Weekend Planner

See, taste, hear and enjoy what life was like 150 years ago at the 24th annual Big Island Rendezvous and Festival this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Bancroft Bay Park.

Over 1,000 early America re-enactors will occupy more than 250 white teepees, lodges and shelters.

Colonial crafts for sale include pottery, woodworking, clothing, jewelry, artwork, blacksmith demonstrations, candles and other handmade items from artisans from 15 states and Canada.

Enjoy some delectables of yesteryears, including kettle corn, wild rice soup, funnel cakes, homemade root beer, buffalo, fry bread, beef stew, grilled pork chops and smoked turkey legs.

Craft demonstrations, black powder shooting competitions, parades, drills, Native American camp and live cannon rounds by New Ulm Battery are just a few of the activities on the roster.

Three new acts are being welcomed to the rendezvous stage this year, including Atwater-Donnelly performing a unique blend of traditional American and Celtic folk music and dance; The Eelpout Stringers, an old-time string band from the Twin Cities and The ‘Pouts, who refer to themselves as “old fogies playing old-time music.”

Admission is $10 each day for people ages 12 and older; $6 for children ages 6 to 11 and free for children ages 5 and under. Admission includes events and parking.

Call 1-800-658-2526 for discount tickets, family passes or more information.

Friday

• Come for the pumpkins, stay for the fun at Farmer John’s Pumpkin Patch. Open daily from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m. through October 31. Located at 90537 273rd Street, 3/4 miles south of Highway 251 off Mower Freeborn Road in Austin.
• Enjoy an evening of dinner, dancing and socializing at the Sunken Treasures Second annual Fall Formal from 6 p.m. to midnight at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club. Admission is $35 per person, which includes hors d’oeuvres, meal and dancing. Proceeds from the silent auction will go to Group Support Services.

Saturday

• Enjoy fresh garden produce, fall produce, baked goods, locally created arts, crafts and more at the Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the North Broadway Avenue parking lot.
• Discover the message in the maze at the Prairie River Camp Corn Maze, open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Located at 52792 80th St. in Bricelyn. Take Interstate-90 exit 134 and go three miles south on Highway 253.
• Come for the pumpkins, stay for the fun at Farmer John’s Pumpkin Patch. Open daily from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m. through October 31. Located at 90537 273rd Street, 3/4 miles south of Highway 251 off Mower Freeborn Road in Austin.
• The 24th annual Big Island Rendezvous will be from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Bancroft Bay Park. Enjoy colonial crafts, foods, activities and demonstrations. Admission is $10 each day for people ages 12 and older; $6 for children ages 6 to 11 and free for children ages 5 and under. Admission includes events and parking. Call 1-800-658-2526 for discount tickets and family passes and more information.

Sunday

• The Emmons Fire Department’s annual Pancake Breakfast will be from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Emmons Fire Hall. Donations will be accepted at the door with proceeds going toward the purchase of a new fire truck.
• St. Aidan’s Catholic Church in Ellendale will host its Annual Ham Dinner from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Ellendale School Cafeteria, located at 200 School Street in Ellendale. The family-style, all-you-can-eat meal includes baked ham, real mashed potatoes and gravy, coleslaw with their special dressing, green beans, relishes, homemade buns, apple crisp, coffee, milk and water. Admission for adults is $8.50 each, ages 3 to 10 is $4 each and children under the age of 3 eat free. A bake and craft sale is also planned.
• The 24th annual Big Island Rendezvous will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bancroft Bay Park. Enjoy colonial crafts, foods, activities and demonstrations. Admission is $10 each day for people ages 12 and older; $6 for children ages 6 to 11 and free for children ages 5 and under. Admission includes events and parking. Call 1-800-658-2526 for discount tickets and family passes and more information.
• The Alden Area Lion’s Club is sponsoring a roast beef dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Alden school. Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for children ages 10 and under. Takeouts are available. Proceeds will benefit the Alden Area Lions’ Scholarships.
• People and their furry family friends of all species and sizes are invited to the first annual “Blessing of the Animals” from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the New Richland City Park, 215 South Broadway in New Richland. The ceremony is organized by the New Richland Ministerial Association. The event will also feature an “Ask the Vet” information booth, a K-9 demonstration and representatives from a number of area animal organizations will be in attendance. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to the American Legion building across from the park.
• Come for the pumpkins, stay for the fun at Farmer John’s Pumpkin Patch. Open daily from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m. through October 31. Horse-drawn wagon rides from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Located at 90537 273rd Street, 3/4 miles south of Highway 251 off Mower Freeborn Road in Austin.
• Discover the message in the maze at the Prairie River Camp Corn Maze, open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Located at 52792 80th St. in Bricelyn. Take I-90 exit 134 and go three miles south on Highway 253.