Area residents and tourists who come to Albert Lea to spend the Fourth of July holiday now will have another attraction to take part in thanks to a vote Monday by the Albert Lea City Council.

In what was a unanimous vote, the council voted to authorize Merriam’s Midway Carnival to host a small carnival in the North Broadway Avenue parking lot July 3, 4 and 5.

The carnival will include three rides for teenagers and adults, a merry-go-round and a few other kids rides, said Susie Petersen, Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director.

“I think it will just add to the activities of the weekend,” Petersen said. “We’re really excited about it.”

Already in Albert Lea over the Fourth of July holiday are the Third of July Parade, the Bayside Ski Club Ski Show and the fireworks over Fountain Lake, she said.

Carnival coordinators have agreed to lower the sound of their machinery during the parade and when there is music at the Fountain Lake Park gazebo. They will pay the $550 that the city’s fee schedule requires for exhibitions and shows within city limits, or 12 1/2 percent of the carnival ride ticket sales, whichever is greater.

Local vendors and a vendor with the carnival will be on the east side of the parking lot throughout the holiday, she said.

Merriam’s Midway Carnival is the same carnival company that comes to the Freeborn County Fair.

In other action, the City Council:

 Approved the city’s Hometown Pride Cleanup Day for May 16, from 9 a.m. to noon.

The cleanup day will give city residents the chance to get rid of many unwanted items at free or reduced rates at the Albert Lea Transfer Station.

It will be held in correlation with the Downtown Cleanup Day already scheduled for the same day.

Disposal rates will be free for brush and yard waste, free for household garbage, free for demolition debris, $10 per appliance or sofa bed, $5 per piece of furniture and $3 per passenger car tire.
Ward 1: Today at 6:30 p.m. at Green Lea Golf Course

Ward 2: Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center, Green Room

Ward 5: Today at 6:30 p.m. at Leo Carey Post 56 American Legion Building.
Regular rates apply to all other items.

Items stored in the hangars at the airport will also be included in the free and reduced rates.

Voted to install a 15-minute parking sign in front of Great Grains Market & Cafe at 112 S. Broadway Ave.

Tabled voting on recommendations to Albert Lea’s Charter Commission.

 Waived the annual audit of the Blazing Star Trail Joint Powers Board. The only activity in 2008 was 12 months of interest earnings.