Community members gather to celebrate Redefine Mental Health & Wellness’s Hastings location during a Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 29, 2026. Photo by HastingsNow.com.
Early-voting hours, a Friday Halloween party, free children’s coats and seven more updates to help Hastings residents plan the weekend and look ahead.
Friday, October 30, 2026 | 10 a.m. Central | Hastings, Minnesota
Weather + On This Date
Weather + On This Date by HastingsNow.com
Friday, October 30, brings mostly sunny skies and a high near 54°F to Hastings. Friday night becomes mostly cloudy, with a low around 43°F and a 30% chance of rain after 5 a.m. Saturday, October 31; plan ahead with our Weather + On This Date companion.
Halloween weekend starts with a few practical decisions: when to vote, where to take the kids Friday evening and how to find a winter coat on Saturday.
This October 30 edition puts those details first, then turns to upcoming deadlines, youth programs, school recognition and local businesses.
TOP 3 TODAY
1. Hastings City Hall offers early voting Friday and throughout the weekend
Eligible City of Hastings voters can vote early at City Hall, 101 Fourth Street E., on Friday, October 30, from 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Weekend hours are 9 a.m.–3 p.m. on Saturday, October 31, and Sunday, November 1. On Monday, November 2, hours are 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Use the City of Hastings voting guide to plan your visit. These hours apply to early voting at City Hall; the guide also directs voters to the official polling-place finder for Election Day locations.
2. Hastings Community Halloween Party returns Friday evening
The city’s Community Halloween Party runs Friday, October 30, from 6–8 p.m. in Hastings High School’s lower-level commons and gym, 200 General Sieben Drive. The event is recommended for families with children 12 and younger.
Activity stations, music, games, candy and prizes are on the program. For admission, bring a nonperishable food item for Hastings Family Service or make an onsite donation to the Youth Impact Council Scholarship.
Youth must attend with an adult. Use the high school’s lower-level parking area.
3. Free winter coats for children will be available Saturday
Knights of Columbus Council 1600 will distribute children’s winter coats at no cost on Saturday, October 31, from 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 2035 15th Street W. Families with children are welcome, and no appointment is needed.
Sizes range from 12 months through teen XL, with winter accessories sponsored by Hastings Family Service. Coats and accessories are available while supplies last. Read the Coats for Kids event details before heading over.
Local 10 infographic by HastingsNow.com
QUICK HITS
4. Afton Alps highlights up to $175 in credit toward an eligible 2026/27 season pass
Afton Alps is highlighting Epic’s lift-ticket credit offer: eligible skiers and snowboarders may apply the value of one day’s qualifying 2025/26 lift ticket, up to $175, toward an eligible 2026/27 season pass.
The ticket must have been purchased and used at a participating resort. People who held a 2025/26 season pass, including an Epic Day Pass, are excluded. The credit also cannot be used for an Epic Day Pass purchase or combined with Epic FlexPay.
The redemption deadline is 12:59 a.m. Central on November 24, 2026, equivalent to 11:59 p.m. Mountain on November 23. Review the eligible tickets, resorts and passes before purchasing; the credit depends on the qualifying ticket’s value.
5. Hastings Rotary highlights hands-on fishing opportunities for young people
Hastings Area Rotary Club shared a visit from Fishing Camp founder Josh Hinrichs, whose program helps young people learn fishing skills on Twin Cities-area lakes.
Fishing Camp welcomes students in grades 5–12, including beginners, and provides instruction along with a rod, reel and tackle box that campers keep. Families can explore the organizer’s program information and registration details; camp sessions require registration.
6. Gobble Gait’s early-bird registration prices expire Saturday night
Runners and walkers planning to join Gobble Gait in Hastings on November 26 have until 11:59 p.m. Saturday, October 31, to register at the advertised early-bird prices: $40 for the 8K, $25 for the 2K and $40 for the family 2K.
The family rate covers up to six family members living in the same household. Visit Hastings Family Service’s Gobble Gait page for registration information for the event benefiting HFS; the race takes place November 26.
7. Hastings High School celebrates its October Students of the Month
Hastings Public Schools is celebrating Hastings High School’s October Students of the Month, recognizing their hard work, positive attitudes and contributions to the school community.
Students, families, staff and neighbors can read the district’s recognition announcement and congratulate the honored Raiders.
8. Help Hastings Band Boosters repair “Albert” the alto saxophone
A school-owned alto saxophone named Albert is the focus of a Hastings Band Boosters repair campaign supporting band students in grades 5–12.
The campaign lists an estimated $400 for cleaning, alignment and other repairs. Community members interested in supporting school music can review Albert’s repair campaign and donation page; the $400 is the repair estimate and campaign goal.
9. Crème de la Crème offers custom holiday gift baskets
Crème de la Crème in downtown Hastings is promoting customized holiday gift baskets and inviting customers to message the business about their preferences.
Its holiday gift announcement offers free gift wrapping with purchases of $50 or more. Ask the business about basket pricing and timing when planning an order.
10. Afton Apple advertises orchard and pumpkin-patch hours through Halloween
Afton Apple Orchard’s Halloween-hours announcement lists orchard and pumpkin-patch hours of 10 a.m.–6 p.m. through Saturday, October 31.
Families and other visitors planning a Hastings-area outing can use those hours to plan a visit. The announcement also highlights the playground, petting farm and seasonal store items.
If you only click one
Start with the City of Hastings voting guide, which brings early-voting hours and Election Day location guidance together at the responsible official source. It is a useful first stop for eligible city voters deciding when and where to cast a ballot.
Share a useful local update
Hastings-area businesses, organizations and residents may submit useful updates, clarifications or responses through Local Pigeon. Submissions are reviewed, and submitting does not guarantee publication; HastingsNow remains the editor and publisher.
How LOCAL 10 is selected
LOCAL 10 is selected for usefulness, timing, local relevance, source diversity and public value. Inclusion is not paid placement and is not guaranteed.
