Capitol Area Vitality Program

Capitol Area Vitality Program Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board (CAAPB) and Ramsey County Sheriff's Office partnership

Looking for something to do in Saint Paul this weekend? There is plenty happening across the city on Saturday, September...
09/19/2026

Looking for something to do in Saint Paul this weekend?

There is plenty happening across the city on Saturday, September 19, and Sunday, September 20.

Saturday, September 19

Capital City Fest
Minnesota State Capitol Grounds
Live entertainment, food trucks, local vendors, a car show, Kids Zone and activities for all ages.

CLUES Fiesta Latina
11:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. at CHS Field
A free, family-friendly celebration featuring Latino arts, food, entertainment, sports, wellness activities and giveaways.

Frogtown Arts Festival
1:00–8:00 p.m. at 825 Arts
Celebrate Frogtown’s creativity with local performers, artists, workshops and food.

Saturday Vibe
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. at George Latimer Central Library
A free family program featuring hands-on activities, performances and stories.

Sunday, September 20

Twin Cities Veg Fest
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at Harriet Island Regional Park
Enjoy plant-based food, cooking demonstrations, speakers and community activities at this free festival.

Mid-Autumn Moon Festival
1:00–3:00 p.m. at Landmark Center
Celebrate with crafts, music, dance, storytelling, food, a lion dance and a lantern parade through Rice Park.

Children and Family Weekend
Saturday and Sunday at House of Hope Presbyterian Church, 797 Summit Avenue
A weekend of poetry, storytelling, music, art, dance and family activities. The schedule includes both free and ticketed programming.

Whether you are looking for music, art, food, family activities or time with neighbors, there is something waiting for you in Saint Paul this weekend.

Please search the event name for complete information and any weather-related updates before heading out.

It looks like rain this Food Friday, so come in, get dry, and have lunch with us.We will be serving hamburgers and chips...
09/18/2026

It looks like rain this Food Friday, so come in, get dry, and have lunch with us.

We will be serving hamburgers and chips starting at 11:00 a.m. at Capitol Commons, 546 Rice Street.

Stop in for a warm welcome, some good food, and conversation with your neighbors.

There is always a place for you at our table.

A need has recently been brought to our attention: dog food.Many of the individuals and families we serve also have dogs...
09/17/2026

A need has recently been brought to our attention: dog food.

Many of the individuals and families we serve also have dogs they care deeply about.

We are asking for donations of new, unopened dog food—preferably medium-sized bags that are easier to distribute and carry.

Donations may be dropped off at Capitol Commons, 546 Rice Street, during our open hours: Wednesday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Your continued kindness and support are, as always, deeply appreciated.

Thank you for helping us care for both our neighbors and the animals that are so important to them.

Our last school backpack giveaway gave us a lot of moments like this one.And sometimes a photo says more than a long pos...
09/17/2026

Our last school backpack giveaway gave us a lot of moments like this one.

And sometimes a photo says more than a long post ever could.

A family walked through our doors. We had something useful to offer. They left with backpacks for the school year — and hopefully knowing that Capitol Commons is a place they can come back to.

That last part matters to me.

We want people to know this space before they are facing a crisis. We want families to walk through the door, meet us, ask questions, learn what is available, and feel comfortable coming back when they need something.

A backpack giveaway may be what brings someone through the door for the first time.

The relationship we build afterward is where the real opportunity begins.

That’s the kind of community connection we’re working toward at Capitol Commons.

THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT CAPITOL RICEBefore Roy Wilkins became one of the nation’s most influential civil-rights ...
09/16/2026

THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT CAPITOL RICE

Before Roy Wilkins became one of the nation’s most influential civil-rights leaders, he was a young man growing up near Rice Street.

Wilkins lived on Galtier Street near Lewis Park and attended Whittier Grammar School and Mechanic Arts High School. He later served as the leader of the NAACP from 1949 to 1977, helping guide some of the most important civil-rights efforts in American history.

His story is a powerful reminder that young people growing up in our neighborhoods today may become the leaders who change our world tomorrow.

Historic photograph courtesy of the Library of Congress.

WEDNESDAY | SERVICES & OPPORTUNITIESSometimes the hardest part of asking for help is simply knowing where to start.This ...
09/16/2026

WEDNESDAY | SERVICES & OPPORTUNITIES

Sometimes the hardest part of asking for help is simply knowing where to start.

This week, we want to highlight Minnesota Aging Pathways, a free statewide service that helps Minnesotans and caregivers find answers and connect with resources that can make it easier to remain at home—or return home after time in a facility.

And this is about much more than one service. Minnesota Aging Pathways can help connect people with things like meal and grocery delivery, transportation, help around the house, home health care, home repairs, caregiver support, financial and legal assistance, Medicare resources, and more.

What I especially like about this program is that anyone can make a referral. If you have a parent, grandparent, neighbor, friend, or someone else in your life who could use a little extra support, you don’t have to figure everything out yourself. You can help make that first connection.

Once a referral is received, someone will talk with the person about what they need, help connect them with resources in their community, and follow up to support their long-term success.

Minnesota Aging Pathways: 800-333-2433 (tel:800-333-2433)

At Capitol Commons, part of our work is making sure people know about the resources that already exist and helping make those connections a little easier. Sometimes one phone call or one introduction can make a real difference.

Please share this with someone who might benefit from knowing it’s available.

We are very excited about what is coming next!Keep your eyes on this wall at 537 Rice Street. We are not giving away the...
09/16/2026

We are very excited about what is coming next!

Keep your eyes on this wall at 537 Rice Street.

We are not giving away the surprise just yet—but we promise, it is going to be something good.

A little more beauty, color, and neighborhood pride is coming to Rice Street very soon.

We cannot wait for you to watch it take shape.

TRASH TO TREASURE SALEJoin the Friends of Pedro Park for a community sale filled with great finds for a great cause.Satu...
09/15/2026

TRASH TO TREASURE SALE

Join the Friends of Pedro Park for a community sale filled with great finds for a great cause.

Saturday, September 19
9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Pedro Park

Proceeds will help care for the park and lawn and purchase tools and plants. It is a great opportunity to find something new to you while supporting a neighborhood space that everyone can enjoy.

Have items to donate or questions? Contact Julie Pritz, Chair of Friends of Pedro Park, at [email protected].

Please stop by, shop, and help support Pedro Park!

A great evening with the Fitzgerald Neighborhood Alliance.Tonight we talked about what people enjoy about the neighborho...
09/15/2026

A great evening with the Fitzgerald Neighborhood Alliance.

Tonight we talked about what people enjoy about the neighborhood, their experiences here, and then looked ahead: What needs to happen for us to have the neighborhood we want?

There were a lot of good ideas, different perspectives, and genuine energy in the room.

I’m excited to continue these conversations and, even more importantly, to see some of these ideas turn into action. This is how stronger neighborhoods are built—people coming together, sharing ideas, and working toward something better.

Thank you to everyone who showed up and added their voice tonight. I left feeling optimistic about what we can accomplish together.

Address

546 Rice Street
Saint Paul, MN
55103

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