Weekend features food, fish, Frisbees and the ‘Wizard of Oz’

The Big Island BBQ State Championship highlights the weekend in Albert Lea. As of Tuesday 62 teams were registered to compete. The annual event takes place the last weekend of August at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds.

The event goes from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and continues Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are only 300 tickets available, starting at 5:45 p.m., to taste chicken wings and chili on Friday night. The tickets are $15. However, entrance to the competition to simply see the sights and smell the smells is free. People can enjoy barbecue foods from vendors and entertainment by The Cruisers. The event is a fundraiser for the Big Island Rendezvous held each year in October at Bancroft Bay Park.

Friday

• Myre-Big Island State Park will host a free “I Can Fish!” program from 9 a.m. to noon to teach the basics of fishing. For more information call 507-379-3403.

• The annual Big Island BBQ event starts at 5 and goes until 10 p.m. at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds.

• The Pelican Breeze II will cruise Albert Lea Lake at 6 p.m. The pizza cruise costs $15, and reservations are needed by 4 p.m. by calling 507-383-2630.

• “Dorothy & the Wizard of Oz,” a children’s play, will be featured at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center. The interactive play starts at 7 p.m. Cost is $8 per person, which includes a cookie and raffle ticket for handmade items. Tickets are available at Ben’s Floral & Frame Designs, Doyle’s Hallmark, Celebrations and the day of the show at the theater.

• Movies in the Park will feature “Tangled,” for free at Edgewater Park starting at 8:30 p.m.

Saturday

• The Albert Lea Farmers Market starts at 9 a.m. and goes until noon in the North Broadway Avenue parking lot.

• The annual Big Island BBQ event starts at 10 a.m. and lasts until 5 p.m. at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds. A bean bag tournament starts at 8:30 a.m., and costs $20 per team.

• “Dorothy & the Wizard of Oz,” a children’s play, will be featured at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center. The interactive play has two showings at 2 and 7 p.m. Cost is $8 per person, which includes a cookie and raffle ticket for handmade items. Tickets are available at Ben’s Floral & Frame Designs, Doyle’s Hallmark, Celebrations and the day of the show at the theater.

• The Pelican Breeze II will cruise Albert Lea Lake at 4 p.m. No reservations are needed and cost is $10.

• Our Father’s House will feature a concert by Brad Reynolds from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Sunday

• The American Legion hosts a breakfast with $1 of each $7 ticket going to a church youth group of your choice. The breakfast starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 12:30 p.m. Menu includes pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, potatoes, fruit, coffee and juice.

• The annual Flying Lea Disc Golf Championship begins at 10 a.m. at Bancroft Bay Park. Participants must have attended Sunday league play at least six times, and prizes are available for winners.

• Gary Froiland performs at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Conger at 10:30 a.m. Froiland is a one-man band who plays songs with a gospel message. The event is free and open to the public.

• A benefit for Addison Quade will be held at the Albert Lea Armory from 1 to 5 p.m. A $5 donation includes pulled pork sandwiches, assorted salads, beans and desserts. There will also be a silent auction. Call 507-318-0479 for more information.

• The Pelican Breeze II will cruise Albert Lea Lake at 1:30 p.m. No reservations are needed and cost is $10.