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Sesquicentennial Calendar of Events

New Year's Eve Kickoff

  • Saturday, January 31, 2005 - 2:00-5:00 p.m. Northbridge Mall:
    —  Jordan Elleby (Banjo)
    —  Caricatures by Gail Batt
    —  Al Batt - emcee
    —  Crafts for kids
    —  High School Show Choir
    —  Laura Mae Gymnastics
    — Peter Bloedel - Magician/Juggler
    — Pogo the Clown
    — 6:00 p.m. Fireworks - City beach

January - Military

  • Saturday, January 14 - 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Northbridge Mall - Military Displays

  • Saturday, January 28 - 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. American Legion - Military Memorabilia and Appraisals

  • Saturday, February 4 - 1-5 p.m. "Soldier Appreciation Day" Albert Lea Armory Open House

February - Transportation

  • February 26 - Open House - Freeborn County Historical Museum. Panel discussion of the history of transportation  in Albert Lea

  • (See June 23 and August 13 for other transportation-related events)

March - Business & Industry

  • Saturday, March 18 - 12 noon-3:00 p.m. Faith Community Chili Cook-off Fundraiser - National Guard Armory.

  • Tuesday, March 21- 5:00-6:30 p.m. Chamber Business After Hours, Business history displays (Ramada Inn)

  • Sunday, March 26 - 2:00 p.m. Business and Industry Display at Freeborn County Historical Museum. Slide presentation by Roger Lonning.

  • Tuesday, March 28 - Big Night on Campus, Riverland Community College

April - Agriculture

  • Saturday, April 1 - Ag Day Parade - Bridge Avenue (Fairgrounds to Central Park)

  • Saturday, April 8 - 7:00-9:00 a.m. Agriculture Celebration Breakfast - Albert Lea Senior Center, Skyline Plaza. FFA Club serving. Line dancing demonstrations.

  • April 21-23 Antique Tractor & Equipment Display - Northbridge Mall - pedal tractor contest, quilt raffle.

May - Education

  • Sunday, May 7 - 1:00-4:00 p.m. Education Open House, Freeborn Co. Historical Museum. Presentation by Roger Lonning at 2:00 p.m.

  • Tuesday, May 9 - 7:00 p.m. - “Old Minnesota” - High School Auditorium

  • Saturday, May 13 - 11:30 a.m. Hidden Treasures of Albert Lea Luncheon. Ramada Inn.

  • Wednesday, May 17 - 9:00 a.m. An Original Sesquicentennial Play performed by 4th graders for 4th graders.

  • Thursday, May 18 - National Museum Day - Freeborn County Historical Museum “Business of Yesteryear” Free admission.

  • May 20-21- 4:00 p.m. American Legion 1st District Convention parade - downtown.

  • Sunday, May 21 - 9 a.m. The Land Between the Lakes Triathlon - Edgewater Boat Landing. For more information go to www.albertleatri.com.

  • May 26-27 - Battle of the Bands, Ramada Inn.

June - Music & Entertainment

  • Wednesday, June 14 - 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Elvis Tribute Artist Todd Anderson at Northbridge Mall Food Court.
    —  Elvis Look-a-like Contest
    —  Karaoke
    —  Sock Hop

  • Friday-Saturday, June 16-17 - Eddie Cochran Days. 50’s/60’s Dance on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. featuring the Fantastic Convertibles (8:30-12:30) - North Broadway Parking lot. Elvis Tribute Artist Todd Anderson opening act at 7:30.

  • Sunday, June 18 - 2:00 p.m. Festival of Bands - downtown

  • Sunday, June 18 - 12:00 noon-4:00 p.m. Low Bucks Car Show and Swap Meet, Freeborn Co. Fairgrounds

  • Friday, June 23 - All Women’s Transcontinental Race Albert Lea Airport

  • Friday, June 30 - 7:00 p.m. Trent Tomlinson in concert at the Fairgrounds

July - Recreation

  • Saturday, July 1

    • 8:00 a.m. Sesquicentennial Fun Run 5k, 10k and kid's run

    • 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Carnival - Edgewater Park (City Arena in case of rain)

    • 12 noon-4:00 p.m. Doc Evans Jazz Festival, Fountain Lake Park Gazebo

    • 5:00-6:30 p.m. - Roosters Old Time Baseball Game - Edgewater Park

    • 7:30-9:30 p.m. An Evening with Marion Ross and Paul Michael - 150th Club Event

  • Sunday, July 2

    • 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. - Volleyball tournament - Snyder Field and City Beach

    • 5:00-8:00 p.m. - Family Beach party at City Beach - DJ, games, limbo contest, food

    • 5:00-9:00 p.m. - 3rd Lair Skating Show/Demo at City Beach (Skateboarding Exhibition)

  • Monday, July 3rd

    • 6:00-8:00 p.m. 3rd of July parade
      Marion Ross Grand Marshall

    • 8:30-9:30 p.m. - Ice Cream Social  - North Broadway Parking Lot

  • Tuesday, July 4

    • 2:00 p.m. Water Ski Show

    • 5:00 p.m. "Whistle Stop" Free outdoor concert, Fountain Lake Park Gazebo

    • 10:00 p.m. Fireworks

     

  • July 11-14 7:30 p.m. Musical Melodrama, “Ten Nights In a Barroom” at Albert Lea Civic Theatre directed by Rory Mattson

  • Friday, July 14 - 9:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. Tom Goetzinger Old Time Music - American Legion

  • Friday, July 14 - 8:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. "Summer Knockout" at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds featuring local garage bands

  • July 29 Chuckwagon Celebration - Frank Hall Park - music and entertainment

  • July 29-30 Midwest Regional Show Ski Tournament. Edgewater Bay, Fountain Lake. Competitions begin at 8:00 a.m. each day.

August - Faith Community

  • August 1-6 - Freeborn County Fair
    Sunday, August 6 - 10:00 a.m. Church Service at Fairgrounds - Kicks off week of Community Service projects.

  • Saturday, August 12 - Blood and Food Drive at Fairgrounds.

  • Sunday, August 13 - 12:30 - 4:00 p.m. All church celebration & picnic at Edgewater Park.

  • Sunday, August 13 - 7:00 a.m. Breakfast. Wings & Wheels - Albert Lea Airport - through afternoon.

September - Art & Architecture

  • Sunday, September 3 – Art Show, Albert Lea Art Center, open to all artists.

  • Sunday, September 10th 1:00 p.m. Historic Downtown Walk.

    • Dixie Land Band at Fountain Lake Park Gazebo

    • Ice Cream Social

  • Sunday, September 17 - 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Autumn in the Village. Freeborn County Museum.

  • Friday, September 22 - 7:30 p.m. Silent Symphony Speaker and Forum, High School Auditorium.

  • Saturday September 23 - 10:00 a.m. Silent Symphony Premiere Performance  High School Auditorium.

October - Heritage & Immigration

  • October 7-8 - Big Island Rendezvous and Festival - Bancroft Bay Park.

  • Saturday, October 28 - 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Heritage Festival - Northbridge Mall.

November - Health Care

  • November 4 - 2:00-4:00 p.m. Sesquicentennial Tea featuring the restored 1925 Albert Lea cookbook, “Taste of the Good Ole Days” at Hidden Creek, a Good Samaritan Assisted Living Facility.

  • November 11 - 2:00-3:30 p.m. “Growing a Healthy Community, a kid's Health Fair, Albert Lea Senior Center, Skyline Plaza. Sponsored by Albert Lea Medical Center.

December - Gala

  • Sunday, December 3 - 1:00-4:00 p.m. Christmas in the Village. Freeborn County Historical Museum.

  • Sunday, December 31 - New Year's Eve Gala Celebration - Skyline Plaza.