1

Big Island Rendezvous

The Big Island Rendezvous and Festival returns once again, taking over Bancroft Bay Park this weekend with historical reenactments, demonstrations, entertainment, vendors, food and more. The festival is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets for adults are $12 in advance or $14 at the gate, children 6 to 11 years old get in for $7 in advance or $8 at the gate, and children 5 years old and younger are admitted for free. Family passes can be purchased for $30. Advance tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-658-2526.

2

Fall Bash

The Homestead Boutique will host a Fall Bash to celebrate the new shop. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the store, 415 E. William St. in Albert Lea, coffee, cider and treats as well as prizes will be given away and food will be available for purchase from the Peppered Cow food truck.

3

Oktoberfest polka worship service

From 10 to 11 a.m. Sunday, First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea will host an Oktoberfest-inspired polka worship service. Music will be presented by Chuck Thiel & the Jolly Ramblers, and dinner will follow the service from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Bethany Hall. Pork chops, red cabbage, spaetzle and apple strudel sticks will be on the menu, with hot dogs and macaroni and cheese available for children. Tickets are $10 for adults in advance or $12 at the door, and children’s tickets are $5.

4

National Fire Prevention Week breakfast

Emmons Volunteer Fire Department will host a pancake breakfast in honor of National Fire Prevention Week from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at the Emmons Fire Hall. For a donation, all-you-can-eat pancakes will be on the menu, along with biscuits and gravy, French toast, scrambled eggs, sausage links, juice, coffee and milk.

5

‘For Love Alone’

“For Love Alone” highlights work from textiles artist Maggie Thompson and explores themes of grieving, loss and Thompson’s Native American Ojibwe heritage. It will be on display through Oct. 26 at the Freeborn County Arts Initiative, which is open 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and 4 to 7 p.m. Friday.