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?

Jingda Chen|

Wouldn’t you rather be watching a laser show?

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

Nick Swardson Has Been Writin’, Jokin’, and Actin’… But Not Boozin’

It’s been a pretty wild year-and-a-half for Minnesota comedy’s favorite diarrhea aficionado. 

September 9, 2025

Star Tribune Unloading North Loop Printing Facility, Laying Off 125 Workers

Plus Hegseth bad, climate change bad, and J.J. McCarthy kinda interesting in today's Flyover news roundup.

September 8, 2025

Crypticon, Dogtoberfest, Wet Leg, and Palmer’s Last Call: This Week’s Best Events

Plus epic bike rides, parties in parks, and lots of art on the streets.

September 8, 2025

Fik Yeah: Fika Cafe Workers Vote to Unionize

Plus Blaine looks into re-banning the nipple, staff shakeups at KARE 11, and Fateh talks to The Nation in today's Flyover news roundup.

See all posts