Weekend Planner

Has the cold weather got you dreaming about a tropical getaway?

Dream no longer; it could be yours come Friday night. A four-night Caribbean cruise is just one of many auction items up for grabs at the 11th annual Gourmet Food Auction.

“It’s a fun night for a good cause, and all the money goes back to community in one way, shape or form,” said Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber Executive Director Randy Kehr.

The annual event, which coordinators say has grown each year, is one of the premier fundraisers for the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce and the Big Island Rendezvous. Kehr said about $13,000 was raised last year. Proceeds from this year’s event will be split evenly between the two organizations to support events and educational activities.

Other big-ticket items up for grabs in the live and silent auctions include a single membership for 2010 at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club, valued at $1,300, Vikings tickets and a set of four tickets to any performance at the Rochester Civic Theatre. About 60 items will be auctioned off altogether.

Tasting stations serving food will include Piggy Blues of Austin, Sugar Chic Cake Designs and Willows of New Richland, just to name a few.

The event will be held at Wedgewood Golf Club. Social hour begins at 6 p.m., with the tasting to follow at 6:30 p.m. The silent auction will go from 6 to 7:25 p.m. and the live auction will start at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $20 each or two for $30. Call the Chamber at 373-3938 to make reservations.

Several other events are going on around the area this weekend, including:

Friday

• Enjoy the creative works of local artists at the Albert Lea Art Center’s All Member Show. The exhibit goes through Feb. 19 at the Albert Lea Art Center, located at 224 S. Broadway Ave. The Art Center is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

• Think spring at the boat show from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Northstar Powersports & Marine in Albert Lea.

• The Albert Lea Junior Gold B Hockey Tournament runs from Friday through Sunday at Albert Lea City Arena.

• Enjoy Mega Force Karaoke at 7:30 p.m. at the Albert Lea Moose Lodge.

• The Albert Lea Moose Lodge is hosting a burger basket fundraiser from 5 to 8 p.m. Admission is $7 per person and proceeds will benefit Girl Scout Troop 40211 in its efforts to travel to Savannah, Ga., the birthplace of Girl Scouts of America.

• The Albert Lea Eagles Club will host a dance with music by Flashback starting at 7:30 p.m.

• The Hawthorne Hotsteppers will perform during halftime of the basketball game at Albert Lea High School.

Saturday

• Learn healthy habits at the YMCA Health Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Family Y. The event will include healthy food demonstrations, Zumba and yoga classes, free health assessments, weight training demonstrations, kids’ fitness classes and more.

• The Geneva Bar & Grill will host its 2nd annual Cribbage Tournament, starting at 1 p.m.

• Enjoy KB Karaoke at 7 p.m. at the Albert Lea Moose Lodge.

• Where It Matters will host live music by Bad Monkey Saturday from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.

• The Albert Lea Eagles Club will host a dance with music by The Outlaws starting at 8 p.m.

Sunday

• The Sons of Norway Normanna Lodge will host a Pannakaker Breakfast from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Menu will include rolled pancakes with lingonberries, ham, scrambled eggs, parsley potatoes, juice and coffee. Admission is $6 and table service will be provided by the Albert Lea High School choir.

• The Arc of Freeborn County will hold an all-you-can-eat Dad’s Belgian Waffles breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bethany Hall of First Lutheran Church. The menu includes 9-inch malted Belgian waffles, link sausages, maple and flavored syrups, milk, orange juice and coffee. Admission is $6.50 for adults, $4.50 for children ages 6 to 12 and free for children ages 5 and under.

• The Albert Lea Moose Lodge is hosting a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• V.F.W. pancake breakfast will be from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the American Legion. Admission is $7.