Halloween is getting close and this weekend is getting ready for it. With a spooky horse show, a fall fest and a good meal, mixed with yoga and music, there’s sure to be something for everyone.

1. Book Release Party: Michael Cotter

6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Austin Public Library

Come celebrate the release of local storyteller Michael Cotter’s new book “The Killdeer,” written in collaboration with his wife, Bev Jackson Cotter. For more information, call 507-433-2391.

2. Mower County 4-H Spooky Show

9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, Mower County Fairgrounds

The Spooky Horse Show will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday at the fairgrounds arena, and will host 12 classes, including a halter costume parade, boo-manship, which is showmanship where participants can stay in costume, goblin goblet junior/senior walk/trot, where participants carry a glass of water while riding their horse without spilling, spider junior/senior western pleasure, which is a ride just for pleasure, eyeball egg and spoon, witches brew, howling barrels, skeleton junior/senior poles, which is regular pole bending, and headless horseman lead, where the adults ride and the children lead. There will be prizes for each category.

3. Glow and Slow Flow Yoga Event

5:30 p.m., Saturday, YMCA of Austin

Celebrate the partnership between the Yoga Studio of Austin and the YMCA of Austin with glow in the dark yoga. This event is open to all skill levels in the community. You do not need to be a member of either organizations to attend. The Y will provide yoga mats to those who need them. Youth ages 10-18 years are welcome, but youth under 14 years must be accompanied by an adult. The pre-registration cost is $10 for adults and $5 for youth (ages 10-18 years). Day of registration is $12 for adults and $7 for youth. Register at the YMCA of Austin Front Desk or www.ymca-austin.org.

4. ECFE celebrates 40 years

10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Community Learning Center

Early Childhood Family Education is 40 years old in the state of Minnesota this year. ECFE is celebrating locally with a birthday bash. This party is free and open to the entire community. The party will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Community Learning Center. There will be magic shows at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m., birthday games, art projects, a photo booth, face painting, book walk, free play and of course birthday cake. A vehicle fair will be held with trucks, buses and other vehicles to climb on and explore. The Rotary Club of Austin partnered to provide books and activities around literacy.

5. Fall Fest Downtown

10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Downtown Austin

This family-friendly fall event is a great opportunity to dress up in costumes and have fun. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. there will be trick-or-treat at downtown businesses, as well as pumpkin decorating at the Welcome Center, and games and a photo op in the green space. At 1 p.m. there will be a costume contest in the green space or the Welcome Center in case of rain. At 2 p.m., “Casper” will show at the Historic Paramount Theatre to benefit the March of Dimes; guests are encouraged to wear costumes to be eligible for a prize drawing. There will also be yoga at 5:30 p.m. and live music from 8 to 10 p.m. at B&J’s Bar and Dusty’s Bar and Grill.

6. 12th Annual Thanksgiving Feast

5 to 9 p.m., Saturday, St. Edwards Corcoran Center

The feast includes a social hour, a silent auction, raffles, music, a turkey dinner, a short program and a live auction. Tickets are $35 per person for Friends of the Nature Center, $40 for non-members. All the proceeds go to the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center Operations Fund. For more information or to obtain tickets, call 507-437-7519, or 507-433-6928.

7. Mariachi!

2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Austin High School Knowlton Auditorium

Featuring “the finest mariachi musicians from around the country” in their first appearance with a full symphony orchestra. The concert includes traditional and modern Mariachi classics and wraps beautiful music by Marquez, Lecuone, and others around it for an afternoon of Latin sizzle. For more information, or to order tickets, go to www.austinsymphony.org.