LOCAL 10: Fall Fest, Apple Festival and Weekend Plans
From autumn festivals and a ski swap to career training, holiday assistance and community projects, here are ten useful Hastings-area updates for Friday, October 9, 2026.
Friday's weather
Weather + On This Date by HastingsNow.com
Sunshine and a high near 74°F are expected in Hastings after a cool morning in the upper 40s. East-southeast winds of 5–15 mph and very low rain chances make for a promising day to get outside, followed by a mostly clear night with a low around 59°F.
For more local weather and a look back at history, visit Hastings, MN Weather + On This Date: Friday, October 9, 2026.
It's Friday, October 9, and Hastings has a busy autumn weekend ahead. Two local fall festivals offer opportunities to get outside, while a ski swap at Afton Alps is already looking toward winter.
Beyond the weekend calendar, residents have opportunities to help shape a neighborhood park, prepare for a professional licensing exam, explore adaptive recreation and support local organizations.
This edition of LOCAL 10 brings those updates together in one place, with the original sources, dates and details that make planning easier.
TOP 3 TODAY
1. Free Fall Fest brings crafts, food and activities to Tilden Saturday
A little fall creativity is coming to Tilden Community Center this weekend.
Hastings Community Education's Fall Fest takes place Saturday, October 10, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Tilden Community Center, 310 River Street in Hastings. Admission is free.
The event brings together crafts, art, children's activities and an opportunity to spend a fall morning connecting with neighbors. Bernie’s Bagels will also be available while supplies last.
Families can make a morning of it, and residents interested in handmade goods and community creativity can explore what's happening at Tilden. Adults should supervise children during activities.
Vendor registration has already closed, and some activities, including Soccer Shots sessions, have separate preregistration requirements.
Plan your visit: Read the official Fall Fest announcement or see Hastings Community Education's Instagram announcement.
2. Carpenter Nature Center's Apple Festival returns October 10–11
Apples, autumn landscapes and a weekend outdoors are on the agenda at Carpenter Nature Center.
The center's Apple Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday, October 10–11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, at its Minnesota campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail South.
Admission is free. The festival features harvest-themed activities, live music, animal programs and activities for children. Hayrides are also planned, weather permitting.
For families who enjoy seasonal traditions, it's an opportunity to spend time outdoors while exploring the nature center's autumn programming.
Important travel note: Road construction may affect the trip. Denmark Township has posted an official St. Croix Trail South culvert-project notice and detour information. Review that notice before traveling rather than relying on an older social-media route suggestion.
Plan your visit: Find the Apple Festival's activities and visitor information and read Carpenter Nature Center's access advisory.
3. Team Afton's Ski Swap opens Friday evening at Afton Alps
Autumn may be in full swing, but winter-sports season is already on the minds of local skiers and snowboarders.
The 2026 Team Afton Ski Swap runs Friday through Sunday, October 9–11, at Afton Alps, offering shoppers an opportunity to browse new and used skis, snowboards and winter gear.
Public shopping hours are:
Friday, October 9: 5:30–9 p.m.
Saturday, October 10: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday, October 11: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Friday also includes a separate First Tracks early-entry shopping period from 4–5:30 p.m., with a $20 admission fee.
Whether you're replacing equipment, outfitting a growing young skier or exploring winter sports, the swap provides a seasonal shopping option without requiring you to sell equipment yourself.
Plan your visit: Check Team Afton's official swap schedule and shopping information or read Afton Alps' event announcement.
QUICK HITS — SEVEN MORE LOCAL UPDATES
Local 10 infographic by HastingsNow.com
4. Hastings invites neighbors to help shape a more accessible Tuttle Park
What would make Tuttle Park easier for more people to enjoy?
The City of Hastings is inviting residents to a neighborhood meeting Wednesday, October 14, at 5 p.m., at Tuttle Park.
The discussion will gather community ideas about potential improvements, including more accessible play features, pathways, seating and spaces where neighbors can gather.
This is an opportunity for residents to share what they would like to see—not an announcement that specific improvements or funding have already been approved.
Learn more: See the City's event information and its original Tuttle Park meeting announcement.
5. Project Share holiday-assistance appointments are now being scheduled
For families facing financial hardship, preparing for the holidays can bring additional challenges.
Hastings Family Service has opened scheduling for Project Share, its holiday-assistance program serving eligible families in the ISD 200 area.
Families experiencing an emergency, crisis or hardship who have children high-school age or younger can call 651-437-7134 to schedule an intake appointment.
Scheduling is available October 5–November 25, with intake appointments beginning October 21.
The distinction matters: families can arrange an appointment now, but the appointment period has not yet begun.
Get details: Visit the official Project Share scheduling and eligibility announcement.
6. Hastings Area Rotary's rose sale offers October 22–23 delivery
A bouquet of flowers can brighten someone's day—and this month, Hastings Area Rotary Club is organizing another opportunity to send one.
The club's 2026 Rotary Flower Day sale offers red roses and mixed-color “Lollipop” bouquets for $24.99 per dozen.
Customers who purchase four bouquets can receive a fifth free. Delivery is available October 22 or 23, within Hastings city limits.
It's an opportunity to send flowers to someone in the community while participating in a local Rotary initiative.
Order information: Visit the Rotary Flower Day ordering page or see the club's original sale announcement.
7. Downtown Hastings ice cream shop offers teachers an everyday discount
Here's a little appreciation for the people working in our classrooms.
Crème De La Crème in downtown Hastings has announced an ongoing 10% discount on ice cream purchases for teachers.
Unlike a promotion offered only during Teacher Appreciation Week, the business says its discount applies every day.
For local educators looking for a sweet treat after the school day—or during a weekend downtown—the offer provides a small, ongoing thank-you.
See the announcement: Read Crème De La Crème's teacher-discount details.
8. Hastings Community Education offers boiler-license exam preparation October 24
A local classroom could be a useful next step for someone exploring a technical career or preparing to advance in boiler operations.
Hastings Community Education is offering a one-day boiler-license exam preparation course Saturday, October 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Tilden Community Center.
Instructor John Thomas Glynn will cover steam and hot-water heating boilers, Minnesota codes, operating practices and sample exam questions to help participants prepare for state boiler operator licensing exams.
The course costs $125, registration is required, and participants are responsible for their own lunch. The training is intended to support exam preparation; completing it does not itself award a boiler operator license.
Register: Visit the official course description and registration page or see Community Education's original announcement.
9. Ability 2 Play brings adaptive sports camps to McAuliffe this fall
More opportunities to move, practice skills and participate in organized activities are coming to McAuliffe.
Ability 2 Believe, through Hastings Community Education, is offering six-week adaptive sports camps on Mondays, October 19–November 23.
The programs are organized by grade:
Grades K–4: 5:30–6:15 p.m. — Program details and registration
Grades 5–8: 6:30–7:15 p.m. — Program details and registration
Each six-week series costs $50.
The camps are designed for students in the listed grades who have an IEP or 504 plan. Registration is required; these are not general drop-in sports sessions.
Families can review the appropriate grade-level registration page for participation details.
10. HastingsNow explores a historic body-armor display at the LeDuc Estate
Sometimes a piece of Hastings history deserves a closer look.
In a new local-history video, HastingsNow visits the LeDuc Historic Estate, where Gwen discusses William LeDuc's Civil War body armor and the display inside the historic property.
It's a chance to hear directly from someone who helps share the estate's history and take a closer look at an unusual artifact connected with Hastings' past.
Watch the story: HastingsNow's conversation about the LeDuc Historic Estate body-armor display.
IF YOU ONLY CLICK ONE
Start with Hastings Community Education's Fall Fest information.
The event is free, happens tomorrow and offers families and other visitors a straightforward way to plan an autumn outing at Tilden Community Center.
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Ten updates. One Hastings community. Stay curious, stay connected.
HastingsNow.com | Friday, October 9, 2026
