LOCAL 10: What Hastings Should Know Today — Wednesday, July 15th, 2026
Photo by Ashley Media
Another very hot Wednesday is settling over Hastings, but the weekend calendar is already warming up, too.
Today’s LOCAL 10 includes important heat and air-quality context, Rivertown Days planning information, a Thursday shopping event, affordable family fun, local theater, pottery activities, downtown access notes, a donation match, a burger special and one important Friday menu change.
Today in Hastings in 10 Seconds
Hastings is looking at sunshine, a high near 94°F and heat-index values approaching 99°F on Wednesday, July 15. An Extreme Heat Warning remains active, and wildfire smoke may begin arriving toward evening under an Air Quality Alert. This is a good day to finish demanding outdoor work early, keep water close and start planning ahead for a very busy Rivertown Days weekend.
Top 3 Today
AI infographic by HastingsNow.com
1. Extreme heat continues as wildfire smoke approaches Hastings
Source: HastingsNow Weather + On This Date
Wednesday will be sunny and dangerously hot, with a high near 94°F and heat-index values approaching 99°F. An Extreme Heat Warning remains active, while smoke from Canadian wildfires may begin reaching the Hastings area after about 5 p.m. under an Air Quality Alert. Move strenuous outdoor plans to earlier in the day when possible, drink plenty of water and check the air quality before evening sports, walks or patio time.
Why it matters: Prolonged heat and worsening air quality can affect outdoor workers, athletes, children, older adults, pets and people with respiratory conditions.
Read today’s Hastings weather report →
2. Rivertown Days shares tickets, free Saturday transportation and planning details
Source: Rivertown Days
Rivertown Days begins Thursday, July 16, with the main ticketed music, carnival and food-truck festivities scheduled for Friday and Saturday. Organizers say children 12 and younger receive free admission. Free Saturday transportation will connect Fleet Farm, the Arts and Crafts Fair at Jaycee Park and downtown Hastings, with trolley service during the day and a coach bus continuing into the evening. Save the official schedule before heading out.
Why it matters: One good planning link can help families sort out tickets, entertainment, transportation and where they need to be throughout Hastings’ biggest summer weekend.
View the official schedule →www.rivertowndaysmn.com
3. Rivertown Eye Care plans Thursday Maui Jim pop-up
Source: Rivertown Eye Care
Rivertown Eye Care will host a Maui Jim pop-up on Thursday, July 16, from 3–6 p.m. Visitors can explore the brand’s sunglasses and learn about event-only promotional pricing. The post does not name a specific discount, so shoppers should check directly with Rivertown Eye Care for product availability, pricing and whether an appointment is recommended. Sunglasses may be especially timely during a hot and bright festival week.
Why it matters: It is a clearly timed local shopping opportunity that residents can visit before the main Rivertown Days weekend gets underway.
Seven Quick Hits
4. Ten-cent games support Hastings Family Service
Kids Carnival at River of Life Church during Rivertown Days 2025. Image by Ashley Media.
Sources: Hastings Family Service and River of Life Church
River of Life Church will host a Kids Carnival on Saturday, July 18, from 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Games cost 10 cents each, with proceeds supporting Hastings Family Service. Food and drinks will be available for an additional charge.
Check the source for event details →
5. Black Dirt Theater offers a preview of Matilda
Source: Black Dirt Theater
Black Dirt Theater’s orchestra is giving Hastings an early taste of Matilda during Rivertown Days. The full production opens Friday, July 24, with additional performances through Saturday, August 1. Review the theater’s official site for dates and tickets.
View performance dates and tickets →www.blackdirttheater.com
6. Clay minnows and a pottery “Throwdown” are coming downtown
Squeaky Wheel Pottery is located in downtown Hastings, MN. Image by HastingsNow.com
Source: Squeaky Wheel Pottery
Squeaky Wheel Pottery is preparing demonstrations, friendly pottery competitions and a hands-on clay-minnow activity during Rivertown Days. The children’s clay project costs $15 per fish. Because the source is a Facebook Reel, check it for the latest schedule details.
Check the source for latest details →
7. Spiral Yoga explains studio access during Rivertown Days
Source: Spiral Yoga
With 2nd Street activity affecting normal downtown travel, Spiral Yoga has shared business-specific parking and studio-access information for Friday through Sunday. These directions apply specifically to Spiral Yoga customers, not all downtown visitors.
View Spiral Yoga’s access update →
8. July donations to Hastings Family Service receive a proportional match
Source: Hastings Family Service
Donations made to Hastings Family Service through July 31 will receive a proportional summer match. That does not necessarily mean a dollar-for-dollar match, but it gives July donors an opportunity to make their support stretch further.
9. The Pop N’ Guac burger is available through Sunday
328 Grill now located in Hastings, MN at 350 33rd St. W. Image by HastingsNow.com
Source: 328 Grill
328 Grill’s Pop N’ Guac burger is the featured special through Sunday, July 19. The post does not list a price, and availability could change if ingredients sell out, so burger planners may want to check before ordering.
10. No Friday Fish Fry at 2nd Street Depot this week
Source: 2nd Street Depot Bar & Grill
2nd Street Depot Bar & Grill will remain open during Rivertown Days, but its regular Friday Fish Fry will take the week off on July 17. Regulars should plan on a different menu choice this Friday.
If You Only Click One
Open the official Rivertown Days schedule.
It is the most useful single planning destination for the next several days, bringing together tickets, entertainment, free activities, locations and transportation information. With extreme heat in the forecast and events spread across Hastings, making a plan before leaving home could save considerable time and wandering.
View the official Rivertown Days schedule →www.rivertowndaysmn.com
Also Today: Weather + On This Date
Wednesday’s companion report takes a closer look at the dangerous heat, the approaching wildfire smoke and what Hastings residents should watch through the evening.
Today’s historical time capsule also revisits Minnesota’s 1954 wetland-protection effort, the discovery of the Rosetta Stone in 1799 and the 1916 formation of the company that became Boeing.
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