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This weekend has a couple of great events for you and your family to take in.  Shafer would like to formally invite you and your family to the 2016 Shafer Days.  The event kicks off Friday with Pleasant Valley Orchard and the Shafer Corn Maze opening their doors to kick off the fall season. The Shafer Fire Department will host a BINGO at the fire hall from 6-9 p.m.  Refreshments and food will be available at the Bingo along with food and popcorn.  

One of the best pancake breakfasts in the area takes place Saturday morning at the fire hall.  At 8 a.m., the first ever Shafer Fire Bike show.  I am told there will be some really neat bikes at this show.  Also, grab your friends and search for the missing clog. Clues for the hunt will be posted at city hall at 9 a.m. and every hour until found.  Lucky winner will take home a crisp 100 dollar bill.  Beginning at 9, there is a fire prevention demonstration, and National Guard demonstrations as well as the big bouncy house by the trail head.   Bring your cameras (or phones these days) because there will be some beautiful vintage cars lining the streets for the annual car show.  The show opens at 10 a.m.  There is a tractor display that takes place at 9:30 a.m. in the Shafer Contracting parking lot. At noon, the Fire Department will host their super popular chili and hot dog feed.  Beginning at 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. there will be a chain saw competition in the city hall parking lot.  Don't miss the bank robbery re-enactment where you will learn of a vital part of Shafer's history when the bank was robbed long ago. The Shafer Days parade will meander down Redwing Avenue beginning at 4 p.m.  There will be a tug-o-war held at the fire hall (if it rains this could be really fun).  Lastly, the street dance featuring My Famous Friends Band will run from 8 until midnight. So there you have it, plan on being in Shafer on Saturday, it will be worth your while.

Because Shafer Days drops on Friday and Saturday, that will free up your Sunday to take a trip to Almelund.  Almelund is the site for the 2016 Apple Fest at the heritage center.  If you like apples, you will be in Apple Heaven.  There are so many delicious foods to try including Swedish sausage, caramel apples, apple cider, apple butter ice cream sundaes, and tons of apple desserts.  I am partial to the apple turnover myself.  So what else is there to see at Apple Fest? How about a local museum including log cabins and barn, old fashioned free movies, a petting zoo, Model T rides around Almelund, and a massive vendor section where you can purchase all sorts of food and merchandise.  They are asking that people please leave their dogs at home this year, because of the large expected crowds.  Apple Fest runs from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. I hope you can make it out there.

Registration has officially opened for Feed My Starving Children. The event will take place October 14 & 15 at Lakes Free Church by the Chisago Lakes Area High School.  I would suggest registering early as the shifts fill up quickly.  This is such a moving event that helps those much less fortunate than we are get the nutrition to stay alive.  You can register at lakesfree.org or call 651-257-2677.  See you there!

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