After just three months planning, Jill Slette and Jean Eaton are pretty proud of the turnout at the Celebrate Albert Lea event over the weekend.

&uot;For it being the first time ever, I think the numbers were awesome,&uot; sad Slette the head of the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The two-day event was the first in a string of annual events leading up to the city’s sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) event in 2006.

Three months ago, Slette, Albert Lea Mayor Jean Eaton and others began to plan for the event.

In the short time, they booked two bands for dances and set up a fun run, fishing contest, downtown historic tour, water ski show and a boat parade.

Most events drew good crowds, according to Slette.

She and Eaton admitted they were disappointed with a small turnout for the Nate and the Moonlighters dance at the fairgrounds Friday. &uot;Anyone who missed that concert missed a great show, &uot; said Big Island Rendezvous representative Linda Bottelson.

But crowds were good through the bulk of the events, most of which were Saturday, Slette said.

&uot;The weather was great and the events were free,&uot; Slette said. &uot;People really came out and enjoyed themselves.&uot;

After receiving $8,500 in donations and sponsorships from local organizations and companies, $4,000 of which came from the city, the event pulled in $4,500 on its own. Slette said that money will be put toward future events.

She said they hope to raise the same amount and more for next year’s festival.

&uot;This is all a big build up to 2006,&uot; Slette said. &uot;We want more bands and more events for that celebration.&uot;

Planning for the 2004 celebration will start on Sept. 18.

Jean Eaton said next year’s event will likely not fall on Labor Day weekend, and may be combined with Eddie Cochran days, the Fourth of July festivities or another event.

(Contact Peter Cox at peter.cox @albertleatribune.com or 379-3439.)