Weekend Planner

This is the second weekend of the 27th annual cancer auction at Geneva Bar & Grill.

The event kicked off last Friday night, as about 70 people braved blizzard-like conditions to help fight cancer. The fundraising got off to a kick start as the Geneva Wild Game Feed, held the first Saturday in December, gave a $17,000 check to the cancer auction Friday night.

Raffle tickets can be purchased for just $5 for a chance to win a 50-inch plasma TV or up to $500 in cash prizes. The drawing will be Saturday.

Minnesota Vikings cheerleaders are also expected to attend the event Saturday.

Last year, the cancer auction reached the $1 million mark from money raised over the years.

More than 90 percent of funds raised go to cancer research, because organizers try to keep expenses low. All money raised goes through the Albert Lea Eagles to the Eagles Cancer Telethon based out of Rochester. The money is then distributed to the Mayo Clinic Foundation for Cancer Research, the University of Minnesota and the Hormel Institute.

The event starts at 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday. Geneva Bar & Grill is located at 101 W. Main St., Geneva.

Several other events are going on in the area this weekend, too, including:

Friday

• A burger basket fundraiser will be held at Leo Carey American Legion Post 56 from 5 to 8 p.m. The cost is $8 per person. Proceeds will benefit the Albert Lea choir trip to Scotland and England.

• Riverland Theatre presents, “The Tragedy of Icarus,” written and performed by Joshua C. Larson, at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Frank W. Bridges Theatre at Riverland Community College in the east building of the Austin campus. Tickets are $10 each.

• The St. Theodore Fish Fry will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at St. Theodore’s Marian Hall. Admission is $8 for adults, $3 for children under 12, and free for children under 3. The menu includes fish, baked or mashed potatoes, coleslaw, rolls and ice cream with toppings.

Saturday

• Glenville-Emmons Post Prom committee is holding a hot beef fundraiser from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Glenville Legion. Roast beef on bread with real mashed potatoes, homemade gravy, a side of corn and dessert. Admission is $8 for a full meal and $5 for a half meal.

Sunday

• The cancer telethon breakfast will be from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Albert Lea Eagles Club. The menu includes pancakes, French toast, eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy, coffee, juice and milk. Admission is $6 per person for all you can eat.

• The Albert Lea FFA Alumni Association will host the FFA soup and dessert social from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Fairlane Building. The public is invited.

• An omelet breakfast will be Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Moose Lodge in Albert Lea. Admission is $8 per person with made-to-order omelets, sausage, bacon, potatoes, toast, juice and coffee.

• An open house from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Albert Lea Art Center will kick off the Art Center’s All Member Show. This annual event showcases the works of the center’s members. This show provides opportunity for all artists, even those who may not have a large body of work, to exhibit.

• The Bridal Expo will be from noon to 5 p.m. at Northbridge Mall. See the latest bridal fashions during fashion shows slated for 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Brides can register to win drawings for more than $2,500 in prizes with a grand prize honeymoon package to Rio Bueno in Jamaica.