October Events

Oktoberfest • Fri, Sept. 29 – Sat, Oct 7 • Oktoberfest Grounds, La Crosse
• Music, food, entertainment, carnival, plus three parades: Opening Day Parade (Fri, Sept. 29, 10:15 am, from 2nd & Market to 2nd & La Crosse streets); Maple Leaf Parade (Sat, Sept. 30, 10 am, Clinton & Copeland to 2nd & King); Torchlight Parade (Thu, Oct 5, 7 pm, Kane & Gillette south on Caledonia to St. James). Buttons are $5 for adults, kids 12 and under, free. No button required on Mon, Tue, Wed. More info: (608) 784-3378 or www.oktoberfestusa.com

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie & Other Stories • Fri, Oct. 6, 7-8 pm • Page Theater, Saint Mary's University
• Seven stories come to life in this fast-paced musical revue, including “Amazing Grace” by Mary Hoffman, “Borreguita and the Coyote” by Verna Aardema, “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” by Laura Joffe Numeroff, “Imogene’s Antlers” by David Small, “Martha Speaks” by Susan Meddaugh, “Math Curse” by Jon Scieszka, and “Owen” by Kevin Henkes.More info: www.pagetheatre.org

Galesville Apple Affair • Sat, Oct. 7 • Galesville, Wis
• Food (including a 10-ft apple pie), arts and crafts, music, horseshoe games, and bike tours of area apple orchards. Buses leave from the downtown venue regularly to tour historic Eastside Farm. More info: www.galerep.com/apple.html

WSU Homecoming Parade • Sat., Oct. 7, 10 am • Huff St. (beginning at Broadway St. and ending at Mark St.)
• More info on WSU Homecoming activities: www.winona.edu/alumnirelations/3871.htm

Milwaukee Road 261 (steam locomotive) Fall Color Excursions • Sat., Oct. 7 & Sun., Oct 8 • Amtrak Station
• The Milwaukee Road 261 steam locomotive makes its annual visit to Winona. Come see the train from 11:45-12 and 2:15-2:30 each day (times are approximate). Or ride the train to La Crescent and back to Winona; roundtrip tickets are $29 for children 3-14, and $39 for adults for a coach ticket. For more info: 651-765-9812 or www.261.com (click on “order tickets,” then on “fall color excursions,” in the left-hand navigation bar)

Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry 25th Celebration • Thu, Oct 12 - Sun, Oct. 15 • Minnesota Equestrian Center (off Hwy 43, take Hwy 21 west for 1 mile)
• This national event marks the 25th anniversary of the Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry and showcases Fjord horse versatility. Highlights include horse shows 8 am-6 pm Saturday, and Fjord horses dancing to choreographed music, 7 pm Saturday. Free admission. More info: (585) 872-4114 or www.nfhr.com

Pumpkin Patch • Sat, Oct. 14, 9:30 - 12 • Franklin Bronk & Sons Family Farm, Winona
• Celebrate fall harvest with hay rides, snacks, and crafts for your children. No registration necessary; $3 per person to be paid at the farm. Meet at the ECFE parking lot, 5100 W 9th St. (Goodview School) to caravan to the farm.

Big Muddy River Rendezvous • Tue, Oct. 17 – Sun, Oct. 22 • Prairie Island Park, Winona.
• Re-enactors portray life at a 1700s fur-trading camp.

Autumn Adventures • Sat, Oct. 21, 9-10 am • Minnesota Marine Art Museum (800 Riverview Dr., Winona)
• This is a free storytelling event at the new Minnesota Marine Art Museum. Enjoy family-friendly autumnal tales in front of original artworks. A short seasonal art project will follow the stories. More info: 474.6626 or minnesotamarineartmuseum.org

Haunted Library Party • Tue, Oct. 24, 6-7 pm • Children's Department, Winona Public Library
• Halloween storytime, craft, activity, snack & trick-or-treat tour! Wear your Halloween finery! Sign up at 452-4592.

BOO-seum • Fri, Oct. 27, 5:30-8 pm • La Crosse Children’s Museum (207 5th Ave S, La Crosse)
• Halloween party for ages 2-6 with adult. Sing-along with Hans Mayer (shows at 6:30 7); games; inflatables; treats; crafts. Costumes optional. Admission with Hans Meyer concert: $5 per child for members, $7 per child for non-members; 1 free adult per child; extra adults pay child fee. Admission without Hans Meyer concert: $3 per child for members, $5 per child for non-members. More info: 608-784-2652 or www.childmuseumlax.org.

SMU Halloween Party • Monday, Oct. 30, 6-8 pm • Toner Center, Saint Mary's University
• Annual Halloween party hosted by SMU Residence Life: trick-or-treating in the freshman dorms, games, crafts, snacks. Bring a costume!

Did we miss your event? Add it to the comments section below for events that fall in the month of October; e-mail WinonaECFEPTA@gmail.com with events for future editions of the Winona Area Family Events Calendar.