A haunting we will go!

Trick-or-treat opportunities kick off the weekend. The Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce invites all ages to their office, located in the lower level of Home Federal Savings Bank, for trick-or-treating from 3-5 p.m. Friday.

Oak Park Place welcomes trick-or-treaters from 4-5 p.m. and Northbridge Mall welcomes them from 5-7 p.m.

Also Friday, the Albert Lea Fire Explorers will hold their haunted house from 7-10 p.m. at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds. Admission is $3 per person. This is the Fire Explorers’ only fund-raiser.

Following is a round-up of other events happening in the area this weekend.

Friday, Oct. 31

– The North Star Corn Maze near Northwood, Iowa, is open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Admission is $5 per person. Children 5 and under are admitted free.

– The Albert Lea Art Center, 224 S. Broadway Ave., features the quilts, wearable art and wall hangings of the Larson sisters, Sharon Morreim, Jan Prescher, Joyce Stenzel and Merle Stensrud. Gallery hours are noon-4 p.m. Admission is free.

– Calvary Baptist Church, 2016 N. Bridge Ave., will hold its annual Fall Fun Fest from 6-8 p.m.

The Fall Fun Fest was designed as an alternative to the traditional trick or treating. There will be games, prizes, stories, activities and treats.

There is no admission charge.

Parents are welcome to attend.

For more information, call the church office at 373-4306.

– Albert Lea Community Theatre presents “Blithe Spirit” at 7:30 p.m. at the Albert Lea Civic Theatre. For reservations, call the box office at 377-4371.

Saturday, Nov. 1

– Ascension Lutheran Church, Highway 69 South, will hold its time and talent bazaar. Morning coffee will be served from 8-10:30 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Baked goods, lefse, crafts, plants and unique treasures will also be sold.

– The 25th annual craft fair will be held at the Emmons School from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. There will be two gyms filled with crafts. Food and beverages will be available.

– The North Star Corn Maze near Northwood, Iowa, is open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Admission is $5 per person. Children 5 and under are admitted free.

– The Albert Lea Art Center, 224 S. Broadway Ave., features the quilts, wearable art and wall hangings of the Larson sisters, Sharon Morreim, Jan Prescher, Joyce Stenzel and Merle Stensrud. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Admission is free.

– Albert Lea Community Theatre presents “Blithe Spirit” at 7:30 p.m. at the Albert Lea Civic Theatre. For reservations, call the box office at 377-4371.

– The Austin Singles and Solos will host at dance at the New Richland Legion from 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. The Buck Hollow Band will play.

Sunday, Nov. 2

– Redeemer Lutheran Church in Alden will host an all-you-can-eat Dad’s Belgian Waffles breakfast from 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. This is a fund-raiser for the Christian education program. Tickets are on sale in advance for a savings of 50 cents per meal. Tickets can be ordered by calling the church at 874-3343 or Tara Roberts at 874-3625. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will contribute matching funds for the project.

– The Sons of Norway will host a pannekaker (Norwegian rolled pancake) breakfast from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Sons of Norway lodge near the Albert Lea City Arena. Rolled pancakes, lingonberries, eggs, ham, orange juice and coffee will be featured. Cost is $4.50 per person. The breakfast will benefit the Salvation Army Food Shelf. Wal-Mart will provide matching funds.

– The Geneva United Methodist Church will hold a family-style scalloped potato and ham dinner, bake sale and raffle at the Geneva Community Center from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. A freewill offering will be received.

– A benefit concert and silent auction for the Albert Lea Area Youth Choir will be held at Ascension Lutheran Church, Highway 69 South, Albert Lea. The concert begins at 3 p.m. and a freewill offering will be received. The silent auction opens for bids at 2:15 and will close after intermssion.

(Contact Geri McShane at lifestyles@albertleatribune.com, or call 379-3436.)