How are you spending MEA weekend? Here are some ideas
School children across Minnesota are off Thursday and Friday, as thousands of teachers attend a convention in St. Paul for what has come to be called "MEA Weekend."
WCCO reports this extended weekend for families is one of the busiest of the year for traveling, with long lines already appearing at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport.
The TV station notes all three major check-in points were backed up as early as 4:30 a.m. Thursday morning, which took about 90 minutes for TSA officials to thin out.
An extra 20,000 fliers are expected to take off from MSP on Thursday, as they try to fit in one last vacation before the cold weather arrives.
But what about those who aren't jetting off into the sunset and instead plan on spending MEA weekend in Minnesota?
MPR News has put together a "10 things to do" list for this weekend, with help from MSP Magazine's Stephanie Ash and MinnyApple.com writer Tim Kennedy.
Among their suggestions: take in a Gopher game – the women's soccer team plays Michigan State Thursday and volleyball team plays Saturday – or head to the Science Museum where there is a new Sherlock Holmes interactive short-story exhibition.
Further afield they suggest visits to Brainerd, Lanesboro, or the Boundary Waters to enjoy the soon-to-end fall, or Grand Marais which is hosting its "Moose Madness" festival.
The Star Tribune has its own 10 suggestions for how to spend this weekend with children in tow – including dropping into the movie theater for the release of the family-friendly "Goosebumps" movie.
For those hoping to spend it outdoors, the paper suggests heading to the Oliver Kelley Farm in Elk River, with the 1860s farm hosting its "Harvest Days" event from Thursday to Sunday, while Dakota City is also stepping into the past with its Harvest Moon Festival, which is being held Friday and Saturday.
Crow River Media suggests Minnesotans should take advantage of the apple season before it ends, "picking a peck" and filling your house with autumnal smells by making an apple pie or caramel apples.
It also suggests families start thinking about Halloween by getting their costumes ready.
As for the weather, the National Weather Service in the Twin Cities is forecasting clear days, but chilly temperatures on Friday and Saturday, with temperatures topping out at between 47-50, before it warms up to a high of 57 on Sunday.
