It’s a weekend to celebrate our community.

The second annual Celebrate Albert Lea Festival happens this weekend.

From dances and fun runs to art, water skiing, a boat show and lots of entertainment, there’s sure to be at least one event to please everyone.

Celebrate Albert Lea gives community members a good idea of things available to them in our community. It is a way for people to get out and see the benefits of living in Albert Lea.

For example, at last year’s celebration, a number of people turned out to see the Bayside Skiers’ show. Many had never been to a show before, and were amazed at what they saw. Yet the team presents a show each week, weather permitting, from late June through Labor Day.

Likewise, Art in the Park gives people a taste of what our local artists can do. Yet, the Albert Lea Art Center is open five days a week.

Celebrate Albert Lea is a great way to combat the old &uot;there’s nothing to do in Albert Lea&uot; argument.

Scheduled events include the Johnny Holm Band playing from 8:30 to midnight for those 21 and older at the Albert Lea Armory tonight. Saturday’s events include a youth fun run at 8 a.m., a pancake breakfast at the American Legion from 8 to 11 a.m., the Friends of the Library book sale in the garage under the library from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., a kiddie tractor pull on Water Street starting at 10 a.m. (9:30 registration), Art in the Park runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in New Denmark Park, a pet show on Water Street beginning at 11 a.m., and a teen dance at the Albert Lea City Arena from 9 to 11 p.m. Sunday’s events include a show by magician Jim Jayes at 2 p.m. in the gazebo, a show by the Bayside Ski Team at 3 p.m. from Fountain Lake Park, a boat parade at 5 p.m. from Fountain Lake Park, and a mariachi band will play from 6 to 8 p.m. in Fountain Lake Park.

We need to celebrate all of the good things happening and to showcase the quality of life and the history of Albert Lea. Hopefully, this will lead to a great sesquicentennial in 2006.

Plan to take in some or all of the festivities. You’ll be glad you did.