Local residents and visitors alike are urged to come out and celebrate Albert Lea this weekend.

The first &uot;Celebrate Albert Lea&uot; event will take place Friday and Saturday around the city and is a chance for people to appreciate the community and its assets.

It begins with an adult dance from 8 p.m. to midnight Friday in the 4-H building at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds. Music is by Nate and the Moonlighters. Admission is $10 per person. People can receive a $2 discount with a Celebrate Albert Lea button.

On Saturday, a youth fun run from New Denmark Park to Fountain Lake Park gets under way at 8 a.m. A five-mile run/walk starts at Albert Lea Medical Center at 9 a.m. and ends at Fountain Lake Park. For pre-registration information, contact the Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, 373-3938.

A fishing contest is scheduled from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. with registration from 7:30-10 a.m. in the channel area.

Kids’ events at Fountain Lake Park include a bouncing castle, face painting and more. The Bayside Waterski Show Team will present its show, &uot;A Tribute to Vaudeville&uot; in front of the Fountain Lake Park gazebo at 2 p.m. Cemetery talkers will do re-enactments at 3 p.m. in Fountain Lake Park.

At 4 p.m., Mr. Magic will give a show in the municipal parking lot at the corner of North Broadway Avenue and Water Street.

A boat parade begins on Fountain Lake at 5 p.m. All types of boats are welcome: pontoons, speed boats, sailboats, jet skis, canoes and more. The parade is sponsored by Crystal Pierz Marine, which is furnishing the following prizes: a $150 store credit, a pair of water skis and a riding water tube. A medallion will be awarded for the mayor’s choice. Anything goes for decorating themes. Line-up for the parade begins at 4:30 p.m. Registration information (name, address, e-mail and type of boat) must be submitted to the Convention and Visitors’ Bureau at 143 W. Clark St. Entrants will receive a number to display on their boats.

A mariachi band will perform from 6-8 p.m. in the Fountain Lake Park gazebo. A teen dance runs from 9-11 p.m. at the former Only Deals store in Northbridge Mall.

&uot;Celebrate Albert Lea&uot; souvenir buttons are available at Hy-Vee and the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau. Call the CVB at 373-3938 for more information or a race registration form.

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

Friday, Aug. 29

-The North Star Corn Maze near Northwood, Iowa, is open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Admission is $5 per person. Children 5 and under are admitted free. Concessions, a gift shop and toilets are available on the grounds. To get to the corn maze, travel south on Highway 65 and watch for the signs.

-The Pelican Breeze will hold a pizza cruise at 6 p.m. Reservations are required before 4 p.m. Friday. Call 383-2630.

Saturday, Aug. 30

-The Minnesota-Iowa Arabian Horse Club will hold its 26th annual Labor Day Weekend show at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds beginning at 8:30 a.m. There will be classes for both youths and adults in halter, English and Western pleasure, humorous and native costume and more. Spectators are admitted free. Concessions will be available.

-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 North Star Corn Maze is open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Admission is $5 per person. Children 5 and under are admitted free. Concessions, a gift shop and toilets are available on the grounds. To get to the corn maze, travel south on Highway 65 and watch for the signs.

-The Story Lady Doll & Toy Museum, 131 N. Broadway Ave., will hold a &uot;Drawing Raggedy Ann and other Dolls&uot; event at 1 p.m. Kids from 2 to 92 are invited to bring a favorite doll or stuffed animal and make pictures with Eloise Adams.

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

Sunday, Aug. 31

-The Minnesota-Iowa Arabian Horse Club will hold its 26th annual Labor Day Weekend show at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds beginning at 8:30 a.m. There will be classes for both youths and adults in halter, English and Western pleasure, humorous and native costume and more. Spectators are admitted free. Concessions will be available.

-The North Star Corn Maze is open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Admission is $5 per person. Children 5 and under are admitted free. Concessions, a gift shop and toilets are available on the grounds. To get to the corn maze, travel south on Highway 65 and watch for the signs.

-The Pelican Breeze will hold a special event cruise with Al Batt at 2 and 4 p.m. Call for reservations, 383-2630.

Monday, Sept. 1

-The Albert Lea Bayside Waterski Show Team will present its final show of the season at 2 p.m. on Edgewater Bay of Fountain Lake. Pre-show activities begin at 1 p.m. This year’s theme is &uot;A Tribute to Vaudeville,&uot; and includes barefoot, pyramid, doubles, trios, wakeboarding, jumping and ballet line water acts, as well as a land show. Admission is free, but donations are accepted to help defray costs.

(Contact Geri McShane at lifestyles @albertleatribune.com or call 379-3436.)