LOCAL 10: Raider Welcome, Patio Music and Levee Park Finale
Lake Rebecca on an overcast day in August. Image by Ashley Media.
Hastings heads toward the end of August with the school year ramping up, one more night of patio music, the Music + Market finale, school-supply help, fall hiring and several local dates worth knowing.
Weather companion
Weather companion by HastingsNow.com
Wednesday, August 26, brings mostly sunny and seasonable weather to Hastings, with a high near 81°F and a northwest breeze. Tonight is expected to be mostly clear with a low around 57°F; see today’s Hastings Weather + On This Date for the companion daily update.
The final stretch of August is doing two things at once in Hastings: wrapping up summer traditions and turning attention toward school and fall.
Today’s LOCAL 10 starts with the Raider staff returning for a new school year, Wednesday-night patio music and Thursday’s final Music + Market. Farther down the list: school-supply appointments, seasonal jobs, popcorn opinions, a school-family evening, reuse reminders, pottery and an anniversary week.
TOP 3 TODAY
1. Hastings Public Schools welcomes Raider staff back for 2026–27
Hastings Public Schools welcomed Raider staff back Tuesday, August 25, for the district-wide gathering that kicked off the 2026–27 school year.
The district thanked the Hastings Ministerial Association for providing breakfast and student musicians for helping welcome employees. Mayor Mary Fasbender, School Board Chair Carrie Tate and Superintendent Wehrkamp Herman also addressed staff.
This is a look at the district beginning another school year rather than an event or instruction for families.
2. Chasing Denver closes out Dugarel’s Wednesday patio music
Chasing Denver is scheduled at Dugarel’s tonight, Wednesday, August 26, from 7:00–10:00 PM.
Dugarel’s lists a $15 cash cover, with seating available first come, first served. Lawn chairs can also be used for overflow seating.
Anyone considering the show can check the original Dugarel’s event update for the first-party details. Venue age and admission policies were not independently established, so LOCAL 10 is not describing the show as an all-ages event.
3. Final Music + Market of 2026 is Thursday at Levee Park
Levee Park in downtown Hastings, MN. Image by Ashley Media.
The City of Hastings closes out this summer’s Music + Market series Thursday, August 27, from 6:00–8:30 PM at Levee Park.
Sir Psycho, a Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute, is scheduled to perform, with artisan vendors, food trucks and the kids zone also part of the evening. The City lists Music + Market as free and open to all ages.
Residents planning to attend can find the current details on the City’s official Music + Market page or see the City’s original event update. Any weather-related change should come from the City.
QUICK HITS
4. Hastings Family Service adds Thursday school-supply appointments
Hastings Family Service says additional School Supply Assistance appointments are available Thursday, August 27, from 9:30–11:30 AM.
The program serves families who live in ISD 200 or have students attending school in ISD 200. Appointments are first come, first served and should be scheduled by calling Hastings Family Service.
Because availability can change, families who could use the assistance should check the official School Supply Assistance information rather than assuming a slot remains. HFS also shared the current appointment update on Facebook.
5. Afton Apple Orchard is hiring for several fall positions
Afton Apple Orchard says it is looking to fill seasonal tour guide, tractor driver and corn-maze positions as fall approaches.
The listed positions are for applicants age 21 and older and include different weekday and weekend schedules. Interested job seekers are directed to apply at the orchard, 14421 90th St. S. in Hastings, during business hours.
Pay and an application deadline were not included, so LOCAL 10 is not inferring either. Applicants can see the orchard’s original hiring post for the first-party description.
6. Two Seeds Popcorn asks: Tex Mex Cheddar or Garlic Cheddar?
Here is today’s lighter question from the local-business side of the feed: Two Seeds Popcorn is putting two cheddar variations head-to-head — Tex Mex Cheddar or Garlic Cheddar?
Popcorn fans who have an opinion can weigh in on the original Two Seeds post.
The post is a flavor discussion, not confirmation that either flavor is newly released, currently in stock or specially priced.
7. SEAS Grades 1–5 Back-to-School Night is Wednesday evening
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School has its Grades 1–5 Back-to-School Night tonight, Wednesday, August 26, from 6:15–8:00 PM.
The gathering is for SEAS students and school families, particularly families in grades 1–5. SEAS also says its Parent Association will have a table available for parents interested in getting involved.
Families can check the official SEAS school calendar or the school’s original Back-to-School Night post for details. This is a school-family event, not a general-public invitation.
8. City encourages residents to donate and shop reused materials
The City of Hastings is encouraging residents to think about reuse before throwing away usable furniture or leftover building materials.
The City also suggests looking for reused goods when shopping and points residents toward local donation and recycling resources in its original reuse post.
LOCAL 10 is keeping this one broad because some of the destination links contained in the discovery feed were shortened and could not be reconstructed well enough to republish individually.
9. Squeaky Wheel opens registration for Grandparents Day clay class
Squeaky Wheel Pottery is promoting an intergenerational clay class for Sunday, September 13, from 10:00 AM–noon at 209 Sibley St. in Hastings.
The class is for ages 6 and older with grandparents, “bonus grands” or honorary elders. The advertised cost is $75 per person, and each attendee needs to be registered.
The registration destination was truncated in the discovery feed, so the safest signup route is through Squeaky Wheel’s original class announcement.
10. Hometown Dairy announces September anniversary week
Hometown Dairy is looking ahead to its first-business-anniversary celebration, scheduled for September 14–20 in Hastings.
According to the original Hometown Dairy announcement, the week is expected to include deals, food, games and gift-card drawings.
Consider this one a save-the-date. The detailed day-by-day schedule appeared in an image rather than verified feed text, so LOCAL 10 is not reproducing individual offers yet.
IF YOU ONLY CLICK ONE
If school supplies would help your household, go directly to Hastings Family Service’s School Supply Assistance page. Thursday’s additional appointments are time-sensitive, and the official HFS page is the best place to start before assuming an appointment remains available.
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