Arts and outdoor events that have benefited from the state's Legacy Act will be showcased in Winona July 23-24.

It's called the "Legacy Weekend," because it showcases organizations that received money from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. That's the 3/8ths of a percent added sales tax that generates funding for land conservation, water conservation, parks and arts.

The Winona events are sponsored by the Great River Shakespeare Festival (GRSF), in partnership with the Winona County Historical Society, conservation partners and Visit Winona.

Among the events that weekend (check the website for more details):

• The Great River Shakespeare Festival is offering four productions over three days — "The Comedy of Errors," "Othello," "The Daly News," and "It Goes Without Saying" — with both afternoon and evening shows available, at the Winona State University performing Arts Center, 125 Mark St. Fifty free tickets to the shows are available at local libraries on a first-come, first-served basis.
• The Great River Shakespeare Festival also offers free outdoor family-friendly concerts at 6:30 p.m. July 23 and 24.
• Theatre du Mississippi offers “Drops and Drama” at the old Masonic Temple at 255 Main St., featuring historic 1909 hand-painted backdrops with music and dramatic readings. July 24 at 1 p.m.
• Winona County Historical Society’s new museum wing opens in the History Center, 160 Johnson St. The Bunnell House, an outstanding example of Gothic architecture, and the Arches Museum of Pioneer Life, a furnished log home, barn and schoolhouse from the 1860s, will be open for tours.
• The Winona County History Center will host Mike Kennedy on July 24 at 1 p.m. for a talk on the lives of conservationist Will Dilg and philanthropist John Latsch.
• The Winona Park Recreation Department will offer free canoeing and kayaking on East Lake Winona.
• The free Huck Finn Family Fest will be held on July 24 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. along the Mississippi River, by the Marine Art Museum, with offer free fishing lessons provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• A free self-guided scenic tour of bluffs in Winona, with a walk to visit Sugarloaf Bluff in Winona’s Memorial Park or go 12 miles south to Great River State Park for King’s Bluff and Queen’s Bluff. 

On the same weekend, by coincidence, Columbus replica ships — the Pinta and Nina — will also land in Winona’s Levee park.