be 21 or older to get a wristband. The $6 pre-sell tickets are available at Dixie’s, Wild Onion and all 17 Frattallone Ace Hardware locations. See locations for details.

So let’s talk about the live music.

Whole Foods Market Family Fun Stage

(Whole Foods parking lot, Grand & Fairview)

Noon – Paul Spring
1pm – Koo Koo Kangaroo
2pm – Snapdragon Seeds
3pm – Koo Koo Kangaroo
4pm – Radio Disney

Grand Garden Stage

(US Bank parking lot, Grand & Oxford)

Noon – Zachary Scot Johnson
1pm – Dan Rodriguez
3:30pm – SarahLou

Billy’s Stage

(Billy’s parking lot, Grand & Victoria)

Noon – Arc Flash Hazard
1:30pm – Orange Whip
3pm – Hookers & Blow

Wild Onion Stage

(Wild Onion parking lot, Grand & Avon)

Noon – White Iron Band
2pm – Rocket Club

80’s Stage at Walgreen’s

(Walgreen’s parking lot, Grand & Grotto)

Noon – Mish Mash
2pm – Boogie Wonderland

Country Stage

(Pier One Imports parking lot, Grand & Grotto)

Noon – Maiden Dixie
2pm – Tim Sigler

Dixie’s Stage

(Dixie’s parking lot, Grand & St. Albans)

11am – Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Competition
12:15 – Charlie Parr
2pm – Blind Shake
3pm – The Soviettes
4pm – Solid Gold

That’s the run-down. Also, catch the McNally Smith College of Music Teen Battle of The Bands at Patagonia parking lot (Grand & Macalester). Once again, there’s something for everyone, and lots of fresh local talent to be seen and heard. Don’t miss out!

Also, don’t miss the Family Fun Zone, presented by St. Croix Solutions at Ramsey Jr. High, Grand & Cambridge for a Irish Fair Mini Golf, pony rides, petting zoo, Water Wars, Spin Art Frisbees, games, inflatable bounce houses and more.

Whew! Sounds like full day! Head out early Sunday and squeeze in as much fun as you can. According the weather people, it should be a perfect day for it.

More information can be found at grandave.com/grandoldday.

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Follow @grandoldday on Twitter.

Grand Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105
(651) 699-0029
http://www.grandave.com/grandoldday/