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 Stories

Reckless Plan to Put Lyndale Flower Shop out of Business Careens Forward

Plus mail art, Trump take wind, and Smokey catches up with a latter day Bandit in today's Flyover news roundup.

Minnesota Lynx at the Season’s Midway Point: A Glorious, Unexpected Ride

Without superstar Napheesa Collier, Cheryl Reeve's 16-6 squad is digging deep and benefitting from breakout rookie Olivia Miles.

Time for One of Our Periodic ‘What Are You Reading?’ Open Threads

As we do every Friday, we're turning Racket over to you, the readers.

Freeloader Friday: 148 Free Things To Do This Weekend

Make the most of your weekend without blowing your budget.

July 10, 2026