“Catch the Wave in Albert Lea: Visit Play Eat Stay” is our theme for 2009!

There will be oodles of fun-filled events in our community this year, so let’s get ready mark your calendars and support our community!

This month you won’t want to miss the hockey action at the City Arena with several tournaments scheduled along with Albert Lea Thunder games. Come in from the cold for the Gourmet Food Auction at the Ramada Inn or the Winter Crazy Days and Bridal Show at the Northbridge Mall.

In February, calling all fishermen for the Ice Fishing Contest on Fountain Lake and be sure to catch the Albert Lea Community Theatre performances and Tribute to Buddy Holly and Richie Valens at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center. Albert Lea Parks & Recreation presents the inaugural Winter Carnival at Academy Park featuring a fun-filled afternoon of face painting, crafts, sledding, skating, snow volleyball, snow sculpture contest and cardboard sled races. The Northbridge Mall will feature the Farm Toy & Truck Show.

Our annual events include the Land Between the Lakes Triathlon, Eddie Cochran Weekend, Hambone Blues Jam, Take A Kid Fishing, Third of July Parade, Fourth of July Fireworks, Freeborn County Fair, ShineFest and Big Island Rendezvous.

Two new big events last year the April Sorensen Memorial Half Marathon and Big Island Barbecue Kansas City Barbecue Contest are back and will continue to grow!

The Bayside Skiers are sure to thrill audiences during their performances on Fountain Lake or you may want to relax aboard the Pelican Breeze II and take in the beauty of Albert Lea Lake.

The fairgrounds will be hosting the Family Motor Coach Association rally in June with over 400 motor coaches attending and we are excited to have them “Experience Albert Lea”!

The local hospitality industry benefits greatly from these wonderful events!

Visit our Web site at www.albertleatourism.org for information on area events.

Did you know:

Freeborn County has a beautiful and scenic snowmobile trail system of more than 250 groomed miles!

Susie Petersen is the executive director of the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau.