As far as October afternoons go in Minnesota, this year’s Sherburne Fall Fest, held on a sunny Saturday afternoon at the Sherburne History Center in Becker, couldn’t have landed on a more unseasonably warm one. 

With temperatures climbing into the mid-80s—more July than October—the festival had all the charm of autumn with the warmth of late summer. A welcome breeze kept things just cool enough, rustling the sunflowers and making the scarecrows seem to dance.

Now in its second year, the Fall Fest is quickly gaining momentum as a signature event for the area. A collaborative effort between the Sherburne History Center, the Becker Chamber of Commerce, and a wide array of local businesses and organizations (“McDonald’s Meats contributes all the hot dogs. Kwik Trip does all the buns and drinks,” said Emma Hoard, Program Manager at the Sherburne History Center), the festival aims to bring the community together in celebration of the season—and local history.

The day kicked off with a morning Fun Run and kept the activities going throughout the afternoon—where guests of all ages enjoyed a variety of hands-on events, including pumpkin painting, games, a chili cook-off, and — new this year — a festive scavenger hunt, which saw young visitors (and the young at heart) exploring the surrounding nature trails in search of pumpkins—each with a unique hand-drawn face. Completing the hunt earned guests a prize and, more importantly, a sense of discovery.

“We added the scavenger hunt this year to get more people out walking the trails,” Hoard explained. “Just in the first couple hours, I noticed how many families were out there. It’s getting people moving and finding out that we have trails, which a lot of people who live here don’t even know.”

While the event catered primarily to families and children, there was something for everyone. Adults could enjoy a drink at the Lion’s Club beer tent before browsing a range of vendor booths, where local artisans showcased everything from cozy knitwear and handcrafted candles to baked treats and stationery—adding a bit of early holiday shopping to the mix.

Live music also added a joyful layer to the atmosphere, with old-time tunes floating through the air, courtesy of a Fergus Falls-based group, The Tickwood Stringband, whose banjo-driven sound gave the festival an extra dose of down-home charm.

Last year’s event was more Becker-centric, but Hoard hopes to see the festival grow into something that represents all of Sherburne County. Her goal? To draw people in with fun and festivities, then spark their curiosity about local history and culture. 

“They come here for this really fun event, and then they get intrigued with the local history,” she said.

Ultimately, Hoard hopes events like the Fall Fest will lead more people to explore the Sherburne History Center beyond the festival—visiting exhibits, attending programs, and perhaps even becoming members. 

“Which really helps us,” she added with a smile.

Despite the heat—perhaps a touch too warm for chili—this year’s Fall Fest was a clear success. With smiling faces, music in the air, and pumpkins hiding in the woods, it offered a nice blend of festivity and local pride.