I will keep it short and sweet this week.
We are in the midst of fall and learning all its lessons. It is a sweet season, full of pie and cider and pumpkin spice. It is a bitter season; windy, crisp. The darkness lasts longer. Fall is a season when transformation happens quickly. That can be hard.
“Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.” -Unknown
“Everything I’ve ever let go of has claw marks on it.” -David Foster Wallace
The leaves will change, then fall, and rustle away in the wind. We can appreciate them while they are beautiful, but no matter how badly we want them to, we cannot make them cling to the tree forever. Pieces of us, no matter how beautiful, must also fall away.
Pieces of us, no matter how beautiful, must also fall away.
Take a deep breath. Transform. Have a beautiful fall.
Friday
Buckle up for the 3rd Annual Haunted Car Wash at Snell Auto Wash on Madison Ave. in Mankato. Enter the terrifying tunnel to encounter your favorite creepy characters and leave with a sparkling clean! Haunted wash available October 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30.
It’s Oktoberfest at the Wine Café. Come enjoy a taste of Deutschland with three different Oktoberfest beers, $3 brats and giant pretzels. Join Bent River Outfitter for a Happy Hour Float from Land of Memories to Riverfront Park, with a complimentary beer or wine at the Wine Café afterward. This is a beautiful way to check out the fall leaves along the river.
Catch some great live music around town. Indie rock singer/songwriter Mac will be performing at the Coffee Hag from 5-7 p.m. Bullypulpit will bring bluegrass to the Wine Café from 5:30-8 p.m. Check out the Oktoberfest Schell-Abration with the Schell’s Hobo Band at the Loose Moose Saloon. Stop by from 6:30-9 p.m for beer specials, door prizes and great music.
Saturday
Pick out our pumpkins! The Mankato Farmers’ Market will be open from 8 a.m. to noon, or swing by Pumpkin Junction at Blue Skye Farms in Good Thunder. Farmamerica in Waseca will host their Pumpkin Party from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy all the classic fall activities, like pumpkin decorating, trick-or-treating around the farm, crafts, wagon rides and much more! Pre-register online and get a free pumpkin with admission.
Then, bring your family and enjoy the Jack-o-Lantern Walk at Bluff Park from 6-9 p.m. Check out all the creative and spooky pumpkins and grab a snack at the food stand. I attended last year, and it was a blast!
Off the Strings will perform at the Mankato Brewery from 4-6 p.m. Nate Boots will be performing for Oktoberfest at the Wine Café beginning at 7 p.m. Indian Island Winery will host Angel Val from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Sunday
Vikings fans, head to the American Legion in St. Peter for game day! Enjoy the $10 Bloody Mary Bar and Happy Hour! Skol! Pumpkin Junction will be open from noon to 5 p.m. with pumpkins, concessions, games and more! The Wine Café will host Adam Munsterman beginning at 4 p.m. during the Art Pop-Up. Check out local art with new artists featured at every pop-up, as well as delicious cocktails.
Bonus: Stovetop Potpourri
Fall puts me in the kitchen. I can’t tell you how many dozen cookies I’ve baked so far, and for a household of two, I bake faster than we can give them away. So, I’m looking at other ways to be in the kitchen. Drying herbs and creating teas is one option. I’ve also been interested in trying a Fall Stovetop Potpourri to make the house smell extra lovely. If you have a favorite fall recipe, let me know in the comments, I’d love to try it!
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Weekend High Notes is a regular feature by Molly Butler. Molly covers weekend events, live music, and culture in the Greater Mankato Area. Suggestions are welcome using the MankatoLIFE contact form.
