The Austin Congregational UCC Church will be hosting this year’s Out of Darkness Walk on Saturday, Sept. 15.

The walk is one of 380 walks held throughout the country that help raise awareness and funds that allow the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to invest in new research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy, and support survivors of suicide loss.

According to the AFSP, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the Unites States and the fourth leading cause of death for individuals aged 15-64. Approximately 117 Americans commit suicide every day, a rate of one person every 12.3 minutes. Of those, 90 percent have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder at the time of their deaths.

Online registration closes at noon on Friday, Sept. 14; however, anyone who would like to participate can register in person at the walk from the time check-in begins until the walk starts.

Check-in and registration begins at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday at Austin Congregation UCC Church. The walk will begin at 9:30 a.m. and end at noon.

To register, visit https://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=register.start&eventID=5474. To make a donation, visit https://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.donate&eventID=5474. For more information, visit https://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.event&eventID=5474, call 641-832-0983 or email laurietucke@gmail.com.

Harvest Fest returns

This year’s annual Harvest Fest, sponsored by Mower Refreshed and Vision 2020, will be held on Saturday, Sept. 15.

The event kicks off with the Harvest 5K Walk/Run at the Austin Municipal Pool parking lot. Registration and sign-in will be held from 8-8:30 a.m. with the walk/run beginning at 9 a.m. Registration can be done online at http://bit.ly/Harvest5K2018-YMCA-Registration.

The Austin Municipal Pool parking lot will also be the location of the Harvest Fest Stage, with performances beginning at 9:30 a.m. The Austin Packer Dance Team and Austin Packer Cheerleaders will be offering workshops beginning at 9:30 a.m. To register for these workshops, visit https://danelahiggins.typeform.com/to/QUYOVW.

The Salvation Army Truck will also be accepting donations of healthy foods in the parking lot. A list of suggested donations can be found at https://www.harvestfestaustin.com/uploads/sites/15/1/2/1/4/121476645/donate_healthy_postcard.pdf.

Don’t forget to stop by the registration booth at the Austin Municipal Pool parking lot to pick up a Harvest Passport. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Passport will guide visitors to booths and businesses with interactive events and activities throughout Downtown Austin. Those that visit all booths and bonus stops will be entered for a chance to win a grand prize of a $500 gift card to Rydjor Bike Shop or $500 towards a YMCA membership.

Special activities will be held at the Austin Public Library, the Hormel Historic Home and Sweet Reads.

For a full schedule of events and list of Harvest Passport businesses and activities, visit https://www.harvestfestaustin.com/2018.html.

Schedule of Events

Friday

• ArtRocks Open Jam Sessions, 7 p.m. at the Austin ArtWorks Center. Meet and play with other musicians from around the area. House band sets up and is available for back-up,  you bring your music, instruments, and energy. Cash bar available. For more information, call 507-434-0934.

Saturday

• Clay Hand-building Pie Plates, 10 a.m. at the Austin ArtWorks Center. With Dave Snyder. Create your own pie plate for the upcoming holiday season – a great hand-made gift or for your own use. During this two class series, learn how to make the same plates sold in the Artworks Center retail space. This first class is the clay hand building portion. The second class, on Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m, will be the glazing of your piece. Cost is$60. All supplies included. Students will be notified after the glaze fire once their pieces are ready to be picked up. The class is geared towards adults, but anyone 15+ is welcome. To register or for more information, go to www.austinareaarts.org or call 507-434-0934.

• Kids’ Studio – Polymer Forest Animals, 10:30 a.m. at the Austin ArtWorks Center. With Katie Hunerdosse. Cost is $5. For kids 4 to 14; kids 5 and under must be accompanied with an adult due to the difficulty of this project. To register or for more information, go to www.austinareaarts.org or call 507-434-0934.

• Music at the Bank – “The Weeping Covenant,” 7 p.m. at the Austin ArtWorks Center. The Weeping Covenant is a music collective headed by singer-songwriter, Michael Beatrez. In this project, The Weeping Covenant, Beatrez works with a variety of musicians to bring his lyrically driven songs to a vibrant musical culmination. Cost is $5 at the door. Cash and wine bar available. For more information, go to www.austinareaarts.org or call 507-434-0934.

• Sola Fide Observatory – Moon Viewing, 9 p.m. at Sola Fide Observatory. Learn about the night sky from our local experts. For more information, go to www.hormelnaturecenter.org or call 507-437-7519.