By Evelyn Seffinga

1. Crossroads of Destruction Demolition Derby

The Crossroads of Destruction demolition derby will be on Friday and Saturday at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds.

The event will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday and from 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday.

In 2015, the Albert Lea event was voted No. 7 in a list of Top 10 Demolition Derby Events in the World.

Tickets are $10 for adults and children each day. The pit price is $25 per day or $40 for both days. Gates open at 7a.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Saturday.

An entry form is available on Facebook. 

For more information, call Paul Nielsen at 507-383-6094. 

2. Mardi Gras in May

The fifth annual Mardi Gras in May will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday at United Methodist Church.

The event will consist of silent and live auctions, as well as a Mardi Gras Marketplace dining experience.

United Methodist Church is at 702 U.S. Highway 69 in Albert Lea.

The event is open to the public. Tickets are $4 prior to the event at the church or $5 at the door.

All proceeds from the event will benefit United Methodist Church youth missions programs.

3. “Is He Dead?”

Albert Lea High School students will perform “Is He Dead?” this weekend, a comedy written by American writer Mark Twain and adapted by playwright David Ives.

The comedy portrays mid-19th century French artist Jean-Francois Millet, who is convinced the only way to save his family from certain financial hardship is to somehow sell his own art — posthumously. Millet and his apprentices plot to make the money by disguising himself as his own widowed sister to sell the art. Millet attempts to use his scheme to become rich and marry the girl of his dreams.

Performances will begin at 7 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday at the high school auditorium.

Admission for the show is $5 for students and seniors and $7 for adults. No IDs or passes will be accepted as a form of admission.

4. Randi Siu art exhibit

Boston artist and Albert Lea High School graduate Randi Siu will be in town to showcase her work “Hearts and Flowers” on Sunday at The Albert Lea Art Center.

Siu’s art features bright colors, symbolic shapes, textures and motion. Siu calls her art “the art of positive energy.” Just in time for Mother’s Day, Siu welcomes everyone to the event and encourages community members to bring their mothers.

There will be an artist’s reception open to the public for Siu from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at The Art Center, 226 West Clark St.

Her work will be on display until June 17.

5. Healthy Kids Running Series

Sunday will continue the third of five running events to encourage healthy activity for children with the Healthy Kids Running Series. Divisions will be determined based on age and grade. All races are the same distance each week.

The cost is $10 per race for new racers. On-site registrations are welcome each week; checks are preferred.

Registration begins at 3:15 p.m. each Sunday of the series and must be completed by the start of the races at 4 p.m. The events will take place at the Southwest Middle School grass area.

Children are encouraged to wear sneakers. T-shirts and bags will be provided to participants of the full five-week series and prizes will be awarded.

The remaining running series dates are Sunday and May 14 and 21.

For more information, contact Katie Pestorious at 507-383-6858 or hkrsalalbertlea@gmail.com.