Summer 2019 Hometown Messenger

Hello, Shakopee! Nothing beats summer in the Land of Big Fun! From amusement parks to special events, horse racing to festivals, there's always something to do in RiverSouth. This summer, Canterbury Park is celebrating 25 years under the ownership of the Sampson family. In 1994, Curtis Sampson, his son Randy and Dale Schenian purchased the original track, Canterbury Downs, and re-opened it to live racing on May 19, 1995. MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

CITY CALENDAR

MAY 30 Wheelies Family Bike Event , 5-7 p.m., Huber Park JUNE 3 Night to Unite Registration opens , city website. 5 Public Budget Listening Sessions , 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. City Hall 8 Bark in the Park , 1-4 p.m., Southbridge Community Park 10 SandVenture Aquatic Park opens for the summer. 15 Shakopee's Big Taste of Fun , All Day, Huber Park 19 Special Olympics Torch Run , 9 a.m., Police Department 28 Happy Birthday America Parade, 10:30 a.m., Lions Park 28 Friday Family Beach Bash , 5-8 p.m. SandVenture Aquatic Park JULY 4 Fourth of July , City offices and Community Center closed. 12 Pop-Up Splash Pad , 5-7 p.m., Community Center 20 Pirate Treasure Hunt , Noon-4 p.m. SandVenture Aquatic Park 20 Movie in the Park , Sunset, Huber Park 26 Pop-Up Splash Pad , 5-7 p.m., Green Meadows Park AUG 2 Summer Carnival, 10-11:15 a.m., Lions Park & Splashtacular , 11 a.m.-7 p.m., SandVenture 2 Friday Night Water Fights , 5 p.m. Downtown Shakopee 6 Shakopee Night to Unite , 5:30-9 p.m. 17 Movie in the Park , Sunset, Huber Park 23 Pop-Up Splash Pad , 5-7 p.m., Green Meadows Park

Since then, Canterbury Park has flourished, offering exciting horse racing, year-round special events and a 24-hour card casino. Each year it draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to Shakopee. Canterbury and the Sampson family have been great partners to the city, and we're excited for the future of the entertainment venue and surrounding area. Rhythm on the Rails returns for a third year. The free concert series has quickly become the showcase event for downtown Shakopee, drawing thousands of people each week to dance in the streets. My thanks to Downtown Shakopee for organizing another great musical lineup.

Mayor Bill Mars

Our Parks and Recreation Department is also bringing back free family entertainment along the riverfront, as part of the Huber Park Performance & Event Series, Thursdays and select Saturdays. Music, movies, comedies — there's something for everyone at this perennial favorite. Also, this summer, make sure Saturday, June 15 is on your calendar. It's going to be a full day of activities at Huber Park with the first-ever Big Taste of Fun event. The Minnesota Ironman Bike Ride — the oldest bike ride in the state —will be offering four routes in the morning. Afterward, the Shakopee Jaycees are hosting the Taste of Shakopee and Business Expo from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. In the evening, get ready to splash around at Big Fun Day before laying out your blanket for a Movie in the Park. Looking for more? Check out www.visitshakopee.org for a full calendar of upcoming events in the southwest metro. So, fellow Shakopee residents, let's get out and celebrate all that summer has to offer in the Land of Big Fun! Bill Mars Mayor of Shakopee Email: wmars@ShakopeeMN.gov | Facebook: Bill Mars: Mayor of Shakopee

MAYOR Bill Mars ...................................................... wmars@ShakopeeMN.gov COUNCIL MEMBERS JodyBrennan .......................................... jbrennan@ShakopeeMN.gov Angelica Contreras ........................... acontreras@ShakopeeMN.gov Matt Lehman ......................................... MattLehmanSr@comcast.net Jay Whiting ............................................................... jaywhtng@aol.com CITY ADMINISTRATOR William Reynolds ............................... breynolds@ShakopeeMN.gov

CITY HALL 485 Gorman St., Shakopee, MN 55379

Phone .................................................................................... 952-233-9300 TTY ......................................................................................... 952-233-3837 Fax .......................................................................................... 952-233-3801 Email .............................................. administration@ShakopeeMN.gov Website .............................................................. www.ShakopeeMN.gov Find us

Comments or suggestions on the Hometown Messenger should be directed to the editor, Kristin Doran, at kdoran@ShakopeeMN.gov.

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