LOCAL 10: Raptor Release, Fall Festival and Corn Maze
Homecoming in motion: Zach Shatek carries the ball for the Hastings Raiders during Friday night’s 42–15 win over Apple Valley. Image by HastingsNow.
Saturday in Hastings brings a weather-adjusted Raptor Release, a downtown fall festival, a new corn maze, community resources and several things worth planning for in the days ahead.
Weather companion
Weather + On This Date by HastingsNow.com
Saturday, September 26, starts cloudy in Hastings before showers become likely and a southeast breeze picks up, with a high near 60°F and gusts up to 30 mph. Rain is expected to continue into the night, so outdoor plans are worth checking before heading out — especially today’s Raptor Release.
Read today’s Hastings, MN Weather + On This Date →
Saturday has a distinctly fall feel around Hastings: wildlife, downtown activity, apples and a few plans that may work better earlier in the day.
Here are 10 useful local updates for Saturday, September 26, 2026.
Local 10 infographic by HastingsNow.com
TOP 3 TODAY
1. Raptor Release moves bird-release window earlier as Saturday rain approaches
Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center’s Raptor Release runs Saturday, September 26, from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. at its Hastings campus at 12805 St. Croix Trail S.
Because rain is forecast later in the event, Carpenter Nature Center is asking visitors who want to see the rehabilitated-bird release to arrive by 11:30 a.m. Other programming is expected to continue even if weather prevents the bird release itself.
If this is part of your Saturday plan, the important detail is the earlier arrival recommendation — and because the release remains weather-dependent, check the current Raptor Release information from Carpenter Nature Center before leaving.
2. Downtown Hastings Fall Festival fills Saturday with music, food, art and shopping
The Main Street Market Fall Festival runs from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday, September 26, throughout downtown Hastings.
The Hastings Downtown Business Association schedule includes live music and a DJ, food trucks, bakery vendors, pottery, free art activities, a community mural and activities throughout the district.
It is one of the larger collections of same-day activities in today’s LOCAL 10, making the official Main Street Market Fall Festival page a useful starting point before heading downtown.
Individual activities and purchases may have their own charges.
3. Afton Apple opens its 15-acre “Bee Kind” corn maze Saturday
Afton Apple Orchard opens its 15-acre “Bee Kind” corn maze Saturday, September 26, adding another fall activity to the orchard at 14421 90th St. S. in Hastings.
The orchard’s current information confirms the September 26 opening and says corn-maze admission is separate from regular orchard admission.
Families planning a visit can check Afton Apple’s current orchard information before heading out.
One detail HastingsNow is intentionally leaving out: the social post and website describe the child and adult age bands differently, so we are not publishing detailed age-specific maze pricing without additional confirmation.
QUICK HITS
4. Hastings Arts Center fundraiser sale continues Saturday from 9 to 3
Hastings Arts Center’s multi-media fundraiser sale continues Saturday, September 26, from 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
The sale includes gently used books, CDs, vinyl, DVDs, puzzles and board games, with proceeds supporting Hastings Arts Center programming and projects.
See Hastings Arts Center’s current special-events information.
5. 2026–27 Energy Assistance applications are now open
Hastings Family Service is directing residents to CAP Agency’s 2026–27 Energy Assistance Program, which is accepting applications from qualifying renters and homeowners in the service area.
CAP says the program can help eligible households with heating and electric costs, with additional assistance potentially available for qualifying crisis and heating-system needs.
Eligibility is determined through the application process, so assistance should not be considered guaranteed. Residents who may qualify can review the Energy Assistance program and application information directly from CAP Agency.
6. SetonFest brings Mass, food, games and fellowship Sunday
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Parish hosts SetonFest Sunday, September 27, beginning with Mass at 10 a.m., followed by festival activities from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at 2035 15th St. W. in Hastings.
The parish says all are welcome. Planned activities include food, games, popcorn, parish-history displays and other activities.
Visit St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish for current SetonFest information.
7. Hastings Candidate Forum is Wednesday at City Hall
A public Hastings Candidate Forum is scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, from 6–8 p.m. at Hastings City Hall.
A candidate meet-and-greet begins at 6 p.m., followed at 7 p.m. by a forum for Minnesota House District 41B and Minnesota Senate District 41. Hastings Community TV plans to carry the event live. The current Chamber event listing confirms the date, time, location and that the event is free and open to the public.
Residents can review the Hastings Candidate Forum event information before attending.
Candidate participation can change, so use the current event information for the final lineup.
8. Wren + Wilde opens preorders for “Serial Dreamers” on vinyl
Hastings-area band Wren + Wilde says Serial Dreamers is now available for vinyl preorder.
The band also has an album-release show planned for October 7 outside Hastings. For LOCAL 10, the local connection is the band and its new vinyl release.
See Wren + Wilde’s announcement and vinyl preorder update.
9. Nicole’s Nu Wave celebrates 20 years with an October 1 anniversary party
Nicole’s Nu Wave Hair Design is planning a 20th Anniversary Party Thursday, October 1, from 4–8 p.m. in Hastings.
The celebration includes anniversary product sales, although specific promotional inventory may vary.
See Nicole’s Nu Wave’s 20th Anniversary announcement.
10. Rivertown Eye Care sets October 23 Fall Frame Event
Rivertown Eye Care’s Fall Frame Event is scheduled for Friday, October 23, from noon–4 p.m. in Hastings.
The business says complete pairs from featured brands will be discounted by $150 and is encouraging customers to RSVP. Promotional terms are Rivertown Eye Care’s, so check the business directly when planning a purchase.
If you only click one
If Saturday plans are still undecided, start with the Main Street Market Fall Festival page. It gathers the timing and activity information for one of today’s largest public events and makes it easier to decide when and where to head downtown.
And because several of today’s activities are outdoors, keep the Hastings Weather + On This Date forecast handy too.
Have a useful Hastings update?
Hastings-area businesses, organizations and residents may submit useful updates, clarifications or responses through Local Pigeon for HastingsNow’s consideration.
Submissions are reviewed. Submission does not guarantee publication, and 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.
