FREEBORN — People can start their Christmas shopping while giving to a good cause at the annual Freeborn Area Cancer Auction this weekend.

The auction is slated from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and starts at noon Saturday at TB3’s Bar & Grill in Freeborn.

Several items will be on the auction block: one 50-inch plasma Toshiba TV with Blu-ray disc player, concrete curved park bench, weed trimmer, binoculars, fire ring, quilts, home-canned goods, food, baskets, fishing lures, Vikings items, brooms by Harper, a night of karaoke by Rich Honstad and 11 collectible eagle beer steins.

“And that’s just the beginning,” said Duane Scherff Sr., North Central Regional president for the Grand Aerie Fraternal Order of Eagles. “Wherever we go, people are making contributions. Businesses have been so generous throughout the county and the southern part of the state.”

This is the third year for the Freeborn County event. According to event organizer Jeanette Ladlie, the local auction raised $28,000 last year and she hopes to surpass that amount this year despite other fundraisers going on.

“It doesn’t make any difference if you go to one event or all of them, we’re all fighting for the same cause,” she said. “Just be there to support cancer research.”

All proceeds will benefit the 5th District Eagles Cancer Telethon, which airs live in January. Ladlie said last year about $700,000 in all was raised for the telethon.

A raffle drawing will be held Saturday at 8 p.m. with a $5,000 grand prize. Second prize is a half of beef, processed, third prize is a chainsaw and fourth prize is $200. Tickets are $10 each.

Live music will follow the auction both nights, with All BS scheduled to play from 10 p.m. Friday until 1 a.m. Saturday, and Boss Grant & The Johnny Cash Revue taking the stage from 8 p.m. Saturday until 1 a.m. Sunday.

Auctioneers will be provided by Lowell Gabriel and Holland Auction Co.

Several other fun events will be going on around the county this weekend, including the following:

Friday

• Black Friday shopping in downtown Albert Lea will include Christmas music, cider and Christmas cookies at participating businesses. Santa will visit stores from 10 a.m. to noon. The Albert Lea High School Caroliers will sing from 2 to 4 p.m. The event will continue on Saturday.

Saturday

• Enjoy fresh garden produce, fall produce, baked goods, local arts, crafts and more at the Albert Lea Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Northbridge Mall.
• Yule Tyme 2010 at Alden-Conger School will include a variety of activities throughout the day. A home-based business show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. kicks off the event. Children will enjoy lunch with Santa at noon and sleigh rides from noon to 4 p.m. Other activities include alumni basketball from 3 to 6 p.m., the Lion’s Santa’s workshop, chili cook-off and meal from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and a parade at 7 p.m. with fireworks to follow.

Sunday

• Sons of Norway Normanna Lodge is hosting a pannakaker breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Enjoy a Norwegian pancake breakfast with all the trimmings.
• The 2010 SimpleGifts Holiday Concert Tour will begin at 7 p.m. at the Lighthouse Event Center, 638 Marshall St., Albert Lea. Seating is general admission and tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students.
• American Legion Post 56 will host a Sunday morning breakfast, open to the public. The event is from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the American Legion on 142 N. Broadway Ave., Albert Lea. The menu includes pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, potatoes, fruit juice and coffee. Admission is $6 for adults and children under 6 eat free.
• The Festival of Trees Open House will be from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Albert Lea Art Center. The event will include music and food. The display is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, ending Dec. 31. The Albert Lea Art Center is located at 224 S. Broadway Ave., Albert Lea.