By Holly Johnson

Hormel Historic Home

After a couple busy months of planning summer concerts and the Autism camps, I rather thought I would have a moment to breathe before planning anything else.

Well, that moment has come and gone in the blink of an eye, and we are in full planning stages for the fall and holiday season.

I don’t want to rush, but I thought I would let you know what will be happening at the Hormel Historic Home in the next several months.

In August we, along with the Austin Public Library and The Paramount Theatre, will again be hosting the free Fourth Avenue Arts Triathlon.

Area youth are invited to visit all three locations and participate in a variety of artistic, literary, and musical activities. Kids who visited the HHH last August had fun creating stamp art using vegetables.

At the Paramount, youth were invited to perform on stage and poetry was the focus at the Library.

Make plans to participate in the 2013 event from 1 to 3 p.m. on Aug. 21. No registration is required.

On Sept. 21, the 17th Street Players will perform an Italian Murder Mystery at the HHH with the festivities beginning at 6 p.m. Join us for a classic Italian meal and some sleuthing. Tickets are $30 each or a table of eight can be purchased for $200.

Though the date has not been selected, we will once again host the Austin’s Best Bartender competition in October. Adam Wradislavsky was voted Austin’s best in 2012, so join us to see who will win in 2013.  Tickets are $5 at the door and the date will be announced soon.

Two events will keep us running in November. On Saturday, Nov. 2, the Harris Piano Contest will be held at the HHH and at the Paramount Theater.  For the second year area youth will have the opportunity to compete in their age group for a prize pool of more than $1,500.  We will have two guests this year including MarySue Hormel Harris and Andrew Hisey, a professor of Music at the University of St. Thomas.  Registration will be available soon.

We will again be decorating the home for Christmas this year and invite you to join us on Nov. 22 or 23 for a traditional English Tea. There will be a variety of entertainment and the home will be available for tours from 1 to 3:30 p.m.  Tickets are $15 including tea and snacks.

So there is no time to rest at the HHH as we continue fulfilling our mission (and the Hormel’s legacy) of Hospitality, Music, and Education.