By Nathan Cooper, staff writers

The Albert Lea Sesquicentennial Committee is bringing some entertainment not often seen in this area.

Today at 8 p.m., Save it for Sport will kick off a five-band concert at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds.

The event is a first-of-a-kind in Albert Lea, as most of the bands consist of bands playing for fun, and playing their own music. There are two bands from Albert Lea, Save it for Sport and Green Sleeves, two from Rochester and one from Mankato.

The bands play their own alternative pop/rock music, according to organizer Craig Besco.

&8220;It’s the first concert of its kind in Albert Lea,&8221; he said. &8220;Hopefully it will progress into a bigger concert. Hopefully we can get something else into town besides country.&8221;

Runway 36, a Rochester band, is headlining the concert.

Tickets are $6 at the gate, and the bands are willing to do a free concert, but Besco hopes to give them dome reimbursement. Proceeds will go to next year’s event, which Besco hopes will generate more interest and bigger names each year.