By Henry Rohlf

As part of Take a Kid Fishing Weekend, the Fountain Lake Sportsmen’s Club will give out free fishing rods and bait to children on Saturday at the Edgewater Park fishing pier.

The local event takes place from 9 a.m. to noon. Rods and bait will be available to children under the age of 16.

In a state-wide event aimed to get inexperienced, younger members of the community a decent set of fishing skills, Take a Kid Fishing Weekend allows Minnesota residents 16 or older with or without a fishing license to be eligible to go fishing with a child 15 or younger.

The following is a roundup of other events taking place this weekend:

 

Friday

The Albert Lea Art Center will host its annual “Unique Junque” Sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Members of the community are asked to donate and bring items to 1206 W. Richway Drive today for the fundraiser. All proceeds from the sale are given to the Art Center. No clothes can be donated.

Crossroads Church, 3402 Hoeger Lane, will host an American Red Cross blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A craft show and flea market will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Northbridge Mall.

The Albert Lea Art Center, 226 W. Clark St., continues its gallery exhibit titled “Art Works From Our Travels,” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The exhibit runs through July 9.

First Lutheran Church, 301 W. Clark St., will host a salad luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost of admission is $7 at the door. There is no scheduled program.

The Freeborn County Arts Initiative continues its “Animal, Vegetable, Mineral Art” exhibit from 1 to 4 p.m. The exhibit, at 224 S. Broadway, will run through June 18.

Eddie Cochran Weekend kicks off at 4 p.m. with a cruise-in social, where you can enjoy music along with the Freeborn County Historical Museum’s root beer floats. The cruise-in will go until 10 p.m. and is hosted at Country Inn & Suites, 2214 E. Main St. Various awards will also be presented.

Alden American Legion will host a pork chop supper from 5 to 8 p.m. Admission is $10 per person and includes pork chops, baked beans, coleslaw, bun and coffee. There will be a flag retirement ceremony at 7 p.m.

 

Saturday

The Mainly Marathon will begin at 5 a.m. and go until 8 a.m. To register, go to mainlymarathon.com or pick up a registration packet one hour before the beginning of the race at the start line. The start line is at the Brookside Boat Landing. No pets allowed.

The Albert Lea Art Center will host its annual “Unique Junque” Sale from 8 a.m. to noon.

The 30th annual Eddie Cochran car show will start at 8 a.m., and will finish with awards at 2 p.m. The cost to register your car is $10, which also includes a dash plaque and goodie bag. The car cruise will begin at 4 p.m. and takes off from the Freeborn County Fairgrounds. Both events are free to spectators.

Free airplane rides will be given for children ages 8 to 17 from 8  to 11 a.m. at the Albert Lea airport. For more information, contact Chuck Sandager at 507-377-9405.

The Albert Lea Farmers Market will offer local produce, baked goods, meats, crafts, gluten-free goods, flowers, bedding plants and much more from 9 a.m. to noon at a parking lot outside Northbridge Mall.

A craft  show and flea market will continue from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Northbridge mall.

The Albert Lea Art Center continues its gallery exhibit “Art Works From Our Travels” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The 2016 Geneva Cancer Run will begin at Geneva Bar & Grill at 11 a.m. Registration for the run goes from 9 to 10:50 a.m. and will cost $10. Buses leave the bar at 11 a.m., but you may also drive yourself. The bus will return at 4:30 p.m., where there will be both live and silent auctions, in addition to food and raffles.

The Marion Ross Performing Arts Center will host Richie Lee & the Fabulous 50s at 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. for Eddie Cochran Weekend. Tickets are $15 each.

Daybreakers Kiwanis Club will host the 2016 Golf Klassic at 1 p.m. at Green Lea Golf Course, and will consist of 18 holes, a barbecue buffet and prizes. The buffet is at 5:30 p.m. Golfing and the buffet will cost $50, but the buffet alone will be $10. The first 40 registered guests will receive a complimentary gift bag.

The Freeborn County Arts Initiative continues its exhibit titled “Animal, Vegetable, Mineral Art” from 1 to 4 p.m.

Outdoor live music will be available for Eddie Cochran Weekend from 4  to 7 p.m. at the Interchange Wine & Coffee Bistro, 211 S. Broadway.

A cancer benefit dinner for Clint Woodford will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Eagles Club and includes sloppy joes, salads and dessert. Tickets are $8. Woodford was diagnosed with Large B-Cell Lymphoma and is undergoing chemotherapy. All proceeds go directly to help pay his medical bills.

The Whitesidewalls will perform as part of Eddie Cochran Weekend with a free concert and street dance from 7:30 to 11 p.m. at Fountain Lake Park.

 

Sunday

The Cloverleaf-Lakeview Lions flight breakfast will take place from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Albert Lea Airport. Breakfast includes pancakes, ham, eggs, coffee and juice. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children. Pilots in command eat free.

American Legion Post 56 will have a 10 a.m. flag disposal ceremony at the Albert Lea airport.

The craft show and flea market continues from noon to 5 p.m. at Northbridge Mall.