A National Register of Historic Places plaque marks a historic property in downtown Hastings, Minnesota—a reminder that today's local stories become tomorrow's history. Photo: Ashley / HastingsNow.com
An early-bird registration deadline, a year-round job opportunity, changing thrift-store hours and a final week at the farmers market lead Tuesday’s local updates.
Tuesday, October 27, 2026 | Hastings, Minnesota
Weather + On This Date
The National Weather Service forecasts a mostly cloudy but milder Tuesday in Hastings, with a high near 61°F, a 40% chance of rain mainly before 9 a.m. and an overnight low around 49°F. Explore the full forecast and local history in Hastings, MN Weather + On This Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
Good Morning, Hastings!
The final days of October are bringing some decisions worth making now. A Thanksgiving tradition has an approaching registration deadline, a local marine business is looking for skilled help, and a Hastings thrift store is preparing for its winter Saturday schedule.
Tuesday also brings one of the final chances to visit the outdoor farmers market this season. Beyond the immediate plans, today's LOCAL 10 includes help for military families, Thanksgiving turkey preorders, Halloween-inspired food, a business spotlight opportunity and two stories for local music fans.
Here are ten useful updates from around Hastings, with links to the organizations and original sources behind them.
TOP 3 TODAY
1. Gobble Gait Early-Bird Registration Ends October 31
Thanksgiving morning is still a month away, but one of Hastings' annual traditions has a deadline coming this Saturday.
Hastings Family Service's 29th annual Gobble Gait 8K/2K Race/Walk takes place Thursday, November 26, 2026, in Hastings. Early-bird registration closes Saturday, October 31, at 11:59 p.m.
Registering during the early-bird period saves participants $20 on the 8K. The current registration options include:
8K: $40 during early registration.
2K: $25.
Family 2K: $40 for the qualifying household option.
The event benefits Hastings Family Service, connecting a Thanksgiving morning run or walk with support for neighbors in the community.
For anyone considering participating, the practical decision is whether to register before Saturday night's deadline.
Read the details: Hastings Family Service — Gobble Gait early-bird registration.
2. 61 Marine & Sports Is Hiring a Marine Service Technician and Boat Rigger
A Hastings marine business has an opportunity for someone who knows their way around boats, outboard motors and marine equipment.
61 Marine & Sports is recruiting for a full-time, year-round marine service technician and boat rigger.
According to the company's announcement, the position offers weekday work, health insurance and a heated and air-conditioned shop.
The opportunity is aimed at applicants with relevant marine-service, outboard-motor or rigging experience. It's a specialized opening, but one worth sharing with someone who has those skills and may be looking for stable, year-round work.
The company's original announcement is the best source for the specific opening. Its official careers page provides an additional way to connect with the business, although the vacancy details are not separately listed there.
Explore the opening: Read the original 61 Marine & Sports hiring announcement.
3. Rivertown Treasures Announces Its Last Regular Saturday Before Winter Hours
If Saturday thrift shopping is part of your routine, there's a seasonal schedule change worth knowing about.
Rivertown Treasures, the Hastings Family Service thrift store, will be open Saturday, October 31, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. That will be its final regular Saturday before the winter Saturday closure takes effect November 7.
The store has already identified two exceptions, with special Saturday openings planned for November 28 and December 12.
There's also a shopping update: Rivertown Treasures has advertised 30% off women's sweaters and sweatshirts. The announcement does not establish a specific expiration date for that promotion.
For shoppers, the bigger takeaway is to plan around the changing Saturday schedule. Purchases at Rivertown Treasures also help support Hastings Family Service programs.
Check before planning your visit: Rivertown Treasures store information and winter hours.
Local 10 infographic by HastingsNow.com
More to know
4. Hastings Farmers Market Enters Its Final Week of the Season
The outdoor market season is nearing its finish.
Hastings Farm Market is scheduled to be open Tuesday, October 27, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., near Westview Mall. Its final Saturday market of the season is planned for October 31, with the organizers also announcing Halloween treats for children.
For residents looking for seasonal produce and locally grown goods, these are the remaining scheduled market days before the season ends. Individual vendor attendance and product selection may vary.
Plan your visit: See the Hastings Farmers Market listing from Minnesota Grown and the market's Halloween-week announcement.
5. United Heroes League Helps Military Children Obtain Sports Equipment
For military families navigating the cost of youth sports, Hastings-based United Heroes League offers an ongoing equipment assistance program.
The organization provides gently used sports equipment to eligible military children, generally beginning at age four. Its current request page lists hockey, basketball, rollerblading, soccer, baseball and softball among the available shipping categories.
The estimated fulfillment time is four to six weeks, and families arranging local pickup from the Hastings warehouse must make an appointment. Equipment requests remain subject to eligibility and inventory.
Learn how to request equipment: United Heroes League — sports equipment program.
6. Spiral Food Co-op Opens Ferndale Thanksgiving Turkey Preorders
Thanksgiving meal planning is already underway at Spiral Food Co-op.
The Hastings grocery store, located at 1250 South Frontage Road, is accepting preorders for fresh Ferndale Market turkeys. Its 2026 order form lists whole birds at $2.99 per pound, with size options ranging from approximately 10 to 24 pounds.
The exact pickup day has not yet been established, and individual size availability is not guaranteed.
For households hoping to include a Minnesota-raised turkey in their Thanksgiving meal, the preorder form is the place to start.
Place a request: Spiral Food Co-op — 2026 Ferndale turkey preorder form.
7. 328 Grill Brings Back Its “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” Burger
Halloween has made its way onto the menu at 328 Grill.
The Hastings restaurant has brought back its “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” burger, a seasonal creation featuring lemon-garlic butter, Muenster cheese and a purple sesame-seed bun from Hanisch Bakery.
The restaurant is promoting the creation as its burger of the week. No specific price, ending date or guaranteed daily quantity was established in the announcement.
It's a colorful, Halloween-themed addition for anyone following the restaurant's rotating burger specials.
See the featured burger: 328 Grill's original Halloween burger Reel.
8. Hastings Chamber Invites Members to Apply for a Free Business Spotlight
The Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau is offering members an opportunity to introduce their businesses to a wider local audience.
Through its “Meet the Member” feature, the Chamber is inviting current members to express interest in answering questions for a Facebook business spotlight. Participation in the feature is free.
Interested Chamber members can comment on the organization's announcement to indicate they would like to be considered. The opportunity is intended for members, and expressing interest does not guarantee publication.
Learn how to participate: Hastings Chamber — Meet the Member announcement.
9. Hastings-Connected Folk Band Wren + Wilde Gets New Recognition for “Haunted Home”
A Minnesota folk band with Hastings roots is receiving new attention for its music.
Wren + Wilde's song “Haunted Home,” from the band's debut album Serial Dreamers, is the subject of a new review from RabbleRouse News.
The article examines the song's themes of relationships, separation and starting over. The recognition offers Hastings-area music fans an opportunity to discover an artist with a connection to the community.
Wren + Wilde is a Minnesota folk band with Hastings roots, rather than a group described as exclusively Hastings-based.
Explore the music: Read RabbleRouse News' review of Wren + Wilde's “Haunted Home”.
10. Ann Reed and Joan Griffith Coming to Hastings Arts Center November 13
Two established musicians are coming to one of Hastings' intimate performance venues next month.
Hastings Arts Center will host Ann Reed with Joan Griffith on Friday, November 13, at 7:30 p.m., at 216 Fourth Street East.
The ticketed concert brings together Reed's songwriting and storytelling with Griffith's musicianship.
For residents who enjoy live music, this is an opportunity to plan an evening at the Arts Center while reviewing the venue's upcoming concert schedule.
Concert details and tickets: Ann Reed with Joan Griffith — official ticket page.
IF YOU ONLY CLICK ONE
Start with Hastings Family Service's Gobble Gait registration information. The Saturday, October 31 deadline is approaching, and the official listing explains the registration prices and savings for anyone considering the Thanksgiving morning event.
HELP KEEP THE LOCAL RECORD CURRENT
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HOW TODAY'S LOCAL 10 WAS SELECTED
LOCAL 10 is HastingsNow's reviewed daily brief, selected for usefulness, timing, local relevance, source diversity and public value.
Inclusion is not paid placement and is never guaranteed. Our goal is to help residents find timely, attributable information that can make a difference in their day.
