The following is a highlight of events in southern Minnesota:

Marion Ross Performing Arts Center Dedication, June 7

The Albert Lea Civic Theatre, which will be renamed in honor of Albert Lea native and “Happy Days” screen star Marion Ross, will host a celebration June 7.

Ross, who also appeared in the films “Sabrina” and “Operation Petticoat” and classic TV shows “Love Boat” and “Night Court,” will be in attendance with boyfriend Paul Michael to perform for audiences. She most recently was in “Superhero Movie.”

Food and entertainment is planned.

For more information, visit www.city.albertlea.org/theatre.htm or call the theater at (507) 377-4372.

Rhubarb Fest, June 7

Lanesboro’s annual Rhubarb Fest on June 7 is as quirky as it gets. The Rhubarb Olympics for kids and adults will feature the Rhubarb Stalk Throw and Green Eggs and Rhubarb; taste rhubarb pies, crisps, cakes, soups, chutney, chili, jams and ketchup; and have your little “rhubarbettes’” picture taken with  Ray and Ruby Rhubarb. Visit www.rhubarbfestival.org for more information.

Eddie Cochran Weekend, June 13-15

The Eddie Cochran, with its Low Bucks Car Club Show, will be held June 13-15 in Albert Lea.

The celebration of Albert Lea’s own 1950s rock ’n’ roll legend includes a drive-in movie, swap meet, car show, car rally and cruise, contests and more. There is also a permanent Eddie Cochran exhibit at the Freeborn Historical Society Museum.

Art in the Park, June 15

Shade trees, a trout pond, playground and turf provide the setting for Lanesboro’s annual juried art festival, Art in the Park, June 15 at Sylvan Park. Eclectic food, a petting zoo, entertainment and more than 90 exhibits will be featured.

Visit the Lanesboro Art Council’s Web site at www.lanesboroartcouncil.org or call (507) 476-2787 for more information. 

61st Annual Winona Steamboat Days, June 18-22

The scenic Mississippi River town of Winona is hosting its 61st Annual Winona Steamboat Days June 18-22. Rides, music, games, a parade, food and more. Visit www.winonasteamboatdays.com.

Water Ski Days, June 27-29

Ralph Samuelson invented waterskiing on Lake Pepin, and now Lake City celebrates the invention every summer. There will be live bands each evening in the beer tent, and there will be carnival rides, antiques and crafts, classic automobiles, family games and activities and, of course, a grand parade. There is plenty of waterskiing, too. For more visit www.lakecity.org.

5th Great River Shakespeare Festival, June 27-July 28

Enjoy a month’s worth of plays from the most well-known poet of all time June 27-July 28 in Winona. This fifth season of plays are performed by the Great River Shakespeare Festival Company. Visit the GRSF Company’s Web site at www.grsf.org/main for more information.

Olmsted County Fair, June 28-July 5

Rochester will host the Olmsted County Fair June 28-July 5 at the Olmsted County Fairgrounds. Vendors, food, rides, music, exhibitors, 4-H events and more. Visit www.olmstedcountyfair.com.

Third of July Parade, July 3

Albert Lea starts Independence Day early each summer with its Third of July Parade that evening. For more information, visit the Albert Lea/Freeborn Convention & Visitors Bureau Web site at www.albertleatourism.org or call (800) 345-8414.

Spamtown USA Fourth of July Festival, July 3-4

Austin — “Spamtown USA” — will be hosting its annual Fourth of July Festival July 3-4. There will be fun for the whole family at Bandshell Community Park with games, food, music, vendors and more. The Independence Day Parade will cruise down Main Street July 4, with more entertainment and fireworks to follow. The 5-Mile Hog Jog at East Side Lake and the 25-Mile Dan Ulwelling Bike Race at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center will also take place during the weekend. For more information, visit the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.austincvb.com or call (800) 444-5713.

Kolacky Days, July 25-27

Montgomery, the “Kolacky Capital of the World,” is celebrating the Czechoslovakian pastry for the 74th year with Kolacky Days July 25-27. A small dinner roll-like pastry filled with prune, poppyseed, apricot, apple, blueberry or raspberry, and then baked, kolacky is a locally famous treat. The festival begins Friday with crowning of the Kolacky Days Queen and a dance in the park. On Saturday, there will be a car show downtown; volleyball, horseshoes, kids games and old-time music in the park. The Bun Run will proceed the parade at held at noon Sunday. A carnival and antique tractor show will be ongoing throughout the festival. For more information visit www.montgomerymn.org and click on “Kolacky Days.”

Alltel Minnesota Vikings Training Camp, late July-early August 

Watch the Purple and Gold in action two times a day, six times a week in Mankato at the Alltel Minnesota Vikings Training Camp, late July though early August, at Blakeslee Field at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Autograph sessions available. Visit www.vikings.com for more information. 

Buffalo Bill Days, Aug. 1-3

Lanesboro will commemorate an American West icon during Buffalo Days Aug. 1-3. The first of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Shows was performed in Lanesboro in 1900. The festival includes food, dances, vendors and a grand parade. Visit www.lanesboro.com for more information.

Steele County Free Fair, Aug. 12-17

“Celebrate with the State” at Minnesota’s largest county fair Aug. 12-17 in Owatonna. 

Vendors from 25 states will be peddling everything from crystal to quilts. Entertainment like pig racing, a human cannonball, midway rides, auto racing, bull riding and more are free to fair-goers.

For more information or a brochure, call (800) 423-6466 or visit www.scff.org.

7th Annual Cultural Heritage Festival, Aug. 26

The Welcome Center is hosting its 7th Annual Cultural Heritage Festival from noon to 7 p.m. at Bandshell Park in Austin.

Learn about many ethnicities through music, arts, crafts and food. Vendors will be available.

The park is located at Fourth Street and Ninth Place Southwest, Austin.

For more information, contact The Welcome Center at 434-2863

Mower County Humane Society 6th Annual Walk for Animals, Sept. 8

An owner/pet look-alike contest is just part of the fun at the Mower County Humane Society 6th Annual Walk for Animals at 1 p.m. Sept. 8 in Horace Park, Austin. 

Registration begins at 1 p.m., with the walk at 2:30 p.m. Games and activities will be ongoing during the walk.

Pledges earned for the walk benefit the society’s Friends in Need animal shelter, which does not euthanize its cats and dogs.

Pledge forms are available at the Austin Veterinary Clinic and Double K Specialty.

Call 437-9262 for more information.