Veterans will be honored again this year with a festival sponsored by Albert Lea’s local branch of Beyond the Yellow Ribbon.

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon presents its third annual Freedom Festival from 4 to 10 p.m. today at the Fountain Lake Gazebo.

Free hot dogs and refreshments will be available. Visitors can enjoy live entertainment at the event. Minnesota National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Jeff Dahlen, the military point of contact for Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, hopes that the day will be fun and relaxing for everyone.

There will also be a memorial for all the Minnesota servicemen and women who have died since 9/11. The memorial will feature the names and dog tags of the fallen men and women.

Albert Lea’s Gail Springborg, a survivor outreach services support coordinator with the U.S. Army, managed to procure the memorial for Albert Lea’s Fourth of July celebrations.

This festival is put on by Beyond the Yellow Ribbon to say thank you to the veterans and their families in the community, Dahlen said.

The rain site for the memorial will be at the Albert Lea American Legion Hall at 142 N. Broadway. Beyond the Yellow Ribbon is working in conjunction with the Legion for this festival.

Albert Lea’s Beyond the Yellow Ribbon is made up of representatives from city leadership, public safety, churches, veterans’ organizations and other businesses. The group’s purpose is to hold activities, build awareness and provide support for deployed service members and their families.

 

Today

• Have some fun at the Fourth of July Cody Rides carnival from 3 to 11 p.m. at the North Broadway parking lot.

• The Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce presents the Third of July Parade. The parade begins at 6 p.m., starts at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds, travels down Bridge Avenue, heads west on Fountain Street and ends at Central Park.

Watch the Albert Lea Tribune website for word from chamber officials on rain delays.

 

Independence Day

• Have some fun at the Fourth of July Cody Rides carnival from noon to 11 p.m. at the North Broadway parking lot.

• The Northwood Fourth of July Parade starts at 11 a.m. in the streets of Northwood.

• Watch a special Fourth of July Bayside Ski Team show starting at 2 p.m. at Edgewater Park.

• The Fourth of July Car Show will be 4 to 7 p.m. at the North Broadway parking lot. This show is sponsored by American Legion Post 56, The Old Car Co., KQAQ 970 AM and the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau.

• There will be a pool party at 6 p.m. at the Northwood swimming pool.

• The beer garden opens at 6 p.m. on Central Avenue in Northwood.

• The Albert Lea Community Band will be playing patriotic songs during a concert from 8 to 9:30 p.m. at Fountain Lake Park.

• Rhino will perform at 9 p.m. on Central Avenue in Northwood.

• Watch the fireworks from the Pelican Breeze II Fourth of July Cruise. The cruise leaves at 9 p.m. from Frank Hall Park. Reservations can be made by calling 507-383-7273.

• The Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce presents Fourth of July fireworks over Fountain Lake at 10 p.m. Watch the Albert Lea Tribune website for word from chamber officials on rain delays.

• Watch some fireworks in Northwood at 10 p.m. at the Northwood Airport.

 

Saturday

• The Ron Sander Memorial Run/Walk starts at 8 a.m. in Bricelyn.

• The TUNE Run/Walk begins at 9 a.m. from the Northwood Movie Theatre.

• Find some fresh produce, baked goods and more at the Albert Lea Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to noon at the Northbridge Mall parking lot, 2510 Bridge Ave.

• A softball tournament begins at 9 a.m. in Northwood.

• A volleyball tournament begins at 9 a.m. in Bricelyn.

• Registration for the car, tractor and motorcycle show begins at 9 a.m. in Bricelyn.

• Help spruce up City Beach with the Campaign 4 Kindness Cleanup at 9 a.m.

• Ruby’s Pantry Food Distribution will be from 10 a.m. to noon at Assembly of God Church, 1540 S. Shore Drive. Cost is $20. Bring two large boxes or laundry baskets for groceries.

• The car, tractor and motorcycle show is from noon to 4 p.m. in Bricelyn.

• Keep on celebrating the Fourth with the Fourth of July parade at 1 p.m. in Bricelyn.

• There will be a horse show, cribbage tournament, petting zoo and kids games after the parade in Bricelyn.

• The Alumni Golf Tournament begins at 1 p.m. in Northwood at the Northwood Country Club.

• The pool will be open 2 to 8:30 p.m. in Bricelyn.

• There will be a chicken barbecue at 4 p.m. in Bricelyn.

• The beer garden opens at 6 p.m. on Central Avenue in Northwood.

• Enjoy a variety show at 7:30 p.m. at Bricelyn Lutheran Church.

• The Walking Eagle Band performs at 8 p.m. at the American Legion in Bricelyn.

• Cherry Gun performs at 9 p.m. on Central Avenue in Northwood.

• Listen to a musical tribute at 9:30 p.m. in Bricelyn.

• Enjoy fireworks at dusk in Bricelyn.

 

Sunday

• Stop by the firemen’s pancake breakfast from 7:30 to 11 a.m. in Bricelyn.

• The Albert Lea Shrine Club waffle breakfast will be serving Dad’s Belgian Waffles and sausages from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds, 1031 Bridge Ave. Cost is $7.

• Enjoy the Eagles Club breakfast from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Eagles Club, 205 W. William St. Pancakes, eggs, sausages, biscuits and gravy, juice, milk and coffee will be served. Cost is $7.

• The softball tournament continues at 9 a.m. in Northwood.

• Attend a worship service in the park at 10 a.m. in Bricelyn.

• See the sights of Albert Lea Lake on the Pelican Breeze II public cruise. Attendees must be at Frank Hall Park for boarding by 1:15 p.m. The cruise requires at least 10 passengers to sail. Cost is $10 per person.