Pumpkins highlight Stillwater Harvest Fest

Chris Stevens of New Richmond, Wis., holds the world record for growing a pumpkin that tipped the scales at 1,810.5 pounds, a feat recorded last year at Stillwater's Harvest Festival.

No telling what it will take to win the blue ribbon this year, but pumpkin growers from all over the region will compete in the Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday in Lowell Park. Winners will be announced at 4 p.m.

The weigh-off and pumpkin drop is the signature event of the fall celebration, which kicks off with a street dance and bingo Friday night.

Festivities continue Saturday and next Sunday with haunted cave tours, a Pumpkin Boat Regatta, a kids' costume parade, live music, master pumpkin and vegetable carvers, and pumpkin-decorating and baking and pie-eating contests.

Most events are free, but tickets are required for beer and chili tastings and for riverboat cruises. For a schedule of events and more information, see www.stillwaterharvestfest.com.

City leader going to Chisago CountyBruce Messelt, city administrator in Lake Elmo since 2009, will start his new job as Chisago County administrator on Nov. 1.

Messelt came to Lake Elmo from Moorhead, Minn., where he was city administrator. He is a Duluth native.

In Chisago County, Messelt, 45, will work in a lakes region that has growing importance to the metro area, he said.

Parrish named city administratorAaron Parrish has been hired as the city administrator in Forest Lake and will begin his duties Nov. 14.

The City Council approved his contract, which will pay him $107,263, at its Monday meeting. He also will be paid $350 per month to cover vehicle expenses related to city business and $50 per month to cover cellphone costs.

Parrish has been city administrator in Crookston, Minn., a city of 7,800 people, for the past seven years.

He has a bachelor's degree in political science and urban studies from Hamline University in St. Paul and a master's degree in urban and regional studies from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Contractor hired for new City HallAn Eagan contractor has been hired to build a new Public Safety/City Hall in Cottage Grove.

The bid by Graham Construction Services for $13 million means construction will begin on a building that has been discussed since 1993. The new 66,657-square-foot structure will replace the current 24,148-square-foot building constructed in 1968.

The City Hall's new site, adjacent to East Ravine Park and Washington County's South Service Center, is scheduled to open in October 2012.

City awarded grant for playgroundA $20,000 grant will help Oak Park Heights build a playground at the former Moelter fly-ash dump on the city's east side.

The city received the grant because it was selected as a 2011 Playful City USA by the national nonprofit organization KaBOOM! as part of an initiative to build or spruce up 2,000 playgrounds across the country.

The speaker will be Louis Johnston, associate professor and chair of the Department of Economics at the College of St. Benedict and St. John's University.

The public affairs luncheon series is sponsored by the St. Croix Valley Foundation.

The program will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Grand Banquet Center, 301 S. Second St., Stillwater. Cost is $17 and must be paid in advance.

To make a reservation, call Conversations of the Valley information line at 651-430-3820. Reservations by credit card also can be made online at www.scvcf.org/news_calendar.htm.