Halloween may be next Wednesday, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a jumpstart on the fun with these weekend Halloween activities.

Mower County 4-H Haunted House

Kick off the fun on Friday with the Mower County 4-H Haunted House, if you dare.

Hosted by the Mower County 4-H Ambassadors, this event is open to the public.

The haunted house will run from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Friday at the 4-H Building on the Mower County Fairgrounds. The cost is $5 per person or $20 for a family of four or more.

For more information, call 507-437-9552.

Lyle Community Halloween Carnival

For some Halloween fun on Saturday, take a trip to Lyle for the Lyle Community Halloween Carnival.

Participants are encouraged to wear costumes for the event, which includes carnival style games, activities and prizes. For $5, visitors will get a wristband that will allow them to participate in all of the activities. Carnival proceeds will go towards Lyle’s 150th Celebration in 2020.

Hungry visitors can purchase $5 sloppy Joe meals from 11 .m. to 1 p.m. To-go meals will also be available for busy families and farmers.

Festivities will conclude with a costume parade at 2 p.m. followed by special prize drawings.

This event is open to the public and will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Lyle School.

Pacelli Haunted Hallways

Wrap up the weekend Halloween fun on Sunday by visiting the Haunted Hallways of Pacelli.

Sponsored by the Pacelli PTCA, kids will be able to trick or treat through the halls, decorate spooky treats, and vote for their favorite decorated door.

Pacelli Haunted Hallways will be held from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday at Pacelli Catholic Schools.

For more information, call 507-437-3278.

Schedule of Events

Friday

• Halloween Dinner, noon at the Mower County Senior Center. Have a screaming good time at this Halloween costume dinner (costumes are optional, but there will be a prize for the best costume). Fun meal of “rat-loaf,” jack-o-lanterns, mummy potatoes, and for dessert, peanut butter mousse graveyards or apple pumpkins.  Photo op available. Cost is $7.50 for members, $8.50 for non-members. For more information or to sign up, stop by the Senior Center front desk or call 507-433-2370.

• The Mystery of the Missing Manuscript, at the Austin Public Library. A crazed library employee has hidden a valuable volume! Can your group find the clues, piece together the puzzles, and answer the riddles to solve this mystery? This immersive adventure will challenge your team to race against the clock to find the book-burglar’s treasure and claim the reward. Designed for groups of 4 to 10 people, ages 10 and up (groups of children under 12 must include at least one adult), and participants should plan on one hour for the activity. Advance registration is required – time slots will be posted on the library website. Sign-up begins on Oct. 1 – individuals may sign up, but will be partnered with other participants and a minimum of 4 people is required for each session. For more information, call 507-433-2391.

Saturday

• Fall Extravaganza, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church. Start your holiday shopping now. Stay for a delicious homemade lunch for $5. Drawings for great prizes.

• Book Art For All Ages – Origami, 10:30 a.m. at the Austin Public Library. Monthly program in the programming room. For more information, call 507-433-2391.

• Fall Fest, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Downtown Austin. Lots of family fun, including fall photo opportunities, pumpkin decorating, and of course trick or treating at downtown stores – look for the Fall Fest poster in the window or on the door. Streets will remain open. For more information, call 507-437-4561.

• Author Visit – Karen Carr, 1 p.m. at Sweet Reads. Meet children’s author Karen Carr, who will be debuting her historical novel.  For more information, call 507-396-8660.

• Annual Creamed Chicken Dinner, 4:30-7 p.m. at Brownsdale United Methodist Church in Browsndale. Includes chicken over biscuits, hot vegetables, salad bar or homemade salads, fresh baked pies or dessert. Tickets available at the door. Adults are $10, children 5-12 $5 and children under 5 free. Proceeds benefit Brownsdale UMC projects. For more information call 507-567-2644.

• Thanksgiving Feast 2018, 5-8:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Conference Center. Annual celebration/fundraiser for the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center presented by the Friends of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. Doors open at 5 p.m. with social hour, silent auction, raffles, and music. Dinner at 6 p.m. – turkey dinner with sides (vegetarian and gluten-free meals available). Tickets $40. For more information or tickets, go to  www.hormelnaturecenter.org or call 507-437-7519.

• Austin Symphony Orchestra, 7 p.m. at Knowlton Auditorium, Austin High School. Opening concert of the 2019 Jubilation Season celebrating Steven Ramsey’s 25th year with the Austin Symphony Orchestra. Featuring Roberto Plano on piano, and Kaitlin Ramsey reciting her original poetry. For more information, go to www.austinmnsymphony.org.

• Austin Bruins vs. Chippewa Steel, 7:05 p.m. at Riverside Arena. Go, Bruins! Tickets available at the door, at Hy-Vee, Games People Play, Holiday Inn, or Jim’s Market Place. For more information, call 507-434-4978.

• Caravan du Nord, 7:30 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre. Caravan du Nord is a traveling showcase of Minnesota music, bringing top regional acts, emerging bands and music industry professionals to towns across Greater Minnesota for a weekend of workshops, networking and performances. An ongoing project of the Minnesota Music Coalition. Tickets are $10. Doors open at 7 pm; concert starts at 7:30 p.m. For tickets or more information, call 507-434-0934 or go to www.austinareaarts.org.