1. Freeborn County Fair entertainment

The Freeborn County Fair, deemed “The Six Best Days of Summer,” will continue into the weekend and wrap up on Sunday.

Grandstand entertainment starts at 8:30 p.m. each night.

Diamond Rio is set to perform Thursday night at the Grandstand. Diamond Rio signed to Arista Records and in 1991 with the release of “Meet in the Middle” became the first country music group in history to reach No. 1 with a debut single, according to a press release. The band is also known for hits “How Your Love Makes Me Feel,” “One More Day,” “Beautiful Mess,” “Unbelievable” and “In a Week or Two,” among others.

The Friday performer at the fair will be Kansas. Considered one of America’s iconic classic rock bands, Kansas has a catalog of 15 studio albums. Kansas appeared on the Billboard charts for over 200 weeks throughout the ’70s and ’80s and played to sold-out arenas and stadiums throughout North America, Europe and Japan. “Carry On Wayward Son” continues to be one of the top five most-played songs on classic rock radio, and “Dust In the Wind” has been played on the radio more than three million times, according to a press release.

Arguably the biggest name at this year’s Freeborn County Fair will be country music star Martina McBride, who will be the Saturday night headliner. McBride has earned more than 15 major music awards, including four wins for Female Vocalist of the Year from the Country Music Association and three Academy of Country Music Awards for Top Female Vocalist.

2. Demolition Derby

As one of the final events taking place at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds this week, there will be a demolition derby from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The Masters of Disaster event will once again be held in the Grandstand.

Attendees of the derby will witness five classes of vehicles competing, including full-size, compact cars, rookie, trucks and mini classes.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners in each class.

Admission to the Freeborn County Fair includes admission to the demolition derby, although a pit pass will be $10. 

3. Fiesta del Arte

Local watercolor artist and instructor Bonnie Broitzman will feature her paintings of Hispanic influence in the newest exhibit at The Albert Lea Art Center.

The exhibit features paintings created during a trip Broitzman took in the spring of 2015 with 15 students and observers to Costa del Sol in Spain.

Broitzman has traveled to Greece, France, Italy and Spain with her paintbrushes and she said those countries hold a special place in her heart.

As part of The Art Center’s exhibit of Hispanic-inspired paintings, it will host a “Fiesta del Arte” from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday outside the building on Clark Street.

The event will host artists and community members alike in an artist’s reception. Broitzman said the fiesta will be free to the public and will offer music, food, dance, music and art of Hispanic influence.

Broitzman and her students’ art will be on display at the gallery until Sept. 23.

4. Reggie LeFlore exhibit

The Freeborn County Arts Initiative art gallery has been transformed by urban street artist Reggie LeFlore into an installation of colorful faces.

LeFlore possesses a distinctive layering skill and makes dynamic color choices to create explosive drama in his work. The visiting artist often portrays political issues or issues of social justice in his art.

LeFlore, who has not taken a formal art class since high school, taught himself his craft through his own independent research, practice and experimentation.

As for the medium in which LeFlore works, he said aerosol, pencils and graphic design elements make up most of his compositions.

The Freeborn County Arts Initiative is based in the historic Bessesen Building at 224 S. Broadway Ave. in Albert Lea. LeFlore’s “Process” gallery will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

5. Albert Lea Farmers Market

The Albert Lea Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday along Bridge Avenue in the parking lot of Herberger’s at Northbridge Mall.

Apples, sweet potatoes, sweet corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini and berries will be seasonable products to find at the market on Saturday.

The Albert Lea Farmers Market accepts WIC vouchers and SNAP/EBT cards again this year.

A Market Sprouts program is available again this year, which allows children to receive a shopping bag and punch a card for each $1 purchase at the market. When they get 10 punches on the card, they qualify for a $1 gift certificate.

The market has added another statewide program this year called the Power of Produce. The program is structured similar to the Market Sprouts program.

Both programs encourage children to eat healthy and buy local produce.

Anyone interested in more information can visit the Albert Lea Farmers Market Facebook page or their website.