As the beautiful colors have covered our area, we are already thinking about the upcoming holidays.

Our next trip will have us traveling to Wisconsin, where we plan to see highlighting color in their bluff areas.

We will be en route to the opening night of “A Christmas Story.” You may remember Ralphie and his quest for the Holy Grail of Christmas gifts — an official Red-Ryder air rifle. This musical at the Fireside Theatre will open on Oct. 31 and will feature a fabulous buffet dinner prior to the show. Guests will be seated all around the stage and above in the front row balcony. 

This is an overnight stay with lodging next door.

Trips for 2020 are now in the planning stages. We already have plans for Chanhassen Dinner Theatre’s newest production  “Music Man.” We have reserved two dates on June 17 and July 29. Both are matinees. We will have the same reserved seating as our shows last year. The show will have a lot of spirit and great parade-like music. This play was written by Meredith Wilson of Mason City, Iowa. Many will remember Meredith marching and leading the annual June Mason City Band Festival. This promises to be an absolutely great family show.

There is also a return trip to Branson, Missouri, in the works. It will be announced later at our Travel Show, which will be in our MCSC Newsletter or our column with the Austin Daily Herald.   

Upcoming Trips

• Oct. 31 – Nov. 1: There will be an 8 a.m. pick-up at the south end of Walmart. We will return between 5:30-5:45 p.m. 

• Nov. 13: Daytrippers Dinner Theatre located near the Mall of America. We will be seeing the “Bermuda Triangle.” This comedy involves two elderly ladies who have been moved into a nursing home in Las Vegas by their family. This story reminds us of the comedy shows in the former Old Log Theatre. This is a family friendly show. A buffet dinner at the theater will precede the show. We will depart at 9 a.m. You may call our Travel Office number at 1-507-438-3946, as a few tickets are still available.

• Dec. 4: “Hark, the Church Basement Ladies Sing.” This production has moved to a new location in the Twin Cities. The Ames Theatre is now hosting this popular show. Lunch will be at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant in Lakeville. We do have a waiting list in case of cancellations. We will be departing at 9 a.m. with a return of about 5:45 p.m.