Entertainment - Hastings Journal

These giant machines were often considered too much for the average user and limited versions of them were built in the early nineteen hundreds.

Little Log House Antique Power Show has a little something for everyone

July is a busy time for Hastings area residents, the Fourth of July parade and fireworks at the Hastings Golf Club kicks things off, the Rivertown Days put on by the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce … more

By Bruce Karnick | 8/4/23

Tanner Anselment turned a bunt into a hit with a two-base error in the third inning against Duluth. Anselment scored on a Johnny Teigland sacrifice fly as part of the win over Duluth.

Legion baseball season ends at state tournament

The American Legion Post 47 baseball team was very busy last week, starting with a huge sendoff for the state tournament on Wednesday followed by the state banquet for all the teams and culminating … more

By Bruce Karnick | 8/4/23

Legion baseball state bound

After a wild weekend at sub-state, the Hastings Raiders Legion Post 47 baseball team is headed to the state tournament. Hastings went 4-1 over a five-day qualifying tournament to punch their ticket … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/27/23

State Bound!

The Hastings Raiders Legion Post 47 baseball team is headed to the Legion Baseball State Tournament this weekend after a 4-1 showing in the regional tournament. This team has been extremely … more

7/27/23

The crowd quickly filled Sibley Street Saturday night for the Wicked Garden performance. Wicked Garden covers 90’s grunge and metal and they do it superbly. The crowd loved it, and as you can see, it was packed. The Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Rivertown Days featured a weekend of big events and was a huge success.

Fest draws huge crowd

By Bruce Karnick and DavidYoungren | 7/27/23

The taproom takeover by the Hastings Community TV crew was held Wednesday night at Spiral Brewery. The four main hosts of the event, left to right: Kurt Radke, former City of Hastings Communications Director Lee Stoffel, HCTV director Mike Bremer and HCTV Sports Director Hunter Pinke.

The latest fundraising trend: Taproom Takeovers

I went to Spiral Brewery to support some friends and learn what the latest trend in fundraising was all about. With the brew pub concept booming around the state, including the building of … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/27/23

The Hastings Hawks versus Cannon Falls Bears game was a fun one to attend. It was a drama-filled affair with edge-of-your-seat-moments. Two of those moments were provided by Cole Benson. Benson had the only two Hawks RBIs in the game, both sacrifice flies giving the Hawks the win.

Hawks secure second place

The Hastings Hawks had another busy week scheduled with a visit from the Burnsville Bobcats on July 19, a battle for second place with Cannon Falls scheduled for July 21, an exhibition game scheduled … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/27/23

The food truck area located in the Levee Park parking lot is always hopping during Rivertown Days. It is close to the carnival and the street stages making it accessible for everyone.

Ready for Rivertown Days 2023!

The Medallion clues are out, food trucks are being prepped, the carnival is being setup and stages will be put in place on Friday, that must mean it is Rivertown Days (RTD) 2023! Rivertown Days … more

By Bruce Karnik | 7/21/23

Even the new Ford Bronco made its way to the Hastings Car Show. One of the sales guys was on hand to talk to folks about the vehicle which was quite roomy inside.

Hastings Car Show going strong

Here’s some shots photographer Bruce Karnick got on Sunday. A special show is also planned as part of Rivertown Days this coming Sunday. more

Photos by Bruce Karnick | 7/21/23

Second Hastings Hawk joins the Northwood League

Former Hastings Raider and current Hastings Hawks pitcher, Will Lavin, joined the ranks of the Northwoods League at the start of the summer. His work on the mound as a Raider and a Hawk led him to … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/21/23

Hastings national trap team competitors left to right: Reed Anderson, spectator and competitors Brody Anderson, Issac Nauer, Tristan Asher, Tanner Lamb, Blaise Lamb and Collin Meyers with head coach Earl Robinson.

Six members of Raiders Trap Team shoot at National Championship

More than 1,718 of the highest qualified student athletes throughout all affiliated state high school clay target leagues competed for the right to be called a National Champion at the US High School … more

7/21/23

Hawks go 2-2, prepare for final week before regional playoffs start

The Hastings Hawks are back to .500 on the season at 12-12 after a busy week of baseball at Veterans Park. Hastings has played all of their July games so far at home and currently has one game on the … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/21/23

Both the upstream side of the Mississippi River boat launch (left) and the entire Lake Isabel boat launch (right) are closed due to damaged driving surfaces in need of repair. The city is working with the MN DNR to establish a plan to get them reopened.

Parks and Rec update

Hastings Parks & Recreation Director Chris Jenkins gave the Journal a quick update for the happenings around Hastings related to projects in the parks around town. The update started with the … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/13/23

Journal photographer Bruce Karnick was out taking pictures of both the Fourth of July Parade organized by the Hastings Golf Club and Events and the fireworks presented by Vermillion State Bank.

Hastings Celebrates the Fourth of July!

Hastings was out for the Fourth of July, and they were ready to enjoy the day. Thousands of residents lined 15th Street West and Westview Drive for the 7 p.m. parade hosted by the Hastings Golf Club … more

7/13/23

Visitors can view full-sized canoes and interact with Irish Wolfhounds, Henry Sibley's favorite dog breed.

Dakota County Historical Society to host Fur Trade Weekend at Sibley Historic Site

The Dakota County Historical Society will host Fur Trade Weekend at the Sibley Historic Site in Mendota, Minn., on Saturday, July 22 and Sunday, July 23 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. both days. The … more

Staff Report | 7/13/23

In 2022, the Hawks worked with the City of Hastings and HYAA to purchase batting cages for the entire community to use. Unfortunately, manufacturing and shipping delays have pushed back the timeline for completion, which hinges on a lot of hope for “soon.”

Hastings Hawks board: for all of Hastings baseball

The Hastings Hawks amateur baseball team is part of the Classic Cannon Valley League (CCVL) which includes smaller towns to the south. They play around 30-40 games per season with roughly half of … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/7/23

The Confluence features 77 hotel rooms, indoor and outdoor event space, a restaurant that will serve three meals a day and Missi’s Sip and Savor, its bar.

The Confluence is taking reservations

Hastings residents and officials have long-awaited what is considered to be the new cornerstone of the downtown area. The Confluence Hotel is now accepting reservations for visitors booking … more

By John McLoone | 7/7/23

Hawks earn two season sweeps with two wins last week

The Rochester Royals and Lake City Serpents fell victim to the Hawks offense last week with Hastings putting up double digit runs in both games. Rochester was last year’s Class B state champion … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/7/23

Former Raider Kyle Bauer had a successful year in the NAHL with nine goals and 17 assists with the Anchorage Wolverines. Bauer will be moving to the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire for the 23-24 season to continue his education and playing career.

Former Raider Kyle Bauer moves from NAHL to Eau Claire

20-year-old Kyle Bauer, a 2021 graduate from Hastings High School and former Raider Hockey player joined the National American Hockey League (NAHL) after graduation. The NAHL is the only USA … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/7/23

Winners of the Party Cart Raffle at the St. Croix Valley Golf Scramble.

CNC St. Croix Valley Scramble Fundraiser

Time to set the tee, strike the ball and watch it soar, all for a good cause at the 15 th Annual St. Croix Valley Scramble, Monday, July 17 at the Hastings Golf Club. Check-in and lunch begins at … more

By Nerissa Solovitz | 7/6/23