Autumn activities scheduled in the Bemidji area
Sep. 9—BEMIDJI — As summer slips away into crisp mornings and cool nights, it's officially fall in the Bemidji area.
There are many seasonal activities to explore this autumn in northern Minnesota. From corn mazes to festivals, there is something for both residents and visitors to enjoy.
The Pioneer has compiled a collection of local fall-themed events. To have your fall event added to the list, email
Fuller Farm
offers plenty of family-friendly activities just five miles outside of downtown Bemidji.
Attendees can navigate a corn maze, go on a hayride, play on a giant pumpkin bouncer, jump in a corn pit, climb a straw bale tower, paint pumpkins, peruse a storybook walk, pet goats and more.
A concession stand is also on-site for visitors to purchase snacks and beverages.
Fuller Farm will re-open on Friday, Sept. 13, with hours from 4 to 7 p.m. on Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays through Oct. 27, weather permitting.
Tickets cost $10 per person, with free admission for children ages 3 and younger. Pets are not permitted.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit
St. Ann's Catholic Church in Blackduck will hold a fall festival from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15, at the church, 388 First St. NE.
Attendees can play games including a cakewalk, browse produce, make crafts and enter prize drawings held during a dinner, a release said.
The dinner will feature pork loin, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, a vegetable, a bun, homemade pie and a beverage.
The cost is $15 for adults, $10 for ages 6 to 12 and free for children 5 and younger.
A
Fall Harvest Community Event
will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at Bemidji Covenant Church, 5405 Hart Lane NW.
Participants can eat dinner, play games, go on wagon rides and enjoy family fun.
For more information, visit the Bemidji Covenant Church
Facebook page.
Buena Vista Ski Area's annual
Fall Colors Festival
will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, and Sunday, Sept. 22, at Buena Vista, 19600 Irvine Ave. NW.
This family-friendly event will feature wagon rides with Go and Woah Harness Club, children's activities and a food and craft sale. Attendees can also witness demonstrations in blacksmithing, woodcarving, spinning and historical painting, a release said.
The Figuring It Out band will perform from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, and Muffy Dickinson will play live music on both days of the festival.
Tickets cost $10 for ages 13 and up, $5 for ages 5 to 12, and free for ages four and younger.
For more information, visit
call
(218) 243-2231
or email
Lake Bemidji State Park is set to host a few nature-themed events for attendees to experience the changing seasons.
A Fall Colors Serenity Stroll
will take place from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21.
Attendees can take in the park's changing colors and immerse themselves in tranquility as they embark on a guided journey designed to promote relaxation, mindfulness and well-being to celebrate the first day of fall, a release said.
Participants will walk a one-mile loop on the Rocky Point Trail up to the overlook of Lake Bemidji and back. Wear comfortable shoes and meet in the west picnic area near the lake by the west parking lot.
Equinox at Dusk: A Celebration of Nature's Transition
is set to take place from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21.
This program will celebrate the autumn equinox. Participants will listen to a short presentation, followed by a chance to view stars, planets and more through a telescope.
"Whether you're captivated by astronomy, wildlife or simply the tranquility of nature at dusk, this program promises an unforgettable experience under the stars," a release said.
Attendees should meet in the Visitor's Center. Refreshments will be provided.
For more information or to register, call the park office at
(218) 308-2300
or email
Both events are free, but vehicles must have a valid MN state park pass in order to enter the park. Passes can be purchased online at
dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks
or at the park entrance.
American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 16 will host a Fall Harvest Festival from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Bagley American Legion Auditorium, 112 Main Ave. N.
The Bagley Auxiliary Juniors will sell breakfast items, including caramel rolls, from 9 to 11 a.m. Auxiliary members will serve a soup and sandwich lunch starting at 11 a.m. until they run out. There will also be lefse made on-site.
A rummage and bake sale will feature "new to you" items, including
Lady Slipper Threads,
Cold Bore Ranch
Yak Meat, Epicure Spices, Tupperware, Mary Kay,
Matt's Rocks,
produce, bagels and pastries, homemade candy, bread and sweet breads, jams and jellies, knitted items, tie blankets and more, a release said.
Vendors who would like to sell can rent a space for $25 each, with or without a table. Spaces are first come first serve.
All proceeds will go toward community programs and events that support veterans, their families and community partners, the release said.
For more information or to reserve a spot, contact Pamela Hagen-French at
(218) 401-1651
(text or talk).
Northern Escape Venue's 6th annual fall festival
is set to take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, at 18169 Nebish Rd. NE. in Hines, Minn.
The festival will feature multiple vendors, wagon rides, food, homemade ice cream and live music by the Kent Dudley band.
Entry tickets cost $5 per person. Children under age 3 get in free.
Vendors who would like to sell can rent an outdoor space with or without a table. For pricing and more information, visit the Northern Escape Venue
Facebook page.
Dial-A-Ride of Minnesota and the Northstar Chapter of ABATE will host a fall color ride fundraiser starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Lueken's South parking lot, 609 Washington Ave. S.
Riders will make their way down beautiful country roads to Federal Dam campground, where there will be an at-will donation lunch. They will then travel to Dairy Queen in Walker and stop for gas. The ride will continue through Laporte and Becida to Grant Haven Campground in Wilton, 130 Spirit Ave. NW.
Riders are welcome to camp at Grant Haven Campground Sept. 27-29. The cost is $35 per day, which includes water, sewer and electric hookups. To make a reservation, call or text Meagan at
(218) 209-2090.
Anyone interested in participating in the ride can register at the campground the night before the ride or at Lueken's South at 10 a.m. on the morning of the ride with a $25 entry fee, a $10 fee for any passenger riders and a $20 fee per car load.
All donations will go to Dial-A-Ride Minnesota, which aims to make sure bikers get home safe when incapacitated.
The Mississippi Headwaters Audubon Society will host a
Wild Harvested Teas and Salves workshop
from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29, at the Neilson Spearhead Center nature preserve, 48851 County 29.
Instructor Taylor Miller will lead participants on a journey of discovery by harvesting native plants to create teas and salves, a release said.
The cost is $10 for members and $15 for non-members.
For more information or to register, visit
Schoolcraft's Fall Fest Fundraiser
is scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 30, at Schoolcraft Learning Community, 8955 Deer School Rd. NW.
The event will have music, games, activities, food and more. Entry will be an at-will donation to fundraise for the school.
For more information, email
or check the
Schoolcraft Learning Community Facebook page.
Bemidji Brewing will host a week-long
Oktoberfest celebration
Oct. 1-5, at the brewery, 211 America Ave. NW.
Attendees can participate in Beer Olympics, play games, eat delicious food and jam to live music, a release said.
The week's activities will include beer bingo, a scavenger hunt, a costume contest and prize raffle.
Food vendors are set to include
Bemidji Downtown Meats,
The Barge Food Truck
and
Dog Star Bakery.
For more information, visit the Bemidji Brewing
Facebook page.
The city of
Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department
will host a Preschool Pumpkin Party from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Bemidji City Park warming house.
Children ages two to five will learn all about pumpkins and do a fun painting project, a release said. Parents or guardians are required to stay during the program.
The cost is $6 per preschool participant. To register, visit
For more information, call
(218) 333-1862.
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