The 15th annual Big Island Rendezvous and Festival offers a step back to colonial times this weekend at Bancroft Bay City Park.

Thursday, October 04, 2001

The 15th annual Big Island Rendezvous and Festival offers a step back to colonial times this weekend at Bancroft Bay City Park. Hours are Saturday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Highlights include a prairie encampment with oxen, sharpshooter competitions, traders’ row and food. This year’s entertainment includes Tanglefoot of Ontario, Canada, Fox Tower, Prairie Wind, Adam Granger, Bob Bovee/ Gail Heil and Ash & Reuben Fast Horse.

Advance tickets are $4 for children 6-11 years and $6 for 12 years and older. Advance tickets are available at Wells Fargo, Home Federal and U.S. Bank. Tickets at the site are $8 for those 12 and older and $5 for children 6-11. Daily family passes are $24.

Parking is at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds with a free shuttle available.

A look at the events planned in the area this weekend:

Friday, Oct. 5

— Skyline Mall will host a fall craft show from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 6

— The Albert Lea Farmers Market opens at 9 a.m. in the Wal-Mart parking lot. A variety of fresh produce from area farmers’ gardens, baked goods and jams and jellies are available for sale.

— Skyline Mall will host a fall craft show from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

*– The Big Island Rendezvous and Festival runs at Bancroft Bay City Park from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Tickets are $8 for those 12 years and older and $5 for children 6-11. Daily family passes are $24.

— Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of Kiester will hold a soup and pie supper and bake sale. The bake sale runs from 3:30-7 p.m. The supper is from 4-7 p.m. and includes chili, vegetable beef, and broccoli and cheese soup, homemade bread and crackers and assorted pies. Cost is $5 for adults, $3 for those 10 and under, and preschoolers eat free.

*– Freeborn County Pheasant and Habitat will hold its annual banquet and fundraiser at the Albert Lea Union Center. Social time begins at 5:30 p.m. and the prime rib dinner at 6:30. Tickets are $20 per person. Anyone wanting more information can call Irene Jones at 1-800-709-0340.

Sunday, Oct. 7

— The Big Island Rendezvous and Festival runs at Bancroft Bay City Park from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tickets are $8 for those 12 years and older and $5 for children 6-11. Daily family passes are $24. A special feature will be the Battle of Big Island at 1 p.m. with General George Washington trying to banish the British troops from American soil.

— Skyline Mall will host a fall craft show from noon-5 p.m.

— Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills, Iowa, will host a benefit concert at 4 p.m. for the families of the victims of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. The concert will be presented by singer John Williams and pianist Timothy Schmidt. A free will offering for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Disaster Fund will be taken after the concert.

— Ascension Lutheran Church is hosting the Yellow Ribbon Program at 7 p.m. in Carlsen Hall. The Yellow Ribbon Program is a preventative outreach program promoting suicide awareness and prevention. It seeks to empower people, particularly youth, in responding to cries for help. This program is for both youths (junior and senior high students) and adults (parents, grandparents). While the focus is on preventing suicide among teens, the principles apply to all age groups. There is no cost for the program at Ascension. Refreshments will be served. The public is welcome.