Photo Opportunities*

Thorn Crest Farm in the city of Dundas, located just south of Northfield, will be the site of a 18TH ANNUAL FALL HARVEST AND CRAFT FESTIVAL each Friday through Sunday, September 29 through October 29, with pick-your-own pumpkins and apples, a grass maze, farm animals, craft sheds, a gift shop, dried flowers and antiques. To learn more, dial 507/645-4182

The 2006 MEANDER--UPPER MINNESOTA RIVER ART CRAWL will be held Friday through Sunday, September 29 through October 1, at studios in Big Stone, Swift, Chippewa, Lac qui Parle and Yellow Medicine counties. This self-guided tour of artist studios features 45 local artists from the Upper Minnesota River Valley. For more information, dial 1-866-866-5432, or check out www.artsmeander.com

Wedgewood Park and the Community Center in Plainview will be the site of HANDS-ON HISTORY DAY on September 30. Step back in time to the days of Little House on the Prairie, and enjoy hands-on activities, live demonstrations, old-time food and entertainment. And on Sunday, October 1, St. Joachim's Catholic Church in Plainview will hold an OPEN HOUSE & ICE CREAM SOCIAL. To learn more about either event, dial 507/534-2229, or check out www.plainviewmn.com

HARVEST FEST will be offered at the Village of Yesteryear in the city of Owatonna on September 30, with a chance to enjoy harvest related activities, such as cider pressing and corn shelling. In addition, enter the scarecrow contest, take a horse drawn wagon ride, paint pumpkins, tour 15 buildings from the 1800's, or just feast on a variety of comfort food! For more information, dial 507/451-1420, or visit www.steelecohistoricalsociety.org

The Nelson Family Farm in Litchfield will offer a PUMPKIN FESTIVAL each Saturday and Sunday, September 30 through October 29. Families will enjoy wagon rides, pony rides, corn and straw mazes, a petting zoo, and make-your-own scarecrows! In addition, there will be plenty of homegrown pumpkins, squash, decorative corn and fall decorations for your yard. For rates and times, and to learn more about building your own scarecrow, dial 320/693-7750, or check out www.nelsonfarm.com

A FALL FOLIAGE FEST will be offered Friday through Sunday, October 6-8, throughout the town of Harmony. Highlights include wagon rides, fall color drives, decorations along Main Street, a farmer's market, church and organization dinners, Amish tours, cave tours, artist demonstrations and art classes, garage sales, chainsaw carving, pumpkin decorating and children's games. To find out more, dial 1-800-445-6481, or visit www.harmony.mn.us

The city of New Ulm and the Holiday Inn will hold their annual OKTOBERFEST celebration, Saturday and Sunday, October 6 & 7. This festival features local, regional, and European entertainment, along with great German food and plenty of locally brewed beer at both locations. In addition, enjoy horse-drawn trolley rides, and public tours of the brewery, John Lind Home, Wanda Gag House, Hermann Monument, and Minnesota Music Hall of Fame. This event will be repeated October 13 & 14. For more, dial 1-888-4-NEW-ULM, or check out www.newulmoktoberfest.com

The MINNESOTA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL will be held at the Renaissance Festival Grounds in Shakopee, each Saturday and Sunday, through October 1, including Friday, September 29. Journey into the 16th-Century where queens reigned and chivalry thrived. Visit 275 artisan shoppes, 15 stages of live entertainment, and feast on food fit for royalty! For rates and times, dial 1-800-966-8215, or check out www.renaissancefest.com

Lake Rebecca Park Reserve in Rockford will hold a FALL RAPTOR RELEASE on Saturday, September 30. Come learn about and photograph eagles, owls, hawks, and falcons as they are returned to the wild! Also enjoy hands-on children's activities, educational displays, and music by Emmy Award-winning Michael Monroe! To learn more, dial 612/624-0201, or visit www.theraptorcenter.org

Holz Farm in Eagan will be the site of LONE OAK DAYS AT HOLZ FARM, September 30 & October 1. Enjoy a fall harvest festival at a restored 1940's era farm, with games, live animals, self-guided farm tours, farming demonstrations, food and refreshments. To find out more, dial 651/675-5500, or visit www.cityofeagan.com

The annual LEAF SPECTACULAR will be held in the city of Taylors Falls and throughout the entire St. Croix River Valley, September 30 through October 15. Highlights include self-guided walks through historic Taylors Falls, hikes through Interstate Park, boat cruises and canoeing on the beautiful St. Croix River, tours of the 1855 Folsom House, a Chili 'n Pie Social, and much more. For further information, dial 1-800-447-4958, or check out www.taylorsfallschamber.org

ST. CROIX VALLEY FALL COLOR RAILWAY TOURS will be offered each Saturday and Sunday, September 30 through October 22 on the Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway, boarding at the Historic Osceola Depot. Fall is arriving fast in the St. Croix River Valley--consider a scenic drive along Highway 95 through historic towns in Minnesota, and then cross over into Osceola, Wisconsin for a scenic train tour. Additional trips are being offered due to popular demand. To reserve tickets, and for rates and times, dial 715/755-3570, or visit www.trainride.org

The cities of Longville, Hackensack and Walker are joining together to present FALL HAS IT ALL!, a week of events and activities in each community through Sunday, October 1. Just some of the highlights include a medallion hunt, artist demonstrations and exhibits, an Oktoberfest celebration, Crazy Daze sales, chainsaw sculpting, free pontoon rides, free wine & cheese tastings, a pie social, free root beer floats, a car show, and fall color guided auto tours. For more information, dial 1-800-735-3297, or visit www.longville.com/fallhasitall.html

 The 10TH ANNUAL CROSSING BORDERS STUDIO TOUR will be held at eight studios in communities located along Lake Superior, from Friday, September 29, to Sunday, October 8. This annual studio tour offers the public a chance to meet and learn from the 21 participating artists, located in Two Harbors, Lutsen, Grand Marais and Thunder Bay. Refreshments will be served. To find out more, dial 1-800-388-8698, or visit www.crossingbordersstudiotour.com

Pelican Rapids will host their annual OKTOBERFEST CELEBRATION, Thursday through Sunday, October 5-8, with an old-fashioned polka party, dinner and dancing, an auction, the crowning of Miss Oktoberfest, a pancake brunch, drawings, a raffle, open mic jam sessions, and more! And while in Pelican Rapids, head to Maplewood State Park for COLORED LEAF DAYS, Saturday and Sunday, October 7 & 8, for beautiful fall color hiking and biking, and a variety of hot and cold foods. For more information on either event, dial 218/863-1221, or check out www.pelicanrapidschamber.com

The SHIP OF GHOULS will be in the city of Duluth each Friday and Saturday, October 6-14, when the William A. Irvin will be transformed from an ore carrier to a floating ghost ship by professional actors, with lots of amazing special effects. Boat tours will also be offered each Wednesday through Saturday, October 18-28, and Monday and Tuesday, October 30 & 31. For rates and times, dial 1-800-4-DULUTH, or visit www.williamairvin.com

The Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge in Zimmerman will host a WILDLIFE FESTIVAL on Saturday, October 7. Just some of the highlights include a variety of wildlife exhibits, a scavenger hunt, archery and air rifle workshops, hay rides, guided nature walks, a bonfire, nature crafts, wildlife presentations, face painting, wild tea tasting, and lots of food. Refuge service roads will also be open to vehicle traffic throughout the event. To learn more, dial toll-free 1-877-721-4295, or check out www.fws.gov/midwest/sherburne