2017 Upcoming Autumn and Winter Events in Lanesboro, Minnesota!

    

The time to start planning your visit to Bluff Country is now…an autumn visit to Lanesboro may be just what you need after a busy summer. Bluff Country transitions beautifully into fall, with rustling leaves and cool crisp air. Bike on the gorgeous Root River Trail and witness the colors of changing leaves and golden wildflowers. Wear your favorite scarf and enjoy sweater weather while taking a stroll through town with a cup of your favorite warm beverage. At harvest time, Lanesboro offers an atmosphere worth taking in. There are many activities for you to enjoy throughout the autumn months and into the winter months as well!

     

The Root River Trail will soon be lined with red, yellow, orange and brown clusters. The valley will be transformed into rolling changes of color and limestone bluffs cloaked with hardwood trees. At its peak, between late September and mid-October, cyclists can soak in bluff country’s changing of leaf colors. With the early autumn-like weather we’ve been experiencing, the fall colors could arrive even earlier this year. If you would like to track fall foliage, you can do so by simply visiting the DNR’s website.

   

A visit to the Root River Valley in the fall months is an experience you will cherish for years to come. The scenic valley is overtaken with all that autumn has to offer. The trail will be free of pesky bugs and the only sound around may be the rustling and crunching of leaves under the tires of your bicycle as other cyclists pass by with a friendly wave. Fat pumpkins will sit at farmers’ markets and homemade baskets, jams and apple butter will await purchase from the Amish.

Dedicated local farmers and growers of the Lanesboro Farmer’s Market offer healthy, nutritious foods with lots of flavor. Offering home-grown, homemade goods that are sustainable and local, the farmers’ market strengthens direct relationships between family farms and people like you. Farmers and growers have joined together to offer the best in locally produced eggs, honey and maple syrup, fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and dried goods. Pumpkins can be found in all shapes and sizes this season! From wonderful preserves, pickles and relishes to homemade soaps and tasty baked goods, Lanesboro Farmers’ Market offers a variety of local goods and so much more. The market is open every Saturday until October 28, from 9am until noon at Sylvan Park.

The Lanesboro Area Art Trail offers you the opportunity to visit the studio artists of Lanesboro. This event is free of charge and takes place on the weekends of September 15-16th and October 6-7th. Visit www.lanesboroareaarttrail.com for more information on featured artists and galleries.

Food lovers won’t want to miss Taste of the Trail, a time to sample the cuisine and culture of the communities along the Root River State Bike Trail. This event takes place three weekends in September. Lanesboro, Whalan and Peterson host on Saturday, September 9th. High Court Pub will be hosting its first annual Fall Beer Fest along with Taste of the Trail. They will be featuring fall beer from craft breweries around the Midwest.

The 2017 History Alive! Pop-up Plays, Lanesboro 1930s, The Sequel, will be September 23 and 24 and September 30 and Oct. 1. Performance tours begin at 1 pm and 3 pm at Sons of Norway Lodge, Lanesboro, MN. Free will donations are encouraged! Prepare to walk 6 blocks, otherwise a wagon will be available for the handicapped and elderly. This engaging experience will feature local residents portraying notable personalities from the 1930’s. You won’t want to miss it!

Lanesboro Girls Day OUt 

Ladies! Be sure to make plans to visit Lanesboro for the next Girls’ Day Out on Saturday, Sept. 23rd. There will be market vendors from 10am -5 pm, live music, a style show, and specials in our local downtown stores. Gift certificates worth $400 will be given away at the drawing at 4:00 p.m. The style show at noon will feature fall fashions from Beautiful Something, E-2 Boutique and our very own Stone Mill Clothing & Gifts! Get ready to spend the day with your favorite gals and shop away!

Small Business Saturday is an opportunity for you to support the small businesses of Lanesboro after the Thanksgiving holiday. One of the lovely things about Lanesboro is that every business is locally owned. Lanesboro has made a name for itself as a premier destination in the Midwest with historic lodging, a plethora of quaint bed and breakfasts, cozy eateries, and unique shopping destinations. This November 25th, come support the neighborhood businesses that have helped make Lanesboro what it is today. You can find beautiful quilts at Cheryl’s Fabric Garden. Shop for wonderful clothing at boutiques such as Stone Mill Clothing and Gifts, Beautiful Something, and E2. Small Business Saturday will be the perfect opportunity to find fabulous additions for your wardrobe, fun gifts, jewelry, and artistic treasures, all while supporting Lanesboro businesses. Get your Christmas shopping done early!

      

The highlight of our winter season is Lanesboro’s wonderful Christmas Inn Tour. This year, the tour will take place on Sunday, December 3rd from 2-6pm. You are invited to share a heartwarming afternoon with your friends and family. This event will showcase Lanesboro area lodging destinations, decorated for the season. Holiday refreshments will be served. Advance tickets are $25 per person, and day of tour sales will be $30 per person. Weekend overnight guests at participating inns and hotels receive tour tickets for only $15, so you may want to book your reservations sooner rather than later. You can purchase tickets in person at Lanesboro Visitor Center (100 Milwaukee Road), by phone at 507-467-2696, or online at www.lanesboro.com and simply click on “What to do.”

Bring your dancing shoes to Lanesboro! The Holiday Dinner Dance takes place on December 2nd! Enjoy live entertainment, a social hour, dancing and fine cuisine, all in one place! Call the Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center at 507-467-2696 for more information on this upcoming event.

The Commonweal Theatre features both matinee shows at 1:30 pm and evening shows at 7:30 pm. Steel Magnolias is a story that celebrates the gift of friendship and will be showing until October 23rd. Ghostwriter, based on the novelist Franklin Woolsey, shows until November 12th. The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge is a delightful spoof on the holiday classic that will play from November 16th through December 22nd. Check out commonwealtheatre.org or call their box office at (800) 657-7025 for additional information.

We are fortunate to have Eagle Bluff Skills School right outside of Lanesboro. They offer a unique experience for adults who wish to learn new skills for sustainable living. Have you ever admired an oil painting? You can create your very own. Weave a basket. Take part in the Amish experience and make bread or homemade noodles. Learn the art of cheese making, or build your own bent willow chair. You can show off your new skills when you return home! Classes at Eagle Bluff are offered throughout the year.

   

As always, you can cozy up with your sweetie during a romantic getaway this winter season. Plan that special getaway with your loved one and take a break from the busyness of this holiday season. Stone Mill Hotel & Suites offers 5 jacuzzi suites and rooms with fireplaces. There are different packages available for the perfect winter getaway, with two massage therapists available on site. Call our historic inn at 507-467-8663, we will be happy to assist you with any questions and inquiries! Enjoy the upcoming seasons and hope to see you soon!

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