We urge the community to get out and have some fun this weekend with the sixth annual The Big Freeze at Edgewater Bay Pavilion. 

Events kicked off on Monday with the Medallion Hunt, but most activities will take place on Saturday.

Organizers have loads of activities planned, including Take a Kid Ice Fishing, a snowshoe shuffle, geocaching bingo, a chili cookoff, a disc golf tournament and horsedrawn wagon rides, to name a few.

Albert Lea Parks and Recreation staff will provide a children’s carnival with facepainting, games, crafts and an obstacle course.

Of course a large draw will be the Blue Ice Plunge, where people will jump into Fountain Lake. This has been a big attraction in years past, and we hope it will draw many again this year from in and outside of the community. Many of the activities ask participants to bring nonperishable food items to donate as an event fee.

The night will wrap up with live entertainment at 7 p.m. featuring the All BS Band.

If that’s not enough for you, Hockey Day will be taking place throughout the day at City Arena.

With everything going on, we hope you take the time out to enjoy some winter fun and come together as a community.

With the warmer-than-usual weather it should be a pleasant day.