The schedule for Eddie Cochran Weekend is set, and because multiple organizers and volunteers are planning the event, it has some changes.

The is the event’s 26th year, and the Low Bucks Car Club is no longer in charge of the event. This year the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau, Freeborn County Historical Museum and volunteers Jerry Monson and Terry Perkins planned the event.

“There are a few changes, but the best part is there’s still a lot of old cars and awards,” CVB Executive Director Susie Petersen said. “We’ll still have the car cruise too and what’s fun is that motorcycles will be included now.”

The cruise, which had been 26 miles, will now be about 12 miles just through Albert Lea. There’s no cost for for the cruise and any car, truck or motorcycle can join in.

“The Low Bucks Car Club did so well for 25 years, and we just didn’t want the whole weekend to end,” Petersen said.

“We’re extremely excited that there’s been people who have stepped up to take this on and carry on the tradition.”

Another change this year will be in the awards at the car show. In other years there had been up to 40 awards. This year 25 awards will be given out, and they will be people’s choice.

Registration for the car show is 8 to 11:30 a.m. at the fairgrounds on June 9; participants pay $10. Spectators can come for the show and a swap meet for just $2. Food vendors will be at the fairgrounds as well.

The cruise starts at 4:30 p.m. and anyone can join in; there is no cost. The 12-mile cruise will start and end at the fairgrounds. Organizers hope to have some live entertainment after the cruise, and they’re still working on scheduling that.

Petersen also said students from Riverland Community College’s automotive department will be at the event to help out. The Old Car Club is planning a reunion the same weekend.

The Freeborn County Historical Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 8 and 9 with the Eddie Cochran and Marion Ross exhibits open. The museum will again sell root beer floats.

Albert Lea has celebrated Eddie Cochran Weekend honoring the Albert Lea-native who toured the United States as a country music performer in the 1950s. He made the move to rock ’n’ roll with his “Sitting on the Balcony” hit in 1957, which sold more than 1 million copies.

Other Cochran hits include “Summertime Blues,” “C’mon Everybody,” “Something Else” and “Jeannie, Jeannie, Jeannie.” He died on Easter Sunday in 1960 when the cab taking him to Heathrow Airport crashed.

 

Schedule of events

Friday, June 8:
• Cruise-in social from 6 to 9 p.m. at the parking lot by Country Inn & Suites and Green Mill.
• The county museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Root beer floats will be for sale

Saturday, June 9:
• Car show at fairgrounds starts at 8 a.m. and goes all day (Registration is from 8 to 11:30 a.m.) There will be a swap meet and cars for sale. Cost for spectators is $2.
• The county museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Root beer floats will be for sale
• Car cruise starts at 4:30 p.m. at the fairgrounds
• Organizers hope to have some live entertainment after the car cruise

Sunday, June 10
• Rock ’n’ roll worship service at 10 a.m. at United Methodist Church. A lunch will follow.