Savage’s annual Dan Patch Days summer celebration is scheduled for June 24-27. Many past events will return, including a wine tasting, live music, children’s games, taste of Savage, public safety demonstrations and the Fire Department’s pancake breakfast.The parade, traditionally held on 123rd Street on the Sunday of the celebration, will take a one-year break to allow for road construction in the area. The Dan Patch Days Board agreed after much discussion to cancel the parade for 2010 due to concerns about increased congestion.

“With the Lynn Avenue and County Road 16 intersection under construction, motorists would have limited means of getting into downtown Savage,” said Dan Patch Days President Barry Stock. He explained that the other main access into downtown Savage, Quentin Avenue, is used for staging of floats prior to the parade’s start. “In the interest of everyone’s safety, the Board thought it best to hold off on the parade this year. We understand that many people look forward to the parade, which is why we are committed to making the 2011 parade bigger and better than ever.”

Scott County will be installing a roundabout at the Lynn Avenue and County Road 16 intersection to reduce the number and severity of crashes in the area. The intersection will be closed to through traffic during the construction.

“On a day-to-day basis, the intersection’s closure will be an inconvenience to motorists until they find alternative routes to their destinations,” said Public Works Director John Powell. “Inconveniencing hundreds of additional motorists who are all trying to get to and from the same place at the same time would certainly cause significant congestion, frustration and unsafe conditions.”

The festival’s board made the decision to cancel the parade only after weighing all options. While access to downtown is available via Highway 13, motorists would have to do so using either northbound Highway 13 or County Road 5 in Burnsville, both of which are a considerable distance from the parade route area. Even then, getting out of the area would be cumbersome and time-consuming.

“Traffic control and emergency access would be significant factors in accommodating a parade downtown in 2010,” said Police Chief Rodney Seurer. “At a time when resources are already as lean as can be, I’d be hard-pressed to have enough officers on hand to effectively control traffic and provide adequate emergency access in and out of the area.”

Moving the parade route to another area of the city also was considered. While routing the parade through Savage Community Park and the surrounding neighborhood was an option, the Board was sensitive to the impact Dan Patch Days already has on homeowners who live near the park. Most of the festival’s activities from Thursday through Saturday occur at Community Park, resulting in increased traffic and noise levels for nearby residents. “The park’s neighbors have been extremely tolerant over the years,” Stock said. “The Board didn’t feel it would be appropriate to ask them to extend their patience for one more day.”

Other traditional Sunday activities, including the Farmers’ Market and the Savage Fire Department’s pancake breakfast, will occur as scheduled.

“The weekend will still be filled with a variety of fun events for every age group, so we encourage everyone to make Dan Patch Days a part of their summer plans,” Stock said.

Savage Municipal Liquor Stores invites all wine enthusiasts to its annual spring wine tasting and silent auction benefit on Thursday, March 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Neisen Brother’s Sports Bar & Grill, 4851 West 123rd St. Sample wine, spirits, cordials and hors d’oeuvres while placing your silent bid on power tools, large format bottles of wine and an array of items perfect for gift-giving.

Tickets, a $20 tax deductible donation, are now available at Marketplace Liquor, 8200 Egan Drive; and Dan Patch Liquor, 4425 W. 123rd St.; or at the door the night of the benefit.

All proceeds from the event benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, an organization that helps advance education, screening and treatment for breast cancer.

Residents may now register for an upcoming Rain Garden Workshop and Design Studio on Tuesday, April 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the McColl Pond Environmental Learning Center, 13550 Dakota Ave. Cost is $10 per person.

The workshop, offered by the City of Savage in partnership with the Lower Minnesota River Watershed, will be taught and facilitated by Metro Blooms.

During this fast-paced workshop, attendees will learn how to:

• Design and install rain gardens
• Effectively use native plants, trees and shrubs to create a beautiful landscape
• Employ eco-friendly lawn care practices including redirecting downspouts
• Ask questions about garden layout, plant selection and personal rain garden designs.

Register online through the Metro Blooms website, or send a check payable to Metro Blooms to Noelle Hechtman, 3629 Quebec Ave. S., St. Louis Park, MN 55426. Your mailed registration must include your name, address, zip code, phone number with area code, e-mail address (if available) and workshop number (#12).