Best Fall Festivals To Attend In Minnesota

The Daily Meal Staff|Aug. 23, 2014 7:00 am EST

Everyone loves a good festival. Luckily, there are many to choose from in Minnesota. When fall weather begins, Minnesotans celebrate the end of another summer and the excitement brought on by cooler temperatures. The favorites of fall in Minnesota seem to include enjoying the outdoors and spending time with family. Bring the family outdoors and combine these great parts of fall by attending a community festival. Visit any of these for an enjoyable time.

St. Helena Autumn Daze Festival
St. Helena Catholic Church
3204 E. 43rd St.
Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 729-7344
www.sainthelena.us

Dates: Sept. 12-14, 2014

Back again and bigger than ever for another weekend of festive fall fun is the St. Helena Autumn Daze Festival. Held on the grounds of St. Helena Catholic Church and School, the block will be jam packed with entertainment for all ages. Enjoy the "large garage sale (Attic Treasures), quilt and cash bingo, live and silent auction, great food, a chance at a $5K and car raffle, kids games and rides." Wake up with the favored fresh-made caramel rolls and stick around for a plate of some of the best Chinese food you can find in Minnesota. Stay replenished all days with beers from the beer booth, a few of which come from local breweries. Stay late on Friday for a fireworks show at 10 p.m. and return early on Saturday to stake out a spot for the parade at 10 a.m. Live entertainment will be provided all weekend long.

Applefest at Carlos Creek Winery
6693 County Road 34 N.W.
Alexandria, MN 56308
(320) 846-5443
www.carloscreekwinery.com

Date: Oct. 18, 2014 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

A festival to celebrate the end of the apple harvest in Minnesota, Applefest is held annually at Carlos Creek Winery in Western Minnesota. The winery offers a large amount of activities for the entire family, including pumpkin carving and face painting. The locals enjoy the catapult contest and demonstration put on each year as well as the pie eating contest for kids. Enjoy some apples while you're there and sample some wine from the winery, of course. Food and beer are also available for hungry and thirsty festival visitors.

First Thursday Fun Fest
Mill St. in Downtown Cannon Falls
Cannon Falls, MN 55009
(507) 263-2289
www.cannonfalls.org

Date: Sept. 4, 2014 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Cannon Falls is situated in southern Minnesota, a beautiful area of the state full of rolling hills, trees and quaint towns. In September, Cannon Falls will be hosting a First Thursday Fun Fest for locals and visitors. Check out the street vendors and enjoy entertainment supported by the local community. Vendors will be selling homemade crafts, local food, lawn furniture and homemade honey. Enjoy games and music for the kids and support this beautiful town.

(credit: Thinkstock)

Duluth Superior Pride Festival
Bayfront Festival Park
350 Harbor Drive
Duluth, MN 55802
(218) 761-0726
www.dspride.com

Date: Aug. 28-31, 2014

The Pride Festival in Duluth, Minnesota is celebrating its 26th year on the shores of Lake Superior. A fun and lively gathering to celebrate diversity and end discrimination based on sexual identity, the Pride Festival brings an atmosphere of joy to the end of summer. The festival lasts all weekend and is fun for the entire family. Food vendors line downtown Duluth along with a wide variety of entertainment. An exhibition depicting GLBT history is on display to promote education in the community. Also planned is a 5K race along with a fundraising drag show on the last day. Enjoy a variety of events and fun at the Pride Festival this year.

Chester Bowl Fall Festival
Chester Bowl Park
1801 E. Skyline Parkway
Duluth, MN 55812
(218) 724-9832
www.chesterbowl.org

Date: Sept. 20, 2014 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Located at beautiful Chester Bowl Park in Duluth, the Chester Bowl Festival is something locals look forward to every year. There is an abundance of activities for the kids that include face painting and a bouncy house. The most popular attraction at the festival is the farmers' market. Loaded with locally grown produce and fruits of the season, the farmers' market features the best in the state. Visit the craft vendors and enjoy live music as well. The festival is free but donations are encouraged to raise money for the Chester Bowl ski program for local kids.

Emma Krumbee's Scarecrow Festival
311 Enterprise Drive E.
Belle Plaine, MN 56011
(952) 873-4334
www.emmakrumbees.com

Date: Sept. 6, 2014 – Oct. 26, 2014

Emma Krumbee's apple orchard and pumpkin patch in Belle Plaine opens to the public to provide a scarecrow festival and many other fun activities in the fall. The scarecrow competition and display is the heart of the festival, but everyone can enjoy the activities and entertainment provided along with the display. Belle Plaine is about 45 minutes southwest of the Twin Cities and offers a large orchard and farm with animals, pony rides, music and games. Over 100 scarecrows of all shapes and designs are on display alongside a farmers' market which features local produce and flowers. Enjoy the final opportunity to pick apples and pumpkins at Emma Krumbee's.

Andrea Wodele is a freelance writer who has lived in the Twin Cities for eight years. She loves covering all things Minnesota and her work can be found on Examiner.com.