Chefs from all over the country will come to Albert Lea Friday and Saturday for the ninth annual Big Island Bar-B-Que.

The event includes a state championship barbecue, steak and chili contest.

Events kick off at 5 p.m. Friday at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds and continue through 11 p.m. that day. It begins again from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

On Friday, there will be a public chili and appetizer tasting starting at 6 p.m. for $5 per person.

On both days there will be barbecue food vendors and other drinks available. Entertainment will be provided throughout the weekend, and there will be a cooking contest from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Friday for children ages 7 to 15.

Award ceremonies will be at 9 p.m. Friday for the children’s contest, as well as the chili, steak and barbecue contests. An award ceremony for all other categories will be at 5 p.m. Saturday.

The event is a fundraiser for Education Days at the Big Island Rendezvous.

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

 

Friday

Gathering of the Guilds will be all day at Harmony Park.

• A free showing of “Goosebumps” will take place at 8:30 p.m. at the Edgewater Park bandshell. Take a seat on a bench or bring your lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the show.

 

Saturday

Gathering of the Guilds will be all day at Harmony Park.

• The Albert Lea High School class of 1951 reunion will be at 11:15 a.m. at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club.

• The Albert Lea Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to noon in the parking lot of Northbridge Mall, 2510 Bridge Ave. The market offers local produce, baked goods, meats, crafts, gluten-free goods, flowers and bedding plants, to name a few.

• An American Red Cross blood drive will be from 2 to 7 p.m. at St. Theodore Catholic Church.

• The Alden Volunteer Fire Department Relief Association’s annual open house pork shop sweet corn feed will be from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the fire station in Alden. Cost for the pork chop meal is $10. That price includes pork chop, sweet corn, beans, salad and a beverage. Children 6 and under will receive a free hot dog meal. Proceeds will be used to update and maintain equipment.

 

Sunday

Gathering of the Guilds will be all day at Harmony Park.

The Pelican Breeze II will leave Frank Hall Park at 1:30 p.m. for a cruise on Albert Lea Lake. Cost is $10 for the cruise. People are asked to make a reservation ahead of time and be at the dock by 1:15 p.m.

• Three Wheels and a Flat will perform a free concert from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Fountain Lake Park gazebo.