Alright, folks of Hastings, grab your favorite blanket, a cup of cocoa (or a beer—no judgment here), and settle in for the latest round of updates from our beloved City of Hastings. We’ve got everything from essay contests to holiday lights, and maybe—just maybe—the opportunity for you to become the unsung hero of ice rink supervision. Buckle up, it’s about to get hyper-local!

1. Fancy Yourself a Commissioner? Step Up and Volunteer!

You’ve probably been thinking, “Hey, how can I help shape the future of Hastings?” Well, the City Council’s got you covered! The City is seeking volunteer commissioners to serve on three important commissions starting in 2025: Historic Preservation, Public Safety Advisory, and Parks and Recreation. Your advisory skills are needed, whether you’re really into protecting old bricks, making sure we all stay safe, or ensuring we have the best darn parks in Minnesota. Submit your interest form before November 20th. Don’t worry—no fancy qualifications required, just your love of Hastings and a penchant for speaking your mind. Learn more here.

2. Get Your Griswold On: Enter the Hastings Holiday Lights Tour

It’s time to untangle those lights, or, if you’re like me, make your kids do it while you sip eggnog. The fifth annual Holiday Lights Display and Tour is coming up, and it’s our chance to make Hastings sparkle like the holiday wonderland it is. Got a brilliant idea for decorating your house that’s somewhere between cozy winter cheer and full-on “power grid drainer”? Submit your address and a picture of your masterpiece by December 8th, and you’ll be added to the Holiday Lights Tour Map. Bragging rights for best display are up for grabs. Sign up here and let the neighborhood glow!

3. Mayor for a Day Essay Contest: Calling All Young Visionaries!

Attention all 4th, 5th, and 6th graders of Hastings! Are you ready to show the adults how it’s done? The Mayor for a Day Essay Contest is back, and Mayor Mary Fasbender wants to hear your ideas on how to make Hastings even better. The prize? $100, fame in Minnesota Cities magazine, and an invite to shadow Mayor Fasbender herself for a day—just imagine telling your teacher, “Sorry, I can’t make it, I’m busy running the town.” Entries are due by December 13th, so sharpen those pencils (or open those Google Docs). Get all the details here.

4. Holiday Lights Recycling: Don’t Toss ‘Em—Drop ‘Em Off!

Got broken holiday lights? Maybe a string that’s only working on one side or some weird blinking pattern that’s giving off more “haunted carnival” than “festive cheer”? Well, you’re in luck. You can recycle those misfit lights at the Parks & Rec Department from November 15th to January 31st. Just drop them at 920 West 10th Street—but please, no garlands, fake trees, or that one wobbly reindeer that Aunt Karen gave you. Year-round recycling is also available at The Recycling Zone in Eagan. Keep Hastings green this holiday season!

5. Ice, Ice Baby: We’re Hiring Warming House Attendants!

Winter is coming—and you know what that means: ice rinks, hockey games, and epic falls that are only funny if they happen to someone else. Hastings is looking for Warming House Attendants to keep our rinks running smoothly and our skaters happy. The job pays $13-$15 an hour and requires a love for winter, some holiday cheer, and the ability to keep those cheeky teenagers in line. Nights, weekends, and holidays are part of the gig. Apply here and get ready to be the hero of the rink.

That’s All, Folks!

There you have it, Hastings! Five ways to get involved, dazzle the town, or simply clean up the lights mess you made last year. Let’s make this winter a bright one—literally and figuratively. Get out there and be a part of what makes this community amazing. And remember: If you’re not going to participate, at least show up and clap for those who do. We’re all in this together, after all!

Got any ideas for our next big thing? Leave a comment or swing by City Hall—we’re always happy to chat with a fellow Hastings local.