SAINT PAUL, MN — The Grand Avenue Business Association and Ordway Center for the Performing Art Friday morning announced a new partnership between the organizations' longstanding summer events: Grand Old Day and the Flint Hills Family Festival.

This year, the festivals will join forces for one weekend in Saint Paul, running from Friday, June 1, to Sunday, June 3. The two festivals offer a combined 63 years of experience and attract nearly 300,000 people to Saint Paul each year.

The fun will kick off at 4 p.m. on June 1 with the 18th annual Flint Hills Family Festival in downtown Saint Paul. The two-day festival will feature free outdoor performances, crafts and activities, and indoor performances for children and families.

On June 3, the 45th annual Grand Old Day will bring food vendors, artists, merchants, and a variety of activities out to Grand Avenue for the largest one-day street festival in the Midwest. "These fantastic events are annual traditions for hundreds of thousands of people," Jamie Grant, president and CEO of Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, said in a statement. "With the Flint Hills Family Festival moving to Friday and Saturday this year, it's a perfect time for us to partner with our friends on Grand Avenue. We can't wait to create new ways for people of all ages to celebrate the start of summer in Saint Paul."

"Our events combine to offer something spectacular for everyone," said Connie DeLage, executive director of the Grand Avenue Business Association. "By joining forces, we'll make each festival shine even brighter."