This Fresh Forkin' Friday marks the beginning of the end of the season for area farmer's markets. Mill City will ring it out this weekend with a Fall Harvest celebration including pumpkin painting and the Goose Chase Cloggers! The Midtown Farmer's Market is open until the 31st for your pumpkin-buying-apple-bobbing pleasure. Kingfield Market will rock until the 25th, and close with a pumpkin carving contest. Both the Minneapolis Market and St. Paul Market will sally forth through November, and into the festive December for St. Paul. But worry not, Local D'Lish will again host a winter market every other Saturday through the chill.

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OPEN

Kieran Folliard's Cooper is now open in the West End of St. Louis Park. The pub and restaurant is decked out in gorgeous millwork brought over from Europe (which pissed off local union workers, I'm sure).

NOT CLOSED

Norton's Downtown & Lucky Cat Lounge is NOT closing, despite some rumors that have been floating around. In fact, the year-old Red Wing restaurant is gearing up to have a belated Grand Opening celebration this winter.

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The MN Food Association and Big River Farms are throwing a Fall Harvest pig roast and bonfire party this Saturday to celebrate the bounty of the season. They'll have an organic pig roast, hayrides, music, live music, and farm tours. The party is FREE, but you should bring a dish to share for the potluck and of course heartfelt donations will be accepted. 

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Happy Birthday Vincent a Restaurant! Francoul has invited some buddies into the kitchen to help celebrate his eight-year run with a dinner on Sunday, the 18th. Heidi's Stewart Woodman will have the first course, Vincent the second, Russel Klein of Meritage will prepare the third, and Minikahda's Ferris Schiffer will cook the fourth, with Vincent capping the night with a roasted apple "Napolean". Tickets run $130 all inclulsive, no need to bring a gift.

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Less celebratory, but no less fun, moto-i is throwing a sake dinner on Tuesday the 20th. This week's $30 four-course dinner, which will include oxtail hayashi stew and "pastrami" tuna sashimi wrapped in beef tataki, is just one of the monthly sake dinners which will be held on third Tuesdays.

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I Nonni and Buon Giorno are hosting their annual wine tasting event on October 25th from 4-7 p.m. out Lilydale way. For $55 you can sample over 75 wines from all over Italy, including some rare and spectacular bottles (hello, Amarone?), plus house-made salumi, artisan cheeses, and antipasti. Space is limited, so reserve by the 20th.

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Some might argue that the perfect Fall pairing is cheese and apples, but they wouldn't have to argue too hard. This Saturday, the Midtown Global Market will celebrate the pair at the 2nd Annual Cheese and Apple Fest. Come on people, there will be apple croquet, a reading of the Stinky Cheese Man, an apple/gouda turnover demonstration, and a screening of FRESH, among other fun. And it's all FREE!