Jessenland Under The Stars featuring WCCO Meteorologist Mike Lynch
Tuesday, October 6th at 7 pm
Join us for a night under the beautiful Jessenland sky!
WCCO meteorologist Mike Lynch will be our guide as we discover the universe! He will have everything we need to view the stars but if you have your own equipment you are free to bring it!
The event is free and open to the public. Donations are always welcomed and appreciated. Doors open at 7 pm with treats & refreshments.
Meet Mike Lynch: A Minnesota native and WCCO Radio meteorologist for over 30 years, Mike Lynch is famous for broadcasting live in -60°F weather. When he’s not tracking storms, he’s a passionate astronomer who has spent four decades hosting star parties and writing stargazing guides for most of North America. An award-winning author and "Starwatch" columnist, Mike’s mission is simple: helping you make the stars your old friends. He lives in Eagan with his family.
WCCO meteorologist Mike Lynch will be our guide as we discover the universe! He will have everything we need to view the stars but if you have your own equipment you are free to bring it!
The event is free and open to the public. Donations are always welcomed and appreciated. Doors open at 7 pm with treats & refreshments.
Meet Mike Lynch: A Minnesota native and WCCO Radio meteorologist for over 30 years, Mike Lynch is famous for broadcasting live in -60°F weather. When he’s not tracking storms, he’s a passionate astronomer who has spent four decades hosting star parties and writing stargazing guides for most of North America. An award-winning author and "Starwatch" columnist, Mike’s mission is simple: helping you make the stars your old friends. He lives in Eagan with his family.
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Hummingbird Trail Fall Family Bike Ride & Autumn Celebration!
Saturday, October 10th, 2026 - 10:30 am - 1:30 pm
Grab your helmet, grab your friends, and get ready for the ultimate crisp autumn Saturday along the beautiful Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway!
We’re celebrating the brand-new Hummingbird Trail, and you’re invited to soak in the peak fall colors, enjoy some fresh air, and party with the community!
WHEN: Saturday, October 10, 2026
WHERE: • Bike Ride Kickoff (10:30 AM): Hummingbird Trailhead (357 N 5th St., Henderson, MN)
The Big Party (11:30 AM – 1:30 PM): Jessenland Historical & Cultural Center
ADMISSION: 100% FREE!
THE GAME PLAN
10:30 AM | Fall Family Bike Ride Meet us at the trailhead in Henderson and roll through the gorgeous fall foliage! •
BYO-Bike OR ride in style! Don't have a bike? No problem—we've got FREE E-BIKES available for event participants so you can cruise effortlessly! •
E-Bike Reservation Required: These go fast! Call or text 507-479-9827 right away to lock in your ride.
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM | Food, Tunes & Fun at Jessenland Cruised the trail? Awesome! Didn't touch a bicycle all morning? EVEN BETTER—JUST SHOW UP FOR THE GOOD STUFF!
NO BIKE? NO PROBLEM AT ALL! You do NOT have to pedal a single yard to join the fun! Whether you arrive on two wheels, four wheels, or just walk on in, EVERYONE gets to enjoy:
FREE Community Lunch (Yep, totally free!)
LIVE Bluegrass Jammin’ with the incredible Bullypulpit Bluegrass Band!
Explore the historic Jessenland Historical & Cultural Center
Games, laughs & family fun for all ages!
LIVE MUSIC SPOTLIGHT: Bullypulpit Bluegrass Band Get ready to tap your feet! Formed in 2009, this traditional five-piece bluegrass crew features Joe Kunkel (banjo), Lonesome Ron Affolter (bass & yodeling!), Chris Walchuk (mandolin), Maddie Gutzke (fiddle), and Anne Goedtke (guitar).
They’ll be bringin' down the house with high-energy fiddle tunes, classic old-time gospel, and timeless hits from legends like Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, Jimmie Rodgers, The Carter Family, and Ralph Stanley!
Come for the roll, stay for the soul (and the food!). Let’s make it an unforgettable autumn day!
Hosted in partnership with: Hummingbird Trail & Jessenland Historical & Cultural Center
Supported by a grant from the Henderson Community Foundation.
We’re celebrating the brand-new Hummingbird Trail, and you’re invited to soak in the peak fall colors, enjoy some fresh air, and party with the community!
WHEN: Saturday, October 10, 2026
WHERE: • Bike Ride Kickoff (10:30 AM): Hummingbird Trailhead (357 N 5th St., Henderson, MN)
The Big Party (11:30 AM – 1:30 PM): Jessenland Historical & Cultural Center
ADMISSION: 100% FREE!
THE GAME PLAN
10:30 AM | Fall Family Bike Ride Meet us at the trailhead in Henderson and roll through the gorgeous fall foliage! •
BYO-Bike OR ride in style! Don't have a bike? No problem—we've got FREE E-BIKES available for event participants so you can cruise effortlessly! •
E-Bike Reservation Required: These go fast! Call or text 507-479-9827 right away to lock in your ride.
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM | Food, Tunes & Fun at Jessenland Cruised the trail? Awesome! Didn't touch a bicycle all morning? EVEN BETTER—JUST SHOW UP FOR THE GOOD STUFF!
NO BIKE? NO PROBLEM AT ALL! You do NOT have to pedal a single yard to join the fun! Whether you arrive on two wheels, four wheels, or just walk on in, EVERYONE gets to enjoy:
FREE Community Lunch (Yep, totally free!)
LIVE Bluegrass Jammin’ with the incredible Bullypulpit Bluegrass Band!
Explore the historic Jessenland Historical & Cultural Center
Games, laughs & family fun for all ages!
LIVE MUSIC SPOTLIGHT: Bullypulpit Bluegrass Band Get ready to tap your feet! Formed in 2009, this traditional five-piece bluegrass crew features Joe Kunkel (banjo), Lonesome Ron Affolter (bass & yodeling!), Chris Walchuk (mandolin), Maddie Gutzke (fiddle), and Anne Goedtke (guitar).
They’ll be bringin' down the house with high-energy fiddle tunes, classic old-time gospel, and timeless hits from legends like Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, Jimmie Rodgers, The Carter Family, and Ralph Stanley!
Come for the roll, stay for the soul (and the food!). Let’s make it an unforgettable autumn day!
Hosted in partnership with: Hummingbird Trail & Jessenland Historical & Cultural Center
Supported by a grant from the Henderson Community Foundation.
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The Christmas season is filled with treasured traditions—gathering with family and friends, sharing homemade treats, and enjoying music that stirs the heart. We invite you to slow down, step away from the holiday rush, and experience an afternoon reminiscent of Christmases gone by.
Join us on Saturday, December 13, at the beautiful Scenic Escape Barn, just outside Henderson, Minnesota, for An Old Fashioned Celtic Christmas, featuring the enchanting sounds of Dunquin.
The afternoon begins with a dessert reception at 2:00 PM, where you can visit with friends old and new while enjoying festive holiday sweets. Then at 3:00 PM, settle in for a heartwarming Christmas concert filled with the timeless melodies of the Celtic season.
For more than fifteen years, Dunquin has shared the rich musical traditions of Ireland and beyond with audiences throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin. Named for the village of Dunquin in County Kerry—once a departure point for Irish immigrants seeking new lives in America—the trio celebrates the enduring bond between the Old World and the New through music.
Featuring Sherry Ladig on piano, Don Ladig on flute and Irish whistles, and Rosa Wells on fiddle, Dunquin has become a favorite at the Minnesota Irish Fair, historic sites, and festivals across the region.
Their Christmas program is a beautiful blend of beloved holiday classics and lesser-known Irish, French, and German carols that evoke the warmth, wonder, and quiet beauty of the season. From lively Celtic tunes that bring a smile to your face to gentle airs that invite reflection, every piece captures the magic of an old-fashioned Christmas.
Whether you're continuing a family tradition or starting a new one, come celebrate the season in a cozy barn filled with candlelight, sweet treats, heartfelt music, and the joy of community.
We can't wait to welcome you for an afternoon that feels like Christmas remembered.
Join us on Saturday, December 13, at the beautiful Scenic Escape Barn, just outside Henderson, Minnesota, for An Old Fashioned Celtic Christmas, featuring the enchanting sounds of Dunquin.
The afternoon begins with a dessert reception at 2:00 PM, where you can visit with friends old and new while enjoying festive holiday sweets. Then at 3:00 PM, settle in for a heartwarming Christmas concert filled with the timeless melodies of the Celtic season.
For more than fifteen years, Dunquin has shared the rich musical traditions of Ireland and beyond with audiences throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin. Named for the village of Dunquin in County Kerry—once a departure point for Irish immigrants seeking new lives in America—the trio celebrates the enduring bond between the Old World and the New through music.
Featuring Sherry Ladig on piano, Don Ladig on flute and Irish whistles, and Rosa Wells on fiddle, Dunquin has become a favorite at the Minnesota Irish Fair, historic sites, and festivals across the region.
Their Christmas program is a beautiful blend of beloved holiday classics and lesser-known Irish, French, and German carols that evoke the warmth, wonder, and quiet beauty of the season. From lively Celtic tunes that bring a smile to your face to gentle airs that invite reflection, every piece captures the magic of an old-fashioned Christmas.
Whether you're continuing a family tradition or starting a new one, come celebrate the season in a cozy barn filled with candlelight, sweet treats, heartfelt music, and the joy of community.
We can't wait to welcome you for an afternoon that feels like Christmas remembered.
Past Events
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Join un for a presentation by author Jenny Witt on her new book!
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Saturday, August 29th
Jessenland Irish Festival kick-off concert featuring Dòrain
5 pm - Beer garden, silent auction, and raffle open
6 pm - Dorain takes the stage
Dòrain is St. Paul’s premier folk quartet injecting the fiery spirit of the Highlands and Emerald Isle straight into the Twin Cities scene since 2015. Named after the Gaelic word for "otters," this powerhouse ensemble blends moody, intricate traditional arrangements with high-energy dance tunes. They deliver a sound as rich as a pint of stout, layering fiddle, Irish flute, harp, and concertina beneath gorgeous four-part vocal harmonies and rare tracks sung in authentic Scottish Gaelic. Equally at home rocking local Irish pubs or playing whimsical themed bashes, they celebrate local roots alongside deep Celtic traditions.
5 pm - Beer garden, silent auction, and raffle open
6 pm - Dorain takes the stage
Dòrain is St. Paul’s premier folk quartet injecting the fiery spirit of the Highlands and Emerald Isle straight into the Twin Cities scene since 2015. Named after the Gaelic word for "otters," this powerhouse ensemble blends moody, intricate traditional arrangements with high-energy dance tunes. They deliver a sound as rich as a pint of stout, layering fiddle, Irish flute, harp, and concertina beneath gorgeous four-part vocal harmonies and rare tracks sung in authentic Scottish Gaelic. Equally at home rocking local Irish pubs or playing whimsical themed bashes, they celebrate local roots alongside deep Celtic traditions.
Sunday, August 30th
The fun continues with a full day of food, drink & Irish music along with some great presentations starting at 9 am!
PLUS: A special exhibit by our friends at Celtic Junction:
"The Minneapolis Piper: Recovering the Life and Music of Patrick J. Linehan, Minnesota's First Uilleann Piper"
9 am - Coffee & treats by It Is Well Coffee
11 am - Food by Brick House Meats
10 am - Music & stories by harpist Hannah Flowers
11am - 10,000 years of Irish history by historian Tim Madigan
1 pm - The Jessenland Documentary Panel Discussion presented by journalist Kyle Shiely and moderated by MPR's Tom Crann with special guests author James Silas Rogers and former MN Historical Society Press editor Ann Regan
1 pm - Goldy Gopher
1:30 pm - Irish music by Release the Craicen on the main stage
2 pm - The History of Irish Whiskey by Kelly O'Shaughnessy & Shannon Masera (founders of O'Shaughnessy Distilling & Keeper's Heart Whiskey) Attendees will get a chance to sample the whiskey and receive a 10% coupon for their products at courtesy of Coburn's in Belle Plaine
Plus: Silent Auction & Raffle open until 3:30 pm
