One of the biggest weekends for high school sports is upon us, along with a big weekend for pumpkin picking, tattooing and grotesque theater presentations. It’s all here.

1. Come on home, alumni

Friday, Sept. 27, 5 p.m. tailgate, 7 p.m. game, Art Hass Stadium, 1300 Oakland Ave. W

Welcome home, Austin High School alumni. Get set for Friday night’s big game first with a 5 p.m. tailgate party at Art Hass Stadium. The Austin Packers, coming off a big win over Winona, take on the tough Owatonna Huskies. Kickoff is 7 p.m. Boom!

2. Hold your horses … in the pumpkin patch

Sunday, Sept. 29, Farmer John’s Pumpkin Patch, Mower-Freeborn road and 273rd Street, Austin.

Farmer John has one week in the books, but this weekend, the horses are coming to play.

Each Sunday, through mid-October, Farmer John’s Pumpkin Patch will feature horse-drawn wagon rides, among its many other activities. Farmer John’s is open daily from noon to 6 p.m. through October 31.

3. Relax, breathe, be one with nature

Sunday, Sept. 29, 1-3 p.m., Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, 1304 21st St. NE, Austin.

Meditation isn’t all about sitting cross-legged with eyes closed and hands held out. At the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, there is walking meditation. The event is from 1 to 3 p.m. on the trails and in the woods. Soak in the fall weather and relax. Call 507-437-7519 for more details.

4. The ink is still wet

Tuesday, Oct. 1, Alex’s Tattoos on Broadway, 102 Broadway, Mapleview

Mapleview has a new artist in town, and the canvas is skin. Alex’s Tattoos on Broadway will hold a grand opening on Tuesday. The new business, calling itself southern Minnesota’s newest and finest shop, offers tattoos and piercings by appointment or walk-in. Contact them at 507-884-4407.

5. Pull the curtains

Thursday, Oct. 3, 7:30 p.m., Frank W. Bridges Theater in Riverland, 1900 Eighth Ave. NW, Austin.

The Riverland Theatre Department will open its season with a classic: “The Rocky Horror Show.” The London presentation by Richard O’Brien opens at Frank W. Bridges Theatre with science fiction, rock ‘n’ roll and plenty of edgy dialogue. Ticket are $16. But that’s not all; the play shows again at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4, 5, 9, 10, 11 and 12.

Look to Reporter Matt Peterson’s column every Friday for more about upcoming events in Austin. For even more, check out the calendar on Page 4 every day in the print edition and the AustinDailyHerald.com homepage.