Minnesota Events Report October 28

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Minnesota Events Report October 28

Check out our events calendar for more information on many of these and other upcoming events.

Just some of this week’s highlights include the KTTC Light Maze at Bluff Valley, ValleyScare, The Trail of Terror, the Get Out & Vote 2008 with Beastie Boys, Tenacious D and Ben Harper at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium, a Floating Ghost Ship, Field of Screams, and a Haunted Corn Maze.
Southern Minnesota

Bluff Valley Campground in Zumbro Falls will be the site of the KTTC Light Maze at Bluff Valley each Wednesday through Sunday evening, through November 30. This 1.5 mile drive-thru light tour features over 450 light displays, roughly 200 animated displays, nightly live entertainment, and Pepsi Night Light Park & Play activities including Night Light miniature golf, disc-golf, basketball-golf and wagon rides. Dinner buffets are also offered. To learn more, dial 1-877-467-3348, or visit www.BluffValley.com

The 5th Annual Gun & Knife Show will be held Saturday and Sunday, November 1 & 2, at the Windom Community Center, with guns, knives and related items on display to view, buy, sell and trade. To find out more, dial 1-800-794-6366, or check out www.winwacc.com

The city of Madison will host the 36th Annual Norsefest Celebration, Thursday through Sunday, November 6-9. Just some of the highlights include Norsky bingo, bridge and buck euchre, Lutefisk Retail Madness and a Scandinavian window decorating contest, a talent show, a lutefisk-eating contest, a lutefisk and turkey supper, a Scandinavian arts fair, the 26th annual Norsefest craft show, and a Dad’s Belgian waffle breakfast. For further information, dial 320/598-7301, or visit www.madisonmn.info

A Holiday Sampler on the Town will be held Friday and Saturday, November 7 & 8, throughout the city of Blue Earth. Come see the newest in entertaining, decorating and gift-giving for the Holiday Season, and enjoy holiday goodies at each store, music by the Madrigal Singers, horse and carriage rides, and a chance to win the grand prize gift package. For more information, dial 507/526-2916, or check out www.blueearthchamber.com

Downtown Hutchinson will host the 2nd Annual Passport to Hutchinson & Ladies Weekend, Friday through Sunday, November 7-9, with a variety of activities which you select to create your ideal weekend. The “passport” includes shopping, dining, lodging, and spa specials and offers. In addition, enjoy special dinner theatre performances, the 3M Holiday Craft Show, a vendor and craft fair, special clinics and seminars, and a Girl’s Night In with wine tastings, chick flicks, chocolate sampling, and Pure Romance products. To find out more, dial 1-800-572-6689, or visit www.explorehutchinson.com/passport.htm

The Mayowood Mansion in Rochester will offer Historic Mayowood Mansion Christmas Tours, Friday through Sunday, November 7-9, with rooms decorated by individuals, clubs and businesses, as well as room interpretation by guides and docents, light refreshments, and a gift shop. Please arrive one-half hour prior to tour time for an orientation film at the nearby History Center. Tours will also be offered Tuesday through Sunday, November 14-23. For rates and times, dial 507/282-9447, or check out www.olmstedhistory.com

Christmas in the Country will be held Friday through Sunday, November 14-16, at Thorn Crest Farm in Dundas, located just southwest of Northfield. Activities and highlights include cut-your-own Christmas trees, crafts, evergreen wreaths and garland, dried flowers, and a gift shop. Christmas in the Country will also be offered each Friday through Sunday, through December 7, with a special visit from Santa Claus on December 6. To learn more, dial 507/645-4182

The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge and the Minnesota DNR will host a Swan Watch Bus Tour on Saturday, November 15. The bus will pick-up passengers at the Huff Street Visitor Center in Winona, and participants will have a chance to see a large concentration of tundra swans, as well as puddle ducks, blue herons, egrets and eagles. Reservations are required by November 9. For rates and times, and to make a reservation, dial 507/494-6236. For further information, www.fws.gov/midwest/UpperMississippiRiver
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity

The Trail of Terror will be offered Thursdays through Sundays through November 1 from 7:00 until 11:00 p.m. at the Renaissance Festival Grounds, located just three miles south of Shakopee off Highway 169. The Trail of Terror offers more than 2 1/2-miles of terror, with The Halls of Horror, featuring five unique haunted halls filled with over 200 props and animatronics. For rates and times, dial 1-800-966-8215, or check out www.trailofterrorfest.com

Valleyfair in Shakopee will be transformed into Halloween Haunt At Valleyscare, Friday and Saturday, October 31 & November 1. Highlights will include over 200 ghosts, goblins, mutants and other strange creatures lurking in the fog. There will also be horrifying mazes, shocking scare zones, and Fright Feasts. For rates and times, dial 1-800-FUN-RIDE, or visit www.valleyscare.com

Ar-BOO-retum will be held on Halloween day at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska. On Friday, October 31, families will enjoy “Scary-crows” on the outdoor walkways, an elaborate pumpkin display, a Colors of Fall family craft activity, free apples for anyone in costume, and a complimentary cookie. Gate admission will be waived for anyone in costume on October 31. And on Saturday and Sunday, November 1 & 2, enjoy Pumpkin Palooza, and an endless variety of pumpkins and squash. To learn more, dial 952/443-1400, or check out www.arboretum.umn.edu

Art Attack 2008, sponsored by the Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association, will be held Friday through Sunday, November 7-9, at the Northrup King Building. This annual open studio and gallery crawl features the artwork of hundreds of artists. In addition, enjoy discussions with the artists, watch demonstrations and performance paintings, and support the arts community. To find out more, dial 612/363-5612, or visit www.northrupkingbuilding.com/artattack

Saturday and Sunday, Novmeber 8 & 9, the Old Depot Community Center in Taylors Falls will be the site of the 28th Annual Artisan Fair, with excellent crafts and fine artwork, as well as live Celtic music. For more information, dial 715/294-2868, or check out www.taylorsfallchamber.org

A Saint Martin’s Day Celebration will be held Sunday, November 9, at the Landmark Center in St. Paul. Come celebrate the spirit of giving and St. Martin’s generosity. Enjoy lantern-making, a variety of German treats, and a parade through Rice Park led by St. Martin and his trusty horse at dusk. Please bring extra men’s, women’s and children’s undergarments and socks to donate to Joseph’s Coat. For further information, dial 651/292-3276, or visit www.landmarkcenter.org

And just some of the upcoming concerts and performances will include:
Celine Dion at the Target Center in Minneapolis, October 30
Get Out & Vote 2008 with Beastie Boys, Tenacious D and Ben Harper at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium at the St. Paul RiverCentre, November 1
Wicked-A New Musical at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, November 5 through December 7
Menopause, the Musical at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis, October 30 through November 9
Martin Sexton at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, November 6
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular at the Target Center, November 7
The 2008 World Tour of Gymnastics Superstars at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, November 9
Amos Lee at The O’Shaughnessy Auditorium in St. Paul, November 10
Joan Baez at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, November 13
The Australian Pink Floyd Show at the Historic State Theatre, November 14
Gov’t Mule with Back Door Slam at the Pantages Theatre, November 14 & 15
Brian Wilson at the Historic State Theatre, November 15
Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, November 20-23
Susan Tedeschi at the Pantages Theatre, November 21
AC/DC at the Xcel Energy Center, November 23
Leo Kottke with David Hidalgo & Louie Perez of Los Lobos at the Historic State Theatre, November 29
Peter Mayer at the Fitzgerald Theater, November 29
Linda Eder - Home For Christmas at the Historic State Theatre, December 4
The Blenders - Holiday Soul Tour 2008 at the Pantages Theatre, December 4-7
Gretchen Wilson at The Myth in Maplewood, December 5
Kenny G. at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, December 5
A Sugar Plum Dream at The O’Shaughnessy Auditorium in St. Paul, December 6
Michael W. Smith at the Xcel Energy Center, December 6
Lorie Line at the Historic State Theatre, December 6-13
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra at the Xcel Energy Center, December 7
John Trones’ Christmas In The City at the Pantages Theatre, December 8
Harry Connick, Jr. & His Big Band: A Holiday Celebration Tour at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, December 9
Oasis, Ryan Adams & The Cardinals at the Target Center, December 10
Brian Regan at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, December 11
The Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, December 12 & 13
Dan Wilson at the Pantages Theatre, December 13
Celtic Thunder at the Target Center, December 15
All is Calm - The Christmas Truce of 1914 at the Pantages Theatre, December 18-21
Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy Package at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, December 18-21
Chip Davis’ Christmas Music of Mannheim Steamroller at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, December 19 & 20
The Nutcracker Fantasy at the Historic State Theatre, December 19-24
Soul Asylum at First Avenue in Minneapolis, December 19
The Gear Daddies at the Fine Line Music Cafe in Minneapolis, December 26
The Bodeans at First Avenue, December 29
The Blue Man Group at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, December 30
Grease at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, December 30 through January 4
Reel Big Fish at The Epic in Minneapolis, January 10
Adele at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, January 20
For further information on any of these performances or events, please contact Ticketmaster at 651/989-5151
Northern Minnesota

The William A. Irvin Ore Carrier in Duluth will be transformed into a Floating Ghost Ship, Wednesday through Saturday, October 29 through November 1. Come experience a WWII war ship filled with angry sailors just killing time, and waiting for you. No child under the age of 12 will be admitted without a parent. For rates and times, dial 218/722-5573, or check out www.decc.org

The Minnesota Museum of Mining in Chisholm will present Field of Screams, Thursday through Saturday evenings, October 30 through November 1. Tour guides will lead you along a trail through the wild woods, past the Train Of Terror, the Creepy Castle, and many other frightening scenes. Be on the watch for witches, goblins, ghosts, ghouls and other creatures of the night! Over 100 actors participate in this horrifying event! The Field of Screams will be “slightly less haunted” from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. For more information, dial 1-800-422-0806, or visit www.fieldofscreams.info

A Haunted Corn Maze will be offered at Paul Bunyan Land in Brainerd this Friday, October 31. In addition, enjoy hay rides and nightly bonfires. The Maze will be “hardly haunted” from 6 p.m. until dusk. For further information, dial 1-800-450-2838, or visit www.explorebrainerdlakes.com

Lazy Acres Farm, located just south of Bemidji, will be the site of Pick-a-Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze, on Friday, October 31. Featured will be an old dairy barn turned into a festive fair site, with gift shops, a Chicken Coop Cafe, and lots of pumpkins! There will also be hayrides, barrel train rides, pumpkin chuckin’, a haunted Nite Lite Maze, playgrounds, and a walking trail. For rates and times, dial 218/751-1312, or check out http://PickAPumpkinPatch.com

Lutsen Resort in the city of Lutsen will host the annual Bluegrass Masters Music Weekend, Friday through Sunday, November 7-9. Highlights include workshops, jam sessions, and musical performances and entertainment by skilled bluegrass musicians. Some fees may apply for special performances. For more information, dial 1-800-258-8736, or visit www.lutsenresort.com

A Holiday Arts & Craft Festival will be held at the Brainerd High School on Saturday, November 8, with more than 150 exhibitors participating. For further information, dial 218/454-6926.

Trailview Middle School in Mora will be the site of the 25th Annual Holly Fair on Saturday, November 8, with a wide array of arts and crafts, as well as pictures with Santa! To learn more, dial 320/679-4815

Split Rock Lighthouse Historic Site in Two Harbors will be the site of the Edmund Fitzgerald Beacon Lighting on Monday, November 10. This annual event commemorates the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald in 1975, and features a film about the Fitzgerald, tours through the lighthouse and fog signal building, and the naming of the 29 lost crewmembers while the ship’s bell is tolled. Following the ceremony, the beacon will be lit and the tower will be reopened to visitors. This is the only time of the year that the lighthouse beacon is lit. To find out more, dial 218/226-6372, or check out www.mnhs.org/splitrock

A Gingerbread Arts & Crafts Show will be offered at the St. Cloud Civic Center on Saturday and Sunday, November 15 & 16. For more information, dial 1-800-450-7272, or visit www.gingerbreadshows.com

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