Nothing to do? Try an outdoor show or a circus

This is the Explore Minnesota events report from the Minnesota Office of Tourism.

The IRA Civic Center in Grand Rapids will host an OUTDOOR SPORTS SWAP MEET AND EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITION Friday-Sunday with a chance to buy, sell or trade anything related to outdoor sports. To find out more, contact the Grand Rapids Visitors' Bureau at 1-800-472-6366.

Check out the JOSE COLE CIRCUS at the Sauk Rapids East Sports Arena in Sauk Rapids on Saturday and Sunday with high wire acts, wild animals and jugglers, as well as intriguing performers from around the world. To find out more, dial 320/252-0228.

The TIMES HOME, SPORT AND CRAFT SHOW will be held at the Huck Olson Memorial Civic Center in Thief River Falls Saturday and Sunday. This is northwest Minnesota's largest home, sport & craft show, with approximately 115 exhibitors. For more information dial 218/681-4450 or contact the Thief Rivers Falls Visitors' Bureau at 1-800-827-1629.

Bemidji State University's John Glas Fieldhouse will feature a live radio broadcast of A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION with GARRISON KEILLOR on April 5. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, by dialing 651/989-5151.

A VERGAS MAPLE SYRUP FEST will be held at the Community Center in Vergas, located just south of Detroit Lakes, on April 5. This is considered to be the world's westernmost location for maple syrup production. Tour the Sugar Houses and see how the sap turns into maple syrup. Enjoy a pancake feed, as well as musical entertainment, a storyteller, folk singer and chain saw carver. You may also tour nearby Maplewood State Park. To find out more, dial 218/342-3107.

CABELA'S SPRING FISHING EXPO will be held at Cabela's in East Grand Forks April 11-13 with demonstrations of the latest in fishing equipment. To learn more, dial 218/773-0282.

Halenbeck Hall in St. Cloud will present a live radio broadcast of A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION with GARRISON KEILLOR on April 26. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, by dialing 651/989-5151. And April 27, Riverside Park in St. Cloud will be the site of a MISSISSIPPI MUSIC FEST. This annual music festival features strolling artisans, musicians and craftspeople, with a special evening performance by a national recording artist in the children's area. To find out more, dial 1-800-264-2940.

The BODY, MIND LIFE EXPO 2003 will take place at International Market Square in Minneapolis on Friday and Saturday. Featured at the Midwest's largest health and natural products expo will be more than 200 unique exhibitors showcasing the latest products, services and information for health, balance and success in all areas of life. In addition, there will be three stages with speaker presentations, demonstrations and entertainment. To learn more, dial 612/798-7256.

The Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley will present FARM BABIES each Friday, Saturday and Sunday through April 20. Check out the new spring arrivals at the Wells Fargo Family Farm, including baby chicks, piglets, lambs, calves, goat kids, bunnies and ducklings. There will also be musical entertainment and children's activities. Farm staff and volunteers will be available for questions and to assist with "hands-on" interaction with the baby farm animals. This event is free with zoo admission. For more information, dial 952/431-9500.

THE 41ST ANNUAL CARQUEST WORLD OF WHEELS will be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center in downtown Minneapolis April 4-6. For tickets and times, dial 612/335-6000.

The Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul will be the site of MID-AMERICA'S FAMILY LIVING EXPO April 5-6 with three stages of fun, and up to 170 unique exhibitors offering everything for the home, travel and healthy family living. To find out more, dial 612/798-7237.

The 17th ANNUAL AMERICAN CRAFT COUNCIL SHOW will be held at RiverCentre in St Paul April 11-13. This is the largest indoor juried craft show in Minnesota, featuring 240 of America's best contemporary craft artists. For further information, dial 1-800-836-3470.

And, just some of the upcoming concerts & performances will include: THE JOE JACKSON BAND at First Avenue in Minneapolis, Saturday; The I WORSHIP TOUR at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Saturday; DAVID COPPERFIELD at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, Saturday and Sunday; MARCEL MARCEAU at Historic Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis, Sunday; DEF LEPPARD at the Xcel Energy Center, April 4; THE MINNESOTA DANCE FESTIVAL at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, April 4; THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS at the Target Center in Minneapolis, April 6; CHEAP TRICK at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, April 8; NEW FOUND GLORY & GOOD CHARLOTTE at the Target Center, April 9; ELLEN DEGENERES at the Historic State Theatre, April 11; GREASE at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, April 11-13; TIM MCGRAW at the Xcel Energy Center, April 12; BILLY JOEL & ELTON JOHN at the Xcel Energy Center, April 17; JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at First Avenue, April 18; JACI VELASQUEZ at the Historic State Theatre, April 25; IRA GLASS at the Historic Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis, April 26; DAR WILLIAMS at the Historic Pantages Theatre, April 27; MATCHBOX TWENTY at Xcel Energy Center, April 30; THE RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS at the Xcel Energy Center, May 1; CONCRETE BLONDE at First Avenue, May 12; YANNI at the Xcel Energy Center, May 30; THE DIXIE CHICKS at the Xcel Energy Center, June 7; PEARL JAM at the Xcel Energy Center, June 16; OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN at Mystic Lake Casino in Prior Lake, June 19; MEAT LOAF at Mystic Lake Casino, July 2; NORAH JONES at the Northrop Auditorium in Minneapolis, July 12.