Midwest Tomato Fest Hits Hastings

Last Sunday, July 31st, was the first annual Midwest Tomato Fest at Afton Alps Recreation Area. Hundreds of people gathered to participate in an adult food fight with over riped tomatoes.

Organizers say the fest was inspired by La Tomatina, an annual food fight in Spain. The festivals organizers gave part of the proceeds to the Dorothy Day Center in St. Paul.

The tomato fest ran from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., with the hour long tomato fight at 2:30 p.m.

Music and trucks with showers and blowers were there to allow participants to clean up after the tomato fight.

Pioneer Village & Antique Power Show

Pioneer Village & Antique Power Show 19th Annual Little Log House Antique Power Show JULY 24, 25, 26, 2009 Show hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily

It's that time of year again to go out to the Pioneer Village and Power Show. One weekend a year the Bauer's open the Pioneer Village to the public to the restored Village. Come and see a replica of the Hastings Spiral Bridge, an Old Saloon, the Hampton Jail, a Grist Mill, blacksmith shop and Threshing Demonstration along with the ever popular Power Show. These are just a few of the many demonstrations and attractions that have been drawing people here every year. This is a great opportunity for the little ones to be entertained and learn the ways of yesteryear.

For directions and more information check their website at: http://www.littleloghouseshow.com

Hastings Gymnastics Center

Want to give an exceptional gift for someone this year? Do you need to shake off those winter blues? Then, Hastings Gymnastics Center is the place to be.

Come in and use this state of the art gymnastics facility and meet LB and his exceptional staff. Gymnastics helps develop flexibility, coordination and balance needed to perform well in all sports. It's a great place to get some excercise and have fun at the same time.

H.G.C. offers preschool and recreational classes for all ages and levels. Come in and try a class for free.

Are you looking for a place to hold birthday party? Be the talk of the town by having your birthday party hosted by the Hastings Gymnastics Center. My son had his birthday party here and boy did the kids have a blast!

They got to enjoy the trampoline, mazes, the pit and a blow up castle. I highly recommend reserving a party here.

Call 651-437-8883 for more information or check out their website at http://www.hgconline.net/

Holiday Train in Hastings

Holiday Train - December 11, 2007

Hastings is pleased to announce that they will once again be a host stop for the Canadian Pacific Railway's lighted Holiday Train. Since 1999, Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) has been running a freight train decorated with thousands of Christmas lights to raise awareness of the issue of hunger prevalent in all communities and to raise funds and food for each of the local food banks or pantries were the train stops.

This event has raised over $3 million dollars and 1.6 million pounds of food throughout the local communities. This show is free and the crowds are encouraged to bring a donation for their local food shelf. All the donations remain locally.

The show will begin in Hastings at 3:30 p.m. with local Christmas carolers. The Holiday Train arrives at the Train Depot on 2nd Street from approximately 4:00 - 5:00 P.M. at the downtown CPR depot.

The Holiday Train will continue to these following communities:

• Cottage Grove - 5:30-6:30 p.m. -West Point Douglas Road, South of Seiben Bridge in front of the Youth Service Bureau. Benefits Friends in Need Food Shelf.
  
• St. Paul - 7-8 p.m. - Upper level of Central Parking System ramp at Broadway& Kellogg under the Lafayette freeway bridge and east of old post office. Benefits Second Harvest Heartland.
• Minneapolis - 9-10 P.M. - Canadian Pacific Railway's Shoreham Yard, 2800 Central Ave NE. Benefits Eastside Neighborhood Services.

Each train includes a "stage car." Entertainers Tracy Brown, the Ennis Sisters and others will conduct a 20 to 30-minute outdoor concert. Come and join in this wonderful family event. For more information: Holiday Train.

Active History at LeDuc Mansion

If you are a history buff, love architecture or enjoy living history you must take the opportunity to visit the town of Hastings. Make sure you add a stop at the LeDuc Estate.

These elegant grounds and Estate were built back in 1865-66 for William and Mary LeDuc. It is considered one of the finest intact examples of architectural Gothic Revival by Andrew Jackson Downing.

What really makes this museum so outstanding are the volunteers who put on the plays and portray the colorful characters of history. On special event weekends you can visit with the soldiers of a Civil War encampment, play old time games, hear political debates, or see some talented works at the Hastings Artist show.

How did families store ice before we had refrigeration? Go to the back of the grounds and see the Ice House actually storing ice. Is it true they had secret underground tunnels in the mansion leading to the Vermillion River? Is this Mansion really haunted?

How about sharing a high tea in the afternoon with friends and learning how Mr. LeDuc influenced the tea industry in the United States.

Click here to learn more about the dates and times of these special event weekends at: http://www.leduc@co.dakota.mn.us

Last Place Hero to play at First Avenue

After only being together for two years these young Hastings men are beginning to make some waves in music. Joe Rowan, Dan Rowan, Zack Klimek, and Nate Hicks are the players of our favorite local alternative rock band "Last Place Hero". Last Place Hero has recently announced they will be gearing up to play at the infamous First Avenue in Minneapolis in December.

If you haven't seen Last Place Hero, now is the time to hop in the car and make a quick trip to First Avenue in Minneapolis this December and catch their high energy show. The show is a nice mixture of their favorite cover music and original songs. It's Last Place Hero's original music that really gets the crowd on their feet and waving the cell phones.

As a side note to any Hastings English teacher that happens to go to these former students myspace site; the old adage of "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink" does come to mind.

To the lads, I love your music, but, rhythm doesn't have an "e" and double check your spelling on Minneapolis. I close my eyes after that :) .

Click on the myspace link below and hear some seriously good music and discover a bit of the flavor of my favorite band Last Place Hero: you will be glad you did.

YMCA & Youth First, Hastings Halloween Party

Youth First and the Hastings YMCA have teamed up this year to put on a Halloween Party! By combining the events they will be able to provide more activities, prizes and fun for all.

The event will be from 5PM to 8 p.m. Friday, October 26th in the Hastings Middle School so bring the family and share in the Halloween activities, food, and of course candy!

This is a non-profit event and is free for all those who attend, so please bring a donation for the local food shelf. If you would like to volunteer or give a donation for the event call Jake at the YMCA, or Ann at Youth First, (651) 480-6175.

New Coborn's Opens!

Great News for the people on the south side of Hastings. The much anticipated Coborn's Superstore has opened! Besides the grocery store, Coborn's will have a liquor store and gas station. So far many of the clients of the store have been impressed with the store.

If you have the chance please stop in and give them a warm welcome to Hastings!

Hastings National Karate goes to The Diamonds!

The 30th annual Diamond Nationals World Karate Championships were held in St. Paul, MN on October 12-13th. To those of you not familiar with Diamond Nationals, it is a world tournament open to all karate schools and is considered to be the premier karate tournament in the nation.

The Hastings students ranging in ages from five years to sixty+ competed against the nation's best in areas of traditional form, sparring, and weapons. The Hastings National Karate School has consistently had one of the highest number of student participation rates in this tournament with their students earning an extraordinary amount of the top awards as well. As you can see from the picture above, they are carrying on that strong tradition.

Congratulations to all the students, parents, and instructors for participating and putting on some incredible performances throughout the day. All your hard work and efforts deserve a big round of applause.

If you would like to learn more about the school go to: Hastings National Karate .