Entertainment - Hastings Journal

This year, the Hastings Fire Association made more than 900 gallons of booya, which the residents of Hastings flocked to either to eat or take home. In just a few hours, the once-full vats of booya were nearly empty. Assuming the volume of an average bowl is about 12 ounces, the 900 gallons of booya makes exactly 9,600 bowls, or nearly enough to feed half of Hastings one meal.

Hastings Firefighters celebrate 84th annual Booya

9/17/25

Mike Haeve and Tiffany Neuharth spoke before the crowd at Rise Up Recovery’s fifth annual Roast.

Fifth annual Rise Up Recovery roast builds community

When Rise Up Recovery first started its now-annual roast in 2020, it was a way to support the community during the isolation of the pandemic. “The worst thing for addiction is isolation. The … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 9/17/25

Peace in Action marks International Day of Peace

A small gathering in Hastings will put peace into practice this weekend, with meditation, yoga, and open conversation on what it means to live peacefully in today’s world. The event, titled … more

By Bruce Karnick | 9/17/25

First-Ever Freedom Fest brings music, food, and community spirit

HASTINGS — The United Heroes League is throwing its first-ever Freedom Fest on Saturday, September 13, and it is shaping up to be an evening where live music, good food, and small-town … more

By Bruce Karnick | 9/10/25

Arn Kind, a member of the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment, drilled attendees of the LeDuc’s Civil War weekend on maneuvering and the various ways to hold their 1861 Springfield muskets.

Le Duc celebrates Civil War Weekend

In light rain, Arn Kind, a member of the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment drilled his new soldiers on turning, about facing, and how to hold their 1861 Springfield muskets in the LeDuc … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 9/10/25

Delilah Steenberg would have marked her golden birthday this year.

Golden Birthday Event to Honor Delilah and Raise Awareness for Mental Health

Boondocks Vintage Boutique in Cottage Grove will host a special community event on Saturday, September 13, to honor the life of 12-year-old Delilah Steenberg and shine a light on suicide prevention, … more

By Bruce Karnick | 9/10/25

City’s upcoming events

Families, neighbors, and even four-legged friends have plenty to circle on the fall calendar this year, as Hastings Parks and Recreation rolls out two community favorites filled with games, costumes, … more

By Bruce Karnick | 9/10/25

The fire broke out the night of Sept. 13 around 10:30 and raged for hours before being brought back under control around 2 a.m. the morning of Sept. 14.

Hastings Creamery Fire: two years later and residents still have few answers

Since 1913, dairy products from butter to milk to cream to the milkshakes that so many residents remember taking to go, were sold at the Hastings Dairy Store. All that ended in August 2023 when the … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 9/9/25

Take a trip back in time at Civil War Weekend at LeDuc

The Dakota County Historical Society is gearing up for one of its biggest events of the year: Civic War Weekend at the LeDuc. The weekend of Sept. 6, the grounds of the estate will be taken over by … more

9/3/25

LeDuc Summer interns Natalie Lambie and Dyllon Lohmann have been researching and cataloguing new items received the LeDuc throughout the summer. They presented some of their findings at the Tuesday, Aug.12 Hastings Area Historical Society

Unboxing History: a look into new items at the LeDuc Mansion

When the LeDuc Historic Estate received a tranche of more than 100 boxes of artifacts from theMinnesota Historical Society (MHS) lastfall, it was often unclear exactly what they were receiving. … more

Graham P. Johnson gjohnson@hastingsjournal.news | 8/19/25

River Valley Concert Band concludes season

The River Valley Concert Band’s 2024–2025 season came to a close with an impressive showcase of musical versatility and community spirit. In four well-attended concerts at the Hastings … more

8/13/25

Hastings Family Aquatic Center scheduled to close for the season on August 24

The City of Hastings sent out a reminder to residents that the Hastings Family Aquatic Center will close for the season August 24. For residents that still have punch cards or passes to use, they … more

8/13/25

One of the biggest projects organized by the Hastings Area Rotary Club is the Rotary Pavilion in Levee Park. The Pavilion hosts community events all summer long and it is a central piece for the riverfront, supplementing the downtown area.

Rotary Festival on the River aims to bring music, family fun, and community spirit to Hastings

Hastings is getting ready for a new kind of summer celebration. The Rotary Club’s Festival on the River will take over the riverfront pavilion later this month, offering a full day of music, … more

By Bruce Karnick | 8/13/25

Dakota County Fair celebrates 176 years

“Happy fair week,” was the greeting of the hour as the Dakota County Commissioners held their annual board meeting from the County Fairgrounds. The meeting, held in the fairground’s … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 8/13/25

Vendor lined the path in Levee Park during the event, which is a combination of the Music in the Parks and market events that runs in Levee Park through September 11.

Market + Music in full swing

The lyrics of Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing echoed through the Levee Park Pavilion on Thursday July 31 from 80’s tribute band Double Down as residents watched from lawn chairs and … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 8/6/25

Shaded and elevated, the Michelob Ultra Zone VIP decks provide upgraded seating with private amenities and clear sightlines of the stage.

From Creed to Carrie: Dockendorf’s vision shapes Treasure Island Amphitheater shows

Just a short drive from downtown Hastings, nestled against the scenic backdrop of the Mississippi River, Treasure Island Resort and Casino's outdoor amphitheater has quietly become one of Minnesota's … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/30/25

A salute to veterans at this year’s Dakota County Fair Government Building features veteran-related services and activities

Visitors to the 2025 Dakota County Fair can learn about county services that support local veterans and their families. Dakota County Veterans Services will be featured in the Government … more

7/30/25

The Cannon Old West Society had various reenactments that occasionally ended with gunshots.

Little Log House Pioneer Village celebrates 34th Antique Power Days

To walk through the streets of the Little Log House Pioneer village is to catch visions from the past. Hundred-year-old tractors putter past six-shooter-strapped cowboys as WWII soldiers saunter … more

Graham P. Johnson gjohnson@hastingsjournal.news | 7/29/25

The Rivertown Days Sunday car show brought crowds to downtown along with their antique cars.

Rivertown Days hosts 46th annual celebration

For 46 years Hastings residents have been going to the banks of the Mississippi to celebrate Rivertown Days. From carnivals to live music to car shows, the weekend has long been an excuse to get out … more

By Graham P. Johnson and Bruce Karnick | 7/23/25

Lon Peterson demonstrates the functions of a Cycling Without Age trishaw to a fellow Rotary member outside the new CWA storage and maintenance facility, located behind the Tilden Senior Center on the Fourth Street side. The building, built primarily by Hastings High School students, has space to grow and stands ready to support the expanding program.

Hastings Rotary celebrates new “CWA Shed,” built by high school trades students

The sun glinted off the freshly installed siding and brand new roof as members of the Hastings Area Rotary Club gathered this week in their new storage building. The facility, located near the Tilden … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/23/25