Community Corner
Halloween Happenings, Fall Festivals Around Maple Grove
Upcoming autumn related events and activities in and around the west metro Twin Cities area starting Sept. 22 continuing through Oct. 31, 2012.
With Halloween around the corner and fall in full swing, there are plenty of autumn related activities happening in Maple Grove and the west metro. Make sure to note that some activities do require preregistration.
Don’t forget to add events in comments below or upload your pictures to this post after the event!
Fall Festival at Lynde Greenhouse
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When: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22
Where: Lynde Greenhouse and Nursery, 9293 Pineview Lane N., Maple Grove
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Cost: Free
Why go: From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. family crafts and face painting, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. vendor showcase, 2:30-4:30 p.m. ladies night with wine and food samplings. Other activities include refreshments, prizes and giveaways.
Harvest Festival at The Woods
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22
Where: The Woods, 15825 95th Ave. N., Maple Grove
Cost: Free
Why go: Free caramel apple sundaes, visit with “Hap the Bear” and pet animals from Hemker’s Farm (noon to 2 p.m.)
Harvest Hoedown at Gale Woods Farm
When: 5-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29
Where: Gale Woods Farm, 7210 County Road 110, Mound
Cost: $6 per person
Why go: Listen to a string-band music, take a wagon ride, meet farm animals, explore the farm. Concessions available for additional fee.
When: 5-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5 and 4-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6
Where: Hyland Ski and Snowboard Area, 10145 Bush Lake Road, Bloomington
Cost: $5 per person
Why go: On the hilltop, meet a live bird of prey, view autumn’s colorful skyline through a spotting scope, listen to live acoustic music from Pig’s Eye Landing from 6:30-8:30 p.m., and purchase grilled food. After dark, relax by a campfire, view stars through a telescope, and follow a lantern-lit trail down the hill. Adults must accompany children. Pets are not permitted. Riders must sign waiver at event, youth 17 and under must have waiver signed by parent/guardian.
Celebrate the Harvest
When: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7.
Where: Gale Woods Farm, 7210 County Road 110, Mound
Cost: Free
Why go: Witness sheep dog herding trials, visit fiber and local food vendors, entertainment by the Okee Dokee Brothers on Saturday and TreVeld on Sunday. Wagon rides, chef demonstrations and more.
Prairie Sugar Weekend
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6 and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7
Where: Oliver H. Kelly Farm, 15788 Kelly Farm Road, Elk River
Cost: $9 adults, $7 seniors and college students, $6 children ages 6-17 Why go: Join the Kelley Farm hands as they make prairie sugar, also known as sorghum molasses. Help strip the leaves off the sorghum canes, press the canes through a horse-powered press to extract the juice, and stir the juice as it boils down to make a sweet, syrupy molasses. Then, have a sweet treat of molasses confections such as gingerbread and molasses candy.
Harvest Days
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18 and 19
Where: Oliver H. Kelly Farm, 15788 Kelly Farm Road, Elk River
Cost: $9 adults, $7 seniors and college students, $6 children ages 6-17
Why go: Help the Kelley farm staff prepare for winter. Visitors will help finish quilts, husk corn, and bring in the last of the harvest.
Little Folks Halloween
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20
Where: Eastman Nature Center, 13351 Elm Creek Road, Dayton
Cost: $5 per person preregistered, $6 day of fee. Open to ages 2-7. Preregistration encouraged. 763-559-6700
Why go: Meet costumed animal characters, go on a scavenger hunt in search of special pumpkins, dig for the golden acorn in the corn pool, jump in a straw pile, play games to win prizes, and meet an owl. Puppet show, refreshments, face painting, and a fall craft. Dress to be outside.
When: 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20
Where: 8401 Dunkirk Lane, Maple Grove
Cost: $5 per child ages 2-8, adults free. Advance registration begins Oct. 1 at the Maple Grove Community Center. Space is limited. No mail, email or phone registration accepted.
Why go: Children can follow a map of more than 20 games, try tricks or treats and rides. Costumes are encouraged. Event hosted by the Maple Grove Community Organization.
PetSmart Howl-o-Ween Event
When: 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20
Where: 11200 Fountains Drive, Maple Grove
Cost: Free, photo of pet in costume can be purchased.
Why go: Dress your pet in costume and bring them in for activities
When: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20
Where: Eastman Nature Center, 13351 Elm Creek Road, Dayton Cost: $5-9 per person. Adults and children pay. Preregistration encouraged. 763-559-6700
Why go: Meet costumed characters, collect treats along the woodland trail, watch magic. Visit the "Gross-Out Grotto" to attempt the Eat-a-Bug Challenge, cockroach races and the gross-out station. Meet an owl, dig in the "animal graveyard," and race in the Creeper Challenge obstacle course. Play Bone Bingo and other Halloween games, and follow the pumpkin trail to refreshments at a bonfire.
Pumpkin Carving
When: 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24
Where: Silverwood Park, 2500 County Road E., St. Anthony
Cost: $8 per person
Why go: Each participant will receive a pumpkin and natural materials for decorating. Finish the evening with a mass pumpkin lighting and marshmallow roasting on the patio. Simple carving tools will be available.
When: 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27
Where: Main Street, Maple Grove
Cost: Free
Why go: An afternoon of trick or treating and fall fun.
When: 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27
Where: North Mississippi Regional Park, 5114 N Mississippi Dr, Brooklyn Center
Cost: $7 per person. Preregistration required. 763-559-6700
Why go: Make pumpkin creations to take home, pumpkin bowling and compete Pumpkin Jeopardy. Celebrate our seasonal gourds through our pumpkin party, ending with a pumpkin parade to send a pumpkin boat down river.
Halloween Farm Fun
When: 5-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27
Where: Gale Woods Farm, 7210 County Road 110, Mound
Cost: $9 per child, $5 per adult. No reservations required.
Why go: Walk a trail of costumed characters, pay a visit to the Mad Scientist's lab. Meet a live owl and farm animals. Make a nature craft, games and have Halloween treats from the farm. Participants can come in costume.
Halloween Party in the Teen Center
When: 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27
Where: Maple Grove Community Center
Cost: Free for teens
Why go: An evening of treats, spooky movies and costumes
Halloween at the Creek
When: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31
Where: Plymouth Creek Center, 14800 34th Ave. N., Plymouth
Cost: $10 per person day of the event, $8 preregistration before Oct. 31
Why go: Event includes carnival games, inflatables, live entertainment, prizes, treats and more. Costumes encouraged - no scary or gory costumes. Each paid participant receives a slice of pizza and beverage. This event is geared toward families with children in preschool through elementary. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
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