Fall Destinations
320-543-2285
2C Monday , August 29 , 2016
Fall Destinations
Several festivals set for fall
Don Nelson designs and creates an election-themed corn maze every four years , as a way to encourage people to vote . This year will be no exception . The maze will be open the end of September through the end of October . SUBMITTED PHOTO
Amazing corn mazes at Litchfield farm
BY STARRLA CRAY Associate Editor
What does it take to create a corn maze ?
Don Nelson , owner of Nelson Farm in Litchfield , knows that the process starts long before stalks are tall and tasseling .
“ We ’ ve been doing this for many years ,” he said , noting that the mazes are part of the farm ’ s annual Pumpkin Patch Festival , which runs the last weekend in September through the last weekend in October .
Nelson ’ s first maze , in 1998 , featured a smiling person who had one hand waving in the air . The second year had “ Go Vikes ” written in the corn , along with a picture of a Viking . Other years have included everything from Smokey Bear to a remembrance of the 9 / 11 terrorist attack victims .
“ We have many options , of course – as many as your brain can come up with ,” Nelson said . “ We had a pig last year , for the pork industry , and we ’ ve had the dairy industry in the past .”
Every four years , Nelson does an election theme .
“ This year ’ s will say ‘ Vote 2016 ’ and in the corn maze , we ’ ll have signs with ideas of why people should vote ,” he said .
Spring and summer
Planting the 5-acre maze is similar to planting a normal field of corn , except the rows are planted in both directions .
“ This means we can have a grid that ’ s exactly 30 inches square ,” Nelson explained . “ We use to have grids every 40 feet , but that ’ s changed through the years so we can be more exact .”
Getting the design to look right takes calculation and planning .
“ We start laying out the pattern when the corn is just coming through the ground ,” Nelson said . “ We take out the corn that ’ s part of the design .”
This is done with garden tractors and cultivators , as well as by hand with hoes .
“ We usually have about four people working on it ,” Nelson said .
He ’ s never kept track of the hours spent , but said this step usually takes about three weeks of intermittent work .
‘ To see people having fun in it , that ’ s the best part .’
– Don Nelson , corn maze creator for the Nelson Farm Pumpkin Patch Festival
But the job doesn ’ t stop there .
“ We need to keep the weeds out of there ,” Nelson said . “ We constantly work on that , basically all summer .”
An aerial photo of the maze is taken each summer , just before the corn tassels .
Finally fall
Before visitors arrive , Nelson ’ s team hides clothespins in the maze .
“ If people find one , we usually give them a free bag of mini donuts ,” Nelson said .
Nelson said he thinks this year ’ s maze is going to be one of the more challenging ones to navigate . He tries not to make them too difficult , though , in order to give people time to experience the other activities at the Pumpkin Patch Festival , as well .
After the festival ’ s last weekend , the field is harvested .
“ It ’ s never a good crop ,” Nelson said , noting that there are bare spots from the design , and from people walking through .
However , Nelson is happy to reap a different kind of harvest each year .
“ It ’ s made for fun , and for people to get in the corn ,” he said . “ To see people having fun in it , that ’ s the best part .”
Performers danced together at last year ’ s Red Rooster Days .
PHOTO BY MICHELE MUNSON
BY BRIANNA MATHIAS Editorial Intern
Not too long from now , leaves will be falling , temperatures will drop , and pumpkinflavored versions of everything will start hitting the shelves .
Though summer may be ending , and sweater weather fast-approaching , there are still several festivals planned for the upcoming months .
Red Rooster Days
Dassel ’ s 57th annual Red Rooster Days celebration will take place Sept . 3-5 this year .
At the Dassel Ball Park will be the state ’ s largest chicken barbeque . Tickets , both advance and at the gate , are $ 9 .
The Red Rooster fine arts show will take place at the Dassel History Center over the course of the festival .
A bike ride , as well as 5- and 1-mile walks will take place .
More information and details about registration and entries can be found online at http :// dassel . com / city-of-dassel / redrooster-days /.
Renaissance Festival
The Minnesota Renaissance Festival will take place weekends until Oct . 2 . in Shakopee .
Each weekend has a specific theme .
• Sept . 3-5 – Passport to Adventure
• Sept . 10-11 – Wine , chocolate , and romance
• Sept . 17-18 – Pet fest
• Sept . 24-25 – Shamrocks and Shenanigans
• Sept . 30 – Festival Friday
• Oct . 1-2 – Oktoberfest
This year , new events include the King ’ s Karpool , Throne of Swords , Ménage a Trois Wine Bar , Vikings Encampment , 50 free family activities , Wizards Flight School Zip Line , whiskey and scotch tastings , craft cocktails , and Bust Duster Bingo .
Stary Olsa , a medieval Belarusian band , will also debut at the festival this year . More information is online at http :// renaissancefest . com /.
Loretto Fun Fest
Loretto ’ s annual Fun Fest is scheduled for Saturday , Sept .
10 this year . Starting at 3 p . m . at the Loretto Ballfields , market vendors will serve food , and the medallion hunt will begin .
Kids play free again this year .
From 3-7 p . m . the following activities will take place :
• Inflatables – 23-foot slide , toddler playground , bounce house , and the log sweeper .
• 25 foot -rock climbing wall
• Kiddie train
• Face painting
• Henna Tattoos
• Caricatures
• Gonzo the Clown
• KRWC road show
• K-9 demonstration
• North Aircare Helicopter visit .
Throughout the festival , there will be opportunities to donate to local organizations . Fireworks begin at dusk .
St . Mary ’ s Beer Festival
To raise funds for St . Mary ’ s Care Center in Winsted , a beer festival takes place each year . This year , the event is scheduled for Saturday , Sept . 10 .
The beer fest will take place rain or shine . Big tents will be set up to keep those in attendance shaded and dry .
Hammerschlagen , an old German game , will be available . Live music will be provided by the South 40 Band , and others .
MN Arboretum
A few events will also take
place at the Arboretum in Chaska this fall .
Nordic walking will be Tuesday , Sept . 6 and Tuesday , Oct . 4 , at 1 p . m . and 6 p . m at the Oswald Visitor Center .
This Scandinavian technique of using poles while hiking is a growing trend for hikers who want to increase upper body strength .
Two honeybee drawing classes will take place Saturday , Sept . 24 . The first class from 9 a . m . to 1 p . m . will teach graphite techniques . The second class from 2 to 6 p . m . will use colored pencil .
For more events , and registration information , visit http :// www . arboretum . umn . edu .
This corn maze of a smiling pumpkin commemorated the 25th year of the Nelson Farm Pumpkin Patch Festival in 2014 .
SUBMITTED PHOTO
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