Visit Franconia Sculpture Park 50-acre outdoor museum to taste sausages (francs) and sample local beers (steins). Enjoy a trick-or-treating hayride through the park, enter costume contests for dogs or humans, carve pumpkins, make art, dance to some polka, and enjoy a Rocky Horror Picture Show sing-a-long! There will be a wide variety of family friendly––and dog-friendly!––art activities throughout the day!
Parking during the event is $5/car and all events are free and open to the public.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
12PM-1PM: Land Art Tour by Franconia’s Executive Director & Chief Curator
Join Franconia’s Executive Director & Chief Curator Ginger Shulick Porcella as she gives a guided tour of the sculpture park. The tour will start at the entrance to Franconia Commons.
1PM-3PM: Trick or Treat Hayrides in the Park
1PM-5PM: Free Art Making Activities
Pumpkin Carving, sponsored by Pleasant Valley Farm
Halloween Button-Making
Printmaking with Natural Materials
Face Painting
3PM-4PM: Dog Costume Contest sponsored by Northwoods Humane Society
Sign-ups start at 2pm on the Front Lawn
4PM-5PM: Human Costume Contest
Sign-ups start at 2pm on the Front Lawn
5PM-6:30PM: Live Polka with Adam & The Jolly Jammers
in the Amphitheater
6:30PM-8PM: Rocky Horror Picture Show Sing-a-Long
in the Amphitheater
8PM-9PM: Bonfire, Hot Apple Cider & S’mores
at the Commons Patio
FOOD AND DRINK VENDORS:
Omni Brewing
Gerhard’s Wurstelstand
Northeast Pretzels
Potter’s Pasties
This program is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the East Central Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
This monthly series provides a welcoming and accessible environment for individuals, families, and children who have sensory sensitivities. Experience our Minnesota Journey gallery, temporary exhibits, and the Touch & See Lab—all with lowered lighting, quieter sounds, and fewer visitors.
Visitors are welcome to check out additional resources like the quiet spaces, visual timers, weighted lap pads, and hearing protection if it helps make the visit more enjoyable. Learn more about our accessibility resources at:
https://www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/access/
This monthly series provides a welcoming and accessible environment for individuals, families, and children who have sensory sensitivities. Experience our Minnesota Journey gallery, temporary exhibits, and the Touch & See Lab—all with lowered lighting, quieter sounds, and fewer visitors.
Visitors are welcome to check out additional resources like the quiet spaces, visual timers, weighted lap pads, and hearing protection if it helps make the visit more enjoyable. Learn more about our accessibility resources at:
https://www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/access/
Spooktacular fun is upon us this fall! Come to SPARK for our safe and fa-boo-lous family-friendly Halloween event, SPARKTACULAR, on Friday, October 28 from 5:30 – 7:30 PM.
Our Halloween vibe will be strong (but not scary)! Your event admission will cover unlimited play and exploration in the museum, fun games for the whole family, hidden sensory stations filled with ghastly items like smooth, cold zombie eyes, or slippery, soft goblin brains, a slime-making station – will you make a ghost, monster, or pumpkin slim, a costume contest, and we will end the evening with a costume parade throughout the Apache Mall. Tickets are limited – come for the fun at SPARK!
Tickets go on sale Saturday, October 1st!
• SPARK Members: $12 / person (proof of membership required)
• Non-members: $20 / person
• SPARKTACULAR attendees will receive a $20 off coupon to purchase or renew a membership until October 31st
Sensory Friendly Sunday is a monthly event designed for kids, teens, and adults with sensory processing differences, autism spectrum disorder, or developmental disabilities. The galleries will be closed to the general public, allowing visitors to enjoy the museum in a calm environment with accommodations such as quiet spaces, fidgets, and sunglasses available. Experience current exhibitions, make art, or watch a short film. All friends and family members are welcome. Visit the Art Lab to create an artwork of your own and watch a short, family-friendly film in the Mediatheque.
**This September (weather permitting), play a round of mini golf on the Walker’s rooftop between 8 and 11 am. The one-of-a-kind course features 10 distinctive, artist-designed holes, including a new addition created in collaboration with Asian American Organizing Project.
Sensory Friendly Sunday is a monthly event designed for kids, teens, and adults with sensory processing differences, autism spectrum disorder, or developmental disabilities. The galleries will be closed to the general public, allowing visitors to enjoy the museum in a calm environment with accommodations such as quiet spaces, fidgets, and sunglasses available. Experience current exhibitions, make art, or watch a short film. All friends and family members are welcome. Visit the Art Lab to create an artwork of your own and watch a short, family-friendly film in the Mediatheque.
**This September (weather permitting), play a round of mini golf on the Walker’s rooftop between 8 and 11 am. The one-of-a-kind course features 10 distinctive, artist-designed holes, including a new addition created in collaboration with Asian American Organizing Project.
