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NORTHERN MINNESOTA
A HAUNTED CORN MAZE will be offered at Paul Bunyan Land and This Old Farm in Brainerd, each Friday and Saturday, through October 27, with ghosts and goblins hiding within a huge corn maze. And, while in Brainerd, October 18-20, check out the CHRISTMAS TOUR OF HOMES, offered at four Nisswa area homes. For more information, dial 1-800-450-2838, or visit
www.explorebrainerdlakes.comThe William A. Irvin Ore Carrier in Duluth will be transformed into THE SHIP OF GHOULS, Wednesday through Saturday, October 17-20. The haunting of the Irvin is put on by professional actors with the accompaniment of special effects. The Ship of Ghouls will also be open for tours October 25-28, and October 30 & 31. For rates and times, dial 218/727-0022, or check out
www.williamairvin.comMOLITOR'S HAUNTED ACRES will be offered each Friday through Sunday, October 28, in Sauk Rapids. Highlights include the Wagon of Doom hayride, the dark and musty Mine Shaft, the Corn Trail, the Maze of Misery, a 100-year-old Haunted House, and The House of Spirits! Afterwards, enjoy a bonfire with all your friends. Molitor's Haunted Acres will also be open on Wednesday, October 31. To find out more, dial 320/253-1672, or visit
www.molitors.netThe Minnesota Museum of Mining in Chisholm will be the site of the FIELD OF SCREAMS, Thursday through Saturday, October 18–20, with over 100 actors creating scenes of horror! Field of Screams will also be open October 25-28. To learn more, dial 218/254-7930, or check out
www.fieldofscreams.infoA HAUNTED FOREST will be offered Friday and Saturday, October 19 & 20, just northeast of Pine River. The "Haunted Forest" is set-up in an actual forest, where there are numerous "fright stations" and "haunted trails." A Haunted Forest will also be offered October 26 & 27. For more information, dial 218/587-4000, or visit
www.pinerivermn.comRuttger's Bay Lake Lodge in Deerwood will offer OKTOBERFEST AT RUTTGER'S, Friday through Sunday, October 19–21. Highlights include German music, food, beverages and costumes, as well as Friday and Saturday evening dinner buffets. In addition, enjoy an arts & crafts fair, games and activities for the kids and a family polka dance on Saturday, as well as a Sunday brunch with musical entertainment. For further information, dial 1-800-450-4545, or check out
www.ruttgers.comMOOSE MADNESS will be held Friday through Sunday, October 19–21, throughout Grand Marais. This family festival, held over MEA weekend each year, features "Murray the Moose," a variety of contests, games and prizes, as well as a medallion hunt, restaurant specials, and tours up the Gunflint Trail to spot a moose. To find out more, dial 218/387-2524, or visit
www.grandmarais.comThe St. Cloud Civic Center will be the site of the 15TH ANNUAL WOMEN'S SHOWCASE on Saturday, October 20, with celebrity speakers, fashion shows, stage entertainment, and 250 exhibitors. This is the largest women's event in Central Minnesota. To learn more, dial 320/259-7108, or check out
www.womensshowcase.comThe GRAND MARAIS FALL MIGRATION BIRDING FESTIVAL will be held at the North House Folk School in Grand Marias, Friday through Sunday, October 26–28. Highlights of this festival include guided field trips, workshops, classes, guest speakers, presentations and exhibitions. For further information, dial 218/387-9762, or visit
www.grandmaraisbirding.comHeritage Park in St. Cloud will be the site of HALLOWEEN HISTORIA on Saturday, October 27. This 18th annual event offers fun for all ages, and includes games, hay wagon rides, trick or treating, a bonfire, "conversations" with furry animals on nature walks, hot apple cider, concessions, and a Halloween scavenger hunt. For more information, dial 320/253-8424, or check out
www.stearns.history.museum=========================================
TWIN CITIES GREATER METROPOLITAN VICINITY
SCREAMTOWN, located in Shakopee, will be open to the public each Friday and Saturday through October 27, as well as October 17, 18 and 28, with three haunted houses and a huge haunted corn maze. For rates and times, check out
www.screamtown.comZywiecs Landscape and Garden Center in Cottage Grove will be the site of a HAUNTING EXPERIENCE, Wednesday through Saturday, October 17-20, with a horrific journey through the Mind Shaft, the Garden of Evil, and the 15-room living-nightmare mansion! Then, board the Hayride of Horror that creeps through miles of graveyards, swamps and haunted forests. Afterwards, enjoy treats, a bonfire, and live entertainment by Mr. Freaky. A Haunting Experience will also be offered October 24-31. For more information, dial 651/459-3001, or visit
www.hauntingexperience.comHALLOWEEN HAUNT AT VALLEYSCARE will be offered at Valleyfair in Shakopee, Friday through Sunday, through October 28. Guests entering the gates of Valleyscare will be greeted by over 200 ghosts, goblins, mutants and other strange creatures lurking in the fog, and hiding in horrifying mazes and shocking scare zones. Valleyscare will also be open Monday through Wednesday, October 29-31. To find out more, dial 952/445-7600, or check out
www.valleyscare.comThe Minnesota Renaissance festival grounds in Shakopee will be the site of the TRAIL OF TERROR, Wednesday through Sunday, October 17–21. Featured will be a 3/4-mile indoor heated maze, a haunted hayride, bonfires, Phantom Feasts, Club Scream, the Terror Tavern, and the Halls of Horror, which offers five haunted halls with unique themes and more than 200 props and animatronics. The Trail of Terror will also be open October 25-28 & October 31. To learn more, dial 952/445-7361, or visit
www.trailofterrorfest.comSHADOWS & SPIRITS OF THE STATE CAPITOL will be held Friday and Saturday, October 19 & 20 at the State Capitol in St. Paul, with tours of the dimly-lit corridors and chambers, and encounters with historically costumed characters. Shadows and Spirits will also be offered October 25-27. For more information, dial 651/296-2881, or check out
www.mnhs.orgThe Como Zoo grounds will be transformed into ZOO BOO, a world of fairytales and fun, on Saturday and Sunday, October 20 & 21, with over 200 live costumed characters interacting with and entertaining the children. This magical event offers families a safe trick-or-treating alternative, plus many Halloween surprises. Zoo Boo will also be offered October 26-28. For further information, dial 651/487-8226, or visit
www.comozooconservatory.orgThe HEALTHY LIFE FALL EXPO will be held October 20 & 21 at the Hopkins Eisenhower Community Center in Hopkins, with over 80 unique exhibitors offering everything for health, beauty, balance and success in life. There will also be special on-going speaker presentations, informative demonstrations, musical performances and complimentary hors d'oeuvres. For rates and times, dial 952/238-1700, or check out
www.healthylifeexpo.comThe Minneapolis Institute of Arts will present the 24TH ANNUAL ANTIQUES SHOW & SALE on Friday through Sunday, October 26-28. Forty of the country's finest antiques dealers will be participate, with thousands of one-of-a-kind finds, including furniture, paintings, jewelry, textiles, silver, glassware, and all kinds of accessories. And while at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, take time to check out Georgia O'Keeffe--Circling Around Abstraction. To find out more, dial 612/870-3131, or visit
www.artsmia.orgThe ANOKA HALLOWEEN CAPITAL OF THE WORLD CELEBRATION will be held October 26–28, throughout the city of Anoka. Highlights include the Big Parade of the Little People, a block party, costume contests, a Spooktacular Carnival, Grand Day parade, post-parade dinner, the Anoka Royal Ambassador Coronation, a pancake breakfast, Family Fun Along the Rum, and a Halloween Family Fun Day. Various other activities and events will be held throughout the month of October. For an entire list of activities, dial 763/421-7130, or check out
www.anokahalloween.comThe Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis will be the site of the MINNESOTA EQUIFEST HORSE SHOW on Saturday and Sunday, October 27 & 28. Attendees will enjoy discussions and seminars by equine professionals, demonstrations, and vendor booths offering the latest in fashion styles and necessities for both horse and rider! To learn more, dial 763/421-5750, or visit
www.minnesotaequifest.comAnd just some of the upcoming concerts and performances will include:
KIDZ BOP WORLD TOUR at the Target Center in Minneapolis, October 20
HANNAH MONTANA & MILEY CYRUS: BEST OF BOTH WORLDS TOUR at the Target Center, October 21
VAN HALEN at the Target Center, October 24
DISNEY PRESENTS THE LION KING at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, October 25-November 25
RASCAL FLATTS at the Excel Energy Center in St. Paul, October 27
SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE LIVE TOUR 2007 at the Target Center, October 28
MARC COHN at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, October 30
GOV'T MULE at the O'Shaughnessy Auditorium in St. Paul, October 31
OZZY OSBOURNE & ROB ZOMBIE at the Target Center, October 31
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND at the Excel Energy Center, November 2
JEFF DUNHAM at the O'Shaughnessy Auditorium, November 2
KELLY CLARKSON at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, November 2
KID ROCK at The Myth in Maplewood, November 8
STEPHEN LYNCH at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis, November 10
A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION with GARRISON KEILLOR at the Historic State Theatre, November 10
CELTIC WOMEN at the Excel Energy Center, November 16
KEITH URBAN at the Excel Energy Center, November 17
LEO KOTTKE at the Historic State Theatre, November 24
THE CRIBS at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis, November 21
DANE COOK at the Target Center, November 23
CHICAGO at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, November 30
THE CULT at the Myth, November 30
MOSCOW BALLET'S GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, December 1
MODEST MOUSE at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, December 3
THE BLENDERS at the Pantages Theatre, December 7
DISNEY'S HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: THE ICE TOUR at the Xcel Energy Center, December 14-16
LOYCE HOULTON'S NUTCRACKER FANTASY at the Historic State Theatre, December 20-24
PETER OSTROUSHKO at the Fitzgerald Theater, December 22
BARRY MANILOW at the Xcel Energy Center, January 11
The 2008 US FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, January 20
For further information on any of these performances or events, please contact Ticketmaster at 651/989-5151
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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
PUMPKIN PATCH FESTIVAL 2007 will be offered at the Nelson Family Farm in Litchfield, each Saturday and Sunday, through October 28. Just some of the highlights include tractor-drawn wagon rides, pony rides, a corn maze, straw maze, a gift shoppe, the Wooden Nickel Scramble, Ag Olympics, swinging in the hay loft, panning for marbles, a tree fort with slides and tubes, Make-And-Take Scarecrows, farm animals, miniature golf, corn cob golf, Pumpkin Village, the Big Woods Trail by the lake, and lots of homegrown pumpkins, squash, decorative corn and fall decorations! For further information, dial 320/693-7750, or visit
www.nelsonfarm.comBluff Valley Campground in Zumbro Falls will be the site of a LIGHT MAZE & KTTC LIGHTS AT BLUFF VALLEY, the first autumn season drive-thru light show, October 18 through November 25. Highlights include a 1.5-mile drive-through light tour, with 19 theme areas featuring over 450 light displays. In addition, enjoy nightly live entertainment, wagon rides, and Pepsi NightLight Park & Play activities, including nightlight glow-in-dark miniature-golf, disc-golf and basketball golf. For rates and times, dial 1-877-GO-SEE-IT, or check out
www.BluffValley.comA HAUNTED CORN MAZE & FEED MILL--LOST IN THE DARK returns to Farmamerica in Waseca on Friday and Saturday, October 19 & 20, when visitors will enjoy thrills and chills as they wander the haunted corn maze and mill. And on Saturday, October 27, Farmamerica will offer ALL HALLOWS EVE, with safe trick-or-treating, games, magic shows, a haunted feedmill, pumpkin carving, and lots of door prizes. For rates and times, dial 507/835-2052, or visit
www.farmamerica.orgThe Benson High School will host the BENSON FALL CRAFT FAIR on Saturday, October 20, with a wide variety of quality handmade crafts by over 90 crafters. Concessions will be available throughout day, including freshly made sweet rolls, coffee, bars and hot lunch items. To find out more, dial 320/843-3618, or check out
www.bensonareachamber.comA STEAMBOAT VISIT BY THE AMERICAN QUEEN will take place October 20 at Red Wing's beautiful Levee Park, located on the Mississippi River. Come see the eccentric styles of this enormous steamboat. Afterwards, on October 20, enjoy a TASTE OF GERMANY at Ruth's German Haus, located in the Historic Pottery District, and enjoy food sampling, pick up free recipes, and enter drawings for prizes. To learn more, dial 1-800-498-3444, or visit
www.redwing.orgThe Quarry Hill Nature Center in Rochester will present CREATURES OF THE NIGHT on Friday and Saturday, October 26 & 27. Parents and children will enjoy guided hikes through the park to meet human-portrayed creatures of the night,including an owl, muskrat, bat, skunk, and raccoon. After the hike, head to the nature center for treats and other fun things to do! Pre-registration is required. And, on Saturday, October 27, check out the HISTORIC HOME TOUR offered at six homes in the Kutzky Park Neighborhood of Rochester. For more information, dial 1-800-634-8277, or check out
www.visitrochestermn.comThe GREAT PUMPKIN RIDE & PUMPKIN FEST will be held October 26 & 27 in Preston. Highlights include costumes, contests, a fall bike ride on area bike trails, live entertainment, a children's pumpkin decorating contest, craft show, wagon rides, the largest and ugliest pumpkin contests, and a dance. For further information, dial 507/765-2100, or visit
www.prestonmn.orgVarious studios in and around the cities of Faribault, Owatonna and Northfield will be the site of the SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA OCTOBER STUDIO ART TOUR on Saturday and Sunday, October 27 & 28, with over 20 artists participating. To learn more, dial 507/334-4381, or check out
www.southcentralartour.com"The information in this report is provided courtesy of Explore Minnesota Tourism."
