7 reasons you won’t want to miss Meals on Heels Aug. 13

If you’ve yet to attend a Meals on Heels event, there are seven good reasons to attend this year, which also happens to be the seventh year of the event. And even if you’re a Meals on Heels veteran, there are a few new wrinkles to this year’s event to get excited about.

So what’s the big deal about Meals on Heels, other than it’s our biggest event of the year to help support the delivery of more than 1 million meals in the Twin Cities? Read on to find out why you should join us Thursday, Aug. 13, at the Harriet Island Pavilion.

1. The shoes

Shoes with contrasting popping colors

With each passing year, the shoes worn to Meals on Heels get more sophisticated. The kicks that attract the most attention range from supremely stylish to outrageously creative to fun and playful. Whichever approach you choose, you’ll have a lot of competition on your way to being selected Grand Champion of Swank Soles – a prize given for the top men’s and women’s footwear.

Pro tip: Activate your Twitter or Instagram following! The person who gets the most likes, retweets and favorites on a picture of their shoes featuring the hashtag #swanksoles will be entered into the finals for the competition. But first, follow Meals on Heels on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

2. The food

New York Style Cheesecake with raspberries on top

When you put a dozen great chefs in the Twin Cities in one room, deliciousness is sure to ensue. This year, Meals on Heels attendees will get to sample the best offerings from Salut Bar Américain, Pittsburgh Blue, The Melting Pot, Red Stag Supperclub, Pizza Lucé, Muddy Paws Cheesecake, The St. Paul Grill, Zelo, The 5-8 Club, Simply Steve’s Food Truck and Café Bon Appétit at the Minnesota History Center. Pair these tasty morsels with your favorite beverage from Summit Brewing Company and Sociable Cider Werks or wine provided by Eagle Street Grille.

3. The setting

The Meals on Heels event gathering

As you can see, the patio at the Harriet Island Pavilion at sunset is a pretty nice place to be.

4. Prizes, prizes and more prizes

Meals on Heels tickets being sold

Meals on Heels attendees have the chance to enter into a raffle drawing jam-packed with great prizes. Airline tickets from Southwest Airlines, a lawn mower from Toro, an Electra bicycle, and multiple hotel stay packages are just a few of the great prizes available in 10 great raffle packages.

Another pro tip: Buy a wingspan of raffle tickets for $20, and find the tallest person in the room to count your tickets!

5. Screen printing

"i like being this nice" on black tank tops

Each year brings something new at Meals on Heels and this year it’s screen printing. We’ll feature a few designs created specifically for this year’s event and you’ll be able to buy and print your favorite design on totes, tanks, t-shirts and baby onesies on site!

6. Fun and games

Volunteers posing in a photo booth

After you’ve visited the step-and-repeat banner to enter your Swank Soles into the contest, be sure to grab your friends for a turn in the Meals on Heels Photo Booth courtesy of Mister Berndt Photography.

A vendor sells drinks on a busy sidewalk

Or win a bottle of wine by trying your hand at Fling the Ring on the patio, back by popular demand thanks to a sponsorship from the Saint Paul Jaycees. Speaking of sponsors, none of this fun would be possible without the support of The Scoular Company, Thrivent Financial, Xcel Energy, 3M, UPS and The Walser Foundation, funded by the Walser Automotive Group.

7. The entertainment

We’re pleased to announce that music for this year’s event will be provided by Ashley Gold with special guests Holiday. Described by City Pages as “not your average folk-pop singer-songwriter,” Gold blends elements of R&B, pop and folk, into her music. The name may be familiar to some, as she also appeared at Meals on Heels in 2010. She’ll be back for another entertaining evening with a bunch of new songs.

We’re also excited to feature two special emcees for this year’s event. Falen, co-host of KDWB’s Dave Ryan Show, is back to provide colorful commentary with an extra dose of style for this year’s event. New to Meals on Heels this year is KARE 11 ace reporter Jana Shortal, who in addition to her reporting, is always up for entertaining for a good cause.

Still on the fence? Jana and Ashley tell you why you should join:
We hope you can join us Aug. 13 for what’s sure to be a great event to support the delivery of nutritious meals to seniors and people with disabilities in Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. Get your tickets today!