Photo from Country Sun Farm
Extreme Weather, Property Insurance and Community Response: An East Metro Listening SessionThursday, September 25, 5–7 p.m., The Grove United Methodist Church, Woodbury, 7465 Steepleview Rd. A listening session on the impacts of extreme weather and property insurance changes on East Metro communities with Peter Brickwedde, Senior Director for Insurance Sustainability and Climate at the Minnesota Department of Commerce. The event and light meal are free and sponsored by the East Metro EcoFaith Collaborative, Woodbury Community Foundation, Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light, and the Grove UMC. RSVP requested.
Washington County Historical Society Fall Membership Dinner Thursday, September 25, 5:30 p.m., Stillwater Event Center, 1910 South Greeley St., with a dinner and presentation on Walt Disney’s life and impact. $30 for non-members.
Everyday Engineering: Combatting Gravity Thursday, September 25, 6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., R.H. Stafford Library. Students in grades 5-8 can learn about some common techniques used in structural engineering and then get to experiment with the provided supplies to see who can build the tallest towers. Registration required.
Managing Your Online Finances in 2025 Friday, September 26, 1 to 2:30 p.m., R.H. Stafford Library. Hear about best practices for securing online accounts, good internet browsing habits, using a VPN, safeguarding your finances, dealing with harassing phone calls and texts, and avoiding scams.Registration required.
Mapping Prejudice Project, A Tea Talk Friday, September 26, 5 to 6 p.m., Historic Washington County Courthouse, 101 West Pine Street, Stillwater. Listen to Dave Brandt review the project, which is uncovering the racial covenants that restricted home ownership by racial minorities in Minnesota. $15.
Spirit of the St. Croix Art Festival, from 10 a.m. Saturday, September 27, to 4 p.m. Sunday, September 28, Lakefront Park, Hudson, Wis. This juried art festival features 80+ exceptional regional artists with fine art and traditional crafts for sale. The festival includes free, hands-on art activities sponsored by local businesses and community organizations, art demonstrations, live music, food trucks, and a drink tent.
One Woodbury Event, Saturday, September 27, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ojibway Park. A multicultural celebration hosted by the City of Woodbury with a diverse array of food trucks, performers, community resource booths and more.
Afton Art in the Park Saturday, September 27, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, September 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy an outdoor fine-arts and makers market in Town Square Park, featuring over 90 juried artists and makers showcasing handmade goods, including fine art, pottery, woodwork, jewelry, photography, sculpture, fiber arts and more. Also includes live music, local food, and a wine and beer garden.
Raptor Release Saturday, September 27, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Carpenter Nature Center, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings. Join The Raptor Center of the University of Minnesota as they release rehabilitated raptors. The event includes hay wagon tours, kids activities, raptors on display, and a variety of education booths from area environmental organizations. Free.
Corn Maze Saturday, September 27, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Rockpoint Church, 5825 Kelvin Ave N. Go through the corn maze, ride pedal cars, shoot the corn cannon, take a barrel train ride, throw axes (children only), and go on a wagon ride. Free.
Julia Child: A Recipe for Life Exhibit opens Saturday, September 27, through May, Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. Step into the life of Julia Child — a culinary icon who transformed American food culture with passion, persistence and an irresistible love of learning, laughter and butter.
Girl Scouts Ice Cream Social, Sunday, September 28, 3 p.m. to – 5 p.m., Peter Thompson Park, 6327 Highland Hills Blvd. S.,Cottage Grove, Learn about scouting and share free treats.
Who Would Win? St. Croix Edition with Wild Rivers Conservancy Monday, September 29, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., R.H. Stafford Library. Who do you think would win: a bobcat or a gray wolf? In this program, students in grades 3-5 will answer that question and others just like it. Based on the “Who Would Win?” series by Jerry Pallotta, students will learn about the animals that can be found throughout the watershed and be the judges of who is the regional champ. Registration required.
Woodbury Monday Night Road Ride Monday, September 29, 5 p.m., Freewheel Bike, 6415 Lake Road Terrace. The ride has a pace of 15-17 mph, and will cover around 30 miles. Road bikes only, ebikes welcome.
The Haunted Experience on Highway 61 every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in October, 10900 E. Point Douglas Rd., Cottage Grove, Scary Haunted House, Haunted Hayride, and Haunted Cornfield with live actors. Tickets available in advance or at gate.
Country Sun Farms, Daily through October, 11211 60th Street N., Lake Elmo. Come for the pumpkins, stay for fun including a corn pit, hay rides, a corn maze, the Silly String Zone, and a petting zoo. Admission is free, but many of the attractions charge a fee.
Teen Career Conversations Wednesday, October 1, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., R.H. Stafford Library. Join Washington County Library and CareerForce for an evening of career exploration for teens. Meet professionals in a variety of fields and ask questions about their career paths.
Everyday Engineering: Making it Go Thursday, October 2, 6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., R.H. Stafford Library. Students in grades 5-8 can explore how energy is transferred between objects and how to distribute energy and force throughout parts of a system. Practice using this knowledge to build and race rubber band-powered cars. Registration required.
Real Haunted Tours Friday and Saturday evenings in October, The Historic Mounds Theatre,
1029 Hudson Rd., St. Paul.Tour a dark theatre reported to be paranormally active. Most evenings reserved for those 18+, but there is one tour set aside for children. Advance tickets required.
Windfall Equestrian Center Open House and Benefit Saturday, October 4, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., 3842 Oakgreen Ave N., Stillwater, with pony rides, pet adoption, horse demos, games and food to benefit equine therapy at the center.
Corn Maze Saturday, October 4, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Rockpoint Church, 5825 Kelvin Ave. N. Go through the corn maze, ride pedal cars, shoot the corn cannon, take a barrel train ride, and go on a wagon ride. Free.
Rivertown Fall Arts Festival Saturday, October 4, and Sunday, October 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Lowell Park, 201 Water St. N., Stillwater. 100+ artists, beer, wine, music and food with free trolley shuttles to the park.
Children’s Concert and Carnival, Sunday, October 5, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Woodbury High School. The Woodbury High School Orchestra plays a short concert of favorites including Encanto and Coco followed by a fun carnival in the cafeteria. Character costumes encouraged.
Accessible Corn Maze Sunday, October 5, 2 p..m. to 5 p.m., Rockpoint Church, 5825 Kelvin Ave N. Go through the corn maze, enjoy hot dogs, games, crafts and a track chair for wheelchair users to go through the maze. Free, but advanced registration requested.
Free Entry to all Washington County Parks Tuesday, October 7.
Teens Can Paint: Introduction to Painting Wednesday, October 8, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., R.H. Stafford Library, COMPAS teaching artist Andrew Young will be leading this introduction to painting class at R.H. Stafford Library. Students aged 11-18 will explore using watercolors and acrylic paints while building off of basic drawing skills to create artwork with color and depth. Registration required.
Everyday Engineering: Earthquake Simulation Thursday, October 9, 6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., R.H. Stafford Library. Students in grades 5-8 will learn more about how to explore current real-world issues to practice identifying solutions and ways to test your solutions. Participants will build structures with LEGO bricks to test in an earthquake simulation activity. Registration required.
Fall Night Hike Thursday, October 9, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Lake Elmo Park Reserve. Meet at the Nordic Center for a walk in the crisp autumn air.
Pit Stop Thursday, October 9, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Cottage Grove Armory, 8180 Belden Blvd. Free community resources for those in need including warm meals, clothing, gas cards and more.
A Beach House Concert “A Tale of Two” Live from the St Croix River Friday, October 10, 1045 Quentin Ave S., Lakeland, with 4 p.m. boat cruises, 5 p.m. happy hour, 6 p.m. potluck dinner, 7 p.m. blues storytellers, and outdoor concert by Musicians Corner Concerts. Suggested donation $20-25.
4-H Open House, Friday, October 10, 5-7 p.m., Hooley Hall, Washington County Fairgrounds, 12300 4ntage Thrills Film0th St N., Stillwater. Pet a llama, play games, learn about 4-H.
Vintage Thrills Film Night Friday, October 10, 5-7 p.m., Washington County Historic Courthouse,101 West Pine St., Stillwater. Watch two vintage spooky films. Free.
Fall Giveaway, Saturday, October 11, 1-2 p.m., All Saints Lutheran Church, Cottage Grove, 8100 Belden Blvd. Free garage sale.
Halloween Hoopla Saturday, October 11, 3-5 p.m., Ojibway Park. Kids from 3-12 with an adult can search for a mini pumpkin to decorate, trick-or-treat at various stations, make a craft, and play Halloween carnival games.Costumes welcome. Pre-registration encouraged. Fee $15.
Stillwater Harvest Fest Saturday and Sunday October 10-11, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Downtown is filled with pumpkins weighing in, dropping, paddling in the river and folks celebrating the harvest with a beer garden, bounce houses, a kiddie parade, music and food trucks.
Spooky Stories Saturday, October 11, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Lake Elmo Park Reserve Nordic Center. Listen to a collection of family-friendly spooky stories told by a skilled storyteller. Attendees can enjoy apple cider, roast marshmallows (while supplies last), and take part in children’s crafts. For those feeling adventurous, the park’s lit trails will stay open until 9:30 p.m. for self-guided hikes under the autumn night sky. Free but vehicle permit required.
Clay Creations: Let’s Make Monsters with eHolt Arts Sunday, October 12, 1:30-3 p.m., R.H. Stafford Library. Children from ages 6 to 11 will learn to work with clay and build their own dragons, sea monsters, etc., with claws and feathers. Registration required.
Woodbury Heritage Society Presents: A Trip through the Heritage Society Archives Monday, October 13, 1 p.m to 3 p.m., Eagle Valley Golf Course, 2600 Eagle Valley Lane, Join Tom Bielenberg and Wayne Schilling to see photographs and objects from Woodbury’s past and people.Call Jennifer at the city 651-714-3583 to register for this free trip in time.
Memory Café hosted by FamilyMeans Tuesday, October 14, 1-2 p.m., R.H. Stafford Library. A welcoming place for those with memory loss caused by Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, and their caregivers that provides support and opportunities to connect with others facing similar challenges. Registration recommended.
Halloween Costume Swap Wednesday, October 15, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Washington County Environmental Center, 4039 Cottage Grove Drive. Free swap of costumes and accessories for spooky times ahead. Costume donations to be recycled can be dropped off until October 11.
Stay Safe Online Friday, October 17, 1-2:30 p.m., R.H. Stafford Library. This class offers a basic introduction to safe browsing tools and techniques, password management, social media privacy, and device maintenance. Learn what you need to protect your online information. Registration required.
Intro to Improv for Adults Saturday, October 18, 2-4 p.m., R.H. Stafford Library. An introduction to the idea of Yes And, Active Listening, Group Play, and Creating Characters on the spot for the improv curious! Don’t worry about being clever or funny, bring yourself and be ready to laugh. Registration required.
Everyday Engineering: Introduction to CAD Thursday, October 23, 6:15-7:45 p.m., R.H. Stafford Library. CAD (Computer-Aided Design) is the use of computer software to create, modify, analyze and/or optimize 2D and 3D digital models of physical objects. Students in grades 5-8 will be introduced to CAD software, designing for engineering, and testing out tools on tinkerCAD. Registration required.
Monster Bash Parade Saturday, October 25, 10 a.m., East Point Douglas Rd, Cottage Grove, Halloween parade features floats with spooky themes and treats.
Teens Make Stuff: Introduction to Oil Paints Tuesday October 28, 4:30-6:30 p.m., R.H. Stafford Library. Join this introductory workshop for 11-18-year-olds led by a professional artist from eHolt Art to learn more about and practice using oil paints to paint a landscape, learning to build layers, push contrasts, create dynamic texture and more. Registration required.
Everyday Engineering: STEM Exploration Thursday, October 30, 6:15-7:45 p.m., R.H. Stafford Library, CAD (Computer-Aided Design) is the use of computer software to create, modify, analyze, and/or optimize 2D and 3D digital models of physical objects. Students in grades 5-8 will experiment and test out engineering approaches to solve everyday needs using an assortment of STEM-focused kits. Registration required.