The big event this weekend is the Big Island Bar-B-Que State Championship at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds.

This is the second year for the local event that attracts barbecue cooks and fans from across the Midwest. It is a fundraiser for the educational days of the Big Island Rendezvous in October, which explains why the logo is a pig and a cow roasting a pioneer explorer.

The Big Island Bar-B-Que happens Friday and Saturday. Friday night offers plenty of tasty treats for people who attend. Here is the food and music schedule for Friday:

5 p.m.: People’s Choice Chili Competition (over 150 gallons will be served)

6-7:30 p.m.: The Amish Playboys

7 p.m.: People’s Choice Chicken Wing Competition (over 500 pounds will be served)

8-10 p.m.: The Rooftop Band: Beatles tribute

Judging of seafood, sauce, chicken, pork ribs, pork shoulders, beef briskets, sausage and desserts takes place all day Saturday. Here is the music schedule for Saturday:

11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Moses Oakland Quintet

Noon- 5 p.m.: car show

1:30-3:30 p.m.: The Rooftop Band: Beatles tribute

4-5 p.m.: John Goodsall: solo guitar

5-5:30 p.m.: awards ceremony

Friday

 Horses begin arriving for the Minnesota-Iowa Arabian Horse Show at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds on Friday afternoon. The show itself takes place Saturdy and Sunday.

The Pelican Breeze will hold a pizza cruise from 6 to 7:30 pm. Reservations are needed by 4 p.m.; call 383-2630.

There will be an event called the Disciple Disco Dance Park from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Freeborn National Bank building. Admission and food are free. The dance, sponsored by The Church of the Redeemed and Grace Christian Church, targets people ages 12 to 20. Elisha Marin is the contact: (507) 318-8339.

Saturday

The Minnesota-Iowa Arabian Horse Show starts bright and early at 8:30 a.m. at the fairgrounds and runs all day.

The Albert Lea Farmers Market will be open in the North Broadway Avenue parking lot from 9 a.m. to noon.

The Flying Lea Disc Golf Club on Saturday morning will kick off a two-day tournament to end its first summer league. The first round of play starts at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Club President Art Schorn said he hopes The Flying Lea Championship becomes an annual event determining who is the best disc golfer in the city. This event is the culmination of a season that started May 10.

Sponsors for The Flying Lea Championship are Nancy VanderWaerdt State Farm Insurance and Martin’s Cycling & Fitness. The club’s Web site is www.flyinglea.org. The general public is invited to spectate.

The “Come to Jesus” puppet ministry appears at four locations — Stoney Creek Trailer Park (10 a.m.), Rainbow Terrace Trailer Park (11 a.m.), Gray Gables Apartments (12:15 p.m.) and Morin Park (1:15 p.m.).

The free presentation starts out with a song, followed by a game or race involving the kids present. Then, the puppet show begins.

The Pelican Breeze will hold a public cruise from 4 to 5:30 p.m. No reservations needed.

The Albert Lea Parks and Recreation Department presents the Third Annual Doggie Dip at the Albert Lea Aquatic Center.

Bring your puppy dog out for some well-deserved fun in the sun — and water. Humans are allowed in the water, too. Dogs must have proof of current vaccination.

Owners are required to take responsibility for the behavior of their dogs, including proper disposal of doo-doo and controlling agressive behavior. Dogs won’t be allowed on the slide. Chemicals will have been adjusted for the “different breed of swimmer.”

The fun starts at 5:30 p.m. and ends at 7 p.m. The fee is $4, which gets two humans in, and $1 for each additional human. Checks and pool passes are not accepted.

First Baptist Church of Albert Lea is gearing up for a January 2010 mission trip to Robin’s Nest Children’s Home in Jamaica, an orphanage housing 30-plus youth. The orphanage is in the mountains of Jamaica, and the people are called “Maroons,” as they are the descendants of marooned slaves.

First Baptist will hold a fundraiser rummage and bake sale on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the church to raise money for this trip. The rummage sale will include a concession stand for breakfast and lunch items. A church cookbook will be available for sale to raise additional funds in the fall.

Sunday

 The American Legion Post 56 will offer a breakfast to the general public on Sunday morning at 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., hosted by the Honor Guard. The suggested donation is $6 per person; $3 for people younger than 10. The meal will be pancakes, eggs, sausage, potatoes, fruit juice and coffee. The Legion Hall is at 142 N. Broadway Ave. in Albert Lea.

 The Minnesota-Iowa Arabian Horse Show starts bright and early at 8:30 a.m. at the fairgrounds and runs all day.

 The next round of The Flying Lea Championship starts at 10 a.m. but the most interesting part to watch will be the final four players play the final 18 baskets at noon Sunday for all the money. An award ceremony follows. The top finisher will win $150. Second gets $75, third $50 and fourth $25.

 The Pelican Breeze will hold a public cruise with entertainment by guitarist David Courey from 1:30 to 3 p.m. No reservations needed.

 Community Cornerstone invites the community to attend a free concert and meal at Morin Park in Albert Lea at 6 p.m. Sunday. There will be a free meal of grilled hot dogs, Mrs. Gerry’s potato salad, chips, beverage and root beer floats. Local bands will entertain.

Producer, singer, songwriter and worship leader Nate Sabin will take the stage around 7 p.m. He has worked with many artists who have emerged to make an impact on the mainstream Christian music market. Community Cornerstone is a nonprofit organization working to restore the St. Paul Clothing Co. building in downtown Albert Lea, with the vision of a place to break the cycle of addiction and crime.