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TUESDAYS
WEDNESDAYS
June 14 – July 26 • 10:30 am. . . Wake Up & Wiggle – Come and move to the music!
June 15 • 6 pm. . . . . . . . . . Family Event: Tie-Dye Bring your own white item to Tie-Dye!
No Wake up & Wiggle on June 21
June 14 –July 26 • 2 pm. . . . . . . Open Art Hour
No Open Art Hour on June 21
June 21 • 10:30 am. . . . . . . . . . . Ten Pigs: An Epic Bath – Adventure Trunk Show with Author Derek Anderson Suitable for families and groups with children ages 0-6
THURSDAYS June 16 – July 28 • 10:30 am. . . Listen & Learn – Storytime with a STEAM twist! June 16 – July 28 • 2 pm . . . . . . Games & Legos June 16 – July 28 • 6:30 pm. . . . Twilight Tales
June 22 • 1 pm. . . . . . . . . . Movie Matinee June 29 • 11 am & 1 pm. . . WonderWeavers Storytelling July 6 • 1 pm. . . . . . . . . . . . Movie Matinee July 13 • 11 am & 1 pm . . . Mad Science of MN July 20 • 6 pm. . . . . . . . . . . Family Event: Indoor “Drive-In” Movie July 27 • 11 am & 1 pm . . . Magician and Puppeteer Jim Jayes
Table of Contents
What’s inside:
Hormel 125th Celebration/ Spam Museum.........................................4-5 Jen Haugen, garden advice.....................6-7 Hy-Vee One Step Garden............................8 Summerset Theatre/ Matchbox Children’s Theatre....................10 ArtWorks Festival.................................12-13 Traveling art studio....................................14 ArtWorks Center classes...........................15 ArtWorks Festival bands...........................15 Hormel Historic Home...............................16 Canoe and kayak rental.............................18 Camping....................................................20 Brownsdale guest homes..........................22 May 4: Spring Fine Arts Showcase (Riverland) 6: Comedy Night (Paramount Theatre) 6: 300M4Freedom Concert (Holiday Inn) 6-7: Annual Spring Used Book Sale (Austin Public Library) 6-8: 2016 Minnesota Spring Beef Classic (Mower County Fairgrounds) 7: Austin City-Wide Rummage Sale 7: Annual Women’s Health Care Symposium (Hormel Historic Home) 7-8: Cedar River Archery Club 3D Shoot 8: Dad’s Belgian Waffles (Eagles Club – Noon Kiwanis) 14: County Recycling Event (Mower County Fairgrounds) 14–15: Austi-Con Gaming Tournament (Holiday Inn) 15: Bike Safety Day/YMCA Kids Fest (East Side Lake) 21: Annual VFW Classic Car Show (Austin VFW) 21: Southeast Minnesota Warhawks vs North Iowa Bucks (Westcott Field) 26-Jun 2: Softball Tournament (Todd Park) 28: Southeast Minnesota Warhawks vs Watertown Rebels (Westcott Field) 28: Driller MMA Fights (Holiday Inn) June 1–3: Cancer Symposium (Hormel Institute) 3: Summer Kick-Off (Downtown Austin) 3-5: 15th Annual Three Rivers Flea Market and Rummage Sale (Mower County Fairgrounds) 4: Hormel Institute Expansion Open House 4: City of Austin Public Auction (Packer Arena) 4: Southeast Minnesota Warhawks vs Med City Freeze (Westcott Field) 4-5: Baseball Tournament (Todd Park)
Farmers Markets........................................25 Q and A with Cheryl Krage, director of tourism, Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce.................................................27 Austin book store.......................................31 MacPhail Center for Music camps............31 Jay C. Hormel Nature Center programs....33 Austin swim meets....................................33 Riverside Arena skating.............................34 Summer races/golf outings.......................35 Amateur baseball schedules.....................36 Race track schedules................................37 Mower County Fair...............................38-39 Nancy Schnable, Austin Convention and Visitor’s Bureau...................................40 Austin Freedom Fest............................44-45
Small town celebrations:
Adams Dairy Days................................19 Hayfield FD Chicken Fry.......................21 Brownsdale Red Rock Revival.............23 Meadowfest, Grand Meadow...............24 Rose Creek Fun Days...........................26 LeRoy Summerfest...............................28 Ostrander Uff Da Days.........................29 Lyle Independence Day Celebration....30 Blooming Prairie Old Fashioned Fourth of July...............32
Austin Calendar 5: 5th Annual Darren Dash Half Marathon/5K/Kiddie Run 11: Southeast Minnesota Warhawks vs Albert Lea Grizzlies (Westcott Field) 11-12: Baseball Tournament (Riverland Baseball Complex) 11-12: Cedar River Archery Club 3D Shoot 12-16: 8th Annual Gifted and Talented Symposium (Riverland) 13-17: Kelly Keenan Hockey Camp (Riverside Arena) 15: Austin Community Band Concert (Bandshell Park) 18-19: Girls Fast Pitch Softball Twister Tournament 20: Oscar’s Big Break - A Touch of Magic (Hormel Historic Home) 20-24: Jason Fornwald Hockey Camp (Riverside Arena) 21-26: Shrek the Musical (Summerset Theatre, Riverland) 23: Gene Roden Memorial Track Meet (Westcott Field) 23-26: SPAM®Town Challenge (Marcusen Park) 25: Shooting Star Bike Ride (Shooting Star Bike Trail) 25: Haitian Hustle 5K 25-26: Baseball Tournament & Wood Bat Tournament (Todd Park) 29: Austin Community Band Concert (Bandshell Park) July 1: Austin Community Jazz Band Concert (Hormel Historic Home) 1–4: Austin Freedom Fest 2: SPAMTown Disc Golf Tournament (Todd Park) 5-8: Austin Bruins Try-Outs (Riverside Arena) 6: Austin Community Band Concert (Bandshell Park) 9: Minnesota Southbound Rollers Derby Mixer (Packer Arena) 11-15: 3rd Annual Clean Water Festival (Jay C. Hormel Nature Center) 13-17: The Murder Room (Summerset Theatre, Riverland) 16-16: Cedar River Archery Club
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3D Shoot 17: 4th Annual American Legion Classic Car Show (American Legion) 17–18: Packer Classic (Austin Country Club) 18: The Bazillions Concert (Hormel Historic Home) 19: Ag Appreciation Dinner (Mower County Fairgrounds) 19-20: Community Independent Bankers (Holiday Inn) 20–22: Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (Holiday Inn) 22-24: Baseball State Tournament (Riverland Baseball Complex) 22-24: Southern Minny Girls Fast Pitch Tournament (Todd Park) 23: 5K Your Way 23–24: Mower County Relay for Life (Mower County Fairgrounds) 24: Going To The Sun Acoustic Duo Concert (Hormel Historic Home) 26: Gene Roden Memorial Track Meet (Westcott Field) 29: Hormel Institute Expansion Open House 27–29: Hormel Foods’ 125th Anniversary Celebration 30: Hormel Institute Expansion Open House 30-31: Southern Minny Girls Fast Pitch Tournament (Todd Park) August 1: Bissen Family Band Concert (Hormel Historic Home) 3-7: Harvey (Summerset Theatre, Riverland) 6-7: Girls State Fast Pitch Softball Tournament (Todd Park) 9–14: Mower County Free Fair (Mower County Fairgrounds) 19: 8th Annual Doggy Dip (Austin Municipal Pool) 19-21: Matchbox Children’s Theatre Production – A Shakespeare Celebration (Paramount Theatre) 20: Veterans’ Memorial Car Show (LaFayette Park) 20: Minnesota Southbound Rollers vs Cedar Rapids Roller Girls roller
derby bout (Packer Arena) 20-21: Cedar River Archery Club 3D Shoot 23: Sena Ehrhardt and Cole Allen Concert (Hormel Historic Home) 24: Austin Community Sings (Bandshell) 27–28: Austin ArtWorks Festival September 10-11: Cedar River Archery Club 3D Shoot 10–11: Minnesota Statewide High School Mountain Bike Race 10–14: 70th National Barrow Show (Mower County Fairgrounds) 12: AMIGO Day (Austin Country Club) 21–23: Cancer Symposium (Hormel Institute) 24: Fall Harvest Celebration (Mower County Historical Society) 24: Jay C. Hormel Nature Center 8K Trail Run (Nature Center) 28–30: MCCE, Austin Area Chamber of Commerce (Holiday Inn) October 1: Regional Northern Highland Cattle Show (Fairgrounds) 13: Ladies Night Out (Holiday Inn) 14-15: Halloween Warm-Up (Jay C. Hormel Nature Center) 29: Fall Fest (Downtown Austin) November 4-5: And That’s My Story Storytelling Festival (Hormel Historic Home) 10-16: Calico Hutch Quilters Retreat (Holiday Inn) 18-19: Hormel Historic Home Holiday Event 25: Christmas in the City 29: Christmas in the Northwest December 1: Christmas in the Southwest 3: Merry TubaChristmas Concert 10: Christmas in the County (Mower County Historical Society) 17: Driller MMA Fights (Holiday Inn) Source: Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau
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Celebrating a birthday to remember By Jason Schoonover Austin’s largest company will celebrate its 125th birthday and its new museum in style this summer. Hormel Foods Corp. opened its new Spam Museum at 101 Third Ave. NE in April, and now the company is primed for the museum’s grand opening in conjunction with its 125th anniversary celebration. Country stars The Band Perry and an opening band will perform during a community celebration in Austin on July 29 during the company’s anniversary. The performance is planned at the grassy space between the Mower County Jail and Justice Center and the Historic Paramount Theatre along Fourth Avenue Northeast. “This award-winning band has performed around the world, and we are excited to have them with us to celebrate our anniversary,” Jeffrey Ettinger,
The Band Perry chairman of the board and CEO, said in a press release. Hormel is celebrating its 125th anniversary throughout 2016, but the festivities will peak the community celebration in Austin. But Hormel’s celebration will peak with events July 23 to July 29. Hormel is using the event as a time to reflect upon the compa-
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ny’s heritage and celebrate the future direction of the company. Along with celebrations, other events are planned at the company’s other plants and sites. “We are proud of our legacy and the many people who have helped shape this company today,” Ettinger said in the release. “Throughout our anniversary
year, we will be sharing our stories and celebrating with employees, families and communities worldwide.” That heritage is also on display in the museum, which features several exhibits showcasing Hormel’s history and its brands and reach around the globe. Along with award-winning entertainment like The Band Perry, the July 29th community celebration will feature food and activities for the whole family. Hormel Foods is also marking the anniversary with the grand opening of the Spam Museum in downtown Austin. The Spam Museum is set to open in the spring of 2016 and visitors from all over the world will be able to celebrate with interactive and informative exhibits about the iconic brand. The Band Perry is made up of Kimberly Perry and her younger brothers, Reid and Neil. The group has released hit singles like “If I Die Young,” “You Lie” and “All Your Life.” They’ve taken
home trophies at the Academy of Country Music Awards and Country Music Awards, and they’ve also received Grammy and Billboard Music Award nominations, along with several other nominations. For more, visit www.hormelfoods125.com/celebrations/
Cracking the can on the Spam Museum
Austin’s new Spam Museum serves up a trip around the globe, a look back at Spam in World War II, the history of Austin’s largest company, examples of how the famed canned meat is made, and plenty of fun to share — both in person and on social media. Hormel’s new Spam Museum opened at 101 Third Ave. NE in April with several fun exhibits to explore and history to soak in: Can Central, World Market, Supporting Our Troops, Spam Brand 101, 1891 and Beyond, Spam Brand Today, Hormel Foods Today and brand shop, and the Kids Play Area. Nicole Behne, Hormel’s marketing director for grocery products, said the company is excited to show off Spam, which has gained a place in American history and pop culture in its 79 years. “We’re a brand that has been able to not only have a really great place in American history, but we are also … an icon in pop culture today,” Behne said. “So we’re super excited to share with you how we’re bring that brand experience to life.” The museum will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., though Hormel may later look into the museum being open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays to give the Austin residents a chance to visit after work. Here’s a rundown of what to expect when you visit the new museum.
Hormel 125th anniversary schedule July 23: Pep It Up 5K beginning at Hormel Foods World Headquarters 1 Hormel Place •7 a.m. Race Day Registration Opens •8 a.m.-12 p.m. Event activities (live band, bounce house, games, food truck) •8:30 a.m. 1 mile fun run and walk Strollers are welcome. •9 a.m. 5K race run and walk. Strollers are welcome. •10:30 a.m. awards ceremony (door prize giveaway) Cost: By or before July 5, $25 for adult and children 12 years and older; $15 for children under 12 years by registering on or before July 5. Max of $65 per family. After July 5, $30 for adult and children 12 years and older, $20 for child under 12 years. Max of $75 per family July 24: Hormel Historic Home, free picnic in the Peace Garden starting at 4:30 •Enjoy tours, refreshments, and music in the Hormel Historic Home garden. •Concert at 6:30 featuring Going To The Sun, an acoustic folk group from Minneapolis. Bring a picnic or purchase refreshments from the HHH July 26-27: Hormel Foods 125th Anniversary Evening at the Paramount 7-9 p.m. July 29: Hormel Foods 125th Anniversary Community Event 3-9
p.m. Fireworks over Mill Pond at 10 p.m.
July 29th schedule
Community Stage: Featuring local talent and interactive performances 3-8 p.m. Main Stage: Featuring national talent 3-10 p.m. •4:30 p.m. Celebrity Chef Sunny Anderson •7 p.m. Opener for The Band Perry •8:30 p.m. The Band Perry •10 p.m. Fireworks Activities available throughout the event: 3-8 p.m. •Applegate sampling truck •Bacon Film Festival – Paramount Theater •Face painting •Faces of Hormel Foods photo booth •Food vendors •Hormel Black Label bacon motorcycle •Hormel branded mini golf •Hormel branded sports zone •Jennie-O Turkey Store sampling trailer •Jugglers •Kid’s arts and crafts •Muscle Milk jeep •Roaming magician •Sir Can-A-Lot character •Skippy Yippee photo opportunity •Spam photo opportunity •Spammy can character •Spamerican Tour bus •Taste of Hormel Foods tent •The Color of Us painting booth •Toddler Zone inflatable •Zoo-mobile
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Spring garden advice from master gardeners By Jen Haugen Stepping into a garden nursery can be a magical experience. Filled with colors and sweet aromas, our senses are heightened as we look for the perfect plant to add to our gardens. What Haugen to plant, how to plant it and when to harvest might be common questions. Here are some garden tips from University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardeners. Before you plant your first seed or seedling, here are some things to consider as you get started: What are your gardening goals? Determining the purpose of your garden is essential. Maybe your purpose is to create a certain recipe or to be able to share with others. Whatever the reason, give some thought as to why you want to grow that particular fruit or vegetable. Having your goals in mind allows you to focus
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your time and energy on what you truly hope to harvest. Here are some common goals for the vegetable garden. What’s important to you? •Taste and flavor •Ease of growing •Produces a lot of fruits or vegetables •Easy to use •Nutritious •Easy to store or lasts awhile •Fun to grow •Something new Consider starting with the familiar. Once gardening goals are determined, think about your family’s favorite recipes. First time gardeners enjoy growing foods that their family enjoys, foods that are already familiar. For example, if salsa is a popular condiment on the table, grow tomatoes, peppers and onions. It’s much more enjoyable to grow something you know will get eaten. And bring the whole family into the planning process. And while tempting to plant early, it’s essential to know the frost free date in southern
Minnesota is May 15. Fellow University of Minnesota Master Gardener, Therese Manggaard, shares her favorite vegetables to plant early when she is excited about planting: “Plants that tolerate lower temperatures such as lettuce, peas, radish and the cabbage family can be planter prior to May 15. Tender plants like tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers will not thrive unless the soil temperature is above 60 degrees. If you want to plant these types of plants earlier, investigate the idea of a mini greenhouse.” Transplanting seedlings outdoors is best done in the late afternoon or on a cloudy and calm day, making sure to water the roots before transplanting. This process is much shorter than you might think. Before you plant, sketch your design out on paper as well as in the soil. Organize your plants and dig in.
Some quick tips
•Tomatoes can be transplanted so that some of the stem is placed below the soil line, but eggplants and peppers should be placed so that the shoots are at the soil line as they were before transplanting. Space eggplants 18 inches apart in rows 30-36 inches apart, peppers 12-18 inches apart in rows 24-36 inches apart, and tomatoes 12-24 inches apart, staking tomatoes. •All leafy greens are generally direct seeded, although kale, lettuce, and Swiss chard can also be transplanted. For a continuous supply, plant
these seeds every two to three weeks in the summer and harvest will continue through fall. •Carrots, beets, parsnips, radishes, turnips, and rutabagas are the most commonly grown root crops in Minnesota gardens. And they are hardy, tolerating cooler weather well. Soil preparation is important to root crop success. They grow best in a deep, loose soil that retains moisture yet is well-drained. Root crops do not grow well in very acid soils. Healthy soil is important as the necessary food and water for plants to grow is contained inside. Good soil is dark and crumbly, like chocolate cake. To keep your soil healthy, be sure your soil is well-drained, not compacted and you have added compost. Consider a soil test from the University of Minnesota. For a nominal fee, you will get specific details about your soil and how to amend it as well. Find out more information by visiting www.extension. umn.edu. Both registered dietitian and University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener, Jen Haugen, is the author of a new book, “The Mom’s Guide to a Nourishing Garden,” found on Amazon. Connect with Jen at www.jenhaugen.com or on Twitter @jenhaugen.
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Mower County Dairy Ambassador Lea Semones, left, helps 11-year-old Olivia Culbert arrange a planting cage around a newly-planted tomato plant during the One-Step Garden's first planting in this 2014 photo. Herald file photos
Growing a garden for the youth Hy-Vee will continue its One Step Garden and Cooking Program for children this summer. The One Step Garden, located in the southeast corner of the HyVee parking lot, originally called Sprouts, was developed by former Hy-Vee dietitian Jen Haugen. The program was built on the idea that youth gardens can grow more than plants — they can grow healthy kids. This year’s program will be led by Courtney Kremer, Hy-Vee ’s current registered dietitian and HealthMarket employee Hanna Blumenshein. According to the duo, garden classes will be on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings with groups of children from the Y summer program and Austin Public Schools Kids Korner. A typical garden class session will include: •A tour of the garden (led by the children) •An educational activity about plants and gardening
Ava Denze from left, Riley Haugen and Lily Schulz plant spinich seeds during the One-Step Garden planting at Hy-Vee. •A game of “Plants and Robbers (weeding) •Story time •A mystery bag activity •Recipe preparation featuring garden produce •Journaling •An exercises activity, such as vegetable yoga This summer’s garden will pro-
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duce things such as tomatoes, carrots, zucchini, cucumber, peppers, strawberries and Swiss chard. Kremer and Blumenshein plan to end the season with competition called “Cropped!” a take on Food Network’s “Chopped.” This event will feature teams of kids from the garden program and will be led by professional chefs. Each
team will compete by creating a healthy dish featuring produce from the garden. The dishes will be judged by a panel of local celebrity judges with criteria such as taste, kid-friendliness, creativity and presentation. “We are both looking forward to seeing the children get excited about trying new vegetables and fruits and helping to maintain the garden,” Kremer said. “Our hope is that they bring their enthusiasm for trying new things at home with the rest of their families. We are looking forward to an exciting summer.” At this time classes will only be offered to children in the Y Summer Program and Austin Public Schools Kids Korner program. Plans for community classes are still in the works, so please stay turned to our Facebook page or email CKremer@hy-vee.com for updates. “Like” Austin Hy-Vee on Facebook to stay up to date on what’s all happening in the garden this summer.
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Summerset looking to year 49 By Jason Schoonover An Austin community theater is looking ahead to summer and its 49th season. Summerset Theater announced its 2016 season of “Shrek the Musical” from June 21 to 26, “The Murder Room” from July 13 to 17, and “Harvey” from Aug. 3 to 7 at Riverland Community College’s Frank W. Bridges Theatre. All weeknight and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m. with Sunday shows at 2 p.m. “All three shows are very light-hearted,” said Vic Wylde, who will direct “Harvey.” Summerset Theater’s main goal for its 49th season is to excite people and get audience members in the seats of Frank W. Bridges Theatre. “We wanted to pick shows that people would love to come and see,” said Summerset co-Executive Director John Deyo. Deyo will direct “Shrek the Musical” to kick off the season. “So we picked shows that are heartwarming and endearing and are titles that they know,” Deyo said. “With ‘Shrek,’ that’s just going to be popular, period.” Summerset co-Executive Director Randy Forster will direct “The Murder Room,” and he said most people love farces, as he described the show as a fastpaced, witty, almost slapstick comedy that will be fun for the audience and cast. Deyo said the arts are very important to promoting a thriving community, whether it’s dance, music, painting or any other art. “It provides an enrichment to the community and just broadens everyone’s horizons,” Deyo said. Summerset is also debuting a new mission statement this year: “The mission of Summerset Theatre is to provide the community with engaging entertainment and artistic opportunities in a positive, collaborative environment.” Deyo describes Summerset as one of the only venues for adults
Randy Forster, from left, John Deyo and Vic Wylde will direct Summerset Theatre’s three plays for its 49th summer season, “Shrek the Musical,” The Muder Room” and “Harvey.” Herald file photo
Summerset Theatre’s 2016 season “Shrek the Musical”
Based on the Dreamworks Animation motion picture and the book by William Steig. Book and lyrics by David Linsay-Abaire, music by Jeanine Tesori. June 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 at 7:30 p.m., June 26 at 2 p.m. Directed by John Deyo, Sponsored by REM Woodvale
“The Murder Room”
by Jack Sharkey July 13, 14, 15, 16 at 7:30 p.m., July 17 at 2 p.m. Directed by Randy Forster Sponsored by Theatre Friends in Memory of David Dahlquist
“Harvey” by Mary Chase Aug. 3, 4, 5, 6 at 7:30 p.m., Aug. 7 at 2 p.m. Directed by Vic Wylde interested in theater, aside from the occasional opportunities to help with Riverland plays. Forster noted Summerset prides itself on featuring a live orchestra for the shows, and Deyo agreed. “We have many, many talented people in this town, and it’s a great thing to be able to bring them together,” Deyo said. While Summerset is performed at Riverland Community College’s Frank W. Bridges Theatre, it’s a separate entity with its own finances and fundraising. Deyo noted Summerset can be misinterpreted as college plays, but it is a community theater and not a college program. With 2017 being Summerset’s 50th anniversary, Deyo and Forster are already planning some big shows to tie into the celebratory season, which they could announce before the close of the 49th season. “Stay tuned about the 50th anniversary,” Forster teased.
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“We have to survive the 49th first,” Deyo added with a laugh.
Tickets
Season passes for Summerset Theatre’s 2016 season are $45 and are on sale now through June 20. To purchase a season ticket or to receive more information, call the Summerset Theatre Box Office at 507-4330595, email boxoffice@riverland.edu, or purchase tickets online and view the brochure at www.summertheatre.org. Individual tickets to all three productions go on sale starting May 31 and continue Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and one hour before performances. Individual ticket prices for “Shrek the Musical” are $18, and $15 for “The Murder Room” and “Harvey,” children age 12 are $10 for each show. Curtain time for all shows is 7:30 p.m., with the exception of Sunday which will be a 2 p.m. matinee.
Matchbox Children’s Theatre offering summer camp The Matchbox Children’s Theatre is once again returning to get kids excited about theatre. The camp is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. on July 11-15 For more at information call Christ Church the MCT office at (301 507-437-9078 3rd Avenue Northwest) and is open for ages 8 to 18-years-old and features both beginner and advanced levels. The fee is $75 per student with a deadline to sign up of July 1. Class sizes are limited so apply soon. Payment must accompany application to reserve space. Scholarships are available. Applications can be found at www.matchboxchildrenstheatre.org/ theatre-camp. They can be downloaded from the website and then mailed to Matchbox, PO Box 576, Austin MN, 55912. Performances will follow the camp at 7 p.m. on Aug. 19 and 2 p.m. on Aug. 20-21 at the Historic Paramount Theatre.
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ArtWorks Fest gearing up for year 5 By Jenae Hackensmith The artists, authors and musicians are converging on Austin this summer for round five. The Austin ArtWorks Festival’s fifth year will take place Aug. 27 and 28, featuring more than 35 artists, many authors and musicians, and more. “It’s like, the event in Austin,” ArtWorks committee member Peggy Keener said this spring. The featured artist this year will be Mary Plaster of Duluth, a mixed-media artist, art facilitator and creative coach. She creates large lightweight sculptures, masks and giant puppets which are suitable for conferences, demonstrations, parades and other gatherings. She also does paintings/icons/prints, murals, photography, costumes and bead jewelry. At least three authors will attend the festival, with readings scheduled throughout the
Artists and visitors pack the Turbine Room during the first day of the Austin ArtWorks Festival last year. Herald file photo event, including Grant Blackwood, David Housewright and Sarah Stonich. Though the musicians have not been officially booked, organizer Jennie Knoebel confirmed the annual Saturday night concert will be held at the Historic Paramount Theatre this year instead of Mar-
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cusen Park. Committee member Bonnie Rietz encouraged people to come to the festival this year, whether it’s someone’s firsttime experience or a fifth-year veteran. “If you’ve not come before, it’ll just blow your mind,” she said. “It’s so fun, when you
combine music and the authors and the artists, and food. And then if you’ve been there before, we work really hard at adding, changing, making it better to make it really interesting and fun.” The festival could spend its last year at the downtown Austin Municipal Plant. The city of Austin and Vision 2020 are in negotiations for the city to acquire the plant for the proposed Austin Community Recreation Center. However, the festival’s future location is uncertain, as Vision 2020 leaders plan to preserve to turbine room and are open to keeping subsequent festivals at the site, but it’s unclear if that will happen. “It might be the last time it’s at the power plant,” Knoebel said. “So this might be your last chance to see it in its original location.” Several large donations were
made to help this year’s ArtWorks Festival, including donations from The Hormel Foundation, Mayo Clinic Health System — Albert Lea and Austin, and KMSU/KMSK The Maverick, the radio station of Minnesota State University, Mankato, which donated money for the bands and will emcee the event, as well as promote it in the weeks leading up to it. The festival will feature more family activities this year, and organizers also hope to focus more events in downtown Austin. There will also be a lot of food available, and coffee all day. Organizers are also trying to make the festival more welcoming for everyone in the community. “We’re trying to do some efforts at making the festival more welcoming to our entire community,” Knoebel said. “So we’re looking at adding signage in Spanish and Karen.” Rietz hopes when people come to the ArtWorks Festival, they get a sense of community pride and excitement for the festival. While past years have had both warm and chilly weather, she hopes for another beautiful evening to bring people out to enjoy the concerts and the talent showcased at the festival. “When we started five years ago it was two days, and even then we were thinking, ‘Should it be one day, should it be two,’” Reitz said. “ … Well now five years later, its an 11-day [event].” To volunteer at the festival, visit austinareaarts. org and fill out an application.
2016 Austin ArtWorks Festival Week •Friday, Aug. 19: Matchbox Children’s Theatre at Historic Paramount Theatre •Saturday, Aug. 20: Matchbox Children’s Theatre at Historic Paramount Theatre •Sunday, Aug. 21: Matchbox Children’s Theatre at Historic Paramount Theatre •Monday, Aug. 22: ‘Let’s Color’ at Austin ArtWorks Center •Tuesday, Aug. 23: Sena Ehrhardt at Hormel Historic Home •Wednesday, Aug. 24: Minnesota Sings with Bret Hesla at Veteran’s Pavilion •Thursday, Aug. 25: James Wegner Gallery Opening at Austin ArtWorks Center •Friday, Aug. 26: Welcome Reception at Hormel Historic Home •Saturday, Aug. 27: Austin ArtWorks Festival at Historic Downtown Power Plant and concert at Historic Paramount Theatre •Sunday, Aug. 28: Austin ArtWorks Festival at Historic Downtown Power Plant Artists confirmed to date •Peter Waldman, glassblowing. •Mary Plaster, mixed media artist and facilitator who creates large-scale theatrical sculptures. •Joseph Sand, pottery •Patrick Hansel, poet and visual artist •Luisa Cabello Hansel, a teacher, pastor, artist, trainer of trainers and youth mentor. She cofounder of The Goodlands Arts Program in Philadelphia, PA with Patrick Hansel. The Goodlands was a vehicle to teach photography, writing and mural painting, and counter the image of the neighborhood as “The Badlands.” •Afrobilly, a master guitarist from DR Congo
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Art on the road By Jason Schoonover and Jenae Hackensmith Art is hitting the road again this summer. For the second straight year, the Austin Area Commission for the Arts will have a traveling art studio making stops at every library in Mower County and in nearby counties with a different class each week for children from June 13 to July 15 in Mower and for a few weeks before and after in neighboring counties. The traveling studio, which features a trailer with “Mower County Libraries Traveling Studio” painted on the side, will provide classes for kids for four weeks after getting a strong response last year. “It went really well,” Austin Area Commission for the Arts Director Jennie Knoebel said. “We got great feedback from people. And the classes in general were very full, especially in Austin and LeRoy and Grand Meadow.” The tour will be in Austin on Mondays, Brownsdale and Lyle on Tuesdays, LeRoy on
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Traveling art studio dates
Siblings Easton, 8, Emma, 7, and Isabella Schmitz, 5, paint the shapes they see on a table in the middle of the room at the Mower County Libraries Traveling Art Studio at the Austin Library last year. Herald file photo Wednesdays, Thursday will be an open day, and it will be in Grand Meadow on Friday. The studio will take a break around the Fourth of July. Anyone is welcome to go to any of the libraries to participate in the program. They only need to contact each library to register. Last year, kids were able to do a vast variety of art, from painting on canvas, making bird houses, decorating hoola hoops and working with clay. “I think kids were able to do create artworks that they might not have been otherwise able to do on their own,” Knoebel said. Many kids frequented the studio through its summer run in 2015, and Knoebel said they also got work with many great instructors, who also provided strong feedback on
In Mower County, the Traveling Studio will run from June 13-July 15. It will be at the following locations •Monday Mornings (June 13, 20, 27, and July 11) Austin •Tuesday Mornings (June 14, 21, 28, and July 12) Brownsdale •Tuesday Afternoons (June 14, 21, 28, and July 12) - Lyle •Wednesday Mornings (June 15, 22, 29, and July 13) - LeRoy •Friday Mornings (June 17, 24, July 8, and July 15) Grand Meadow
the program’s inaugural year. “I think they enjoyed the variety of the projects and they enjoyed the variety of teachers and just the opportunity to do something different throughout the summer,” Knoebel said. The traveling studio is funded through grants, and this year organizers are hoping to expand into other counties during the rest of the summer after the studio’s Mower run. The trailer will visit the libraries in Zumbrota from June 6 to 10, Wabasha July 18 to 22 and Lake City Aug. 1 to 5. The studio will spend a week at each library. “In part because of the distance, to each location, we didn’t want or have the time to spread it out over four weeks,” Knoebel said. “… So we’re kind of experimenting with doing it one solid week.” The classes are sponsored as part of the Southeastern Libraries Cooperating (SELCO).
The art of a class By Jenae Hackensmith
The Austin ArtWorks Center holds many opportunities to get involved this summer. People looking to take an art class can sign up for the center’s summer classes through its website, www. austinareaarts.org, in person at center or over the phone. The site’s “Get Involved” link shows ways for people to volunteer, teach or get involved in a variety of ways. Most classes at the ArtWorks Center are for beginners or intermediate students unless otherwise noted. “People have enjoyed them quite a bit, but a lot of people are busy during the summer, so this summer we’re not offering as many classes,” Austin Area Commission for the Arts Director Jennie Knoebel said.
ArtWorks Center class schedule
•Beads & Buttons by Layl McDill, June 14 at 2 p.m. •Uncork & Create by Krystal Lennie, June 15 at 5:30 p.m. •Bob Ross Landscapes by Julie Fjetland, June 18 at 1 p.m. •Beautiful Boxes by Andrea Gates, July 12
6-8 p.m. (this class takes place in two sessions, the second session is July 26th) •Uncork & Create by Krystal Lennie, July 13 at 5:30 p.m. •Creative Coils by Andrea Gates, Aug. 2 6 p.m.-8 p.m. (this class takes place in two sessions, the second session is August 16th) •Bob Ross Landscapes by Julie Fjetland, Aug. 6 at 1 p.m. •Uncork & Create by Krystal Lennie, Aug. 16 at 5:30 p.m.
ArtWorks Center summer galleries
Beth Lowe and Krista Pumroy Cassandra Buck •Opening from 5 to 7 p.m. on July 15 •Show runs July 15-Aug. 20 James Wegner •Opening from 5 to 7 p.m. on Aug. 25 •Show runs Aug. 25-Oct. 1
World Music series at Historic Paramount Theatre The World Music Series back to the Historic Paramount Theatre for this summer in par World Music Series 2016. The events are free and are presented in partnership with Riverside Concerts in Rochester. •Yves Lambert Trio 7 p.m. on June 15 •Krar Collective 7 p.m. on July 20 •Calan 7 p.m. on Aug. 17
ArtWorks Festival aims for the dance floor By Jason Schoonover The Austin ArtWorks Festival is looking to bring a dancing-good time to the Historic Paramount Theatre this summer. The Austin Area Commission for the Arts announced Twin Cities bands Malamanya and Sonny Knight & The Lakers will headline the 2016 Dick Schindler Celebration Concert at 7 p.m. Aug. Sonny Knight & The Lakers 27 during the Austin ArtWorks Festival. Both acts bring music that will have the crowd dancing. “You’re going to want to get on your feet,” AACA Executive Director Jennie Knoebel said. Malamanya The concert is moving from Marcusen Park to the Paramount, in part to showcase Austin’s historic theater. “We will transform the Paramount as best we can to make it a little different than a usual event there,” Knoebel said. “We will be adding some dance floor space and then add a beer garden outside, so that way people can get both the indoor and outdoor experience.”
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A summer of music outdoors Austin Daily Herald
Peace Garden Concerts Schedule •Monday, June 20 at 1:30 p.m.: Oscar’s Big Break presented by a Touch of Magic Entertainment. Following the interactive musical comedy show everyone is invited to enjoy ice cream, chalk art and balloon structure in downtown Austin, sponsored by the Downtown Retailers Association. Event will be held indoors. •Friday, July 1 at 6:30 p.m.: The Austin Community Jazz Band This local music favorite has an annual tradition of performing at the HHH. Enjoy classic jazz and fun arrangements performed by local musicians. •Monday, July 18 at 6:30 p.m: The Bazillions Kid friendly rock ’n’ roll from the Twin Cities parents and educators. The duo brings songs to life through illustration, animation and activities. •Sunday, July 24 at 6:30 p.m.: Going to the Sun
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Accoustic Duo Minneapolis-based duo performs earthly acoustic folk instrumentation with lush harmonies. Come early for this concert as we will be offering kid friendly tours of the Hormel Historic Home and will have early 1900s games available for families to enjoy outdoors. •Monday, Aug. 1 at 6:30 p.m.: Bissen Family and Friends Band This return visit of the hometown family band will feature classic rock tunes that will take you back in time. •Tuesday, Aug. 23: Sena Ehrhardt and Cole Allene Accoustic Austin native Sena Ehrhardt returns to the HHH for an acoustic show with guitarist and husband Cole Allen. The couple’s soulful bluesy style will engage music lovers of all ages.
The Hormel Historic Home has a full slate of music planned for the summer featuring a little bit for everybody. Starting on Monday, June 20, with Oscar’s Big Break, the HHH will be presenting a series of Peace Garden Concerts featuring the lovely Peace Garden itself where the concerts will be held. “We have some returning due to popular demand and some new ones,” HHH executive director Holly Johnson said. “We’re always looking for new, engaging kids’ bands, so Oscar’s Big Break is new. Sena [Erhardt] has been here before, just not outdoors.” The Peace Garden acts as a fantastic backdrop for these shows. “We see the Hormel Historic Home as a place for the community to enjoy,” Johnson said. “This beautifully landscaped garden is part of that.” The opportunity to host these shows is largely made due to an annual grant from MarySue Hormel Harris. The grant provides money for a variety of things, but mostly for musical opportunities at the home.
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Canoe, Kayak service opens up the rivers By Jordan Gerard Get ready to row or paddle your watercraft of choice down the Cedar River and its tributaries this summer with Cedar River Canoe and Kayak Rental Service. Back again for a second season, Brian Pirmantgen will rent out three 17-foot canoes or two 10-foot, siton-top kayaks to explore the river. He said the kayaks have more open space and are easier for people to paddle and they are very popular with kids. He also has a paddleboat for rent on East Side Lake. There are two ways to rent watercraft: make a reservation by phone at no extra charge or just stop by. “Most of our customers are normally someone [who] calls and asks for a number of canoes or kayaks, where they want to canoe at,” Pirmantgen said. “There’s different drop off points and pick up points. Some parts [of the river] are easier than other parts.” He adds if people aren’t sure where to go or what their skill level, he’ll make a recommendation. After the reservation is made, Pir-
and taking out canoes and kayaks recommended by Tim Ruzek, water planner and outreach coordinator for the Mower County Soil and Water Conservation District and Cedar River Watershed District: •Ramsey Mill Pond •Ramsey Dam (below the dam) •Austin Mill Pond •East Side Lake •Dreisner Park •Riverwood Landing
Rental prices
Brian Pirmantgen stands with his fleet of kayaks, a paddleboat and canoes that are available for rent. Herald file photo mantgen will meet the group with their gear and canoe or kayak. If patrons need a refresher, no problem. He provides lifejackets for everyone and will launch the canoes or kayaks to get people going. After people receive directions and when to call before they get to the pickup point, they’re off and paddling. An average of three hours of paddling seems to be satisfying for most people, he said, though there are a few who take the eight-hour trip to Otranto, Iowa.
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The rental service is open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is located at 309 11th Ave. SW in Austin. Brian Pirmantgen can be reached at 507438-7755.
Good launching points on the Cedar River
Though there may be a few portages along the way, the Cedar River State Water Trail starts near County Road 2 near Lansing and ends at the Iowa border, 25 miles of river to explore around the Austin area. Below are good areas for launching
•$2 per hour, but there is a $10 minimum base price, which would equal five hours for canoes, kayaks and the paddleboat •$20 for a full day •$10 overnight (i.e. if you wanted to stay at a campground along the river), the paddleboat cannot be rented overnight •Weekend Special (canoes and kayaks only): Friday through Sunday, $50 per item
Pick up and Drop off fees •$5, within Austin city limits •$10, within 10 miles of Austin •$15, within 15 miles of Austin
Requirements
•Must be at least 18 years old to rent a watercraft •A valid drivers license is required to rent a watercraft •A waiver and release of liability form must be signed by all participants •All minors must have their parent/ guardian co-sign the waiver and release of liability form
By Jordan Gerard Started in the 1970s, this celebration continues well into the 21st century with a lot of events for kids and adults, complete with ice cream eating contest and a milking contest. Booster Club member Anna Sathre said the three-day event brings people together. “It is fun to see the community come together and throw a really nice town celebration,” Sathre said. She said a few of the big draws are the parade and chicken fry. They try to have a variety of activities for all ages. “We end our celebration with a friendly milking contest to keep with our dairy theme,” Sathre said. Live Music Saturday: 8 p.m. to midnight, Wasted Weekend, behind Legion Sunday: 5 p.m., Forty Milers, Legion stage Sunday: 6 to 7 p.m., Brad Boice — an Elvis Tribute Artist, in front of Northern Country Co-op (rain location: Legion) Schedule at a glance Friday, June 10 • City-wide Rummage Sales: all day, 20 miles along the Shooting Star Byway — LeRoy, Taopi, Adams, Rose Creek and places in between • Dodgeball Tournament: 4 p.m. at Southland High School, co-ed entering grades 4-6 at 4 p.m., boys entering grade 7-9 at 5 p.m., girls entering grade 7 to adult at 6 p.m. and boys entering grade 10 to adult at 7 p.m. • Southland Summer Smash: youth wrestling at football field (rain location is high school), www. theguillotine.com • Outdoor Movie: 9 p.m. featuring “Alvin and the
Adams Dairy Days June 10-12
Chipmunks: The Road Chip,” rain location is EMS building, Lucky Clovers 4-H concessions • “Squeeze Out Cancer” cookie and lemonade stand, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 106 Bergan St. • Next Step Cafe, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., baked goods • Sacred Heart Church Gym, 5 to 8 p.m., pulled pork meal, free will donation • Coloring Contest, due by 8 p.m., drop off at Heimer Foods Saturday, June 11 • City-wide rummage sales continue • Lions Club Pancake Breakfast and Silent Auction, 8 a.m. to noon at fire hall • 5K Run/Walk, 9 a.m., $5 entry fee; Kids’ Mile Fun Run, 9:05 a.m. $1 entry fee; Duathlon (2 mile run/10 mile bike, 2 mile run), 10:30 a.m., $10 entry fee; registration starts at 8:15 a.m. at Sacred Heart School, proceeds go to Sacred Heart Juggling Team • Big-Cup Golf Tournament, 9 a.m. at Cedar River
Country Club • Youth Bean Bag Tournament, register from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., throw at 1 p.m., behind Legion/City Hall • Adult Bean Bag Tournament, register from 5 to 5:45 p.m., throw at 6 p.m., behind Legion • Car Show: behind Legion, registration noon to 1 p.m., show from 1 to 4 p.m. • Kiddie Pedal Pull, 2 p.m., behind Legion, sanctioned • Steak Fry: 5 to 8 p.m., Legion, (Military Museum open) Sunday, June 12 • Coronation of Dairy Days Prince and Princess, noon, Southland High School • Grand Parade, 1 p.m., line up north of First and Water Streets, prize for best float • Pickup, Semi and Tractor Pull, 11 a.m., Adams City Park, contact 507-438-6639 • Lady’s Auxiliary Luncheon, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., legion • Chicken Fry: 4 to 8 p.m., Legion • Ice Cream Eating Contest, 7 p.m., Northern Country Co-Op • Milking Contest: 8 p.m., cash prize drawing after contest, Northern Country Co-Op After Parade events: • Kids’ games after parade: outback bouncer and volcano adventure slide, clowns, balloons, face painting • Meet and Greets with Curious George, Nordy —Minnesota Wild mascot, Bruiser —Austin Bruins mascot, Goldy — Minnesota Gophers mascot • Fire Department Kids’ Water Fights, 2 p.m. at the basketball courts • Kracker Jacks Drumline performance •American Legion Military Museum open
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Opportunities abound for camping T ime to hit the road and enjoy the outdoors. If you’re looking for a campground to enjoy some good times, look no further than these area stops to get your outdoor fix.
Brookside Campground
52482 320th Street Blooming Prairie 507-583-2979 Ready for some relaxing fun? Brookside has plenty of amenities, from wagon rides to volleyball, a heated pool to an arcade and movie rentals. It has fishing, canoeing, volleyball and plenty of picnic tables, fire rings and camp space for a summer getaway.
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resort at Beaver Trails
21943 630th Avenue, Austin 507-584-6611 Come down to Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resort for good old fashioned fun. There’s camping, a pool (complete with three waterslides), volleyball, a giant jumping pillow and a theme every weekend this summer perfect for a family outing.
Austin-Albert Lea KOA
84259 County Road 46 Hayward, MN I-90, Exit 166
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507-373-5170 A great place for RVs, tents and cabin rentals. There’s a large pool, game room, spacious meeting hall, a nine-hole golf course and driving range next door and themed weekends.
Lake Louise State Park
1.5 miles north of LeRoy 507-352-5111 www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/lake_ louise/index.html Lake Louise has campgrounds, swimming beaches, bike trails and more. Connected to the as-yet-unfinished Shooting Star Trail, this camp also has horse trails.
Oakwoods Trails Campground
23614 890th Ave Austin 507-437-6165 There’s large campsites for tenting and RVs, volleyball, basketball, horseshoes, fishing and hiking trails, electric hookups, and showers and bathrooms.
River Bend Campground
13380 State Highway 105 Lyle 507-325-4637 Take a trip to the River Bend Campground for a picturesque camping experience. Offers
basic amenities, firewood and playground at wooded sites along the river.
Myre — Big Island State Park
19499 780th Avenue Albert Lea 507-379-3403 www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/myre_big_ island/index.html Make time this summer for hiking, camping, canoeing and even a little geocaching at Albert Lea’s own state park, just three miles southeast of town.
Pine Lawn Campground
State Highway 16 Grand Meadow Camp on both sides of Deer Creek that come with electrical hookups. Enjoy fishing, picnicking in the pavilion, a sunny day on the playground and amenities like restrooms. Just east of Grand Meadow on Highway 16.
Hayfield Fire Department Chicken Fry July 23
By Jenae Hackensmith and Jordan Gerard It’s here for one day and one day only — Hayfield’s firemen chicken fry fundraiser for the fire department. In the festival’s third year, it will pack a lot of activities in one day from the field of flags to a parade and street dance. If tournaments are what you’re looking for, Hayfield has them. There’s a volleyball, softball, bean bag and golf tournament all on Saturday. “It just draws … people in for the food
and the band at night and maybe they can see what a nice little town Hayfield is,” Lori Kindschy of the city said. “It promotes Hayfield.” The chicken fry started years ago in the 1970s and ‘80s and then a group started Hey Days, but now it’s back to the chicken fry for the third year. Fire Chief Paul O’Brien said they served about 860 people last year. The field of flags is also popular. People can dedicate a flag in memory of a veteran or loved one.
“We fill a whole field with flags,” O’Brien said. “It’s a good town get-together.” Live Music: •Hitchville, 8 p.m. Schedule at a glance: • Chicken fry, 5 to 7 p.m. • Viking Pride Golf Tournament, day before, 10 a.m., registration at 9 a.m. • Parade at 2 p.m. • Field of flags view at Field Crest Care Nursing Home, 318 Second St. NE • Volleyball, softball and bean bag tournaments • Street dance • Fireworks at dusk
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Find a quiet place to stay this summer By Jordan Gerard Looking for a place to stay this summer, but tired of the traditional hotel room? Check out IBI Data’s guest homes in Brownsdale. IBI Data’s president Katherine Harte opened her family’s houses to be rented for the public after they’d been in her family for generations. The houses are named after Harte’s grandmother, Jessie; mother, Josie; and father, Jim. All of the houses are original and intact, though Josie’s has a 1980s addition upstairs. “Katherine wanted to open up the houses for the community to use and she felt like there would be a niche for people who wanted to come experience country living, like she did growing up,” said Sherry Anderson, a programmer at IBI Data and also the business development/property management for the homes. “She wanted a place for people in town because there’s really not a place for people to stay in Brownsdale.” Visitors to the houses tell Anderson they “can’t believe how peaceful and beautiful it is.” The first guesthouse, Jessie’s, opened in 2012 and sleeps up to seven people. It’s ideal for adults and older children but not younger children, due to more fragile items in the house. Anderson said the heart of this house is the kitchen and the back patio also receives a lot of positive feedback. Jessie’s house costs $175 a night. Josie’s Guest House, opened in 2014, is adjacent to Jessie’s and can sleep up to 11 people. Anderson said this house is almost two separate houses because there are two separate kitchens and full bathrooms, one upstairs and one downstairs. This house is more suited to families with younger children, as it has more room and a fenced-in backyard. Josie’s also costs $175 a night. Jim’s Guest House is the final property owned by Harte’s family and is expected to be open this summer. This guest house will sleep up to six people and it’s also more suited to younger children. It will have a fenced-in yard. The cost per night is not yet
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A large sitting room has plenty of windows allowing light and affording a great view. Herald file photo decided for Jim’s, but since it’s smaller than Jessie’s and Josie’s, it may be less, Anderson said. Anderson said the company might have long term business professionals stay at Jim’s Guest House until they can find a more permanent place to live. Summer activities at the guest houses might include campfires (firewood is provided), outdoor games, walking trails on the IBI Data property and people can bring their own games or activities. Groups should bring necessities for themselves and food to cook in a fully equipped kitchen.
Anderson said the houses are filling up fast for events like reunions and birthday parties. “Some people who come here just don’t want to do anything. They don’t care if they go anywhere or see anyone,” she said. “People absolutely love coming here.” Reservations can be made online at www.jessiesguesthouse.com and www.josiesguesthouse. com. A $100 rental deposit is required and the remaining balance is due two weeks before arrival. No pets allowed. Questions can be directed to Anderson at 507-567-2701 or 507-438-6430.
Brownsdale Red Rock Revival J 24-26 une
By Jenae Hackensmith and Jordan Gerard Brownsdale will see a new event this year in the form of a “good old revival.” Baptist Minister Ken Petzold is organizing the threeday Red Rock Revival. He said he wasn’t sure when the last one was and said it could have possibly been held in 1922. “I was feeling like we need to have a good old revival,” Petzold said. “We can use a little spiritual revival.” He said the revival comes at an opportune time because of the closing of Brownsdale Elementary School. The celebration is for
the community to go out and enjoy the day and good music all day long. “If nothing else, it will give the people of Brownsdale a weekend where they don’t hear about all the drama of the school closing,” Petzold said. “They can have a fun weekend and relax.” He adds the revival is not only for Brownsdale residents, but for everybody in the area. “Our little town needs a boost and this may be just what we need,” Petzold said.
Live Music: About seven bluegrass or gospel groups are scheduled to play throughout the weekend. Schedule at a glance: Friday, June 24: • Celebration starts at 5 p.m. at the elementary school grounds • Preaching service at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 25: • Celebration starts at 11 a.m. • Preaching service at 7 p.m. Sunday, June 26: • Celebration and preaching service starts at 10 a.m.
“I was feeling like we need to have a good old revival. We can use a little spiritual revival.” — Baptist Minister Ken Petzold
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Grand Meadow Meadowfest June 24-26
By Jenae Hackensmith and Jordan Gerard Meadowfest brings out the whole community of Grand Meadow for kids’ games and good music. A big reason for the festival is to promote Grand Meadow and let visitors see what the community has to offer, said event coordinator Greg Lamp. “It truly does seem to bring out everybody in the community,” Lamp said. “People that you don’t see a lot come out for this annual festival.” The biggest draw is the parade and chicken fry. The festival has been hosted for at least the past 75 years and shows no signs of stopping. “Those two events kind of go hand-inhand,” he said. “That kind of seems like the traditional event for most everybody.” Live entertainment at the beer garden is also a crowd-pleaser, Lamp said. “It really brings people out that maybe don’t get out quite as much,” Lamp added. “It kind of brings everybody to town. It’s really a wonderful community gathering.” Live Music: Friday: 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., County Line Drive Saturday: 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Diesel Drive Sunday: 12:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., In House Music Schedule at a glance: Thursday, June 23: • Treasure/Scavenger Hunt: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., get clues at the public library • Sidewalk chalk coloring contest and story time: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., in front of the Grand Meadow Healthcare Center. Stories every hour on the half hour. • Kids’/Family Fun Night: 7 to 8 p.m. at school gym Friday, June 24: • Bingo: 6:30 to 8 p.m. 25 cent cards — 100 percent payback, The Meadows Assisted Living • 5K Run/Walk: 7 p.m. at the school, under 12 kids’ 1/2 or 1/4 mile fun run is at the track and field, contact Lisa Glynn 507-754-4376 Saturday, June 25: • Coffee and Bake Sale: 8 to 10 a.m., at community center • Book Sale and Quilt Raffle: 9 a.m. to noon, public library, contact Alicia 507-754-5859 • Meadowfest Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Business Center parking lot, contact Dan Sween, 507-251-9755. • Parade: 2 p.m., contact Fran Baudoin at 507-2597309 • Co-Ed Volleyball Tournament: city park, $60 entry fee, register by June 23, Skjenke Bom Lounge, 507-754-5050, contact Ben Thorsen at 507-208-2007 or Adam Knutson at 507-273-6813 • Chicken BBQ: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Firemen’s Beer Garden, $8.50, proceeds go towards fireworks • Kids’ rides: noon to 6 p.m., closed during parade, $10 armbands for rides, at Veteran’s Memorial Park • Money sand pile: 3:30 p.m. after parade at Veteran’s Memorial Park • Kids’ Pedal Pull: 3:30 pm. after parade at Veteran’s Memorial Park, ages 4 to 11, sanctioned • Men’s Softball Tourney: Saturday and Sunday at city ball fields, contact Jason Boe at 507-438-5051 • Community Art Show: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Meadows Assisted Living, contact Susie Kjeer at 507-754-5343 or Marcia Carman at 507-2720281 • G.A.R. Hall Open House: Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with 1 p.m. special presentation; Sunday noon to 3 p.m., 24 | Discover Summer 2016 | Austin Daily Herald
Greg Lamp signs up for a raffle to win a Civil War chess a set at the Grand Army of the Republic Hall in Grand Meadow during a past Meadowfest. Herald file photo “Minnesota in the Civil War” by John Haymond Sunday, June 26: • Ecumenical Church Service: 10 a.m. at school cafetorium, contact Kristie Skifter at 507-259-5394 • Church dinner: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lutheran Church, barbecues, potato salad, chips, beans, dessert and beverage, adults $6, kids $3, takeout available. • Kids’ Water Fights: 1 p.m. by city park, prizes for
winning teams • Bean Bag Bash: sign up at 1 p.m. at fire department beer garden, ages 16 and over, $40 entry fee — 50 percent payout, 3-flight pooling double elimination tourney • Football Skills Challenge: 1 to 2 p.m. at Memorial Park • Kids’ Kickball Tourney: 3 p.m., grade 6 and under, free, at Memorial Park • Kids’ Candy Bar Bingo and Horse Races: 4 p.m. at the beer garden
Time for the markets LeRoy
Back again for another season, LeRoy’s farmer’s market will open on May 13 and close on Oct. 13. They will be held on Thursdays, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the corner of Main and Broadway Streets, next to the Center for Creative Arts. Vendors will have fruits, vegetables and all other goodies at found at farmers markets. Contact Dave Perkins at 507273-5815 or email leroyfarmersmarket15@gmail.com.
Austin Farmer’s Market This market is just over 30 years old and is located at 501
E. Oakland Ave. Their season started May 2 and run three days a week until the end of October. Visit this farmers market on Mondays and Thursdays, from 4 to 7 p.m and Saturday mornings 9 a.m. to noon. Different vendors will have fresh fruit, vegetables, baked goods, canned goods, soap, hand-crafted goods, pork, beef, chicken, honey, apples, soaps and lotions, salad dressings, massage oils and crafts. New this year, Dawgs on the Run! will be serving up their hot dogs from their mobile stand. Contact: Margaret Andree at 507-567-2009, or Da’Mela
Higgims at 507-279-0978. Website is www.eatfreshaustin.com; info@eatfreshaustin.com
placeaustin@yahoo.com or visit www.facebook.com/farmersmarketplacellc/timeline
Farmer’s Market Place:
Garden Spot Market, Brownsdale
Starting off their second year, this farmers market started on May 19 and will be held Mondays and Thursdays 4 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon on 18th Avenue Northwest, in front of Shopko and HyVee. Here you’ll find garden items like vegetables, different types of produce, crafts, cupcakes, eggs, chickens and strawberries. Contact: Tessa Davis at 507440-8006, email farmersmarket-
The inaugural year of this market started on May 6 and 7 and will be held on Fridays from 5 to 7 p.m. near First Farmers and Merchants Bank, 106 W. Main St. The market will run until Oct. 15. The market will feature common farmers market items such as vegetables, fruit, baked goods, produce and other items. Contact: Tessa Davis at 507440-8006
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Rose Creek Fun Days July 8-10
By Jordan Gerard Rose Creek Fun Days may be a small celebration, but it has many activities to keep fest-goers busy over a three-day celebration. This year marks the 149th year of the town’s birthday and establishment and next year the celebration is planned to be even bigger, committee member Jill Felten said. “We’re a small town,” Felten said. “It’s good for everyone to come together.”
Residents and visitors to the city have a lot of chances to interact with one another during a weekend-long softball tournament, volleyball tournament, medallion hunt and more. Felten said the firemen’s pork chop dinner is a big draw for the community.
Saturday, July 9: • Softball tournament starts • Volleyball at The Creek
Live Music:
All weekend: •Concessions in the park •Medallion hunt in the park, clues will be randomly posted at the concession stand throughout the weekend, winner will take home the medallion and cash prize
Dance Saturday night in the park
Schedule of Events:
Friday, July 8: • Youth and adult kickball, late afternoon to evening
YMCA youth events
July 16 and July 24 to Aug. 27.
The YMCA has plenty to offer in the forms of summer entertainment of area youths.
The YMCA teaches toddlers the basics of soccer, basketball and blast ball for kids ages 3-6. Tiny Tikes sports runs from July 12 to Aug. 2.
Blastball League
The Blastball League, which teaches children about the fundamentals of baseball and softball, runs from May 31 to June 30 and it is for children ages 3 to 6.
Gym and Swim
Gym and Swim combines a gymnastics tumbling class with a 30-minute swim lesson. It is for children ages 3-6 and it will run from June 12 to
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Tiny Tikes Sports
Splash N Dash
The YMCA staff will coach students in grades first through sixth in competitive swimming skills. It will run from Aug. 15-17 and a mini-meet will be held Aug. 19.
Gymnastics
The YMCA teaches gymnastics for children of all ages and skill levels over the summer. The first
Sunday, July 10: • Firemens’ water fight and pork chop supper • Softball tournament continues • Bean bag tournament
session will run from June 12 to July 16 and the second session will run from July 24 to Aug. 27.
Basketball
The YMCA will hold an afternoon basketball league for students in fifth to eighth grade. The indoor league, which runs from June 15 to July 20, will sharpen up basketball skills.
Lanesboro with Cheryl Krage, director of tourism at the Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce Q. Are there any big summer events coming up? A. Yes! Lots of summer events. For up-todate info check out our calendar at www. lanesboro.com Some to mention: •Rhubarb Festival, June 4. Celebrate rhubarb, Minnesota’s sweet-tart favorite. Free tasting of rhubarb delights, games, music and entertainment in Lanesboro — The Rhubarb Capitol of Minnesota! •Art in the Park, June 19. Annual Father’s Day Art Festival in beautiful Sylvan Park in Lanesboro, 90-plus exhibitors, delicious food, live music and entertainment •Golf Tournament, June 21. Sign up your team and join us at the Old Barn Resort for a great day of golf, fun, food, entertainment and prizes •Buffalo Bill Days, Aug. 5-7. Lanesboro’s
city-wide festival, marketplace, food booths, entertainment, dances, volleyball and softball tournaments, grand parade and fireworks! Q. What are some good destination spots? A. The Lanesboro Dam is a great place for photos! Inspiration Point is a place to stop on Highway 16 as you make your way down into Lanesboro, Sylvan Park in the center of town with a pond and a great playground, Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, I could go on! Q. What makes Lanesboro different from other area communities? A. Lanesboro is the quirky crossroads between arts and the outdoors. We have a professional theatre and art center, the Root River State Bike Trail for biking and walking, the Root River for tubing, kayaking and canoing, an Environmental Learning Center and of course the majestic bluffs that surround our town. It’s truly a place to get away and enjoy! Q. What can people do in Lanesboro?
A. They can stay, play and eat in Lanesboro! It’s all right here: canoing, kayaking, tubing, biking (Root River State Bike Trail — connected to 60 miles of paved trails!), high ropes course, history, antiques, hiking, professional theatre, art center, Amish tours, ice cream, community theatre, music — all types at different venues all summer long, shopping, camping , bed and breakfasts’s, walking tours, fishing (Bass Pond, Sylvan Park and the Root River).
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LeRoy Summerfest July 15-17
By Jordan Gerard The LeRoy Commercial Club has planned another Summer Fest weekend jam-packed with activities. The fest has been put on for many years, committee member Patty White says. “There’s been a celebration here for as long as I can remember,” White said. “It’s a way to bring the community together and to show some of the things we have here.” On Friday, there’s a variety show and a bean bag tournament and Saturday events run all day, starting at 8 a.m. with a volleyball tournament to 9 p.m. music with Luke ‘N Bob Texas. Sunday will feature a grilled chicken dinner and the grand parade. “There’s something for everyone,” White added. The festival is a good chance for people to come and get together, especially with high school reunions. White says there’s at least one reunion every year. About 1,000 more people will filter into LeRoy over the weekend, she said. Schedule at a glance:
Friday, July 15: 5:30-7:15 p.m. – Lion’s Club Supper, Walking Tacos, at LeRoy-Ostrander School Commons 6 p.m.: Bean Bag Tournament, on South Broadway by Travel Lanes 6:30 p.m.: Frog, Toad, and Turtle Races, Bike Trailhead Parking Lot 7:30 p.m.: Variety Show by LeRoy Community Theater at LeRoy-Ostrander High School Gym 8 p.m.: 5K Run/Walk with Glow Sticks, LeRoy Pool Benefit, Contact Elaine Mills at 507-440-0674 Saturday, July 16: 8 a.m.: Neil Yost Memorial Co-Ed Volleyball Tourney, South Park, Contact Dave Evans, 507-421-3065 8 -10 a.m.: Free Continental Breakfast and Open House at Wildwood Grove 9 a.m. -Noon – LeRoy Farmers Market, located by LeRoy Art Center 10 a.m. -1 p.m.: LeRoy Public Library Open House 10 a.m. -Noon – Container Gardening Contest at South Park, accepting entries from 9 to 10 a.m. 10 a.m.: Kid Power Sanctioned Pedal Tractor Pull at South Park
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People toss bean bags at the 2008 bean-bag tournament during Summerfest in LeRoy. Photo provided 11 a.m. -1 p.m.: Lunch & Pie & Ice Cream Social by 1st Presbyterian Church at Community Center 11 a.m. -2 p.m.: 14th Annual Car & Motorcycle Show by Son’s of the American Legion at South Park, Registration begins at 10 a.m. 11 a.m. -3 p.m.: Kid’s Carnival Games by Lutheran Social Services at South Park Noon: 6th Annual Ray Kiefer Memorial Tractor Pull at Northern Country Coop, Registration begins at 11 a.m. , Contact Jim Mossyge at 507-696-0559. Food Stand by Boy Scout Troop 84 during Pull-serving brats, hotdogs and fixings 1 p.m.: Little Miss and Little Mr. Summerfest Contest at South Park; Check-In at 12:30 p.m., $5 entry fee; Judged on (1) Question, (2) Talent, (3) Attire; for ages 5 to 9 years 1 p.m. -5 p.m.: Free Swim at LeRoy Pool 2 p.m.: Bingo at South Park 5 p.m. -7 p.m.: Windsor Chop Supper at South Park (L-O Commons in case of rain), Musical Entertainment provided by Tim’s Mobile Music 9 p.m.: Luke ‘N Bob Texas, sponsored by Travel Lanes, on South Broadway by Travel Lanes •Cub Scout Pack 84 serving Sno-Cones at South Park Sunday, July 17: 10 a.m.: Joint Ecumenical Church Service at South Park 11 a.m. -1 p.m.: Grilled Chicken Dinner, sponsored by LeRoy Fire Department, at Fire Hall 2 p.m.: Grand Parade, Contact Patty White at 507-3245707 Following the Parade: Free watermelon, Kiddy Train Rides, & Music by JJ’s Pickup Band at South Park, $.10 Ice Cream Cones will be available at BP Food Shop and
K & H Classic Stop, served by The Mower County Dairy Princess and Court Members All weekend: •ADA Malt Booth, Sponsored by FFA Alumni, located by LeRoy Art Center •$1 a Game Bowling at Travel Lanes •Vendors in South Park, Contact Dave Perkins at 507-2735815 •Dunk Tank, $3 for 3 balls
Ostrander Uff Da Days July 7-10
By Jordan Gerard Uff Da! An old Norwegian phrase for sensory overload. In this case, it could be from to Ostrander’s Norwegian heritage celebration, Uff Da Days. The celebration has been held for the last 15 to 20 years, Chris Hyrkas at the city of Ostrander says.
Free meals to be served at I.J., AHS
Austin Public Schools will serve up breakfast along with lunch this summer. To help combat summer hunger, Austin Public Schools will be sponsoring the Summer Lunch Program for the ninth consecutive year. But this year will also feature breakfast.
“There’s not too many other [festivals] based on nationality,” Hyrkas said. “It’s our 125th year of the celebration since we’ve been established as an established city.” Uff Da Days has featured kiddie and adult tractor pulls, kids’ carnival with games, face painting, a bounce house and other activities. They also bring
in the Stump Jumpers from Austin, a group of modified trucks that try to drive through a large trench filled with water and making a muddy mess in the process. More recently, they added a cook-off, sponsored by Odies Country Meats and Catering, which was a big hit, Hyrkas said. People had an allotted amount
of time to prepare a cut of meat. Various judges were picked to select the winning meat. “It’s great to have the city and the residents take ownership of [the] city, and they’re proud of their city,” Hyrkas said. “We’re only 257 people but if everyone takes a little part in their city, it shows we’re still on the map.”
Any child ages one to eighteen is able to receive a free lunch at any of the sites listed below. Adults can purchase a lunch for $3.80. Breakfast is served 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., and lunch is served 11a.m. – 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Breakfast and lunch are available at I.J. Holton Intermediate School, 1800 Fourth Ave. SE, and at Austin High School, 301 Third Street NW. Both sites will be closed on
July 3, and the AHS site will be closed on July 27 and 28.
of books available to read and check out. It is located at I. J. Holton Intermediate and Austin High school at the summer lunch sites. Come and find something great to read. Organizers have tons of suggestions for good books. The cafe will also feature weekly activities, story times, and game. The Reader’s Cafe is free and no registration is required.
Reader’s Cafe returns
The annual Readers’ Cafe will return for children ages preschool to eighth-grade at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday from June 13 to July 29. Reader’s Cafe is a free book exchange with a wide range
—Austin Daily Herald
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Lyle Independence Day Celebration June 25-26
By Jenae Hackensmith and Jordan Gerard The small town of Lyle has always had some way to celebrate Independence Day and this year is no different. “I do know as far back as the late 1800s, early 1900s they’ve always had something to celebrate Independence Day,” co-chair Diana Witt said. Lyle Lions Club President Ron Frank is working hard to get it going this year, with the help of sub-committees, Witt, who co-chairs the event with Frank. Though the celebration has been going for a long time, it doesn’t seem to stray from tradition. “I think a lot of it has to do with tradition. The truck and tractor pull has been just going for 20-some years if not longer,” Witt said. “Every year it gets bigger and better.” Witt adds it’s easy for families to come home to their hometown with kids because it’s not on the actual holiday, so they can enjoy both celebrations. “It’s that hometown feeling, where everybody knows everybody and everybody goes after church and after the parade everybody stays in the park for lunch,” Witt said. “It brings families together.” Witt said it might the only time of the year where family members get to see each other and being able to set the day aside to celebrate Independence Day with family and friends is important.
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Dale Anderson brought his 1926 Ford T Roadster to the classic car show in City Park during the Lyle Independence Day celebration. Herald file photo Live Music:
Friday: 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday: 8 p.m., Street Dance and “Extreme DJ”
Schedule at a glance:
Friday, June 24: • Food specials, 5 to 9 p.m. • Bean Bag Tournament, 7 p.m. Saturday, June 25: • Truck, Tractor and Semi Pull, south end of town, 10 a.m. • Classic Car Show, city park, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. • 3B Eatery open, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday, June 26: • Church services in the park, 10 a.m. • “Smokin’ Brothers BBQ,” 1 to 6 p.m. • Grand parade, noon • Flag presentation and speakers, 1 p.m. • Bingo stand, Southside 4-H, 1 p.m. • Stump Jumpers — mud bog races, south end, 1 p.m. • Kids’ games in the park, 1 p.m. • Horseshoe tournament, Legion, 2 p.m. • Entertainment, “Big Ben and Brian,” 1:30 to 3 p.m. • Water fights at fire hall, 2 p.m. • Pedal Pull, city park, 3:30 p.m. • Little Miss Lyle, 3:30 p.m. • Talent show, 4 p.m. • Fireworks, dusk
A sweet idea coming to Austin with new book store By Jason Schoonover Lisa Deyo is excited to bring a sweet idea to Austin this summer. Deyo plans to open Sweet Reads, a book and candy store, in the former Nemitz Building downtown this summer. The shop will feature
MacPhail hosting summer camps
Seven Springs Summer Strings Day Camp
Monday, Aug. 1-Thursday, Aug. 4 at 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. •String students between the ages of 10-15 with one or more years of playing experience can sharpen their skills and explore new areas of learning. Registration deadline/Cost: July 18, $140
Jam Camp: Austin Summer Band Camp
Monday, June 27-Friday, July 1, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. •This camp is an opportunity for band students to improve their skills both playing together and
new and used books. “This was too good of an opportunity to pass up,” Deyo said. Deyo, who has long dreamed of opening a book store, hopes the shop becomes one of many destinations that tourist and Austin residents can visit on their trips
downtown. Deyo’s husband, John, is a veteran of several Summerset Theatre productions, and he’s using his set-building skills to help turn the space into a destination. “We want picture opportunities everywhere,” she said.
Part of that is to continue on the adventure started at the Spam Museum and to help people experience all that downtown Austin has to offer. “Reading is an adventure,” she said. “And I want people to find their genre.”
individually. Students will also learn new techniques on individual instruments. Registration deadline/Cost: June 13. There will also be a bonus hour from noon to 1 p.m. Percussionists should plan to stay until 1 p.m. $50
as a family with children ages 6 weeks to five years (older siblings welcome as well). Registration deadline/Cost: Aug. 4, limit 10 families, $35
Registration deadline/Cost: July 7, limit 10 families, $35
Music by the Sea Families Camp
Monday, July 11-Friday, July 15, 9 to 9:45 a.m., Hormel Historic Home •This summer join MacPhail in the jungle as we explore music through animals and traditions from the tropics. This multi-age camp experience promotes musical awareness and appreciation through play-based integrated art activities. The lively week long camp will engage the varied needs of each child through a fun jungle theme. Register as a family with children ages 6 weeks to five years (older siblings are welcome as well).
Monday, Aug. 8-Friday, Aug. 12, 9 to 9:45 a.m. or 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. at the Hormel Historic Home •This summer join MacPhail as we explore things in and on the sea like the beach, boats and sea creatures through musical play. This multi-age camp experience promotes musical awareness and appreciation through play-based integrated art activities. The lively week long camp will engage the varied needs of each child through a fun water theme. Register
Music in the Jungle Families Camp
Music on the Go
Monday, Aug. 1- Friday, Aug. 5, 9 to 9:45 a.m. or 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Hormel Historic Home •This summer join MacPhail as we explore things that go like cars, trucks, trains and planes through musical play. This multi-age camp experience promotes musical awareness and appreciation through play-based integrated art activities. The lively week long camp will engage the varied needs of each child through a fun vehicle theme. Register as a family with children ages 6 weeks - 5 years (older siblings are welcome as well). Registration deadline/Cost: July 28, limit 10 families, $35 —For more, visit www.macphail.org/austin/
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BP Old Fashioned Fourth of July July 2-4
By Jordan Gerard With all the ways to celebrate America’s independence, there’s only one Blooming Prairie way. Co-chair Nick Schiefert estimates this year is the 149th July 4 celebration for Blooming Prairie and next year is the big 150. A town of about 1,996 people, BP adds at least 25,000 more people during the two-day celebration, with the biggest draw being the parade, Schiefert said. “It’s just fun,” Schiefert said. “A fun day for everybody.” A local favorite parade feature out of some 100 to 200 units is the Styx of Fury Drumline. There’s also firetrucks, clowns and marching bands. The celebration this year will start on July 2 with the street dance and ramp-up activities from there with a pedal tractor pull on July 3 and the parade and fireworks on July 4. “It draws in a pretty big crowd,” committee member Karen Fourage said. “There’s so many different activities for two days.”
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Schedule of Events:
Saturday, July 2: • Street dance Sunday, July 3: • Pedal tractor pull Monday, July 4: • Parade • Fireworks at dusk, Victory Field
Other events
June 15, 6 p.m.: Chamber Picnic July 20: Golf Fun Day at the BPCC Aug. 16-21: Steele County Free Fair in Owatonna Sept. 17: Fourth annual Car Show & Crazy Days
Jay C. Hormel Nature Center upcoming classes and programs
All events in Ruby Rupner Auditorium unless otherwise noted. RSVP by email (info@hormelnaturecenter.org), phone (507-437-7519), or in person at the Interpretive Center.
Swim meets coming to Austin Municipal Pool
Naturalist & Entertainer David Stokes
Thursday, June 16 Senior Special: 9:30 a.m. Family Program: 1 p.m. Discover the joys of nature with David! Please RSVP by June 15.
Storyteller Al Batt
Thursday, June 23 Senior Special: 9:30 a.m. Family Program: 1 p.m. Please RSVP by June 22.
Austin is the outdoor 50-meter Austin Municipal Pool. Vininski said there’s about 10 50-meter outdoor pools in Minnesota and most cities don’t want to host swim meets. “Austin is the first community to really, in Minnesota, that has a 50-meter outdoor pool, that’s opening their arms to Minnesota and USA Swimming,” Vininski said. “In the summer, we want to By Jordan Gerard swim outdoors. We want to swim meters as much as we can.” Three potential swim meets are going to give The catch is to fundraise the money to add a competitive swimmers the opportunity to swim at few missing key items essential to a swim meet, the Austin Municipal Pool this summer. such as starting blocks, lane lines and rollers to Mark Vininski, founder and owner of Atlantis store the lane lines when they are not in use. Swimming Federation (AFS), said they are taking Vininski said the pool is lined for eight lanes, baby steps by holding three meets this year, but but it could be 10 lanes and they’re looking at he hopes to turn it into a sponsored series by next purchasing 10 starting blocks. The 10 needed year. starting blocks will cost about $50,000 since they The biggest reason for hosting the meets in are stainless steel and powder coated.
Photographer John Duren & Writer Douglas Wood Thursday, June 30 Senior Special: 9:30 a.m. Family Program: 1 p.m. Evening Program: 7 p.m. Please RSVP by June 29.
Water Festival Kickoff Program with CRWD Project Manager Cody Fox Monday, July 11 Evening Program: 7 p.m.
Austin Municipal Pool Opens at 1 p.m. June 13.
Pool Hours
•Monday-Friday 1-4:30 p.m. •Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 7-8:30 p.m. •Saturday 1-6 p.m. •Sunday 2-7 p.m.
Adult Pool Activities
•Adult Lap Swim 12-1 p.m. Monday–Saturday Pool closes Aug. 18. The Annual Doggie Dip is 6 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 19. Cost is $2 per dog with two people free (additional people $1)
For more, visit www.ci.austin.mn.us/ Parkandrec/Brochure.pdf
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Skating throughout the summer By Jordan Gerard For the first time this summer, the ice in Riverside Arena will stay until July 11 and return on Sept. 6. Parks and Recreation Director Kim Underwood said they’ve had different groups like the Youth Hockey Association ask about having summer ice and what they would need to make it possible. “This year we had the opportunity with a Hormel Foundation grant, the help of the Austin Bruins and our new cooling system to give it a try,” Underwood said. The budget to keep the ice around for a majority of the summer is about $40,000, Underwood said. Various sports and groups plan to use the ice this summer, including several hockey camps for all levels, the figure skating club and curling league. Times for public skate
Summer events at Riverside Arena Bruins hockey camp
June 13-17, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. lunch is provided Open to boys and girls ages 7-14, $150 Austin Bruins Youth Hockey School: Keenan Kelly; Assistant Austin Bruins Coach; keenan@ austinbruins.com Hockey school ages 7 to 14 / boys and girls. Camp assistants: Logan Haskins and Griff Slightam
Albert Lea Girls Varsity Hockey Camp
Hosted by Jason Forwald This camp is for Squirt/U10; Pee Wee/ U12/U15 and Girls JV/ Varsity and stick time will be scheduled around those events. Private ice is also available to rent. Those events are expect-
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Coach Fornwald’s Summer Hockey School: Jason Fornwald; Albert Lea Varsity Head Coach; jasonfornwald@msn.com
Curling League:
Now through June 27 Mondays at 6 p.m. $80 per team player
3-on-3 Hockey:
April 26 to June 15 Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m.: 10U, 12U, Squirts, PeeWees Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m.: Mights
Bruins Tryout Camp: July 5-8
ed to bring in people from around the area, including Albert Lea because they do not have ice this summer, so some hockey players will get to do
The final tryouts by invite only. They are expecting to bring 120 people to Austin during the tryout period. The final 40 players will play in an all-star game that will be open to the public on July 8, time to be announced.
Wednesday night adult hockey, public skate and stick time: Adult hockey runs through May 25, check the Parks and Recreation Facebook page to see if it’s been extended or for public skate and stick times.
two camps this summer, Underwood said. The Bruins tryout camp is expected to bring about 120 players to Austin, she added.
Summer races
June 5: 5th annual Darren Dash. Race is at 8 a.m.; kiddie run is at 11 a.m. Race starts and ends at the Veteran’s Pavilion located at 104 Ninth Place SW, Austin. June 19: Rochesterfest Triathlon, Spring and Olympic distances. Race time is 8 a.m. at Foster Arend Park, 400 N. East River Rd. Rochester. Registration is $61-$121. June 25: Fifth annual Haitian Hustle 5K Run/Walk, starting at Austin’s Faith Church, 1800 12th St. SW. Race includes a 5K or mile run for ages 11 and above for $25 and a kids race for kids 10 and younger for $5. Registration and Check-In, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Faith Church East Campus, race day registration does not guarantee a T-shirt. Race starts at 9 a.m., kids’ races begin after 5K. Awards will be given to the first three male and female finishers. This is an official 5K with chip timing. Strollers, dogs on leashes, bikes, roller blades and skate boards are not allowed. Even supports education in Haiti for the Lighthouse Children’s Home, which is home to 10 children in grade school, many of whom were orphaned after the 2010 earthquake. June 25: Shooting Star Trail Bike Ride, beginning and ending at the Rose Pedaler in Rose Creek. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m., 100-mile ride begins at 7 a.m., and all other rides begin at 8:30 a.m. Registration is $18 per rider and $45 for a family up to four by June 11, and it’s $20 per rider and $50 per family after June 11. Registration includes a T-shirt. The four-mile fun ride is free. June 25: Get Your Rear in Gear 5K in Rochester,
at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center in Austin. Registration can be completed at www.austincoc. com and is $12 by June 13 and $15 after. Raceday registration begins at 11 a.m. The race begins at noon. July 16: April Sorenson Half Marathon and Relay in Albert Lea. The 13.1 mile race starts at 7:30 a.m. on the East Main Street service road in Albert Lea and ends on Main Street in Hayward. Registration is $40-$60 for individuals and $80-$120 for relays, depending on registration date. More information is available at www.livelaughloverun.com. Aug. 22: STRIVE Wellness run, 4-mile and kids’ runs in Owatonna. Adult registration is $25 in advance, $30 on race day. The kids’ run is $1. Four-mile run begins at 9 a.m., and the kids’ run starts at 8:15 a.m. More at strivewellnessrun. webstarts.com.
Golf outings A racer blows kisses to the crowd as he nears the finish of the 25-mile Dan Ulwelling Bike Race outside the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. East Silver Lake Park in Rochester. 5K timed run begins at 9 a.m. and 5K walk begins at 9:05 p.m. July 2: 34th Annual Hog Jog at East Side Lake in Austin, race begins at 8 a.m. Register online at www.ymca-austin.org. Race-day registration is 6:45-7:30 a.m. Cost is $25 for individuals and $15 for additional family members or $30 on race day. July 2: Dan Ulwelling 25-mile bike race starting
Austin Country Club July 16-17: Club Championships July 18: Packer Classic Golf Outing Aug. 15: Karl Potach Memorial Golf Outing Aug. 22: Gerrard Academy Golf Outing Sept. 12: Austin Chamber AMIGO Days Meadow Greens Golf Club June 17: Pacelli Day Golf Day June 18: Hoot and Ole Tournament July 9: Wagner Open Aug. 6: Bakery Lounge tournament Late August: Club Championship September: Big Cup
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h t e n D o i r amon e m m d u S Austin Greyhounds May 31..vs. Stewartville, 7:30 p.m. June 2 vs. Blue Earth, 7:30 p.m. June 4........vs. Chaska, 4:30 p.m. June 5..........vs. Eagan Bandits, 2 p.m. June 11-12....at New Prague Tourn., 11 a.m. June 15.....................at Dundas Dukes, 7:30 p.m. June 17..........................at Minnetonka Millers, 7 p.m. June 23-26.........................SpamTown Challenge, 8 p.m. June 30....................................vs. Savage Outlaws, 7:30 p.m. July 6.................................................at Savage Outlaws, 7:30 p.m. July 8...................................................at Miesville Mudhens, 8 p.m. July 9......................................................at Blaine Fusion, 1:30 p.m. July 13.......................................vs. Burnsville Bobcats, 7:30 p.m. July 15...........................................vs. Minneapolis Angels, 8 p.m. July 16...........................................vs. Lyon’s Pub Warriors, 1 p.m. July 20..............................................vs Austin Blue Sox, 7:30 p.m. July 23.............vs. Cold Spring at Target Field, Minneapolis, 3 p.m. July 29.........................................vs. Rochester Royals, 7:30 p.m. July 30....................................vs. Chaseberg-Coon Valley, 4 p.m. Aug. 2........................................................at Eagan Bandits, 4 p.m. Aug. 5...............................................vs Austin Blue Sox, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 6....................................................at Rochester Royals, 3 p.m.
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Austin Blue Sox June 3.......................... vs. Lake Crystal, 7:30 p.m. June 8..at Northfield, 7:30 p.m. June 10..vs. Stewartville, 7:30 p.m. June 11...............at Waseca, 7:30 p.m. June 14....................at Burnsville, 7:30 p.m. June 15......at Rochester Roadrunners, 7:30 p.m. June 20...................................at Owatonna, 7:30 p.m. June 23-25.............................SpamTown Challenge, TBA June 29.........................................vs. Dodge County, 7:30 p.m. July 2...........................................................vs. Owatonna, 1 p.m. July 5.......................................................at Stewartville, 7:30 p.m. July 8.........................................vs. Rochester Royals, 7:30 p.m. July 10..............................................................at Eagan, 7:30 p.m. July 13............................................................at Savage, 7:30 p.m. July 16.......................................vs. Rochester Royals, 7:30 p.m. July 17............................................................at Blue Earth, 2 p.m. July 20......................Blue Sox vs Austin Greyhounds, 7:30 p.m. July 28.....................................................vs. Burnsville, 7:45 p.m. July 30..............................vs. Chaseburg-Coon Valley, 6:30 p.m. July 31..............................................................at Eagan, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 5.......................Austin Greyhounds vs Blue Sox, 7:30 p.m.
Chasing the Checkered Flag If you’re looking for some racing this summer, your best bets are Chateau Raceway in Lansing or Deer Creek Speedway near Spring Valley.
Chateau features a two-thirds of a mile semi-banked dirt track and Deer Creek has a three-eighths of a mile dirt-clay race track.
Deer Creek Speedway
Chareau Raceway schedule
May 7.................................................Points race, 6 p.m. May 14.................................MLRA Late Models, 6 p.m. May 21.............................................Points race, 6 p.m. May 28...............................A & A Electric Southern MN Spring Challenge, 6 p.m. June 4..............................................Points race, 6 p.m. June 11............................................Points race, 6 p.m. June 18........................................................Points race School bus races/Mascot Night, 6 p.m. June 25........UMSS Sprint Cars Pink Out Night, 6 p.m. July 2............................Midseason Points Race, 6 p.m. July 9...............NAPA Auto Parts Gopher 50, 6:30 p.m. July 16..................................Tasseldega Nights, 6 p.m. July 23.............................................Points race, 6 p.m. July 30..........................Driver recognition night, 6 p.m. Aug. 6..............................................Points race, 6 p.m. Aug. 13............................................Points race, 6 p.m. Aug. 20...........................................Points race, 6 p.m. Aug. 27.....................Track championship night, 6 p.m. Sept. 3......................................Labor Day Dual, 6 p.m.
May May May May
25262 U.S. 63, Spring Valley
54219 266 St., Lansing
6.......Points night, hot laps, 6:30 p.m., races after 13.....Points night, hot laps, 6:30 p.m., races after 20.....Points night, hot laps, 6:30 p.m., races after 27...................................Guttormson Day USMTS Hot laps, 6:30 p.m., races after June 3........................................Fan Appreciation night Hot laps, 6:30 p.m., races after June 10...Points night, hot laps, 6:30 p.m., races after June 17...Points night, hot laps, 6:30 p.m., races after June 24...Points night, hot laps, 6:30 p.m., races after July 1.......Points night, hot laps, 6:30 p.m., races after July 8...................................................Fire Works night Hot laps, 6:30 p.m., races after July 15.................................Points night/UMSS Sprints Hot laps, 6:30 p.m., races after July 22.....Points night, hot laps, 6:30 p.m., races after July 29.....Points night, hot laps, 6:30 p.m., races after Aug. 5......Points night, hot laps, 6:30 p.m., races after Aug. 12....Points night, hot laps, 6:30 p.m., races after Aug. 19....Points night, hot laps, 6:30 p.m., races after Aug. 26....Points night, hot laps, 6:30 p.m., races after Sept. 2.....................................USMTS Chase for Hunt Hot laps at 6:30 p.m. and races follow
T G SP
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Gearing up for a rockin’ fair the fair, was able to spread out a bit more and brought more rides for teens and adults. “They definitely enjoyed and liked the changes,” Mueller said of fair-goers. GoldStar will again offer a Passport to Mower Fun, a wristband for a week’s worth of midway rides. Many community favorites are
By Jason Schoonover The Mower County Fair is gearing up for a big run on Aug. 9 to 14. The grandstand will again be rocking this year. As Elvis-The Las Vegas Experience is slated to perform Wednesday night and Austin natives the Gear Daddies are set to perform Friday night. The grandstand will also include Motokazi at 7 p.m. Tuesday, the National Tractor Pullers Association tractor pull at 7 p.m. Thursday, Great Frontier Bull Riding at 7 p.m. Saturday, and the demolition derby at 2 p.m. Sunday. Each night will feature giveaways during grandstand events. The beer garden will also be rocking with an act on Tuesday, Smokescreen on Wednesday night, Lost Highway on Thursday, Them Pesky Kids on Friday
Martin Zellar and the Gear Daddies night and Slamabama on Saturday. On Sunday, a bean bag tournament will be held to benefit local fire departments. Opening ceremonies will be on the Farm Bureau stage at 5 p.m. on Tuesday. A full slate of Fair Square entertainment is still being finalized. As in past years, Wednesday will be Day Care Day, Thursday will be Senior Day and Sunday
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is Veterans Day. Day cares must register in advance, and free parking hours will be announced for seniors and veterans. GoldStar Amusements is returning for its third year running the midway of the Mower County Fair. Mower County Fair Board Director John Mueller said GoldStar had a strong second year, since the company knew the space at
slated to return, including the traditional 4-H, FFA and open animal exhibits, America’s Original Farmyard, and the traditional food vendors. “Ag society is all about youth, education, understanding where the food comes from,” Mueller said. Farm equipment displays proved popular last year with both farmers and non-farmers, and Mueller said that’ll continue this year. A lot of people are looking forward to that. “That was very well received, so we’ll continue with that,” he said. Check the Herald, www.mowercountyfair. com and the fair’s Facebook page for more updates as it gets closer to fair time. Fair admission will again be free.
Annika Arndorfer reacts as the Super Shot begins its drop on the midway. Herald file photo
Other events at the Mower County Fairgrounds
•June 3-5: Three Rivers Flea Market, Plager Building. •June 26: Trailblazer Horse Show, Horse Arena •July 19: Ag Chamber Cookout, Plager Building •July 23: Mower County Relay for Life
Supporting the fair’s future
The Mower County Fair Board, the board of directors elected from the agricultural society, created a foundation last year for the fairgrounds. In essence, it’s a trust the society can one day use for the fair, events at the fairground and more. Ag society members created the foundation in June through the Austin Area Foundation, which will oversee the foundation’s fund rather than the board, which elects new members every year. To contribute, contact the Austin Area Foundation at 507-434-494 or info@austinareafoundation.org
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Austin on target for busy summer Austin is home of many great sporting teams: Austin Bruins, Minnesota Southbound Rollers, Austin Greyhounds, Austin Blue Sox (just to name a few) and now the Southeast Minnesota Warhawks. By Nancy The Southeast Minnesota Schnable Austin Convention Warhawks are part of the and Visitors Bureau Director Southern Plains Football League, an adult nine-man full contact amateur football league consisting of 10 teams. Teams come from all over Southern and Central Minnesota, as well as Eastern South Dakota, and North Central, Central and North Western Iowa. The 2016 season started on April 30 and concludes on July 16 with a championship game. The Warhawks call Westcott Athletic Complex in Austin their home field. Games are at 4 p.m. and open to the public for a nominal cost. Take in a Southeast Minnesota Warhawks game on the following dates. May 28 vs. Watertown Rebels June 4 vs. Med City Freeze June 11 vs. Albert Lea Grizzlies For more information go to www.myspfl. com.
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Right on target
Speaking of sports, have you ever wanted to try archery? The Cedar River Archery Club, is a club that promotes safe, fun and family oriented place where people can come and shoot with others that share their passion. They have dates this summer where 3D targets will be offered to the public: June 11-12, July 16-17, Aug. 20-21 and Sept. 10-11. There will be 30-plus targets. All shoots start at 8 a.m. and conclude at 2 p.m. For more information contact Matt Streiff: 507-438-7619.
Five years of ArtWorks
Five years ago there was a twinkle in people’s eyes as they attended the first Austin ArtWorks Festival, which was a two day event. Now five years later it has grown into an ten days of events to enjoy and you won’t want to miss, because art works is Austin. •Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. — Matchbox Children’s Theatre Production: A Shakespeare Celebration at the Historic Paramount Theatre •Aug. 20 at 2 p.m. — Matchbox Children’s Theatre Production: A Shakespeare Celebration at the Historic Paramount Theatre •Aug. 21 at 2 p.m. — Matchbox Children’s Theatre Production: A Shakespeare Celebration at the Historic Paramount Theatre
•Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. — Coloring Night at the ArtWorks Center •Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. — Sena Ehrhardt at Hormel Historic Home • Aug. 24 at 6:30 p.m. — Minnesota Community Sings at Veteran’s Pavilion •Aug. 25 from 5-7 p.m. — James Wegner Gallery Opening at ArtWorks Center •Aug. 26 — Special Artist Invite Dinner •Aug. 27 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. — Fifth Annual Free ArtWorks Festival at Austin’s Downtown Power Plant • Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. — Evening Concert at Historic Paramount Theatre •Aug. 28 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. — Fifth Annual Free ArtWorks Festival at Austin’s Downtown Power Plant
Igniting history
Imagine lighting our home at the flick of a switch- for the first time! Stop by the Mower County Historical Society from now until Sept. 11 and see the Electrifying Minnesota exhibit. Through film, photography and interactive activities, this exhibit illuminates the amazing ways electricity has shaped life in Minnesota and Mower County. Free to view this traveling exhibit from the Minnesota History Center and The Bakken Museum. For more information go to www.mowercountyhistory.org.
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Freedom Fest 2016
By Jason Schoonover
A
ustin is primed for another long weekend of races, fun in the park, a parade, fireworks and more. Freedom Fest will return July 1-4 with its full slate of events, including fireworks displays July 3 and 4, which is a highlight for several organizers. “We do feel we’ve got the finest fireworks display in southeastern Minnesota,” Austin Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sandy Forstner said.
The fireworks cap the two days in the park. Family Day in the park will be on July 3, Sunday, but Forstner and Nelson noted events will gets started will after church at 2 p.m., and more people could arrive in the park earlier since most people won’t have work. Festivities continue in the park on July 4. Forstner calls the festival a family focused event, and he noted Bandshell Park a great venue for such the festival. The chamber is adding a zip line to the park starting at 2 p.m.
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both days in the park. Park activities also include entertainment, free inflatables, the National Guard climbing wall, a game activity tent, and food concessions, along with strolling jugglers, musicians, artisans and clowns. The veterans will again run bingo at the pavilion both days in the park. The annual water wars will return to the park on July 4, and a bean bag tourney will starts at 2 p.m. with registration at 1 p.m. The July 4 parade route will stick to the same route, which
started at Austin Utilities, 400 Fourth St. NE, and moved down Fourth Avenue Northeast before turning south onto Main Street North and running to Bandshell Community Park. “The parade is very well attended,” Forstner said. A field of flags featuring dozens of American flags along the park trail will also return, which Forstner described as a great addition to last year’s festival. “We want to recognize out veterans as much as possible,” he said.
2016 schedule July 1
•Jaycees Street Dance, Torge’s Live, 1701 Fourth St. NW.
July 2
8 a.m. Hog Jog at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. 6:45-7:30 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. race time. Early registration at the YMCA. Hog Jog and Mini Piggy are organized by the YMCA. 10 a.m.-noon, Kids Fishing Contest at East Side Lake Park, free. Noon, 25-mile Dan Ulwelling Bike Race at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, 11 a.m. registration, noon race time. Registration fee: $12 by June 12; $15 after, organized by the chamber.
Austin Eagles Club celebration
•Car show, noon registration, 2-4 p.m. show, 4 p.m. registration. •6:30:-8:30 p.m. Ripdoozers. •9 p.m. to 12 a.m. Echo Messenger.
July 3
7 a.m.-1 p.m. Morning Lions Fly-In Breakfast at the Austin Municipal Airport.
Bandshell Park
2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Performances by Bridget’s Dance Conservatory and Jane Taylor
Raffle tickets Academy of Dance. 3:30 p.m. Miss Sparkler/Mr. Firecracker Pageant. Open to girls and boys ages 5 to 8. Registration forms available at www.austincoc.com. 5 p.m. Terry Schmidt. 6 p.m. Axiom Band (youth band from Cornerstone Church). 7 p.m. Ventura highway. 8:30 p.m. AHS Jazz Band. 10 p.m. Fireworks.
July 4
10:45 a.m. Minny Piggy Fun Run on the parade route. 11 a.m. Parade from City Hall to Bandshell park.
Support Freedom Fest by buying a $5 fireworks raffle ticket, which features about $35 worth of coupons. Available at the chamber office in the Town Center, from chamber ambassadors and from the board of directors. Prizes Grand prize: $500 Great Getaway Certificate from Bursch Travel. Second place: Lawnmower from Donkers. Third place: winemaker tour for eight from Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery. Fourth place: Czech Inn, one night stay with a social and breakfast — evening social and a breakfast. Fifth place: $100 gift card from Rooms and Rest in Austin.
Bandshell Park
1 p.m. Opening ceremony and flag raising. 1:30 p.m. Pillars of the community announcement. 2:30 p.m. Cedar River Strings. 4:30 p.m. The Ripdoozers . 6:30-8 p.m. Denny and The D.C. Drifters Three Star Show. 8 p.m. Miss Austin will do drawing for the fireworks raffle. 8:30 p.m. Austin Community Band. 10 p.m. Fireworks.
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