Autumn is here and at the Austin Area Commission for the Arts, we are celebrating with Fall Fest on Saturday, Oct. 28.

Kids and families will want to come to the Austin ArtWorks Center to do a free pumpkin craft in the clay cavern from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The ArtWorks Center will also be handing out treats for the kids. Go ahead and take some time to explore the retail area and view the gallery exhibit on the second floor which features Renee Sonka and Lori Tapani.

Minnesota Music Coalition’s Caravan du Nord is coming to Austin during Fall Fest as well with several events on that Saturday.

First, aspiring musicians will want to attend free workshops hosted by Caravan du Nord at the Paramount Annex (former Park and Rec office). “Funding for Artists” is at 2:30 p.m. with discussion about grant opportunities, crowdsourcing campaigns and other revenue streams for your music.

Then at 3:30 p.m., Current DJ Mark Wheat hosts a conversation with touring musicians about how they get the word out about their shows called “Promoting Your Band.”

Next, head over to Dusty’s Bar and Lounge at 5:30 p.m. for social hour with the performers in Dead Man Winter, Lydia Liza and Good Night Gold Dust. Admission is free and you can enjoy food and drink off the menu on your own dime as you mingle with artists at the official pre-show party.

Finally, enjoy an eclectic night of music from some of Minnesota’s top Americana and indie-rock talent at the Paramount Theatre.

The Caravan du Nord all-ages show starts at 7:30 p.m. with Lydia Liza and Good Night Gold Dust opening for Dead Man Winter, featuring Dave Simonett of Trampled By Turtles. Tickets are just $10 each. This concert is an incredible value because of grant funding. Tickets to see Dave Simonett start around $70 — if you can get them. His Dead Man Winter November shows at the Turf Club in St. Paul are already sold out.

Caravan du Nord is presented in partnership with the Austin Area Commission for the Arts and sponsored by 89.3 The Current, Dusty’s Bar & Lounge and South Central Athlete.

The 2017 Caravan du Nord is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Coming soon at the Paramount Theatre

•Oct. 25: $5 Movie: “Ghostbusters,” 7:30 p.m.

•Oct. 28: Caravan du Nord

•Funding for Artists workshop, 2:30 p.m.

•Promoting your Band workshop, 3:30 p.m.

•Caravan Social Hour, Dusty’s, 5:30 p.m.

•Caravan du Nord, 7:30 p.m.

Coming soon at the ArtWorks Center

•Oct. 27: Clay Wheel Throwing for Teens, 6 p.m.

•Oct. 27: ArtRocks Open Jam, 7 p.m.

•Oct. 28: Landscapes in Oil with Joni Finnegan, 10 a.m.; Free pumpkin craft and treats, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Find out more at www.austinareaarts.org