Barbecue enthusiasts! Get ready for a weekend full of flavorful eats because the Big Island BBQ is coming to town.

The Big Island BBQ will be from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds. It is a fundraiser for the Big Island Rendezvous held each year in October at Bancroft Bay Park.

This year’s event is a qualifier for the World Brisket Championship for 2013. Also, the grand champion will be invited to the Great American Barbeque in Kansas City, Mo. There are payouts for 10 categories including:chicken, pork ribs, pork shoulder/butt, beef brisket, homemade sauce, dessert, anything butt, and chili. More than 50 teams are signed up to compete.

More than $12,000 in prize money will be given out to winners. There will be children’s activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free to the event, and foods vendors of all kinds will be available. Live musical entertainment is scheduled as well.

 

Friday

• The Big Island BBQ starts at 5 p.m. at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds.

• The Parks and Recreation Department hosts the free Movie in the Park event. “Enchanted” will play at 8:30 p.m. at the bandshell at Edgewater Park.

 

Saturday

• The Big Island BBQ continues at 10 a.m. at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds.

• The Silver Lake Lutheran Church in Northwood hosts a salad luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $5 per person.

• The Alden Fire Department hosts a pork chop feed from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the fire station. Cost is $10. Meal includes pork chop, all-you-can-eat sweet corn, beans and a beverage. Proceeds go to updating equipment for the fire department and first responders.

 

Sunday

• Albert Lea’s American Legion hosts a breakfast from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Menu includes pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, potatoes, fruit cup, juice and coffee. Suggested donation is $7 for adults and free for children age 6 and younger.

• Northbridge Mall hosts Big Ben & the Brians. The free concert starts at 1 p.m.

• Youth for Christ hosts an ice cream sundae event as a thank you from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Fountain Lake gazebo. Join in for sundaes, entertainment and fellowship.

• Grace Christian Church hosts its annual free outdoor concert at 6:30 p.m. Light Switch will play at the parking lot near the intersection of Front Street and Broadway Avenue.