Harvest Moon Festival set at Dakota City

Dakota City Heritage Village is making plans for its annual Harvest Moon Festival set for 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, and Saturday, Oct. 20. The annual event, which coincides with the fall school break, draws hundreds of children, parents and grandparents. It provides hands-on activities to acquaint children with chores and leisure activities of the early 1900s.

Children will receive a tally sheet to visit activity stations around the village. Visitors will be invited to pick, shell and grind corn; dip candles, make rope, pump water, grind coffee, write on slates, play “drop the clothespin,” try out hoops and stilts, participate in a gunny sack race and make a corn husk doll. When each activity has been completed, each visitor’s tally sheet will be stamped. Costumed interpreters will lead the activities and staff the village’s buildings.

Children will have until 6:15 p.m. to complete the activities before the buildings close prior to hayrides. The stamped tally sheets can be taken to the Post Office to receive a coupon for free admission with a paid adult to the December Christmas in the Village. Hot and cold food and drinks will be available in the Drug Store. The Gift/Confectionery Shop will feature homemade items, candy and collectibles. Hayrides will be offered from 6:30 until 8 p.m. when the village will close.

Admission fees will be $5 for ages 13 and up and $3 for ages 4 through 12. Children 3 and under will be admitted free. For more information, visit www.dakotacity.org or call Dakota City at 651-460-8050. Dakota City is located at 4008-220th St. W. on the fairgrounds in Farmington.

Tags: go and do, events, entertainment, local