5 things to do this weekend

Published 9:24 pm Wednesday, April 26, 2017

1. Packinghouse Daughter Project

The Packinghouse Daughter Project, a four-month process adapting author Cheri Register’s memoir “Packinghouse Daughter” into a performance piece, will culminate Saturday with several events.

There will be self-guided tours from 4 to 6 p.m. in downtown Albert Lea and at the former Wilson & Co. site, during which Albert Lea High School students will tell stories of past times in Albert Lea. Visitors can park in the city lot on North Broadway or directly on the vacant Wilson & Co. site. In the event of rain, students will present stories and research in the high school cafeteria.

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At 7:30 p.m. there will be a public reading in the high school auditorium of “Wilson Girl: Unpacking the Beef in a Minnesota Town.” The suggested donation for the reading is $5.

The play has been adapted through efforts of Eva Barr, who received grants from the Minnesota Arts Board and the National Endowment for the Arts. Barr worked closely with Register and other Albert Lea natives for the project and has incorporated students in humanities classes at the high school. The play incorporates research discovered into the Wilson & Co. meatpacking plant strike in 1959 in Albert Lea.

All events are open to the public, and donations are welcome.

2. “That Comedy Show”

“That Comedy Show,” featuring Mary Mack and Tim Harmston, will be at 8 p.m. Friday at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club in Albert Lea. The event is $20 in advance or $30 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at Senior Resources of Freeborn County, Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau, Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce and Wedgewood Cove Golf Club.

The event is a fundraiser for Senior Resources.

3. Live eagle program

A live eagle program will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in the City Council Chambers at City Hall.

People are invited to learn about eagle biology, ecology, natural history and cultural connections.

The event, which is sponsored by Albert Lea Public Library, is expected to be good for both children and adults.

4. Clothing drive

Disabled American Veterans will host a clothing drive from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds. Clean and usable clothing, shoes, small appliances and glassware will be accepted.

All proceeds will go to support local veterans and youth activities.

5. Hometown Pride Cleanup Day

The city of Albert Lea will sponsor a Home Town Pride Cleanup Day from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the transfer station and demolition landfill. Residents with proof of city residency will have free and reduced prices to dispose of items.

Brush and yard waste, household garbage and demolition debris will be free. Appliances and sofas cost $10 each. Furniture pieces cost $5, and passenger tires cost $3. Regular rates apply to all other items.