It’s a free for all! Everything is free at this free for all of July 2026 event at First United Methodist Church, 1020 Ohio Ave. on Saturday, July 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring what you have and take what you want at this community event.
Also Saturday, Soul City Church at Graceview Academy (2395 Hickory Tree Road), will hold a Back to School Bash from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This free event features a backpack and school supply giveaway – first come first served. There will also be vendors on site, food and fun.
The next Soldier City Market takes place this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at Veterans Park. There will be plenty of local vendors, live entertainment, Veterans resources and the opportunity to connect with local neighbors. It’s held the second and fourth Saturday of each month.
A Young Entrepreneurs Market Pop-up takes place this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in downtown St. Cloud. This next generation of makers, artists, bakers and business owners are all under the age of 21. Local businesses throughout downtown will host a young entrepreneur vendor creating a fun shopping experience.
If you are interested in participating, email hello@eastrowmarket.com and request an application link.
Downtown St. Cloud After Dark presented by Downtown St. Cloud takes place on Wednesday, July 29 from 5-8 p.m. Participating shops will be open extended hours and offering giveaways, sales and specials.
Friday, July 31 is International Lifeguard Appreciation Day. This day honors lifeguards who ensure safety at beaches, pools and water parks. Celebrate it at a friendly competition between residents and lifeguards at the Chris Lyle Aquatic Center. Activities include volleyball with a twist, “Do you think you are faster than a Lifeguard” race, tube relays, cannonball contest, cardboard boat regatta and a huge inflatable water obstacle course. Normal admission is required to enter the facility, but anyone can participate and enjoy.
Great Beginnings, a program for children ages 18 months to 5 years takes place this Thursday, July 23 from 10-11 a.m. at the St. Cloud Library. This session looks to encourage your child’s love for reading with books and enrichment exercises.
Roar and Explore STEAM Day takes place this Thursday from 6-7 p.m. Explore, design and create with Makey Day, an immersive experience designed to spark creativity, innovation and curiosity.
Beat the Summer Heat on Friday, July 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and enjoy Family Movie Matinee: The Croods. This PG rated movie takes place in the primeval era. Keep cozy with a pillow and blanket from home.
Adults can Unearth a Mystery: Girl in the Well on Monday, July 27 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. This tabletop adventure allows players to race against time to unravel secrets, solve puzzles and unearth a mystery.
Baby and Me takes place on Tuesday, July 28 at 10:30 a.m. Hug your little ones while sharing this special first-time experience. This is for children up to 18 months. This program introduces books with playtime and repetitive music.
Rhythm, Rhyme & Roar takes place on Wednesday, July 29 from 10-10:30 a.m. This program is for children ages 2-5. Stomp, sing and roar along with dinosaur themed stories, songs and rhythms during the summer’s prehistoric adventure.
Pre-school Playdate takes place on Wednesday, July 29 from 11 a.m. to 12 noon. Pre-schoolers can explore, create and socialize with a variety of toys in a fun and safe environment.
Voices Unfiltered: Open Mic Night takes place on Wednesday, July 29 from 6-7:30 p.m. Poets, story tellers, musicians and truth-seekers unearth the forgotten, the buried and the boldly personal. Sign-up to share your story or go to enjoy local talent. Registration is required for open mic participation. To register, call 407-892-6910.
All Library programs are free and open to the public. The St. Cloud Library is located at 810 13th St.
Good job St. Cloud! Cram the Cruiser event that was held on Saturday, July 18th was a resounding success. Not only was one truck completely filled, but Hopkins Heroes needed to call for a second truck. With St. Cloud’s rapid growth, the backpack recipient list has grown to at least 100 new students every year for the past two years. Keep the donations coming.
Hopkins Heroes is still collecting gently used uniform items – uniform skirts (all sizes), bottoms (pants, skirts, shorts), shoes and sweaters with zippers. Hopkins Heroes is also collecting hygiene product donations – shampoo and conditioner, body wash and soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste, deodorant and other essentials – all new. These items will go directly to families and local schools once school is back in session.
Drop off locations are Nutrition Zone (1100 Massachusetts Ave.), Hopkins Park (620 E. 17th St.), Furniture One(2750 East U.S. 192) and Living Well Health Center (4039 13th St.)
If you cannot drop off, contact Stephanie at www.Hopkinsheroes.com to set up a convenient meet-up.
Hopkins Heroes will also be providing backpacks filled with school supplies and their community wide Back 2 School Bash on Saturday. Aug. 8. School supply items can be dropped off at the locations listed above.
To make a monetary donation, go to https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/back-2-school-bash--2026.
To ship items directly, go to https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/18846136lKLF?ref=wl_share.
If you have any St. Cloud news or information that you would like to share, call Lisa Goldmacher at 407-319-9700 or email lcgoldmacher@yahoo.com.
