Minnesota Events Report for October 30

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Minnesota Events Report for October 30

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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA

The SPOOKS ALLEY HAUNTED HOUSE will be open for tours through Wednesday, October 31, at Five Lakes Centre in Fairmont. And, while in Fairmont on October 31, enjoy a HALLOWEEN PARTY at the downtown U.S. Bank. For more information, dial 507/235-6242, or visit www.fairmont.org

Bluff 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, through November 25. Highlights include a 1 1/2-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.com

A SHOPPING OPENER WEEKEND will be offered in New Ulm on Friday and Saturday, November 2-10. This collection of events includes The Taste of New Ulm, a Women's Expo and Craft Show, other area craft shows, special sales and promotions, the induction of Prince into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame, a Cocktail Cruise, a performance by Comedian Susan Vass, and much more! For further information, dial 1-888-4-NEW-ULM, or visit www.shoppingnewulm.com

The city of Hutchinson will be the site of LADIES WEEKEND, Friday through Sunday, November 2-4. Highlights include a Relaxation & Spa expo, shopping specials, movies, a Designer Martini & Wine reception, arts & crafts, historic tours, and a Light-N-Lively brunch. To find out more, dial 320/234-0789, or check out www.explorehutchinson.com

CHRISTMAS AT HISTORIC MAYOWOOD will be offered Fridays through Tuesdays, November 2-18, at the Historic Mayowood Mansion in Rochester, when the mansion will be festively decorated for the holiday season by area clubs, businesses and individuals. Enjoy room interpretation by guides and docents, followed by light refreshments and a trip to the gift shop. Visitors will need to carpool from the History Center to the Mayowood. Reservations are required. For rates and times, dial 507/282-9447, or visit www.olmstedhistory.com

The National Eagle Center in Wabasha will hold an EAGLE MIGRATION DECK OPENER & SWAN WATCH on Saturday and Sunday, November 3 & 4. In addition to tundra swan and bald eagle viewing, enjoy new exhibits, storytelling, music, educational activities, and riverboat excursions. To learn more, and for rates and times, dial 651/565-4989, or check out www.nationaleaglecenter.org

The 35TH ANNUAL NORSEFEST will be held Thursday through Sunday, November 8–11, in the city of Madison. Just some of the festivities will include Norsky Outhouse Racing, a talent show, lutefisk eating contest, a lutefisk supper, Norsky Bowling, pancake breakfast, and Scandinavian art fair with demonstrations. For further information, dial 320/598-7301, or visit www.madisonmn.info

The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge in Winona will be the site of a TUNDRA SWAN WATCH BUS TOUR on Saturday, November 17. Come see migrating tundra swans and other waterfowl on the upper Mississippi River. Interpreters will be on-board to answer questions, with binoculars, spotting scopes, a box lunch and brochures provided. Reservations are required by November 9. For rates and times, dial 1-888-291-5719, or check out www.fws.gov/midwest/UpperMississippiRiver

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TWIN CITIES GREATER METROPOLITAN VICINITY

Zywiecs Landscape and Garden Center in Cottage Grove will be the site of a HAUNTING EXPERIENCE, through Wednesday, October 31, 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. For more information, dial 651/459-3001, or visit www.hauntingexperience.com

HALLOWEEN HAUNT AT VALLEYSCARE will be offered at Valleyfair in Shakopee through Wednesday, October 31. 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. To find out more, dial 952/445-7600, or check out www.valleyscare.com

The Minnesota Renaissance festival grounds in Shakopee will be the site of the TRAIL OF TERROR this Wednesday, October 31. 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. To learn more, dial 952/445-7361, or visit www.trailofterrorfest.com

The TWIN CITIES CHOCOLATE EXTRAVAGANZA will be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center in downtown Minneapolis on Saturday and Sunday, November 3 & 4. Come enjoy chocolate, coffee, wine and martinis, shop for holiday gifts, attend live demonstrations, watch the Chocolate Fashion Show, learn how dark chocolate and red wine can protect your heart, and view chocolate art displays and competition pieces. Over 100 prizes will be raffled away, with all proceeds benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Minnesota. For rates and times, dial 612/306-4026, or check out www.mspchocolateshow.com

The American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis will be the site of A NORDIC CHRISTMAS from Saturday, November 3 through Sunday, January 6. Come discover the holiday traditions of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Finland, with decorated trees and table settings. This year's theme is "Christmas of Light." The ILLUMINATION OF A SAINT: THE LEGEND OF SANTA LUCIA will also be offered November 3 through January 6, with photographs and story panels detailing Lucia's beginnings as a fourth-century Christian martyr, the legends surrounding her, and how the holiday is celebrated today. And on November 3 & 17, enjoy music, food, gifts, books, craft activities and more during A CHRISTMAS FAIR. For more information, dial 612/871-4907, or visit www.americanswedishinst.org

The AUTUMN FESTIVAL, AN ARTS & CRAFTS AFFAIR will be held Thursday through Sunday, November 8–11, at Canterbury Park in Shakopee. This annual arts and craft show features over 500 artists and craftspeople from 30 states. In addition, there will be live entertainment, and plenty of food and refreshments. And be sure to register for $30 gift certificates which will be awarded hourly! For further information, dial 952/445-7223, or check out www.canterburypark.com

And just some of the upcoming concerts and performances will include:
DISNEY PRESENTS THE LION KING at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, through November 25
GOV'T MULE at the O'Shaughnessy Auditorium in St. Paul, October 31
OZZY OSBOURNE & ROB ZOMBIE at the Target Center in Minneapolis, October 31
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND at the Excel Energy Center in St. Paul, 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
SOUL ASYLUM at First Avenue in Minneapolis, December 21
PETER OSTROUSHKO at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, December 22
TRAMPLED BY TURTLES at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, December 31
VH1'S ROCK OF LOVE NEW YEARS EVE with BRET MICHAELS at The Myth, December 31
BARRY MANILOW at the Xcel Energy Center, January 11
SESAME STREET LIVE : WHEN ELMO GROWS UP at the Target Center, January 16
THE 2008 US FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS at the Xcel Energy Center, January 20
MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, May 27
For further information on any of these performances or events, please contact Ticketmaster at 651/989-5151

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NORTHERN MINNESOTA

The William A. Irvin Ore Carrier in Duluth will be transformed into THE SHIP OF GHOULS, Tuesday and Wednesday, October 30 & 31. The haunting of the Irvin is put on by professional actors with the accompaniment of special effects. For rates and times, dial 218/727-0022, or check out www.williamairvin.com

MOLITOR'S HAUNTED ACRES will be offered on Wednesday, October 31 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. To find out more, dial 320/253-1672, or visit www.molitors.net

The Hinckley-Finlayson High School in Hinckley will be the site of the HINCKLEY ANNUAL CRAFT FAIR on Saturday, November 3, with more than 100 crafters participating. Several other boutiques will also be offered in downtown Hinckley, and the Hinckley Fire Museum will host a special quilt exhibit. To learn more, dial 1-800-952-4282, or check out www.hinckleymn.com

An APPLIQUÉ BEADING WORKSHOP will be offered at the Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post in Onamia on Saturday and Sunday, November 3 & 4. Beadwork is a common art form used by the Ojibwe people to decorate clothing and regalia. Participants will learn traditional appliqué beading techniques in this two-day workshop taught by world-renowned artisan and band elder, Margaret Hill. For rates and times, dial 320/532-3632, or visit www.mnhs.org

Lutsen Resort, in the city of Lutsen, will be the site of the 17TH ANNUAL BLUEGRASS MUSIC EVENT on Saturday, November 10. This annual bluegrass event includes a Rhythm Workshop, Vocal Workshop, jam session and concert. For more information, dial 218/663-7212, or check out www.lutsenresort.com

The EDMUND FITZGERALD BEACON LIGHTING will be held Saturday and Sunday, November 10 & 11, at Split Rock Lighthouse in Two Harbors. In addition to the lighting of the beacon, there will be information about the shipwreck, and a bell ceremony to commemorate the loss of Lake Superior's most famous ship and crew. For further information, dial 218/226-6372, or visit www.mnhs.org/splitrock

The Ralph Engelstad Arena in Thief River Falls will be the site of a HOLIDAY FAIR on Saturday, November 17, with 40-50 craftspeople participating. Afterwards, head to the Eagles Club for a spaghetti supper, bingo, a consignment auction, white elephant auction, and meat raffles at A TASTE OF ITALIAN, PLUS. To learn more, dial 1-800-827-1629, or check out www.visitthiefriverfalls.com

 "The information in this report is provided courtesy of Explore Minnesota Tourism."