Although the general public will not be able to hunt pheasant with Gov. Tim Walz during this weekend’s Governor’s Pheasant Hunt Opener, there are several opportunities to join in on the celebration.

• Disabled Veterans Hunting Send Off, 7:30 a.m. on Friday at Austin American Legion Post 91.

• Land Dedication, 4 p.m. on Friday at Torge’s Live. The ceremony will dedicate the newest public hunting land in Mower County and will include comments from Walz, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Sarah Strommen, and Explore Minnesota Director John Edman, among other local leaders. The Worlein family of Austin donated the land, located northwest of Austin.

• Governor’s Community Celebration Banquet, 5-8 p.m. on Friday at the Austin Holiday Inn. Social hour will begin at 5 p.m. followed by the banquet at 6 p.m. Tickets are $35 and may be purchased from Discover Austin. Tickets are limited.

• “Flocking” featuring Chris Kroeze, 8:30 p.m. on Friday at Torge’s Live. A free concert by “The Voice” 15th season runner-up Chris Kroeze.

Saturday

• Dog Parade, 1:30 p.m. on Saturday on Main Street. The parade will begin at the Veterans’ Memorial and end at Mill Pond. Those that wish to have their dogs participate are required to register. Registration forms can be found at Discover Austin or the Spam Museum. The Dock Dogs Presentation will be held at 2 p.m. following the parade at Mill Pond.

• Martin Zellar and the Hardways Concert, 3 p.m. on Saturday at the Mower County Fairgrounds. This concert from nationally renowned recording artist and Austin native Martin Zellar is free and open to the public.

• Octoberfest Celebration, 5 p.m. on Saturday at Olaf B. Damm VFW Post 1216. Free event that features music and dancing.

Raffle tickets are still available for purchase for $20 from Discover Austin. Approximately $8,000 in prizes are available for raffle.

For more information, contact Discover Austin, MN at 507-437-4563 or email visitor@austincvb.com.

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The Mower County Historical Society’s annual Vintage and Antique Sale will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, in the Pioneer Building.

Be sure to stop by and find that special item to finish your holiday collection or find a great gift for a friend. Items for sale include antiques, Hallmark Christmas ornaments, precious moments, dishes, holiday decorations, furniture, and much more.

All proceeds from this special fundraising event will go towards the MCHS Endowment Fund benefiting the Mower County Historical Society, a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization. All of the items on sale for this special fundraising event have been donated.

No artifacts from the MCHS collection will be sold.

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Schedule of Events

Friday

• Kay Sea Club Bingo, 5:30 p.m. at the Mower County Senior Center. Fifteen games to be played. Cost is $12 for a packet.

• Halloween Warm-Up, 6:50-10 p.m. at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. Take a 45-minute hike and enjoy spooktacular Halloween and nature skits performed by creatures, critters, and spirits of the night.  Then relax inside Ruby Rupner Auditorium with cider and treats. Especially designed to appeal to children ages 4-11 (accompanied by an adult), but all ages are welcome. Every 10 minutes, a group of 25 is led into the “bootiful” forest to meet the assorted spirits that reside there.  Select your time slot when you purchase your tickets.  Tickets on sale starting on Sep 8, at Super Fresh Produce, Bakery, & Garden Center (2104 4th St NW, 507-437-6554). First hike 6:50 p.m., last hike 9:10 p.m. Cost – $8 per person (includes apple cider and a cookie). Note: During the 6:50 p.m. time slot only, twelve extra tickets will be available on our golf carts for patrons who cannot walk the trails due to special needs.  One support person may ride along if needed (ticket required). For more information, call 507-437-7519.

Saturday

• Scandinavian Festival Bazaar, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church. Great selection of items – bake sale, crafts, cookbooks, RADA cutlery, holiday shop items, boutique, boxed greeting cards, lefse and donuts (limit two dozen per person). Coffee and lunch served all day. For more information, call 507-433-8857.

• Kids’ Studio – Watercolor Bookmarks, 10:30 a.m. at the Austin ArtWorks Center. With Leila Hansen.  For kids ages 5-10. Cost:  $5. To sign up or for more information, go to www.austinareaarts.org or call 507-434-0934.

• Kitchen Lithography, 1 p.m. at the Austin ArtWorks Center. With Rachel Obranovich. Learn how to do printmaking in your kitchen. With a few simple supplies and a chemical reaction caused by cola on aluminum you can create your own unique prints. If you love to draw and like to experiment with process, you will surely enjoy this workshop. Geared towards kids 8 years and older. To sign up or for more information, go to www.austinareaarts.org or call 507-434-0934.

• Brownsdale Fire Department Fish Fry, 4-8 p.m. at the Brownsdale Fire Station. Adults are $12, children 12 and under $6. Also serving baked potato, cole slaw, beans, coffee, milk and lemonade. Kids hot dog meal also available. Proceeds help fund the purchase of new turn out gear and personal protection to help protect firefighters.

• Halloween Warm-Up, 6:50-10 p.m. at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. For more information, call 507-437-7519.

• Austin Bruins vs. Minnesota Wilderness, 7 p.m. at Riverside Arena. Go, Bruins! Tickets available at Hy-Vee, Holiday Inn, Games People Play, Jim’s Marketplace and Riverside Arena. For more information, go to www.austinbruins.com.

• Llamapalooza 2019, at the Mower County Fairgrounds. Here’s your chance to see these amazing fuzzy, cute animals up close and personal. For more information, call 507-433-1868.

Sunday

• Eighth Annual Darren Dash, 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Lafayette Park. Honoring the life of Austin native and running enthusiast, Darren Lewis. All events start and end at Lafayette Park. Event will be chip timed and participants will receive a tee shirt (register before Oct. 11 for guaranteed shirt). The half marathon starts at 8 a.m. and 5K at 8:15 a.m. Kiddie Run takes place at 11 a.m. Awards given to the top three runners in each age group for the 5K; all half marathon finishers receive a Darren Dash finisher medal. Proceeds go to a scholarship fund for Austin Cross Country runners and programs committed to improving mental and physical health in the community. Register online at www.darrendash.org, at the Eagles on Saturday, Oct. 12 from 5-8 p.m., at Lafayette Park from 6:30-7:45 a.m. at Lafayette Park or anytime before Oct. 12 at Lewis Physical Therapy and Fitness Center. For more information, call 507-433-8139.

• Duets and Desserts, 1 p.m. at the Hormel Historic Home. Free concert. Instrumental and vocal musicians of all ages are invited to perform a duet in the historic living room. Duets that pre-register will be given priority in performing. Non-registered groups will be allowed to perform as time allows. Call 507-433-4243 with questions or to register.

• Kay Sea Club Bingo, 1:30 p.m. at the Mower County Senior Center. Fifteen games to be played. Cost is $12 for a packet.

• Small Town Spooktacular and Bake Sale, 3-5 p.m. at the Lyle Legion. This is a fundraiser for Lyle’s upcoming 150th celebration. There will be fun activities, a kiddie train, special prize drawings and a concession stand. The first 150 kids get a goody bag with the purchase of a $5 player wristband. Costumes are encouraged, but not required.

• Llamapalooza 2019, at the Mower County Fairgrounds. Here’s your chance to see these amazing fuzzy, cute animals up close and personal. For more information, call 507-433-1868.