Local amateur radio operators will work around the clock this weekend to set up field radio communications stations, get on the air and contact thousands of other operators in the U.S. and Canada as part of American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Field Day.

Albert Lea operations will be at Pickerel Lake on Highway 69 South. Set up begins around noon on Saturday. Operations continue until noon on Sunday. The public is welcome to stop out and see the field day in progress.

According to Larry Shaunce, member of the Albert Lea Amateur Radio Club Inc., field day is the annual &uot;shakedown run&uot; for the ARRL’s national field organization.

&uot;Field day is a way for hams to get outdoors and have fun under some difficult conditions,&uot; Shaunce said. &uot;But it’s also a chance to fine-tune emergency communication skills. We use generators or battery power, and we set up antennas in the field. The idea is to put together a self-sufficient, working station quickly and begin making contacts.&uot;

The ARRL field organization has been effective in establishing emergency communications nets during floods, hurricanes, fires, earthquakes and other major disasters. Members of formal emergency organizations regularly participate. The league estimates that more than 35,000 hams participate in field day every year.

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

Friday, June 27

-The Worth County Fair is running in Northwood, Iowa. Special highlights include a junior swin show at 8 a.m., a junior poultry show at 3 p.m. and the tractor pull at 6:30 p.m.

-Northbridge Mall is hosting a summer craft show and sale from 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

-The works of Jaclyn Garlock of Clear Lake, Iowa, are being exhibited at the Albert Lea Art Center, 224 S. Broadway Ave. Gallery hours are from noon-4 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are accepted to help defray art center expenses.

-Northbridge Mall will celebrate its 17th birthday with cake, refreshments and prizes from 2-4 p.m.

-The Albert Lea Art and Garden Tour will be held from 4-8 p.m. Tickets for this fund-raiser for the Albert Lea Art Center are $8 and are available at Andersen Hallmark stores and Ben’s Floral and Frame Designs, as well as at the art center. There are seven gardens are on the tour.

-Youth for Christ will hold a rummage and bake sale from 5-7 p.m. at The Rock, 116 W. Clark St.

-The Pelican Breeze holds its regular Friday night pizza cruise beginning at 6 p.m. Reservations are required before 4 p.m. Friday. Call 383-2630.

-Albert Lea Community Theatre presents the children’s production, &uot;Alice in Wonderland&uot; at 7:30 p.m. General admission tickets are $7. The box office is open from 6-7:30 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday, and also from 1-2 p.m. Saturday.

Saturday, June 28

-Youth for Christ will hold a rummage and bake sale from 8-10 a.m. the The Rock, 116 W. Clark St. From 10-11 a.m., everything left, excluding antiques, will be half price.

-The Worth County Fair continues in Northwood, Iowa. A junior beef show begins at 8 a.m., followed by the bucket-bottle calf show at 1 p.m. and the junior dairy show at 2 p.m. Kids’ arm band is from 2-3:30 p.m. on the midway. The demolition derby is at 7:30 p.m.

-The Albert Lea Art and Garden Tour will be held from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tickets for this fund-raiser for the Albert Lea Art Center are $8 and are available at Andersen Hallmark stores and Ben’s Floral and Frame Designs, as well as at the art center. There are seven gardens are on the tour.

-The Albert Lea Farmers’ Market is open in the parking lot at the corner of Broadway Avenue and Water Street from 9 a.m.-noon.

-The Jaclyn Garlock exhibit is in its final day at the Albert Lea Art Center, 224 S. Broadway Ave. Gallery hours are from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Admission is free.

-Northbridge Mall is hosting a summer craft show and sale from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

-Lunder Lutheran Church will hold a salad luncheon and bake sale from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Cost is $4 for adults, $2 for children 6-12 years and children 5 and under eat free. Matching funds are being provided by Thrivent Financial.

-The Story Lady Doll & Toy Museum, 131 N. Broadway Ave., will have a special program featuring Dixie Michaelis and her twin dolls at 1 p.m. Everyone is urged to bring a favorite doll or stuffed animal for show and tell. There are also new displays of newer and antique dolls at the museum. Admission is free for members and children and $2 for others.

-Albert Lea Community Theatre presents the children’s production, &uot;Alice in Wonderland&uot; at 2 and 7:30 p.m. General admission tickets are $7. The box office is open from 6-7:30 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday, and also from 1-2 p.m. Saturday.

-The Pelican Breeze will hold a public cruise at 2 p.m.

Sunday, June 29

-The Worth County Fair in Northwood concludes. A church service in the shelter house begins at 10 a.m. The annual baby contest is at 11:30 a.m. Four Sisters and a Cousin provide the grand finale at 8 p.m.

-Northbridge Mall is hosting a summer craft show and sale from noon-5 p.m.

-The Tones Band will present the free program of live music in the park at Edgewater Park beginning at 1:30 p.m. The band features country and ’50s and ’60s music. The band is under the direction of Larry Weberg of Albert Lea.

-The Pelican Breeze will hold special cruises with humorist Al Batt at 2 and 4 p.m.