The Big Freeze/Tailgate Party winter event on Feb. 3 was a tremendous success! This annual winter event is a wonderful way to step outside with children, parents and visitors and enjoy all the festivities while supporting the local food shelves.

Indoor/outdoor activities, fireworks, live music and delicious food all added to the festivities for another great year.

We would like to extend a big thank you to the following businesses that generously donated: Americinn, Best Western Plus of Albert Lea, Bizmuth Design, Country Inn & Suites, Farm Bureau Financial Services, Freeborn Wind Farm, Good Steward Consulting, Holiday Inn Express, Home Federal, Intego, Invenergy, ITC, The Meraki Studios, Red Line Waterfowl, Whimzy, Xcel Energy, Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce, city of Albert Lea and Albert Lea Convention & Visitors Bureau.

And to say a huge thank you to the following who sponsored the events: Albert Lea Fire Department, Albert Lea Parks & Rec, First Presbyterian Church Youth Group, Albert Lea High School National Honor Society, Holly Karsjens Fine Art Photography, Geneva Bar & Grill, Broadway Bike Co., Disc Golf Ice Bowl, Just for Kix dancers, The 112 on Broadway, ALHS Spanish Club, Albert Lea Community Education, Chapel Comics, Experience Albert Lea, Albert Lea Electric, Minnesota Kite Association and Shinefest.

Congratulations and thank you to Cargill for donating 450 pounds of non-perishable food items and monetary donation, along with the biggest group to jump into the Blue Ice Plunge!

Thank you, Albert Lea Tribune, Freeborn County Shopper, KATE/KCPI and Power 96 for plugging our event.

To our community, we sincerely thank you for your support. Your generosity continues to touch many lives.

Susie Petersen

The Big Freeze/Tailgate Committee