It's almost the Labor Day holiday weekend. You can participate in a once-in-a-lifetime political event, watch a parade, catch some live entertainment, feast on all the corn-on-the-cob you can eat, or dress up as a wench/pirate/fairy/wizard (delete as appropriate).

Here's what fun and entertainment is on offer in Minneapolis, St. Paul and the Twin Cities for the Labor Day weekend.

Whatever you do: have a wonderful weekend!

Arriving at a castle, flanked by a pirate ship, a battalion of horses in armor, and a store selling "Wenches Want Me" shirts, we were greeted by a knave who serenaded us with Frank Sinatra. Where in the world? The Minnesota Renaissance Festival.

Out in ye olde Shakopee, there be a medieval village filled with the aforementioned wenches, vagabonds, knights, wizards, faeries, hobbits, morris dancers, belly dancers with snakes, and everyone putting on their finest British accents.

Visitors can feast on scotch eggs and turkey legs, washed down with cups of tea, or ale in a leather beer mug, whatever your persuasion.

There's live armored jousting by knights on horseback who battle for the crowd thrice daily, and jugglers, jesters, fire walkers, comics and musicians who entertain almost constantly. The Minnesota Renaissance Festival is very good value for money.

This is one of the few places you might feel underdressed if you aren't wearing leather britches or fairy wings. Here's resources for making RenFest costumes, and images of outfits from Renaissance Fairs around the country for inspiration

About.com's guide to DIY Fashion: Making your own Renaissance Festival Costume

Whether you get dressed up or not, it's always a rollicking good time at the Renaissance Festival.

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival is open every weekend from now until September 28, plus Labor Day and September 26.

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival Website

Never mind the politics, this is the reason why anyone would want to come to the Twin Cities. We have the country's biggest mall (Mall of America), the nations first indoor mall, no sales tax on clothing, and myriad independent stores and boutiques in several chic shopping districts. Vibrant Uptown Minneapolis and chic Edina are sure to be popular with convention-goers.

• Twin Cities Shopping Malls and Shopping Districts

Local neighborhoods and retailers are also holding events to welcome RNC visitors.

Urban Junket, a Minneapolis-based company turning out beautiful leather handbags and the most stylish laptop bags is holding a sample sale with designer bags discounted 40-75%. The sale is held September 3 - 5 at Urban Junket's showroom in Minneapolis.

Il Vostro Boutique, the Edina store specializing in lesser-known but fabulous designers, has opened a location in downtown St. Paul bringing stylish European and local designers directly to convention attendees. The store is at 375 Wabasha Street.

Grand Avenue is the nearest shopping destination to downtown St. Paul. Independent clothing, jewelry and art stores are mixed in with restaurants and coffee shops. The Grand Avenue Business Association is providing red double decker London buses to take delegates to the stores. Buses depart from West Seventh street in downtown St. Paul, a short distance from the Xcel Energy Center, to Grand Avenue. The buses will be running from 31 August to 3 September, and rides are free.

While on Grand Avenue, don't miss designer pet store Don't Make Me Beg, who have political dog outfits for sale, along with organic dog treats, designer accessories and grooming services for convention pets.

The Minnesota State Fair opened on Thursday. The first day began with hundreds of people lining up even before the gates opened at 6 a.m. to see Princess Kay of the Milky Way having her likeness carved in butter, and indulge in State Fair food that's as traditional, bizarre, and as calorific as ever.

The Star Tribune has a map of where to find all the best fair food, and here's something to make you hungry: a video of every food on a stick from the 2006 Minnesota State Fair.

Did you go to the fair today? Or are you planning your visit?

While it's possible to park at the fairgrounds, if you get there early enough, it's usually easier to take the bus to the fair.

The free Park and Ride lots fill up fast. The $5-a-ticket Express Bus Service lots are also popular, with lots around the Twin Cities metro area. An often overlooked bus service to the fair is Metro Transit's regular bus services. Three routes serve the Fairgrounds, with direct routes from downtown Minneapolis, downtown St. Paul, and the Hiawatha Light Rail Line, all with buses approximately every 15 minutes.

We got one of the last spots in a park and ride lot at 10 a.m. on Thursday, so the least-hassle way of getting to the fair usually involves getting to the lots as early as possible. Then you can spend the whole day at the fair!