ONGOING EVENTS

• Carpenter Nature Center - For preschool through adult program dates and times visit www.carpenternaturecenter.org.
• Ladies Night Out - Third Thursday of the month at the Busted Nut, 118 2nd St. E.  from 5 - 11 PM 
• LeDuc Historic Estate Events - www.dakotahistory.org
• "Laff Boat" - Afton House Inn & Afton*Hudson Cruise Lines 651-436-8883, www.aftonhouseinn.com. Enjoy a fabulous buffet and after dinner laugh away the evening with top comedy shows featuring Scott Hansen, Dave Mordal and other nationally known comedians. May 10 & 24, June 6 & 20, July 11 & 25, August 15 & 29, September 12 & 26, October 10.

MAY  2008

• City Wide Garage Sales - May 2 & 3, 2008 
• Minnesota Statehood Wagon Train - May 7 - 8, 2008
  The ceremonial wagon train begins in Cannon Falls and will 
  travel through Hastings at approximately 3:00 p.m. on May 7th. The wagon train will travel north on Tyler and come through 2nd Street downtown at approximately 3:30 - 3:40 p.m.  followed by a campout just west of the boat launch along the Mississippi at 
  Lake Rebecca Park in Hastings. On Thursday evening, May 8th, there will be a Chuckwagon Dinner (6 p.m.) cooked by Flying 
  Star Ranch Chuckwagon and Rockin R Chuckwagon and Concert 
  (7 p.m.), by Buggy Whip, a family band featuring Bluegrass, country and gospel music. Advance tickets required $12. (Only 100 available)   Contact Barry Bernstein (651) 480-6176.
• LeDuc Historic Estate Lecture Series - May 15, 2008
  1629 Vermillion Street, 7 p.m. Six part lecture series. 
  For more information visit www.dakotahistory.org.
• Hastings Area Garden Club Plant Sale - May 17, 2008 
  Annual Hastings Area Garden Club Plant Sale, 8 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Vermillion Falls Park (Highway 61 to East 21st Street) Perennial plants and locally-grown vegetable seedlings. 
• Apple Blossom Races - May 18, 2008 
  Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, 12805 Saint Croix Trail South, will host 22nd Apple Blossom Races. Choose your race (2K, 5K, 10K or 1/2 marathon) or just come to watch and cheer for the runners. The 5K, 10K and 1/2 marathon all start at 8:00 a.m. with the 2K Fun Run following the timed races, approximately at 11:00 a.m. For information, please call (651) 437-4359 or visit for a registration www.carpenternaturecenter.org.
• Bird Banding - May 23, 2008, 
  Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, 12805 Saint Croix Trail South, 9 a.m. - 12 Noon.  Have you ever wondered what bird banding is all about? This is your chance to see songbirds up close and to watch the experts band birds at Carpenter Nature Center. Bird banding records can help us learn how long the birds live, where they travel, when and where they migrate and many other interesting facts. Carpenter Nature Center has been banding birds for over 26 years and still meets weekly to capture, record, band and release songbirds. The general public is welcome to watch the bird banding the fourth Friday of each month. There is no admission fee, but please call ahead (651-437-4359) for reservations.
• Hastings Downtown Saturday Night Historic Cruise Ins -  May 31, 2008. Cruise-ins are held every other weekend from 5 pm. - 10 pm. on 2nd Street East in Downtown Hastings. Saturday Night Cruise-ins are open to all cars 1976 and older. There will be sponsor giveaways, special nightly vendors and more. This free event is a great time to see classics, muscle cars, hot rods, custom and restored cars. For more information, call (651) 437-4400 or visit www.hastingsdowntown-mn.com.
  
  

JUNE 2008

• Alexis Bailly Vineyard Open House - June 6 - 8 & 13 -15, 2008 Wine tasting and tours. Visit www.abvwines.com or call (651) 437-1413.
• Orienteering for Families - June 14, 2008
  Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, 12805 Saint Croix Trail South 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.  A great adventure for families! A naturalist will guide you through the basics of reading a map and using a compass. Your adventure begins when you embark on your own orienteering course. Using a map and compass you will navigate from point to point through CNC as you compete for accuracy and the best time with other families. Come prepared to go off the trails! CNC will provide maps and compasses. Recommended for ages 10 and up. At least one adult must accompany every three children under 15 years of age. Reservation required. Program fee: $3.00 for “Friends of CNC” or $5.00 per person for non-members. 
• Hastings Downtown Saturday Night Historic Cruise Ins -  June 14, & 28 2008. Cruise-ins are held every other weekend from 5 pm. - 10 pm. on 2nd Street East in Downtown Hastings. Saturday Night Cruise-ins are open to all cars 1976 and older. There will be sponsor giveaways, special nightly vendors and more. This free event is a great time to see classics, muscle cars, hot rods, custom and restored cars. For more information, call (651) 437-4400 or visit www.hastingsdowntown-mn.com.
• LeDuc Historic Estate Lecture Series - June 19, 2008
  1629 Vermillion Street, 7 p.m. Six part lecture series. 
  For more information visit www.dakotahistory.org.
• Bird Banding - June 27, 2008, 
  Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, 12805 Saint Croix Trail South, 9 a.m. - 12 Noon.  Have you ever wondered what bird banding is all about? This is your chance to see songbirds up close and to watch the experts band birds at Carpenter Nature Center. Bird banding records can help us learn how long the birds live, where they travel, when and where they migrate and many other interesting facts. Carpenter Nature Center has been banding birds for over 26 years and still meets weekly to capture, record, band and release songbirds. The general public is welcome to watch the bird banding the fourth Friday of each month. There is no admission fee, but please call ahead (651-437-4359) for reservations.

JULY 2008

• 4th of July Fireworks - July 4, 2008, 10 PM Hastings Country Club, 2015 Westview Dr., Sponsored by Vermillion State Bank.
• Historic Hastings Saturday Night Cruise Ins, - July 12, 2008 Cruise-ins are held every other weekend from 5 pm. - 10 pm. on 2nd Street East in Downtown Hastings. Saturday Night Cruise-ins are open to all cars 1976 and older. There will be sponsor giveaways, special nightly vendors and more. This free event is a great time to see classics, muscle cars, hot rods, custom and restored cars. For more information, call (651) 437-4400 or visit www.hastingsdowntown-mn.com.
• LeDuc Historic Estate Lecture Series - July 16 & 17, 2008
  1629 Vermillion Street, 7 p.m. Six part lecture series. 
  For more information visit www.dakotahistory.org.
• Rivertown Days - July 18 -20, 2008 Local festival coordinated by the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce. Music, games, grand parade, water ski shows, Dock Dogs, police canine demonstrations, power boat races, carnival, arts and crafts fair, flea market, fireworks display and much more. For a complete listing of events visit www.hastingsmn.org/rivertownday.htm.
• LeDuc Historic Estate Quality Antique Show & Sale - 
  July 18 - 20, 2008.  Appraisals on Saturday Only.  
  Friday 12 - 5; Sat. 9 - 5; Sun. 9 - 3.
• Little Log House Antique Power Show - July 25 - 27, 2008 Tour the famous one-of-a-kind replica of the Hastings Spiral Bridge, Restored Pioneer Village and Antique Show.  Music fest, parade, flea market, church service, children's barnyard, food, refreshments, living history demonstrations, Truck and Tractor Pulls and Re-enactments by Cannon Old West Society and more. Six miles south of Hastings on Hwy. 61, one mile east on 220th St. For more information call (651) 437-2693 or visit www.littleloghouseshow.com. 
• Historic Hastings Saturday Night Cruise Ins, - July 26, 2008 Cruise-ins are held every other weekend from 5 pm. - 10 pm. on 2nd Street East in Downtown Hastings. Saturday Night Cruise-ins are open to all cars 1976 and older. There will be sponsor giveaways, special nightly vendors and more. This free event is a great time to see classics, muscle cars, hot rods, custom and restored cars. For more information, call (651) 437-4400 or visit www.hastingsdowntown-mn.com.

AUGUST 2008

• Afton Festival, - August 1 & 2, 2008, Afton Alps Ski & Golf, 6600 Peller Ave. S., Hastings; 18 Spokes Golf Tournament - August 1st; MN MUT 10K Running Event - August 2nd. For more information or to register, contact Todd McIntyre at (763) 744-1111. 
• LeDuc Historic Estate Lecture Series - August 9, 2008
  1629 Vermillion Street, 7 p.m. Six part lecture series. 
  For more information visit www.dakotahistory.org.
• Historic Hastings Saturday Night Cruise Ins, - August 9 & 23, 2008 Cruise-ins are held every other weekend from 5 pm. - 10 pm. on 2nd Street East in Downtown Hastings. Saturday Night Cruise-ins are open to all cars 1976 and older. There will be sponsor giveaways, special nightly vendors and more. This free event is a great time to see classics, muscle cars, hot rods, custom and restored cars. For more information, call (651) 437-4400 or visit www.hastingsdowntown-mn.com.

SEPTEMBER 2008

• LeDuc Historic Estate Civil War Weekend, September 6 & 7, 2008. Civil War history comes to life with living history soldiers encamped at work and play. See drilling, musket-firing and artillery demonstrations. Guided tours of the 1866 Gothic Revival mansion. Adults are $10; Seniors $9; Students $5. Members and children 5 and under are free. For more information, call 651.437.7055 or online at www.dakotahistory.org.
• Historic Hastings Saturday Night Cruise Ins, - September 6 & 20, 2008 Cruise-ins are held every other weekend from 5 pm. - 10 pm. on 2nd Street East in Downtown Hastings. Saturday Night Cruise-ins are open to all cars 1976 and older. There will be sponsor giveaways, special nightly vendors and more. This free event is a great time to see classics, muscle cars, hot rods, custom and restored cars. For more information, call (651) 437-4400 or visit www.hastingsdowntown-mn.com.
• LeDuc Historic Estate Lecture Series - September 18, 2008
  1629 Vermillion Street, 7 p.m. Six part lecture series. 
  For more information visit www.dakotahistory.org.

OCTOBER 2008

• Historic Hastings Saturday Night Cruise Ins,  October 4, 2008. Cruise-ins are held every other weekend from 5 pm. - 10 pm. on 2nd Street East in Downtown Hastings. Saturday Night Cruise-ins are open to all cars 1976 and older. There will be sponsor giveaways, special nightly vendors and more. This free event is a great time to see classics, muscle cars, hot rods, custom and restored cars. For more information, call (651) 437-4400 or visit www.hastingsdowntown-mn.com.
• St. Croix Valley Apple Fest, October 11 -12, 2008
  Area apple orchards celebrate the apple harvest along the bluffs of the St. Croix River. Enjoy apple picking, hayrides through the pumpkin patch, games, face painting, cider apple pressing demonstrations, mazes, farm animals and much more. For more information visit www.aftonapple.com or www.fischercroixfarmorchard.com.
• LeDuc Historic Estate Lecture Series - October 16, 2008
  1629 Vermillion Street, 7 p.m. Six part lecture series. 
  For more information visit www.dakotahistory.org.
• Harvest Haunting LeDuc Historic Estate, October 25, 2008, 5 - 8:30 p.m. 1629 Vermillion Street (Hwy. 61) Candlelight cellar tours, readings from Edgar Allen Poe, mysterious activities and treats in this family friendly event. Reservations required, call (651) 437-7055. Adults, seniors, students $5, members and children 5 and under, free.
  
  

NOVEMBER 2008

• Hastings Artists' Show LeDuc Historic Estate,  November  7 - 16, 2008, 1629 Vermillion Street (Hwy. 61)  Local artists fill the LeDuc house to the rafters with original artwork and fine crafts just in time for the holidays. Free admission.
• Gobble Gait 2008 (Thanksgiving morning) November 27, 2008. 8K Walk/Run (8:30 AM) * 2K Fun/ Walk (8:45 AM). Registration begins at 6:30 AM All participants are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item on race day. All proceeds will be donated to Hastings Family Service. For further information call Mary (651) 437-1070, Brian (612) 480-4990 or Jay (651) 437-7599. For an online registration form visit www.gobblegait.com.

DECEMBER  2008

• Victorian Holidays at the LeDuc 
  Saturdays and Sundays, December 6 - 7 & 13 - 14, 2008
  Quality time with your family.  Great food. Unique entertainment.  Experience all this and more at one of Minnesota's most beautiful historic homes.  Step back in time to a simpler, more elegant holiday season with readings from Charles Dickens and tours of a Gothic Revival home adorned for Christmas. Tours start at 10, 11:30, 1, 2:30 and 4 on and the museum store is open 10 - 5 daily.  Tours on Sunday, December 14, Victorian Dinner. For reservations or for further information, please call (651) 437-7055 or visit www.dakotahistory.org. 
  

JANUARY 2009

FEBRUARY 2009


MARCH  2008

APRIL 2008