By Nathan Cooper, Tribune Staff

Writer

While the entertainment at the grandstand will attract thousands of country music lovers, there’s a youth entertainment center that hopes to attract hundreds of enthusiastic kids.

Now in its second year, the Freeborn County Fair Youth Stage will feature several youth events geared toward a younger demographic of fair-goers.

The fair board came up with the idea last year, and in conjunction with community education and the Albert Lea Family Y, the board assembled a wide array of acts.

Many of those acts are back for 2005, including Albert Lea Police Department Canine Unit, a zoomobile with different types of animals, a magician, and a puppet show along with several other projects for kids to work on between the main acts. Those activities will include face painting, crafts, games, and prizes.

&uot;We hope that people come out,&uot; said Rachael Sturtz, committee chair. &uot;It sparked a lot of interest last year, and we have worked hard to put together acts and activities at the fair. A lot of people have taken time out of their schedule to spend time on this event.&uot;

The Youth Stage is located at the east end of the midway and is open to everyone.

Questions may be directed to Sturtz by calling the Albert Lea Family Y at 373-8228.

2005 Youth Stage Schedule of Events

Tuesday, Aug. 2

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Noon to 12:45 p.m.: Face painting

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1 to 2 p.m.: Storytelling/Kids improv theater

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2:15: Scavenger hunt

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4 p.m.: Canine unit exhibition

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5:30: Prize drawing

Wednesday, Aug. 3

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9 a.m.: Games

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10 a.m.: Puppet show

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11 a.m.: Crafts

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Noon to 4 p.m.: Conservation on Wheels

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4 p.m.: Puppet show

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5 to 5:45 p.m.: Face painting

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5:30: Prize drawing

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6 p.m.: Puppet show

Thursday, Aug. 4

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1 p.m.: Silly slime craft

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2 p.m.: Albert Lea Fire Department demonstration

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4 p.m. : Wacky balloon games

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5:30: Prize drawing

Friday, Aug. 5

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11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Face painting

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1 p.m.: Home Depot demonstration

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4 p.m.: Mini Olympics

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5:30: Prize drawing

Saturday, Aug. 6

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11 a.m.: Face painting

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12:30: Watermelon seed spitting contest

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2 to 4 p.m.: Zoomobile

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4:30: Magician Adam Perry

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5:30: Prize drawing