Wander Minnesota: Pumpkin Nights
Last week, we looked at a variety of Halloween events taking place around the state, many of which are long-established annual event. But there's a new event that just opened, taking advantage of the now-empty Minnesota State Fairgrounds: Pumpkin Nights.
The space allows Pumpkin Nights to have more than 3,000 pumpkins on display along with other Halloween-related arts and crafts, grouped into 12 separate worlds. As the Pumpkin Nights organizers note, the fairgrounds is a very appropriate place for this event, given that the State Fair has displayed pumpkins pretty much every year since its inception.
The 12 worlds on display are: Scarecrow Row, Community Carving, International Bazaar, the Great Garden, Dia de Los Muertos, Dracula's Graveyard, Picture Minnesota, Pumpkin Galaxy, Rum River Pirates, Pumpkin Passage, Witch's Brew, and the Great Pumpkin Reef.
The displays are set along a half-mile trail (which is both wheelchair-and stroller-friendly), and costumed visitors are more than welcome.
But not only are visitors welcome; bring your own carved pumpkin to donate to the Community Carving world, and Pumpkin Nights will donate $5 to Scares That Care.
There will even be some fair food vendors on hand in case all those pumpkins and activities make you want a little snack—or some hot cocoa.
This is a very family-friendly event, with no alcohol being sold, just hot cocoa and cider. While there are some mildly scary pieces, including 20-foot-tall inflatable spiders, there is no gore or blood or creatures jumping unexpectedly out of corners.
There's free parking at the West Como Lot, across from the entrance.
So if you're looking for a fun, but not terribly scary, way to enjoy the Halloween season, look no further than the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.
What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.