Autumn decor (including German flags) adds an artistic seasonal welcome to a side street next to Heritage Park in downtown Wabasha.
GIVEN MY PHOTOGRAPHER’S EYE, I see beyond an overview. I notice details. And in the Mississippi River town of Wabasha, details abound, especially during SeptOberfest, the community’s annual two-month celebration of autumn.
Driving toward Wabasha and the bridge that connects Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Pumpkins line picnic tables in Heritage Park, site of many SeptOberfest events, including activities for children.
A view from the river bank of the Mississippi and the bridge between Wabasha, Minnesota, and Nelson, Wisconsin.
On a recent late week day afternoon, I walked about 1 ½ blocks from Heritage Park, a community gathering spot under the grassy area of the bridge connecting Wabasha to Nelson, Wisconsin, through the business district. I intentionally looked up, down and around to see the character of Wabasha. Details reveal much about a place and its people.
Signs above a business note the history of the building. Wabasha has some beautiful historic architecture as noted in the reflections in the window.
This street clock adds to the visual historic appeal of downtown Wabasha.
German or Irish, Wabasha has your food tastes covered during SeptOberfest.
I especially enjoyed the woodcarvings of George Schwalbe currently displayed in the front window of Jerry Arens Insurance.
Scroll through my photos and you will note an appreciation for history and heritage and a strong sense of community pride. Folks here care about how this town looks.
Outside Pure Identity Salon & Spa, the Tin Man, created from a pumpkin.
Pay attention to signs in windows. They tell you a lot about a town.
Festive scenes like this are staged throughout downtown Wabasha.
I appreciate the seasonal décor of scarecrows propped on straw bales, of festive banners, of carved pumpkins. I remember a town that goes the extra length to transform a downtown into a memorable visual. Wabasha impresses.
If you value small towns, you must visit Wabasha, also home to the National Eagle Center. Make this river town a day trip, an overnight destination. Now, as autumn blazes color into the landscape, as Wabasha celebrates the season during SeptOberfest.
© Copyright 2018 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
What a great place to visit –I love the idea of SeptOberfest and a whole two month celebration. I can see the pride in all of your pictures.
Yes, Wabasha shows a strong sense of community pride.
Love your post! I work in Wabasha, it is a beautiful area & the Septoberfest celebration is something I look forward to. There are SO many activities for all ages & the entire community participates.
Thank you, Carrie. I love your community. It’s one of my favorite Minnesota river towns. Be sure to read my post from yesterday if you haven’t already. That focuses more on SeptOberfest.
Love Wabasha AND SeptOberfest, been there a few times myself. I have a lot of those same photo’s. There’s lots to see in that sweet river town. I especially like the Tin Man pumpkins 🙂
Yup, a great little town in the fall. Glad you’ve spent some time in Wabasha, too, my friend.
Awwww, the TIN MAN))! Such wonderful photos, Audrey. Is there anything you cannot do?! xx
Oh, yeah, there’s a lot I can’t do, Kim. I just do what I can in following my passions and in helping others.
I love the tin man and now I really want to bake a pie. We are going to bake cookies when the kids get home from school. It’s freezing in the house!
Baking cookies is the perfect way to warm up the house.
[…] local Minnesota bloggers, Audrey, at Minnesota Prairie Roots that I follow. She has documented this wonderful town of Wabasha many times over the years and I invite each of you to see the town through her […]
Thank you, Paula.