Activities in the Region

 History Partners Memory Café

  • Steele County Historical Society - Steele County History Center - 1700 Austin Road, Owatonna
  • 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, 10:00-11:15 a.m.
  • Memory Café serves to provide education, area services, and community resources in a safe environment for persons living with mild to moderate dementia and their caregivers.
  • This is an in-person program focused on awareness of dementia and connecting family, friends, and neighbors to supportive services in the community through meaningful social activities such as storytelling, music, games, and SCHS museum collections.
  • To RSVP or for more information, CALL: MaryAnne Higgins at 507-451-1420

 

Owatonna Farmers' Market

  • Central Park, Park Square, Owatonna, MN 55060
  • Saturdays June through October from 7:00 a.m. to Noon
  • Stop by to pick up fresh vegetables, flowers and fun hand-crafted items from more than 80 vendors.

Faribault Farmers' Market

  • Saturdays 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., from June through October, and Wednesdays 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. starting in July
  • Central Park, Faribault, MN 55021
  • Serving fresh and local food and good

2023 Rice County Piecemakers Fall Splendor Quilt Show

  • Friday, Sept. 22nd from 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, Sept. 23rd from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • Historic Cathedral of our Merciful Savior Church & Guild House, 101 NW 6th Street, Faribault, MN 55021
  • Quilt Raffle, Boutique, Vendors, Demonstrations, and Door Prizes
  • Admission $5
  • Lunch Stand by The Church Ladies
  • Over 200 Quilted Items on Display

Owatonna High School Grand Opening

  • You are cordially invited to the Owatonna High School Grand Opening 
  • Saturday, September 23, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  • 1455 S.E. 18th Street, Owatonna, MN 55060
  • 11:00 a.m. - Grand Opening Celebration
  • 11:30 a.m. - Public Ribbon Cutting and Tours

Relay for Life Walk

  • Sat. Sept. 23, 2023, 4:00 p.m. - Sun. Sept. 24,  12:00 a.m.
  • Steele County Fairgrounds, 1525 South Cedar Avenue, Owatonna, MN 55060
  • This event will help raise money for the American Cancer Society and honor those who have been diagnosed by participating in an assortment of Relay for Life Events.

36th Annual Waseca Marching Classic

  • Saturday, September 23, 2023 - 12 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
  • Parade - 12 p.m. downtown Waseca and includes competing high school marching bands, the classic car cruise, dignitaries, royalty and more!
  • 5:30 at the Waseca Jr.-Sr. high school stadium with introductions and announcements before the Field Show competition begins.  Gates open at 3:30.
  • Awards presentations will be at approximately 9 p.m.
  • Grand Finale is a fireworks display.
  • Field Show admission wristbands may be purchased in advance from many Waseca businesses beginning the week of Labor Day.
  • Live streaming links of parade and field show at: www.wasecamarchingclassic.com

Walk to End Alzheimer's

  • Sunday, September 24, 2023, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
  • Steele County Historical Society, 1700 Austin Road, Owatonna, MN 55060
  • Registration begins at 9:00 a.m.
  • Ceremony held at 10:00 a.m.
  • Walk starts at 10:20 a.m.

United Way of  Steele County Celebration

  • Saturday, September 30, 2023, 4 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
  • Ye Olde Beer Garden at the Steele County Fairgrounds in Owatonna, MN
  • United Way of Steele County is celebrating its 70th Anniversary serving Steele County, with a Mariachi Concert, Food and Dancing.
  • This fundraiser supports Human Service programs and services in Steele County.

Light of Hope Celebration (Formerly Relay for Life)

  • Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
  • Central Park, 430 2nd Avenue N.W., Faribault, MN 55021
  • Please join us for our first annual Light of Hope Cancer Foundation Celebration
  • Luminary Walk, Inspiring Speeches, Food/Beverages, Raffle Baskets, Family Fun Events, and Music

Kickoff to Fire Safety Week

  • October 8 - October 14, 2023
  • Join us for Chili/Wild Rice Soup Feed on Sunday, October 8 from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
  • Owatonna Fire Dept., 107 West Main St., Owatonna, MN 55060
  • $10 per ticket - Kids 5 and Under eat FREE
  • Proceeds go to Owatonna Firefighters Relief Association

A Day Away - Austin, Minnesota

  • Thursday, October 12, 2023
  • Sponsored by Steele County Historical Society
  • Bus leaves history center at 8:00 a.m. and returns by 5:00 p.m.
  • We're Off To Spam-A-Lot!
  • Tour Spam Museum
  • Catered lunch and tour of the Historic Hormel House
  • Guided bus tour of the 250-acre Hormel estate
  • Tour the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center
  • Cost (includes lunch) $65 for members and $70 for non-members
  • Reserve your seat today!  Reservations close September 29, 2023

Food, Trucks, Festivities & Fun

  • Friday, October 13, 2023, 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
  • Central Park, Owatonna, MN 55060
  • More than 10 Food Trucks
  • Family Friendly Activities
  • Live Music by the Red Dirt Road Band (6 p.m. - 8 p.m.)

2023 Minnesota Governor's Pheasant Hunting Opening

  • The Owatonna community was picked to hold the 11th annual event on October 13 and October 14, 2023
  • The Governor's pheasant opener is intended to promote the intersection of tourism, outdoor recreation, and hunting to the general public.
  • The event is being coordinated by Visit Owatonna, Explore Minnesota, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Santa's Cellar

  • Friday, November 10, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, November 11, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  • Steele County Community Center - South Elm to Steele County Fairgrounds, Owatonna, MN
  • Exquisite gift & holiday decorations handmade by local crafters and artists
  • Bring your friends!

2023 Winter Fest

  • Thursday, November 30, 2023 - Saturday, December 2, 2023
  • Faribault, MN Main Street
  • Enjoy a window decorating contest, an ice carver, carolers, horse-drawn wagon rides, Santa and reindeer, live music, vintage snowmobile show, shopping, fireworks, Parade of Lights downtown, and a dance!

Holiday Lighted Parade

  • Friday, December 1, 2023, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
  • Central Park, 100 East Main St., Owatonna, MN 55060
  • A chance to bundle up and head to Owatonna's renovated historic downtown to watch dozens of floats.  Starts at 6 p.m. and ends with Santa's arrival, OHS Carolers, tree-lighting and hot cider in Central Park.