Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee
The Bluff Country’s vibrant fall palette of warm colors will be at its peak the second week of October.
Plan a trip to Spring Grove’s annual fall celebration, Uffda Fest, on October 7 and 8 in Minnesota’s first Norwegian settlement and celebrate fall.
The Giants of the Earth Heritage Center is hosting a Norsk Talent Show, late Friday afternoon and heritage classes throughout the weekend. On Friday night, there is a Reader’s Theatre and a movie scheduled. On Saturday at 5 p.m., the Center is hosting the play ‘Nordic Convention 1934’ at the Center and an old-fashion barn dance at the Ye Olde Gray Barn Saturday night. The barn is nestled next to the Norwegian Ridge Birding & Nature Trails which are always open. The trailhead is located behind Red’s IGA.
On Sunday morning the Wilmington Church will hold an old fashion Norwegian church service, graveyard tours, and a meatball luncheon. If you have never tasted Norwegian meatballs, you have been missing out!
Spring Grove School’s homecoming is the same weekend so bring your stadium blanket and enjoy America’s favorite sport. Come hungry and purchase a pork chop on a stick from the Athletic Boosters.
Fall Fest on Main, an outdoor shopping market is held in conjunction with Uffda Fest. Fifteen local vendors will be set up in Viking Park selling everything from painted home décor, macrame wall hangings, jewelry, handmade pottery and gnomes, dog apparel, homemade cupcakes, and gluten-free baked goods, and handcrafted and hand designed wood products plus much more. The outdoor market will also feature food and live entertainment and will be open from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The local businesses on Main Street will also be open.
Lanesboro is also celebrating fall. The unsupported Filthy 50 Bike Race is on. Over 1,000 bike racers are headed to Lanesboro on Saturday, October 8 to get filthy on the gravel roads. There are just enough hills, and the scenery is spectacular. Register for either “The Extra Filthy 100-mile course, “The Filthy 50-mile course, or The Pretty Filthy 25-mile course. Register now for filthy fun in southeast Minnesota or just come and watch.
Upcoming events in Bluff Country
•October 21-23, Hot Air Balloon Display/Wild Turkey Fest, Caledonia
•October 22, Haunted Harmony, Harmony
•November 19, Holiday Fest, Harmony
•November 25-26, Festival of Trees, Spring Grove
•November 26, Experience the Magic of Lanesboro, Lanesboro
The Visit Bluff Country Magazine is delivered to more than 1,000 locations in 35 counties in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. This magazine has a mission of promoting tourism in the Historic Bluff Country (Driftless) region.
For information on upcoming town festivals and events in Historic Bluff Country, vacation ideas for lodging, recreation, dining, and shopping, check out the magazine in print or online at www.visitbluffcountry.com.