One of the most fun-filled weekends of the year is about to begin in Albert Lea.

It all starts with the July 3 parade at 6 p.m. today. It begins at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds, travels down Bridge Avenue to Fountain Street, turns south on St. Mary Avenue and ends at Central Park.

Following the parade, at about 8:15 p.m., there will be a concert by the India Children’s Choir at the Fountain Lake Park gazebo.

Following is a roundup of the other happenings in Albert Lea this weekend.

Friday, July 4

– The Bayside Skiers will present “The Flintstones: Bayside Rocks Bedrock” at 2 p.m. on Edgewater Bay. The water ski show team will do a land show as well as doubles, trios, human pyramids, jumps, wakeboards, swivel and ballet line acts on the water. Pre-show activities begin at 1:15 p.m. Admission is free, but the club does “pass the hat” to help defray expenses.

– The United Methodist Church in Albert Lea will host a concert of patriotic music at 4:30 p.m. Performers will be Gail Thurnau, Deb Stolarcek, Marilyn Chafee and Eileen Nelson Ness.The concert is free, open to the public, and is approximately an hour in length. Root beer floats will be served prior to the concert beginning at 4 p.m.

– The Pelican Breeze will hold a pizza cruise at 6 p.m. Reservations are needed by 4 p.m.; call 383-2630.

– The Pelican Breeze will hold a fireworks and pizza cruise at 9 p.m. Reservations are needed by 4 p.m.; call 383-2630.

– The community fireworks display goes off over the main portion of Fountain Lake about 10 p.m.

Saturday, July 5

– The Doc Evans Jazz Festival will be held in Fountain Lake Park from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

– The Pelican Breeze will hold a public cruise at 4 p.m.

Sunday, July 6

– The Albert Lea Masonic Lodge will hold a pancake breakfast in the Fairlane Building at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds from 8 a.m. Amaranth pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, juice and coffee will be served.

– Boy Scout Troop 7 will hold a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Albert Lea Eagles Club. Pancakes, eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy, coffee, juice and milk will be served for $6 per person.

– The Pelican Breeze will hold a public cruise at 1:30 p.m.

In addition, the community of Bricelyn has a big weekend planned. Friday events include a concert by the India Children’s Choir at 7 p.m. at Bricelyn Lutheran Church; a teen dance in the park from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.; and an adult dance at the Bricelyn Legion Hall from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Saturday’s events include the first “Chicken Run.” The kids’ run-walk starts at 8:30 a.m. and the adult 5K run-walk starts at 9 a.m. There will also be softball and volleyball tournaments at the school fields at 9 a.m.; a garden tour starting at 9 a.m.; an art show at the Bricelyn Community Center from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; a petting zoo in the park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; a parade at 1 p.m.; entertainment at 2:30 p.m. in the park; water Olympics at 6 p.m. at the pool; the famous chicken barbecue starting at 4:30 p.m.; a variety show at 8 p.m. at Bricelyn Lutheran Church followed by a street dance; and a patriotic tribute at 9:30 p.m. followed by fireworks.

Sunday’s events include a pancake breakfast at the fire department from 7:30 to 11 a.m.; community worship in the park at 9 a.m.; museum hours from 10 a.m. to noon; and an art show at the community center from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.