Oakdale Summer Preview

While residents can look for a concrete list of summer-time events at the end of May, parks and recreation employees have been hard at work lining up events, city races, and programs for children. Patch spoke with Julie Williams, Oakdale's Parks and Recreation Department Superintendent, to get the details.

May

• Beginning May 1, the Oakdale Nature Preserve will host "nature hunts," an initiative aimed to help children discover nature in a new way. Families can go to the Discovery Center desk, ask for a scavenger hunt guide and walk into the preserve. Prizes will be awarded if each item on the list is found.

June

• The first day of the Oakdale Farmers Market will be June 13. A variety of local products will be offered, though the Oakdale Parks and Recreation Department is still looking for vendors who supply milk, meat, eggs and sauces.  
• For the third year in a row, on June 22, 3rd Lair will host Summer Series at the Oakdale Skatepark. Skaters can compete in beginner, intermediate or expert levels. Winners of each level have a chance to compete at the Midewest Melee at the Minnesota State Fair.
• On June 23, the Oakdale Parks and Recreation Department will host the Oakdale Summerfest 5k run/walk. The run falls in the middle of the citys' Summerfest celebration, held June 21-24. Last year, the event drew almost 200 people.

July

• Summer wouldn't be complete without a Fourth of July celebration. "The Rockin' Hollywoods will be back," Williams said, referring to the spunky band that will perform at the Walton Bandshell from 7 to 10 p.m. "And we'll have [12] vendors."  
• Children ages 3 to 18 can bring their fishing poles and bait to the fishing contest at Tanners Lake on July 7 from 9 a.m. to noon.  The cost for the contest is $7, but a free lunch will be served and the person with the biggest fish will win a prize.

August

• With the invention of GPS and smartphones came the rise of "location-based games." On August 11, smartphone and GPS owners can meet at the Discovery Center from 10 a.m. to noon to go geocaching and learn about other location-based games. Residents should register by August 8.
• On August 21, local beekeeper AJ Moses will talk to residents about beekeeping at Oakdale's Outdoor Amphitheater. Attendees can sample fresh honey. Prior to Moses' presentation, residents can visit the working beehive at the Oakdale Discovery Center. 

 Information was gathered from the Oakdale Parks and Recreation Department's Early Summer Guide.