But we couldn't do this without the support of our sponsors, our participants, all of our volunteers. We have to start planning in June, every year, sometimes even all year-round.”

Mayor Mary Fasbender

A fun Thanksgiving Day run has turned into a dream come true for Hastings Family Service and the community.

Thursday morning is the 26^th annual Hastings Gobble Gait. Through last year, the Gobble Gait Fun Run has raised more than $1.8 million to support Hastings Family Service. Coupled with the buying power the nonprofit has through community partnerships, that average of more than $70,000 annually goes a very long way to helping Hastings residents in need.

Last year, between the 2K and 8K runs, an estimated 3,000 runners took part.

Mayor Mary Fasbender has been involved with the run from its inception. Following the race last year, she commented, “Every community has that collaboration with all their resources, but Hastings truly just comes together. I love it when we see little kids to 90 years old, and people that have said, ‘I've been to every one’ and that's the cool thing. But we couldn't do this without the support of our sponsors, our participants, all of our volunteers. We have to start planning in June, every year, sometimes even all year-round.”

The run starts at 8:30 a.m. in downtown Hastings.

That small dream hatched 26 years ago has now turned into one of the Twin Cities’ biggest Thanksgiving Day runs. It’s one of Hastings’ proudest holiday traditions.

And don’t get too far from downtown. The annual Holiday Hoopla and Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony will be held in conjunction with Small Business Saturday on Nov. 25.

The event is sponsored by the Downtown Business Association. In addition to all the great places to shop, eat and have a drink, there are events scheduled throughout the day, culminating in Fasbender officially lighting the tree at Hastings City Hall at 5:30 p.m.

Small Business Saturday was founded in 2010 and is cosponsored by the Small Business Administration. It’s a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities. This year, we know that small businesses need our support now more than ever as they navigate, retool and pivot from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Here's the full Holiday Hoopla schedule:

• 8:30/9:00 a.m. & 10:30/11 a.m.: Breakfast with Santa at Lock and Dam Eatery 

-reservations required

• 9 a.m.- noon: Santa & Mrs. Claus Photos with Rachel Marthaler Photography at The Studio Downtown. Signup online only.
• 9 a.m.-noon: Free stockings stuffed with goodies for kids 12 and under. 

While supplies last. Impressive Windows & Interiors

• 10 a.m.-noon: Coloring contest at Spiral Brewery
• 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.: Paint & Glaze ceramic ornaments at Squeaky Wheel Pottery
  ($10 per ornament)
• 10 a.m.-5 p.m.: DJ on 2nd Street
• 10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Vendors handmade Arts & Crafts & Decorating ornaments (till gone) atArtSpace River Lofts
• 10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Craft and Vendor Fair at The American Legion
• 11 a.m. -3 p.m.: Live Music at Quaint & Quirky Gifts 
• 11 a.m.: - Free Chili till gone at ArtSpace River Lofts
• 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Hot cocoa at Geek Haven
• 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Cookie decorating at 2nd Street Depot
• 11:30 a.m.: Holiday music sing along at Spiral Brewery
• Noon-2 p.m.: Santa & Mrs. Claus will be downtown.
• Noon-4 p.m.: Horse and wagon rides 
• Noon-4 p.m.: Gourmet S'mores in Oliver's Grove - Donations Accepted 
• 1 p.m.-2 p.m.: Story Time with Mayor Maryat The Studio Downtown 
• 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m.: Photos with The Grinch at Hastings Tavernby Ashley Jean Photography ($5 per photo, printed on site)
• 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Santa Letters at The Studio Downtown 
• 4:15-5 p.m.: Elementary Schools, Spiral Singers & sing-along at the Pavilion
• 5:15 p.m.: 2nd Street Lighting
• 5:30 p.m.: Tree Lighting at City Hall

**All times and info Subject to change**