1. Out of the Darkness Walk

The inaugural Albert Lea and Austin Out of the Darkness Walk to promote suicide prevention and awareness will be this weekend. Check-in and registration will be at 9 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church, 501 S. Washington Ave. in Albert Lea, with the walk starting at 10 a.m. Registration can also be done at afsp.org/albertlea.

According to a press release from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the leading cause of death. In Minnesota it is the second and third leading cause of death for ages 15 to 44, according to the release, with there being 730 deaths by suicide in 2017. The foundation’s 2020 initiative is to reduce suicide rates by 20%.

Those interested in finding out more about Saturday’s walk can contact Darcy Nielsen at nielsendarcy55@gmail.com or 507-402-7886.

 

2. Farming of Yesteryear

The 36th annual Farming of Yesteryear festival will return this weekend. Sponsored by the Gopher-Hawkeye Power Association, the festival will open its gates at 7:30 a.m. Saturday and 6:30 a.m. Sunday at 1736 600th Ave. in Kiester. All tractors and machinery are welcome, and events include parades, live music, numerous demonstrations of different trades and skills, a fun run and raffle drawings, among others. Admission is $10, with children 12 years old and younger allowed in for free. See a detailed schedule here.

 

3. Rolling Stones tribute

The Rolling Stoners will come to town this weekend to pay tribute to one of the British Invasion’s most legendary groups. According to a press release, the Rolling Stoners are “a fixture” in the Minneapolis music scene, and “deliver straight-up rock ’n’ roll the way our forefathers intended.” The Rolling Stones tribute will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Marion Ross Performing Arts Center in downtown Albert Lea.

 

4. Fall Czech Festival

The Fall Czech Festival will be this weekend to benefit Brick Hall restoration and maintenance. Grounds will open at noon Saturday and close at midnight at Brick Hall, 17509 850th Ave. in Glenville, three miles north of Myrtle. There will be polka music from 1 to 5 p.m. and Malek’s Fisherman Band will perform from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Other events include dancing, food and a silent auction, among others.

Those attending are advised to bring their own chairs. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the gate, with children 12 years old and younger getting in for free. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time at Hunters Bar in Myrtle or Cafourek Insurance in Albert Lea.

 

5. Sweet corn and baked potato feed

The Hollandale Fire Department will host its annual sweet corn and baked potato feed from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at its fire hall. All proceeds will go toward purchasing a thermal imager for the department.