Good morning, Mankato.

The Mankato Marathon starts Friday, October 17 at 4:30 p.m. and continues Saturday, October 18 at 7:20 a.m. Several local roads will have temporary closures (such as Poplar Street and Sibley Parkway) to protect runners, so drivers are advised to plan alternate routes and allow extra travel time.

The City of Eagle Lake announced a volunteer program where kids will help clean up yards for elderly residents beginning Saturday October 25th—volunteers must pre-register and will receive cookies and brownies after their work.

A new indoor play area for children 15 and under is planned on Mankato’s northeast side and will open this winter at 1740 Premier Drive near Menards.

The space—called Endless Adventures—will offer a soccer court, a basketball court, multiple play zones with slides and floor games, and a party room while more details are expected soon.

The City Council approved a downsized plan to redevelop the historic School Sisters of Notre Dame property, and construction will begin next spring on 11 new homes—8 modest houses on narrow lots and 3 larger ones on more spacious sites.

The Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership will build the homes through a community land trust to keep costs low for working-class families, with new homeowners expected by early 2027.

The Mankato East girls soccer team advanced to state after winning a 7-1 rain-soaked Section 2AA Championship match against St. Peter.

Laina Peterson scored a hat trick—Grace Campbell added two goals while St. Peter’s Nevaeh Rezmerski netted one.

A Night in Valhalla: Viking After-Dark Experience

7-11 PM — Great Northern Viking Festival — Tickets on sale now — Experience a night of mead, music, and Viking-themed merriment in an immersive setting.

MN Child Welfare Training Academy: MDT Collaboration in Child Protection

— Time Range — Centennial Student Union — Free entry — Explore effective multidisciplinary team strategies in child protection through in-depth training sessions.

Holiday Craft and Gift Show

3-7 p.m. — Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center — $3 Admission — Enjoy three days of shopping, festive cheer, and handcrafted treasures from local vendors.

Styx and Loverboy Concert

1:30-9:00 p.m. — Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center — Tickets from $47.50 — Rock legends Styx and Loverboy promise a night of classic hits and electrifying performances.