Fall Activities in the Grove
Cottage Grove Farmers Market
Thursdays until October 13 | United Church of Christ
The Cottage Grove Farmers Market runs every Thursday throughout the summer into the fall. Featuring all your favorite fruit and vegetables, as well as some unique varieties from local farmers, the market is the perfect place for all your farm to table needs.
- Homemade beauty products: soaps, lotions and bath bombs.
- Sweets: Syrups, honey, candies, jellies and baked goods.
- Goods: New, used and homemade clothing and jewelry.
Grab some heartty ‘farm to you’ meats for the family and top it off by bringing your knives, scissors and shears to the mobile knife sharpener! And if you don’t feel like cooking dinner, opt for the hot off the press hot dogs or the various food trucks that stop by each week!
Whistling Well Farm Opening Day
September 3 | Whistling Well Farm
Opening day begins Labor Day Weekend and Whistling Well Farm is so excited to greet you and your family to their quaint oasis just outside Cottage Grove.
Pick from a variety of different apples, shop their country store, and later in the fall choose from their amazing selection of locally-grown colorful mums for your fall decor. Don’t forget the pumpkins! Also appearing later in the fall is a wide selection of pumpkins of all sizes for your carving and picture perfect family photos.
Beginning September 11 and every weekend through October 30, Whistling Well will also have live music at the Farm for your to enjoy.
Afton Apple Anniversary Weekend
September 10-11 | Afton Apple
Celebrate 32 years and counting of Afton Apple memories!
Once inside, activities abound for both youth and adults. In addition to Afton Apples gigantic playground and petting farm, there will also be hayrides, yard games, music, concessions, a beer tent and more!
Rooted in Junk Garden Art Market
September 15-17 | Zywiec’s
Rooted in Junk is a unique collection of hand-crafted items from junkers, makers, & artists. From home décor to handmade bath bombs, you’ll find it all at Rooted in Junk!
Ribfest
September 16-17 | Zywiec’s
While checking out the great selection of vintage finds, handmade goodies, and garden art at Rooted in Junk, chow on some BBQ ribs and help out a great cause! All proceeds from Ribfest go directly to the Fisher House Foundation.
Crisp Days of Fall Craft and Gift Show
September 17 | Cottage Grove Armory
Come to the show to shop at some amazing crafters and stock up on gifts for the holidays!
The Haunting Experience
September 17—October 31 | Zywiec’s
The Haunting Experience ahs all of the attractions you need for a fun Halloween scare as well as live music on select nights.
THE HAYRIDE
Gather up your family and friends and take a ride on Minnesota’s longest consecutively running haunted hayride; now in it’s 36 year!
Beware! The hayride is not for the faint of heart. It’s filled with spine-chilling surprises as you go through the haunted forest and the terrors of Wilhelm Steelworks. Along the way, you will also encounter creatures that lurk along the trails.
THE HAUNTED HOUSE
After the hayride, test your grit through one of the scariest haunted houses that you’ve ever encountered. The Haunting Experience’s famous haunted house is filled with Perils and dark entities that are hungry for screams and terror.
Afton Apple Corn Maze
September 24 | Afton Apple
Fall Fun Fest
October 8-9, 15-16, 20-23, 29-30 | Zywiec’s
Halloween doesn’t always have to be about a spine-chilling experience. If you are looking to dip your feet into something a little less scary and more playful, head over to Zywiec’s Garden Center where you’ll find family-friendly Halloween fun including:
- Goat feeding and petting
- Hayrides
- Coloring station
- No-scare haunted house tour
- Pumpkin painting station
- Sand art station
Skating Spooktacular
October 26 | Cottage Grove Ice Arena
Back by overwhelming demand, experience a fun and one-of a-kind experience as our ice arena is transformed into the ultimate family-friendly spooky experience! Complete with music, lights, fog and other festive goodies this is one event you won’t want to miss! Purchase tickets early as last year this event sold out. Tickets are required in advance.
Monster Bash Parade
October 29 | District 833 Service Center to the District 833 Program Center
The Monster Bash parade is an annual family fun tradition held the SAturday before HAlloween along East POint Douglas Road South. Individuals and families are welcome (and encouraged!) to dress up to participate in the fun. Typically held in late morning, this is a perfect event to add to your Halloween activity round-up.
Halloween Extravaganza
October 29 | Shepard Farm
Celebrate Halloween at Dodge Nature Center’s Shepard Farm! Trick-or-treat through the woods and ride on the hay wagon to look for ghosts and goblins. You can meet slithery creatures, dance to the music, and warm up by the bonfire. Try your luck at field games to win extra treats, then settle in for some silly science skits that will educate and entertain. Food available for purchase while you are enjoying the fall fun.
Preregister online for $8/person before 12 p.m. on October 28 or purchase tickets at the gate for $10/person. *Children ages 2 and under are free.
Pumpkin Chuck
November 2 | Peter Thompson Park
Toss it. Launch it. Roll is down a slide. Join us Nov. 2 for your last chance to wear your costume and get rid of your Halloween pumpkins in a fun way.
