The first-annual Hay Days festival will bring food, a street dance and a tallest cornstalk contest to Clark Street in downtown Albert Lea Saturday.

Thursday, August 16, 2001

The first-annual Hay Days festival will bring food, a street dance and a tallest cornstalk contest to Clark Street in downtown Albert Lea Saturday.

From noon to 5 p.m., there will be a flea market, farmer’s market, crafts, children’s activities and games.

From 5:30 to 7 p.m., a top gun stereo contest, featuring more than $700 in cash and prizes. Registration is at Power 96 or Doug’s Auto Body.

The tallest cornstalk contest, sponsored by FM 100, goes all day. Pie and corn-eating contests are also planned. Grilled burgers, brats, hot dogs and sweet corn will be served.

A dunk tank, dart games and raffles will raise money for downtown beautification.

The street dance, featuring &uot;The Snowy River Band,&uot; runs from 8 p.m. to midnight in the beer garden. The dance is sponsored by A Touch of Class/The Rose.

An assortment of downtown merchants are also planning Hay Days specials all weekend long.

Other events planned this weekend:

— The Myrtle Centennial celebration goes on all weekend.

A co-ed softball tournament runs all day Friday through Sunday.

Saturday includes a parade at 10 a.m.; a countywide volunteer fireman competition at 2 p.m. and a street dance with &uot;Blue Denim&uot; at 8:30 p.m.

Sunday starts with a community church service at 8 a.m. and continues with the Myrtle firemen’s pancake breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Bands and music groups will play throughout the days, the Myrtle Museum will be open Saturday and Sunday, food vendors will be selling their goods and toy train rides will be running for the kids.

— The Story Lady Doll and Toy Museum’s annual rummage sale is Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at 1802 Lakewood Ave.

Matching funds will be donated by Lutheran Brotherhood.

— Entertainment with a message hits the stage at the Albert Lea High School auditorium during a &uot;Grand Stage Illusion Show&uot; Saturday at 3 and 7 p.m.

David and Lisa Horsager will perform the show, touting &uot;amazing illusions, upbeat entertainment and a powerful message exposing today’s deceptions and lies.&uot;

Pizza, concessions and door prizes are planned between shows in the commons area.

There is no admission fee, but a free-will offering will be taken after the performance. Because of limited seating, tickets are required and are available at Albert Lea Hallmark stores.

For more information, call Crossroads Evangelical Free Church at 377-3276.

— The music of the band &uot;Memories&uot; begins at 1:30 p.m. at Edgewater Park Sunday. The band plays a musical program including old-time waltzes and polkas together with memory tunes from the big-band era of the ’30s and ’40s.