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Just Play/Bike Rodeo

The Just Play festival and Bike Rodeo are slated for Saturday in Frank Hall Park and the city pool.

The Just Play festival goes from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Albert Lea Parks and Recreation Department and the Albert Lea Family Y have partnered to organize new activities for children this weekend. Most of the events will be free of charge, including bocce and pickleball, basketball, a bouncy house, water sports and music. There will also be discounted rates at the city pool and free kayak and canoe use.

The Just Play festival originated as a way to increase physical activity for children. Albert Lea is trying to implement this healthy lifestyle among children as the city moves forward with the Blue Zones lifestyle.

Jennifer Davis, recreation and programs supervisor for Albert Lea Parks and Recreation, said the Just Play festival and Bike Rodeo is a fun community event that gives people a taste of what is happening in Albert Lea and encourages them to try different things.

The Bike Rodeo will be from 9 to 11 a.m. in the parking lot of the city pool. There will be bike demonstrations as well as free helmets and bikes given away. Third Lair, a skatepark and skate shop business out of Golden Valley, will provide special skate demonstrations in the street during the event.

The Albert Lea Fire Department will provide a pop-up splash pad for attendees to enjoy.

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Bikes for Barker

The Fountain Centers LIFE Club Alumni Association will host the 10th annual Bikes for Barker Scholarship Fundraiser Saturday with a variety of events slated throughout the day.

The event will begin with a benefit breakfast from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Albert Lea American Legion at 142 N. Broadway. There is a $5 suggested donation for breakfast. A silent auction will take place during the breakfast and end at 11 a.m.

Both motorcycle and bicycle routes are established for the event.

A 100-mile motorcycle run will begin at noon at the American Legion. Registration for the motorcycle event begins at 9 a.m., and the cost is $20 per motorcycle.

An 11-mile bicycle run will begin at the head of the Root River Trail in Fountain. Registration for the bicycle event will take place from 1 to 2 p.m., and the cost is $10 per bicycling family. A free shuttle will be leaving from Lanesboro at 4 p.m. to bring bicyclists back to the trailhead to retrieve their vehicles.

Both rides end at the Lanesboro City Park. Lunch will be provided with a $5 suggested donation.

Those interested in participating in either bike run are able to register the day of the event.

Proceeds will go towards the support of students pursuing careers in alcohol and drug counseling.

For more information, call 507-377-6711 or 507-440-1562.

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Kiester Days

Kiester will host the annual Kiester Days festival today through Sunday.

Highlights for today include a community meal from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Key Town and Community Center and a free movie following the meal at 7:30 p.m. at Kee Theater.

A Lions cookout will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Kiester Legion as well as a 7 p.m. street dance. The Kiester Museum at KTCC will also be open from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday.

A plethora of events are slated for Saturday, including breakfast and lunch specials at the Kee Kafe. All day, there will be activities such as volleyball and horseshoes at the park and a bags tournament at Bermas. There will be food vendors at the park as well.

From noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, there will be a car show on Main Street and a cribbage tournament at the Kiester Legion. The parade will begin at 3 p.m. The Kiester Museum at KTCC will also be open from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. At 5 p.m., the Kiester Legion will host a steak and burger fry. The Kiester Civic and Community raffle drawing will be at 7:30 p.m. At 8 p.m. there will be another street dance at the Legion.

From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, there will be a breakfast at KTCC and at 10:30 a.m. the Kee Theater will will host the Community Church Service.

For more information on the event, visit www.kiesterdays.org.

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New artist featured at the art center

Watercolor artist Sandy Dinse of Owatonna will be in town for an artist’s reception from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at The Albert Lea Art Center.

The Steele County native will share her collection of farm and family inspired paintings.

Dinse’s work will be featured at The Art Center Sunday through July 22.

See Saturday’s Arts and Culture feature story in the Tribune for more information on the artist.

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H2Whoa!

Come to Wedgewood Park from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday for slipping and sliding water fun.

Children are encouraged to bring their swimsuit and towels.

Parents are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets to sit on to watch the fun.