FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Free, family-friendly celebration joins nationally recognized street basketball tournament August 15-16 at North Hennepin Community College in Brooklyn Park
BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. — July 24, 2026 — African Career, Education & Resource Inc. (ACER) announced today that the Shingle Creek Center Fair 2026 will join forces with the Twin Cities Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, bringing two of the northwest metro’s most anticipated summer events together at North Hennepin Community College August 15-16, 2026.
The Shingle Creek Center Fair — a free, family-friendly celebration of culture, entrepreneurship, and connection — takes place Saturday, August 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring local vendors and small businesses, food trucks and cultural cuisine, live music and performances, kids’ activities, and community resources. Running alongside it, the Twin Cities Gus Macker Tournament brings dozens of outdoor courts to campus for a full weekend of 3-on-3 competition, returning for its third year in the Twin Cities after drawing more than 170 teams in 2025.
What began as an ACER community resource fair in 2008 has grown over 18 years into a cornerstone cultural event for the African immigrant, Black, and broader BIPOC communities of the northwest Twin Cities metro. This year’s collaboration brings that celebration to an even larger stage.
“This collaboration means bringing the Shingle Creek Center Fair to more of our neighbors than ever before,” said Nelima Sitati Munene, Executive Director of ACER Inc.” We’ve spent 18 years building a celebration rooted in culture, entrepreneurship, and connection, and sharing this weekend with Twin Cities Gus Macker lets us open that celebration to thousands of new families and introduce them to the work our community partners do every day.” .
“We are so proud of last year’s success, when we fielded more than 170 teams while raising funds for community non-profits,” said Leslie Wright, CEO of Minneapolis Northwest Tourism. “Bringing the Shingle Creek Center Fair onto the same grounds this year lets us welcome even more families into a true festival atmosphere, and we’re honored to share this weekend with ACER and this community”
Admission to both the fair and the tournament is free and open to the public. Teams wishing to compete in the tournament — open to all ages 8 and up and all skill levels — can register for $200 per team at twincitiesgusmacker.com through July 27, 2026. Every team is guaranteed three games, with Slam Dunk and 3-Point Contests offering $500 cash prizes each. The tournament continues Sunday, August 16, with championship play and a Car Show.
Event Details
- Shingle Creek Center Fair: Saturday, August 15, 2026, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Free admission | For more information visit www.shinglecreekcenter.com/fair-2026
- Twin Cities Gus Macker 3-on-3 Tournament: August 15-16, 2026 | Free to attend | Team registration $200, deadline July 27 | For more information visit www.twincitiesgusmacker.com
- Location: North Hennepin Community College, 7411 85th Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
About ACER Inc. African Career, Education & Resource Inc.: ACERis a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2008, serving African immigrant, Black, and broader BIPOC communities across the northwest Twin Cities metro. ACER began by hosting community resource fairs connecting residents with local businesses, service providers, and organizations — efforts that have grown into large-scale community celebrations, including the annual Shingle Creek Center Fair. Learn more at acerinc.org.
About Shingle Creek Center: Shingle Creek Center is a culturally rooted commercial hub in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, owned by Brooklyn’s Cultural Village (BCV), a community-centered ownership entity focused on long-term cultural and economic revitalization. Learn more at shinglecreekcenter.com.
About Gus Macker: For more than 50 years, Gus Macker has been one of the most recognized 3-on-3 basketball tournaments in the country, bringing communities together through friendly competition. The Twin Cities Gus Macker Tournament is brought to the metro with support from Minneapolis Northwest Tourism, with 100% of proceeds benefiting local charities. Learn more at twincitiesgusmacker.com.
Media Contact: Tameka Anderson tameka@egobee.org (612) 275-6053
