Disc golfers from around the state are coming to Bancroft Bay Park this weekend for the Minnesota State Championships.

The tournament is sanctioned by the Professional Disc Golf Association and is classified at the B-tier level. Chris “Critter” Meyer of Woodbury is the tournament director. The Albert Lea Parks and Recreation Department worked last week to prepare the park for the visitors. Meyer said spectators are welcome.

Meyer has placed string on the Tall Grass course at the park to note out of bounds, making the course more difficult. He has removed two baskets, extending what normally are holes 4 and 11, and adding some temporary baskets elsewhere. He has left much of the championship-level Oak Island course alone, but he has toughened it up in some places with mandatories and strings for out of bounds.

Registration is open 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, with a flexible start for a round of doubles that evening. Registration reopens at 7 a.m. Saturday and closes at 9 a.m., followed by a players’ meeting. The pros tee off at 9:30 a.m. at Tall Grass, and the amateurs tee off at Oak Island at the same time. They switch after lunch, with an estimated start of 2 p.m.

On Sunday, amateurs tee off at 8 a.m. at Oak Island, then the pros tee off around 11:30 a.m. After they finish, the top nine will continue to compete for extra holes while a crowd of spectators follow.

There are several categories for competition, with juniors paying $30 for an entry fee all the way up to the pro men paying $70.

Kernel Days in Wells is also this weekend. See a schedule of events above.

 

Friday

• The Pelican Breeze II will hold a brats and burger night. The cruise leaves at 6 p.m., and reservations are needed by 4 p.m. by calling Albert Lea Parks & Rec at 377-4370. Cost is $20, and Green Mill will be serving food and beverages.

 

Saturday

• Shinefest hosts a variety of events at the Fairlane Building at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds. A blood drive will be from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., a back-to-school shop will be from 9 a.m. to noon and oil changes will be from 9 a.m. to noon.

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

•The 10th annual All Veterans All Eras family barbecue will be at 1 p.m. at the Northwood Fairgrounds shelter house. Veterans and their family members are invited to attend. The event is hosted by the Vietnam Veterans of America local chapter 790.

• A neighborhood picnic will be from 4 to 8 p.m. at Frank Hall Park. Family games will be from 4 to 5:30 p.m., a hog roast from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., and a worship service from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

 

Sunday

• The Pelican Breeze II hosts a public cruise at 1:30 p.m. No reservations are needed, and cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children age 5 and younger.