Local life, local stories. A moment on a Hastings wrestling mat captures the community spirit behind LOCAL 10, HastingsNow’s daily roundup of useful local news, events and opportunities. Saturday’s edition highlights early voting, holiday assistance and upcoming Halloween celebrations.
Saturday voting hours, holiday assistance and Sunday’s Candy Crawl lead a practical guide to October 24 and the days ahead in Hastings.
Saturday, October 24, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. Central | Hastings, Minnesota
Weather companion
Saturday’s forecast for Hastings calls for a high near 76°F, increasing clouds and a chance of showers late in the day, followed by an overnight low around 48°F. For planning details and a little history, read Weather + On This Date for Saturday, October 24.
Saturday in Hastings
It’s Saturday, October 24, and today’s LOCAL 10 starts with a few practical plans: a voting window at City Hall, holiday assistance to arrange and a downtown Halloween outing coming Sunday.
The dates matter this week. Keep this brief handy for the plans that fit your household, and follow the source links for details from the organizations involved.
Top 3 today
1. Hastings City Hall offers Saturday early voting
Hastings voters can cast an early ballot at City Hall, 101 Fourth Street East, on Saturday, October 24, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The City’s official voting page lists the Saturday hours and related voting information. www.hastingsmn.gov
If a weekday visit is difficult, this provides a Saturday option. The voting window closes at 3 p.m.; use the official page to plan your visit and review the full schedule.
2. Project Share appointments are open for eligible families
Hastings Family Service’s Project Share program is scheduling holiday-assistance intake appointments for eligible families living within ISD 200 who are experiencing an emergency or hardship. Registration closes November 25 at 4 p.m.
Parents or legal guardians register their children. Gift eligibility covers children who are high-school age or younger, including 18-year-olds enrolled in high school.
To arrange an appointment, call 651-437-7134, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday is a useful time to review the program’s eligibility information and plan a call during weekday service hours. hastingsfamilyservice.org
3. Sunday’s Candy Crawl pairs costumes with a collection for HFS
Downtown Hastings, MN Halloween Candy Crawl. Image by HastingsNow.
The Hastings Downtown Business Association’s Halloween Candy Crawl returns to downtown Hastings on Sunday, October 25, from 2–5 p.m. Families are invited to wear costumes and trick-or-treat at participating downtown businesses.
There’s also a way to help stock a neighbor’s pantry. Organizers invite donations of hearty or chunky soups for Hastings Family Service, with collection locations near Second and Sibley and outside HFS.
Bring the costumes, and consider bringing soup. The organizer’s page has the event details; pumpkin decorating is listed as a paid activity. hastingsdba.com
Local 10 infographic by HastingsNow.com
Quick hits
4. Whistling Well’s Apple Festival reaches its final weekend
Whistling Well Farm’s 2026 Apple Festival continues through Sunday, October 25, with main-farm hours of 9 a.m.–5 p.m. on October 24 and 25. The farm is at 8973 St. Croix Trail South.
Bagged apples and an open pumpkin patch are listed for visitors. Pick-your-own apples have finished for the season, and the October 25 end date applies to the Apple Festival. whistlingwellfarm.com
5. Spiral Food Co-op opens Thanksgiving turkey reservations
Thanksgiving planning can start with a 2026 Ferndale turkey reservation through Spiral Food Co-op. The form lists whole turkeys in size ranges from 10–24 pounds at $2.99 per pound.
The co-op, at 1250 South Frontage Road, welcomes all shoppers. Pickup day will be announced once confirmed; use the reservation form linked from Spiral’s website to review the listed options. docs.google.com
6. Raiders look ahead to an October 31 home playoff game
Hastings finished the football regular season 7–1 and is scheduled to play a home section game Saturday, October 31, at 1 p.m., according to KDWA’s October 22 report. kdwa.com
For Raiders fans sorting out Halloween weekend plans, that puts football on the afternoon calendar.
7. MUSE2320’s eight-week Sweater Club begins October 28
MUSE2320 Fiber in downtown Hastings, MN. Image by HastingsNow.
Knitters ready to take on a sweater can explore MUSE2320 Fiber Co.’s After Hours Sweater Club. The eight-week course meets at MUSE2320 on Wednesdays, October 28–December 16, from 5:30–7:30 p.m., with a listed course price of $180.
Participants will work on the Minnesota Loons Sweater and need existing cast-on, knit, purl, increase and decrease skills. The listing also identifies yarn, the pattern and needles as required materials, so review those requirements before enrolling. www.muse2320fiber.com
8. Free Community Halloween Party is set for October 30
City of Hastings, MN community Halloween Party. Image by HastingsNow.
The City’s Community Halloween Party takes place Friday, October 30, from 6–8 p.m. at Hastings High School. The free public event includes activity stations, a DJ, games and prizes, and is recommended for families with children 12 and younger. www.hastingsmn.gov
Jan’s School of Dance has also shared its invitation to the party. Use the City’s event information to plan the high-school visit.
9. Beginner pickleball classes start November 10 at Tilden
Hastings Community Education’s beginner pickleball course with Sue Rembleski meets at Tilden Community Center on November 10, 17, 24 and December 1. Evening options are 5:30–6:30 p.m. or 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Registration is for adult beginners who have not already taken this course through Community Education. Review the course page and choose the session that fits your schedule. hastings.arux.app
10. HCTV shares the 2026 Raiders marching-band recording
Hastings Community Television directs viewers to its 2026 Hastings Raiders Marching Band Show on YouTube. Residents interested in the band’s performance can follow the station’s recording link.
HCTV also shares the viewing invitation in a companion Reel.
If you only click one
Start with the City of Hastings voting page. It gives Hastings voters the official details for an October 24 voting opportunity that ends at 3 p.m.
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