1. City pool opens

The Albert Lea city pool will open Saturday for the 2017 summer season.

Public swimming hours are from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for daytime swimming and from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for nighttime swimming. The pool is open from 1 to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Information on admission prices and season passes can be found on the city of Albert Lea Parks and Recreation website. Checks or credit cards will not be accepted for admission to the aquatic center.

The aquatic center features a splash pool and a 226-foot water slide.

There are several shade structures so that visitors can get out of the sun while watching their children play, or take a break from trips down the slide.

A family bath house is adjacent to the feature pool.

The newly renovated main pool ranges in depth from 3 1/2 feet to 13 feet and has two 1-meter diving boards.

The pool is also handicap accessible.

Swimming lessons and special events are offered at the pool throughout the summer. Patrons with questions can call the Parks and Recreation office at 507-377-4370 or email Jenny Davis at jdavis@ci.albertlea.mn.us.

The pool is at 321 James Ave. in Albert Lea.

2. Mainly Marathon’s Heartland Series

Albert Lea will host the last leg of Mainly Marathon’s Heartland series Saturday on the Fountain Lake Trail.

Events begin at 5 a.m. Saturday at Brookside Boathouse and run until all races are completed. Marathon, half-marathon and 50k runners have the option to start at 4 a.m.

The series, which runs in five-day or seven-day cycles, will encompass much of the Midwest in a seven-day series. The Heartland series began Sunday in Bryan, Ohio. From Ohio, the traveling race moves each day to another town in another state — Niles, Michigan, on Monday; Portage, Indiana, on Tuesday; Fulton, Illinois, on Wednesday; Clinton, Iowa, today; Sparta, Wisconsin, on Friday; and Albert Lea on Saturday.

The goal of the series is for runners to complete races in all 50 states.

Mainly Marathons hosts a marathon, half-marathon, 50k, 10k and 5k option at each race location. Runners are also invited to run more than one race. The marathon consists of 12 laps around the Fountain Lake trail.

Runners in Albert Lea are invited to register for any length race or races online at mainlymarathons.com or pick up a packet at registration one hour before start time on race day.

Pets are not allowed at the race, but strollers with small children are welcome.

Questions can be directed to the Albert Lea Convention & Visitor’s Bureau or mainlymarathons.com.

3. Pelican Breeze ll cruise

The Pelican Breeze II will host a public cruise from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday.

According to the Pelican Breeze II website, the Pelican Breeze II tour and dinner boat is a 60-foot pontoon river-boat with seating capacity for 55 people. It features two smoke stacks, a paddle wheel, wet bar and tables, and can be enclosed for inclement weather.

Those interested should arrive at the Frank Hall Park boat landing at 1:15 p.m. to purchase a ticket and get situated before the ride on Albert Lea Lake.

Water and soda will be sold on board the Pelican Breeze II, but patrons are invited to bring a snack or lunch.

Tickets for the Sunday cruise cost $10 per person and should be paid by cash or check.

The event is open to the public and will be reoccuring on each Sunday this summer through August.

For a full schedule of events and more information, visit pelicanbreeze.org. Questions should be directed to 507-383-7273.

4. ‘Horses for Sophie’ exhibit

The Freeborn County Arts Initiative will host a group exhibition titled “Horses” in memory of young Albert Lea artist Sophie Stultz from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

“Horses” hosts a variety of mediums by several regional artists. The gallery features mixed media, sculpture, photography and prints. Each submission will be based on horses in honor of Sophie’s passion.

Sophie, 8, died July 2, 2016, after she was struck by a car while riding her bicycle.

Notable artists who have contributed to the gallery are Dee Teller, Susanne Crane, Julie Fakler and Julie Imus.

There will also be horse drawings by Sophie featured at the gallery.

Most of the contributors to the gallery knew Sophie on a personal level and many were impacted by her personality.

The memorial gallery will be open at 224 S. Broadway through June 30. The gallery will be open for the community from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and from 1 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays.

5. Albert Lea Farmers Market

The Albert Lea Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday along Bridge Avenue in the parking lot of Herberger’s at Northbridge Mall.

The market will run Wednesdays and Saturdays until the end of October.

Asparagus, rhubarb and maple syrup will be likely products to find at the market this Saturday.

Visitors of the farmers market can expect more products available in the coming weeks, such as radishes, kale, craft items, plants and farm-fresh eggs, canned products from jellies and jams to salsa and pickles, as well as maple syrup and craft items.