52nd Annual Grand Old Day

On June 7th, a stretch of Grand Avenue in St. Paul will be shut down for Grand Old Day, a two-mile street festival that marks the City’s first foray into summer. It is anticipated that upwards of 200,000 people will gather for the event, which has been going strong since the 1970s. The festival is organized by the Grand Avenue Business Association (GABA), and it features a variety of local businesses and vendors. In addition to doing some shopping, attendees can enjoy a variety of live events and activities, including the famous wiener dog race and several music stages.

Historically, Grand Ave was home to the first electric streetcar route in St. Paul. The streetcar made the corridor a popular shopping location and the area experienced a boom in local business after the line was installed in 1890.

Although the streetcar route has since been replaced by a paved, vehicle-only road, Grand Avenue remains a popular place to shop and dine.

Grand Old Day festivities will start at 8am on June 7 with a Fun Run. A parade will follow at 9:30am. Art, food, and other vendors will set up around 9am. The Weiner Dog Race will take place at noon. While Grand Old Day ends at around 6pm, there is plenty to explore during the day, so be sure to check it out if you find yourself in the area!