A photo of a llama with the Fall Fest logo in top corner.

Fall Fest 2023

Thank you for joining us in 2023; see you next year!

Saturday–Sunday, October 7–8, 2023

9:30 AM–3:30 PM

Gale Woods Farm
7210 County Road 110 W.
Minnetrista, MN 55364

Celebrate the beautiful nature in Minnesota at Fall Fest! 

Meet the farm animals, explore nature with our naturalist team, watch the sheepherding dog trials, explore the farmers market, make cider and more.

This year, we're celebrating Gale Woods Farm's 20th Anniversary, highlighting some of the site's unique offerings with make-and-take fiber arts activities and putting the spotlight on the farm-to-food connection with cooking demonstrations from local chefs.

Find activity locations on this interactive map.

A black-and-white border collie looks at sheep behind a green fence while a sheepherder looks on.

Farm Exploration

Find things to do all day long, all around the farm!

  • Catch the sheepdog herding trials where dogs from around North America compete in an open-field herding trial (presented by Star of the North Stock Dog Trials). Enjoy an autumn walk or take the wagon ride to the herding fields.
  • Stop by the barn, greet the animals throughout the farm and visit the hay bale play area.
  • Visit the teaching garden to see what’s in season.
  • Curious about cider? See how we press apples into cider, and try your hand after picking your own apples from our trees.
  • Explore fall nature with naturalists. Learn and engage through hands-on activities for all ages.

Festival Village

Head over to the Festival Village throughout the day to grab a bite to eat or a local brew to drink, while enjoying live music... and get a chance to walk a llama!

Food and Drink

Grab a bite to eat or a local brew from one of our food and beverage partners: Butcher Salt, Minneapolis Cider Co., Robert’s BBQ, Sawatdee and Blue Loon Concessions. 

Walk a Llama

Join Carlson’s Lloveable Llamas to bring a llama for a walk.

Buy a Fall Treat

Visit the Farm Market for seasonal produce, swing over to the Three Rivers Merchandise Tent, or stop in the Farm Store. This first week of October, you might find winter squash, Brussels sprouts, meat, eggs and maple syrup. In addition, you’ll find locally made teas, artistic creations and a selection of books, puppets, games and more.

Music Schedule

Saturday, October 7

  • 10:30 AM, 11:35 AM and 1 PM | Cajun Crawfish Hotdish
  • 2 PM | Wild Colonial Bhoys

Sunday, October 8

  • 10:30 AM and 11:35 AM | Mike Bustin
  • 1 PM and 2 PM | Brotherhood of Birds
A person works with wool.

Fiber Arts

Make and Take

Learn about wool and the art of fiber work. Make a fall-on-a-stick themed wool fiber craft to take home ($3).

  • Saturday and Sunday: 10 AM–2:30 PM

Displays and Demonstrations 

Check out displays of locally crafted fiber art pieces from 10 AM–2:30 PM.

Step inside a traditional fiber art yurt, made of fiber materials such as felted wool, and then join its maker and other artists inside the education building for demonstrations.

Felting and Spinning Demonstrations

  • Wet Felting Demo
    • Saturday and Sunday: 10:30–11:30 AM
  • Needle Felting Demo
    • Saturday and Sunday: 12–1 PM
  • Spinning Demo
    • Saturday and Sunday: 1:30–2:30 PM

Food and Farm

Farm Market

Explore the tables of Gale Woods' weekly produce harvest at the Farm Market. Early October's selection will likely be winter squash, Brussels sprouts and vegetables like carrots and potatoes.

  • Saturday and Sunday: 9:30 AM–2:30 PM

Cooking Demonstrations

Join professional chefs as they create a seasonal dish, sharing tips and the recipe so you can try it at home! 

  • Becki Melvie, Abundant Kitchen
    • Saturday and Sunday: 12 PM, 2 PM
  • Kurt Welshinger, Gale Woods' in-house culinary expert
    • Saturday: 10 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM 
    • Sunday: 10 AM, 11 AM
  • Roberto Martinez, University of Minnesota
    • Sunday: 1 PM (in Spanish)
Photo of a pier on a lake. Shoreline trees' leaves are changing.

Water Resources and Recreation

Guided Fishing

Join the Three Rivers' Outdoor Recreation School to learn beginner fishing skills at the fishing pier on beautiful Whaletail Lake.

  • Saturday and Sunday: 10 AM–12 PM, 1–3 PM

Learn About the Get The Lead Out Campaign

Join the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in its Get the Lead Out Campaign. Learn how lead negatively effects Minnesota's Loon populations and what you can do to help out!

  • Saturday and Sunday: 10 AM–12 PM, 1 PM–3 PM

Water Quality and Care

Learn how alum treatments at nearby Whaletail Lake have improved the water quality. Ask water resources staff about the different actions Three Rivers Park District takes to manage the waterways within and adjacent to park boundaries.

  • Saturday and Sunday: 10 AM–12 PM, 1 PM–3 PM

Parking and Getting Around the Festival

Complimentary parking is available throughout the park. Should parking lots fill, nearby overflow parking and an event shuttle will be made available.

Mobility Accommodations

Guests wanting additional support to access event offerings can be driven to their destinations via golf carts. No reservations required — available on a first come/first served basis. Stop near the welcome tent to check availability.