Weekend Planner: Soup, Pumpkins and (Friendly) Monsters

The weekend is here! What to do? Let Patch help you plan.

• Where/When: Saturday at the There are two separate events: Carve the pumpkins during the festival from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and then see them light up the museum's stone wall from 7-9 p.m.
• Cost: $7 per person (includes a pumpkin to carve) during the day; a food pantry donation at night.
• Why go: This is one of the events that is truly unique to our town. During the day, festival-goers are invited to carve a pumpkin (there are tools and templates handy) and place it on the museum's stone wall. At night, the whole town is invited back to see the pumpkins all aglow. Daytime activities include food and treats, crafts, a hayride and searching in the pumpkin patch. Rochester Patch columnist Laura Cassar will be there to read her popular childrens book about the event, Night of 1,000 Pumpkins.

• When/where: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at
• Cost: Adults are free; children are $2 or get in free with the donation of two food pantry items.
• Why go: The is the Rochester Area Jaycees' big haunted attraction in the park. But for kids who are scared by the idea of a nighttime haunting, this event is perfect. The lights will be on and the monsters will be friendly.

• When/where: Friday from 5:30-7:30 p.m at the .
• Cost: $10 adults and $5 for children 12 and under.
• Why go: This popular event sponsored by the Rochester Kiwanis celebrates its 12th year of raising funds to support area food pantries and Meals on Wheels. A ticket, which can be purchased at the door, covers an all-you-can eat soup (and bread) dinner, which will be donated by 15 area Rochester restaurants and bakeries. In addition, handmade "Empty Bowls" donated by area artists will also be on sale.

More events

• ride along the Clinton River Trail from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday beginning at the .
• 1 p.m. Saturday in downtown Rochester.
• , begins at 2 p.m. Sunday at

Still want more options? See our Events page on Patch!