Prepare to be scared.

The Albert Lea Fire Explorers hold their second annual open house this weekend. Hours are from 6-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the green horse barn north of the grandstand at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds. Admission is $3 per person, and children 5 and under will be admitted free. People should enter the fairgrounds from the north entrance.

In addition to the main maze, there will be a bonfire, a place to have photos taken, and concessions. The horse barn which held the haunted house last year will hold a hay and straw maze for the younger children this year. There will also be a supervised area where parents can leave young children who may be afraid to go in the haunted house; they must, however, leave a photo ID.

Following is a roundup of other events happening in the area this weekend.

Friday, Oct. 25

– The North Star of Iowa Corn Maze and Secret Garden will be open from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Admission is $5, with children 5 and under admitted free. It’s Haunted Halloween Maze Weekend. To get to the maze from Albert Lea, go south on Highway 65. Just north of Northwood, turn west on 490th Street, then go west on the blacktop for a sixteenth of a mile.

– The Pumpkin Patch of Albert Lea is open from 1-6 p.m. Go west on County Road 46 for two miles to County Road 71. Turn left and go south for 1/2 mile. The patch is on the right side of the road. There is no entrance fee. There are games for the kids, and pumpkins for sale. The patch is closed if it’s raining.

– The Albert Lea Parks and Recreation Department and Power 96 will present the annual Halloween carnival for preschoolers through fifth grade from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Albert Lea City Arena. There will be games, a kids’ costume contest, tattoos, carnival booths, candy and hayrides. Carnival tickets are 20 for $1. Bring to non-perishable food items to be donated to local food shelves and you’ll get 10 free tickets. There is a limit of 10 free tickets per family. Skate rental is available for $1. There will be free Rock on Ice from 7:30-9:30 p.m. The concession stand will also be open.

– Albert Lea Vineyard Church, 424 1/2 Adams Ave., will hold a fall festival from 7-9 p.m. This family event is open to children kindergarten through sixth grade and their parents. There will be games, snacks, drawings and lots of fun. People should feel free to come in costume, but it’s asked that there be no scary or evil themes. There is no charge to attend.

– Albert Lea Community Theatre presents &uot;Don’t Dress for Dinner&uot; at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the comedy are available by calling the box office at 377-4371.

Saturday, Oct. 26

– The Albert Lea Farmers’ Market will be held in the parking lot at the corner of Broadway Avenue and Water Street beginning at 9 a.m.

– Groundbreaking for the next Habitat for Humanity house will be held at 10 a.m. at 235 Pearl St., Albert Lea. This is the seventh home built in Albert Lea. Home Depot is joining Habitat for Humanity as a partner on the project.

– The North Star of Iowa Corn Maze and Secret Garden will be open from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. It’s Haunted Halloween Maze Weekend. Admission is $5, with children 5 and under admitted free. To get to the maze from Albert Lea, go south on Highway 65. Just north of Northwood, turn west on 490th Street, then go west on the blacktop for a sixteenth of a mile.

– The Pumpkin Patch of Albert Lea is open from noon-6 p.m. Go west on County Road 46 for two miles to County Road 71. Turn left and go south for 1/2 mile. The patch is on the right side of the road. There is no entrance fee. There are games for the kids, and pumpkins for sale. The patch is closed if it’s raining.

– Albert Lea Community Theatre presents &uot;Don’t Dress for Dinner&uot; at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the comedy are available by calling the box office at 377-4371.

Sunday, Oct. 27

– The Kiester Volunteer Fire Department will hold a pancake breakfast from 7 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Kiester Fire Hall. The menu includes blueberry pancakes, pancakes, French toast, eggs, ham, sausage and beverage. Freewill donations will be received. Matching funds will be provided by the East Faribault County Lutheran Brotherhood Branch 8328 and Aid Association for Lutherans Branch 6870.

– The Bricelyn Women of Today will hold an all-you-can-eat Belgian waffle breakfast from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Bricelyn Lutheran Church. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children. Matching funds will be provided by Aid Association for Lutherans Branch 6463. Serving will close for church and restart immediately after the service. All proceeds go to the Bricelyn Community Pool.

– The North Star of Iowa Corn Maze and Secret Garden is open from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Admission is $5, with children 5 and under admitted free. It’s Haunted Halloween Maze Weekend. To get to the maze from Albert Lea, go south on Highway 65. Just north of Northwood, turn west on 490th Street, then go west on the blacktop for a sixteenth of a mile.

– The Pumpkin Patch of Albert Lea is open from noon-6 p.m. Go west on County Road 46 for two miles to County Road 71. Turn left and go south for 1/2 mile. The patch is on the right side of the road. There is no entrance fee. There are games for the kids, and pumpkins for sale. The patch is closed if it’s raining.

– Oakland Lutheran Church will hold a lutefisk and meatball supper from 3-7 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance for adults ($13 at the door) and $5 for children 12 and under. The menu includes lutefisk, lefse, meatballs, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, cranberry salad and dessert. Tickets are available at Andersen Hallmark stores or by calling 377-2417. Matching funds are being provided by Lutheran Brotherhood Freeborn Branch 8482.