LOCAL 10: Paws in the Park, Volunteering and Fall Plans
Lake Rebecca on a summer day in Hastings, MN. Image by Ashley Media.
An evening at Rivertown Dog Park, a chance to help at Hastings Family Service and a September 30 candidate forum lead today’s Hastings brief, followed by fall activities, hiring and local business updates.
Thursday, September 24, 2026 · 10 a.m. Central · Hastings, Minnesota
Weather companion
Weather + On This Date by HastingsNow.com
Thursday brings mostly cloudy skies, a high near 65°F and a 20% chance of showers after 11 a.m., according to today’s Hastings Weather + On This Date companion. Thursday night stays mostly cloudy with a low around 54°F.
September 24’s LOCAL 10 starts with plans for this evening and opportunities to take part in community life over the coming weeks. The useful details are close at hand: where to go, who can participate and which source to open next.
There are a few different kinds of planning on this list, from choosing a volunteer shift to registering for a class or arranging boat storage. Here are today’s ten reviewed updates, with links to the organizations behind them.
Local 10 infographic by HastingsNow.com
Top 3 today
1. Paws in the Park is September 24, 5–6:30 p.m.
Paws in the Park takes place Thursday, September 24, from 5–6:30 p.m. at Rivertown Dog Park, 851 10th Street East. The City of Hastings Parks & Recreation gathering is open to the public and includes dog-friendly booths, giveaways and a costume contest.
Dogs must meet park rules, and the city asks owners to leave dogs at home if they do not do well around other dogs. Use the city’s dated event listing for the schedule; Fluegel’s also shared the announcement.
2. Hastings Family Service seeks volunteer receptionists
Hastings Family Service is recruiting adults 18 and older to help with scheduling, check-ins and referrals. Weekly weekday shifts run 8:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m. or 12:30–4 p.m., giving prospective volunteers a morning or afternoon option.
Office, computer and phone skills are relevant to the role, according to HFS’s recruitment announcement. If a regular shift fits your week, the volunteer page has the current needs and online application.
3. September 30 candidate forum includes a public meet-and-greet
A free candidate meet-and-greet and forum is scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, at Hastings City Hall, 101 4th Street East. The meet-and-greet runs 6–6:45 p.m., followed at 7 p.m. by the Minnesota House District 41B and Senate District 41 forum.
The Hastings Chamber, AAUW and Hastings Community TV are organizing the event, which is open to the public. The two-part schedule lets residents plan for the meet-and-greet, the forum or both; invited candidates’ attendance is not guaranteed. The organizer’s event page provides the details, and the City of Hastings has shared the announcement.
Quick hits
4. Downtown fall festival brings clay pumpkins and minnow races September 26
The Main Street Market Fall Festival runs Saturday, September 26, from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. in downtown Hastings. The public, family-friendly event includes free minnow races at Hyggefullr.
At Squeaky Wheel Pottery, 209 Sibley Street, drop-in clay pumpkin sculpting runs 11 a.m.–4 p.m. and costs $10. All ages are welcome, no registration is required and participation is available while supplies last. The minnow races are Hyggefullr’s activity; Squeaky Wheel is hosting the clay pumpkins.
5. Babysitter’s Training is October 9 at Tilden Community Center
Hastings Community Education’s Babysitter’s Training meets Friday, October 9, from 8:30 a.m.–noon at Tilden Community Center, 310 River Street. The in-person class is for ages 11–16 and uses activities, videos and discussion to cover caring for children and infants.
Registration is required. The listed price is $75, or $65 for students receiving Educational Benefits; participants should bring a snack and drink. CPR is not included. Use the official course page to register, or see Community Education’s original announcement.
6. Hastings Bierstube advertises hiring across positions
Hastings Bierstube says it is hiring for all positions and invites job seekers to stop in or message the business. Applicants can use that conversation to ask about specific roles, pay and scheduling.
7. Free downsizing and decluttering seminar set for October 7
The Lundby Team and Valerie Cady of Winnow & Spruce Organizing are offering a free downsizing and decluttering seminar Wednesday, October 7, from 1–2 p.m. at Hastings YMCA, 85 Pleasant Drive.
YMCA members and nonmembers are welcome, including people helping family members sort belongings or prepare for a possible move. Read the organizers’ announcement for the seminar details.
8. Lock and Dam Eatery shares its weekday happy-hour schedule
Lock and Dam Eatery advertises happy hour all day Tuesdays and from 3–5 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, including patio seating. For Thursday, September 24, that puts the advertised window at 3–5 p.m.
The offer is dine-in only and cannot be combined with discount cards. Alcohol purchases require legal drinking age; consult the eatery for specific happy-hour prices.
9. 61 Marine & Sports promotes winterization, shrink-wrapping and storage
61 Marine & Sports is promoting boat winterization, shrink-wrapping and winter storage at 11730 Point Douglas Drive South in Hastings.
Boat owners making seasonal plans can use the business’s marine shrink-wrap and storage page to inquire about scheduling and costs and arrange services directly with the business.
10. Hometown Dairy introduces the Cari Cuban sandwich
Hometown Dairy is promoting a limited-time Cari Cuban panini made with ham, pulled pork, Swiss cheese, pickles and mojo mustard mayo on French bread. The dairy’s original Cari Cuban Reel is the source for the sandwich announcement.
If it sounds like a lunch option, ask the deli about current availability and price.
If you only click one
Open the September 30 candidate forum page. It brings the public meet-and-greet and state legislative forum schedule together in one organizer-provided place, making it a useful starting point for residents planning to attend.
Have a useful local update?
Hastings-area businesses, organizations and residents may submit useful updates, clarifications or responses through Local Pigeon. Contributions are reviewed, submission does not guarantee publication, and HastingsNow remains the editor and publisher.
How LOCAL 10 is selected
LOCAL 10 is a reviewed daily brief selected for usefulness, timing, local relevance, source diversity and public value. Inclusion is not paid placement and is not guaranteed.
