Enjoy the cool, crisp nights and warm September days that invite you to relax, slow down and enjoy this beautiful season.

Take a walk, ride your bike and savor the natural beauty of our parks, bike trails and Myre-Big Island State Park.

Enjoy our beautiful lake and rent a kayak or canoe from Thursday evenings 6 to 8 p.m. at the Brookside Landing. The cost is only $10 sponsored by District 241 Community Education.

September events include the Old Car Club’s “Cruising Broadway” on Sept. 4, just a good, old-fashioned fun cruise featuring beautiful restored cars. Don’t forget to join in the fun at the American Legion for music and dining afterward!

Nashville recording artist Angie Broberg will perform at Northbridge Mall Sept. 5.

The Lighthouse Event Center will present “Inherit the Wind” Sept. 10 to 13 and A Tribute to Merle Haggard & Ray Price on Sept. 19.

On Sept. 5 to 7, the annual Short Stop Golf Tournament will be held at Green Lea Golf Course.

A tribute, “Remember 9/11,” will be held at the Moose on Sept. 11. A memorial service at 5 p.m. and special food from 6 to 8 p.m. followed by a street dance by Flashback from 8 p.m. to midnight. At 9:11 p.m. will be a tribute to our servicemen and -women and first responders.

The third annual Ryan “Pie” Truesdall Softball/Volleyball Tournament will be held at Snyder Fields on Sept. 11 to 13.

The Art of Quilting display will be Tuesdays through Saturdays Sept. 12 to 30 at the Albert Lea Art Center.

The Freeborn County Historical Museum will present Autumn in the Village on Sept. 20 from noon to 4 p.m. Demonstrations of old-time crafts, music, sarsaparilla, shredded beef/pork sandwiches, chips, pie, ice cream, archaeological digs and old-fashioned pictures.

On Sept. 26 don’t miss the “Vintage Pride” Snowmobile Show with head-to-head grass drag races, silent auction and snowmobile swap meet. Silent auction guests include Mike Decker of Team Deckers, Minnesota National Guard and 2008 Eagle River Champion Fred Smith. All proceeds will go toward care packages for troops.

The Albert Lea Art Center presents Art & Architecture Tour of Churches on Sept. 26. This is a great opportunity to visit area churches and learn the history and architecture.

The Albert Lea Civic Music announces its 2009-2010 concert series featuring outstanding concerts held at the Albert Lea High School auditorium. Season tickets are available at the Albert Lea Convention & Visitors Bureau, Addie’s Floral & Gifts and the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center. For more information, call Eileen Ness at 377-2075 or Sylvia Zevenbergen at 889-6341.

Fresh produce and art await you at the farmers market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. And be sure to come hungry on Wednesday nights for grilled foods prepared by organizations to support fundraising. Enjoy music by local talented musicians.

Make reservations for a scenic cruise aboard the Pelican Breeze II on Albert Lea Lake. Call 383-2630 for reservations or visit the Web site www.pelicanbreeze.org.

Bergdale Bike Nite continues Sept. 8 and 22 at Green Mill Restaurant.

For up-to-date events listings visit our newly designed Web site at www.albertleatourism.org.

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