Something to crow about

Last update: October 10, 2008 - 2:01 PM

Belle Plaine

The 25th annual Great Scarecrow Festival features some imaginative scarecrows, including Sesame Street's Big Bird and Dorothy and her buddies from "The Wizard of Oz," through October at Emma Krumbee's Orchard in Belle Plaine. Visitors can also pick apples and pumpkins, visit a petting zoo, navigate a corn maze and, on weekends only, enjoy live music and wagon, camel and pony rides. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $5, free for ages 2 and under (952-873-3006; www.emmakrumbees.com).

Big-town art, small-town atmosphere

Baraboo, Dodgeville, Mineral Point and Spring Green, Wis.

Treat yourself to the Fall Art Tour in southwestern Wisconsin Friday through next Sunday, where you'll have an opportunity to see artists' demonstrations in 38 studios. The free self-guided tour in Baraboo, Spring Green, Mineral Point and Dodgeville highlights works by more than 50 local and visiting artists, including, paintings, quilts, jewelry, sculpture, pottery, stained glass, mixed media, metal and woodworking. Some art will be for sale. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (1-608-356-7805; www.fallarttour.com).

Hands-on discovery

Grand Marais, Minn.

Explore "North Shore Geology - Lake Superior's Volcanic Heritage" on a naturalist-led field trip that is part of the Autumn Migration Birding and Superior Ecology Series Oct. 25-26 at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais. Visitors will learn how the area's geological history shaped migrant bird patterns and more. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $150 for a two-day course and field trip. (1-888-387-9762; www.grandmarais.com/birding).

COLLEEN A. COLES

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