It’s the kickoff to summer, known as the Midwest’s largest one-day free street festival.

The event brings more than 200,000 people to 30 blocks of St. Paul’s historic Grand Avenue, organizers said.

“It’s a way for us to highlight Grand Avenue and all that makes it special year-round,”  said Holly Weinkauf, board president for the Grand Avenue Business Association.

A 5K run and parade kicked off the Sunday tradition that’s gone on more years than not for more than half a century.

“It’s a great community celebration, just seeing everybody come together for a day of joy,” said Weinkauf.

Not only does the event bring people together, but Weinkauf said it’s also a boost for business, in an area that’s faced an exodus in recent years, from Salut to Pottery Barn.

Weinkauf is the owner of Grand Avenue business Red Balloon Bookshop, which was busy with customers Sunday.    

“Grand Old Day may be the first time they find our store and they come in and… they come back,” said Weinkauf.

Sharon Lane recently moved to St. Paul from Seattle and shares her new resident’s perspective.

“I like the fact that the community has come together as a whole. I like all the different foods that you can taste and it gives me the opportunity to meet people,” said Lane.

Natasha Howard had a season-high 27 points on 12-of-16 shooting, Olivia Miles added 19 points, six assists and six rebounds, and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Seattle Storm 88-68 on Saturday for their seventh win in a row — the last six by double figures.

Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride scored 11 points apiece for the Lynx (9-2). Howard and Nia Coffey each had three of Minnesota’s season-high-tying 13 steals.

The Storm (3-9), who have lost five in a row, committed a season-high 21 turnovers and shot just 35% (22 of 63) from the field.

Coffey hit a 3-pointer with 3:09 remaining in the second quarter that gave Minnesota the lead for good at 39-38. Howard made two layups while Coffey and Maya Caldwell each hit a 3 in a 10-0 run that made it 55-43 less than three minutes into the third, and it was at least a nine-point game the rest of the way.

Natisha Hiedeman and Jade Melbourne led Seattle with 14 points apiece. Flau’jae Johnson added 10 points.

Dominique Malonga (concussion protocol) returned from an eight-game absence and finished with seven points in 14 minutes off the bench for the Storm.

Storm: Play Monday at Las Vegas.

Lynx: Host Dallas on Tuesday.