Stars, stripes, and stories, oh my! Get ready, Hastings, because this is not your average tea party - it's the Fourth of July, and we're bursting with local news more vibrant than the fireworks in the sky. Fasten your patriotic bunting, folks, because here comes today's LOCAL 10, sizzling hot off the press and ready to light up your day!

First on our list, we have some explosive news from the City of Hastings Government. They're inviting everyone to come down and celebrate the Fourth of July at the Hastings Golf Club & Public House. The evening will kick off with a parade at 7 p.m., which, based on the route, looks suspiciously like my morning jog. Afterward, there'll be live music, food, and drinks, followed by fireworks at 10 p.m. - brought to you by Vermillion Bank. Because nothing says "freedom" like a corporate-sponsored pyrotechnic display​.

Now, onto Pub 55, who's introducing their latest culinary masterpiece - the Frisco burger. Complete with Swiss cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, and thousand island. Now, that's a mouthful... literally. That's how they get you, folks, by the stomach. A juicy, cheesy, bacony conspiracy if you ask me, but one that I'm entirely willing to participate in​​.

What's a Fourth of July without ice cream? Schoolhouse Scoop is open and ready to help you achieve that summer body... by making it slightly rounder. Stop by and indulge in some sweet, sweet freedom​​.

Of course, our friends at the Dakota County Sheriff's Office would like to remind us that while we're setting things on fire, stuffing our faces, and sunning ourselves, we should also take a moment to remember safety. They've thoughtfully provided an 8-point plan to ensure our festivities don't end up as next week's headlines. Remember, folks, we're aiming for "Star-Spangled Banner," not "Survivor: Hastings Edition"​​.

HHH Ranch just finished their second Horse Camp, and they had 12 girls loving on horses all week long. Hopefully, they remembered to wash their hands before dinner. Horse slobber is surprisingly sticky, I hear​​.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is flexing their firefighting muscles by sending a team up to Canada. Because when your neighbor's house is on fire, you don't just stand there. You grab a hose and lend a hand. Or in this case, a sawyer​​.

Terry's Hardware is playing it smart this holiday, shortening their hours for the 4th of July. So if you need to buy a last-minute grill or a bucket for your fireworks, you better get there early​​.

And speaking of early, Sliver King Games is already stocking school supplies. It's a subtle reminder that your kids won't be underfoot forever, and soon you'll have to start making lunches again. But don't worry, they've got lunchboxes for sale too​​.

Black Dirt Theater is going to be in the parade, and they're also performing "The Music Man" LIVE at Hastings High School at the end of the month. Get your tickets now, folks, before they're all snapped up by the cast's proud parents​​.

And last but not least, Rio Gran reminds us to be mindful of our pets during the fireworks. Just remember, folks, while we may love the boom, our furry friends prefer a little less bang in their evening. So keep them safe and secure, with soothing music to help drown out the noise. After all, you don't want to spend your Independence Day chasing after a spooked pet​​.

And that's it, folks! You're now up to date on the top ten happenings around town. Whether you're planning to partake in the parade, savor a specialty burger, or simply sit back and watch the fireworks, remember to stay safe and have fun. This is HastingsNow.com’s LOCAL 10 signing off. Happy Fourth of July!

Organic distribution.

19,000+ monthly: estimated organic reach, impressions and views from local friends, family, and customers.

CONTRIBUTORS

• LocalPigeon’s Midjourney art

• Powered by ChatGPT

• Edited by LocalPigeon