Skip to Content
Opinion

Hope You’ve Got a Long Weekend. If Not, You’ve Still Got This Friday Open Thread.

What on your minds this Friday, Racket pals?

Wouldn’t you rather be watching a laser show?

|Jingda Chen

Well, there's sure plenty to talk about this long 4th of July weekend.

As we celebrate (or don't) an always fraught holiday, the city of Minneapolis is making some *extremely Minnesotan voice* interesting choices. Taste of Minnesota returns this weekend, which means "downtown Minneapolis is back" again, etc. But the Stone Arch Bridge will be closed before sundown (a decision made without community input, and apparently not made by the MPRB), signaling that not everyone is welcome to our "revitalized" urban space. And though I've personally never been a big fireworks guy, it's hard to get excited about a big civic laser show on Boom Island.

In short, Independence Day is dumb, the rulers of downtown Minneapolis don't care what you think, and, uh, laser show. On the plus side, a long weekend (if you're fortunate enough to have one) gives you plenty of time to catch up on any Racket stories you missed.

As always, talk about whatever you want in the comments. We'll be back on Wednesday, which seems like ages from now.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Racket

Sorry, Rep. Engen’s Apparent DUI Arrest Is Hilarious for at Least 5 Reasons

Plus Craig loves crypto, an update on immigrant rights, and the return of How to Help in today's Flyover news roundup.

March 27, 2026

Freeloader Friday: 93 Free Things To Do This Weekend

No Kings, Hamm's Fest, Pinewood Derby, and pop-up markets.

‘I Feel Defeated’: U of M Student Has Been Detained Since January

Plus catching up with the Lakeville Hilton franchise that stood up to ICE, keeping AI out of shopping aisles, and Jesse Ventura pops off in today's Flyover news roundup.

March 26, 2026

On the Big Screen This Week: A French AIDS Parable, A Rural German Saga, and the Start of Hitchcock Season

Pretty much all the movies you can catch in the Twin Cities this week.

March 26, 2026
See all posts