1. Independence Ride

This weekend marks the third annual Albert Lea American Legion Riders Independence Run. The ride is open to the public and all registered, street-legal vehicles, including motorcycles and cars. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, and the ride starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Albert Lea American Legion. Riders will make their way to the POW/MIA Museum in Algona, Iowa. Back in Albert Lea on North Broadway Avenue, there will be free events all day long, including children’s activities, an inflatable obstacle course and an indoor silent auction. In the evening, there will be live entertainment in the North Broadway parking lot. Proceeds from the event will be donated to Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, the Legacy Scholarship and local veterans organizations.

 

2. Northwood celebration

Start celebrating the Fourth of July early in Northwood this weekend with the town’s three-day Independence Day festival. Friday’s schedule includes a pool party at 5 p.m. at the Northwood public pool and live performances at the beer garden. Saturday, it’s batter-up at the 9 a.m. softball tournament. There are also co-ed sand volleyball and dart tournaments beginning at noon at the Strike Zone. For more information on Northwood’s Fourth of July celebration Friday, Saturday and Sunday, see the Tribune’s Summer Times special section.

 

3. Bricelyn celebration

Friday’s events begin with a pork sandwich supper and sandwiches and include even more between Friday and Sunday, the end result of which is Bricelyn’s Fourth of July celebration. The pork sandwich supper runs from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Bricelyn Fire Hall and precedes a free movie at 7:30 p.m. Interested participants can join in on the Ron Sander Memorial Run, registration for which begins at 8 a.m. Saturday. Participants can choose between one-mile and 5k for distances. There will also be a parade Saturday at 1 p.m. Saturday’s celebrations end with a dance at 8 p.m. at the Bricelyn Legion and a fireworks show at dusk. For more events on Saturday and Sunday, see the Summer Times section.

 

4. Art Center exhibit

Austin photographer and retired physician Tim Rietz has brought a handful of Austin, a handful of Minnesota at large and a handful of everywhere else to Albert Lea for his Albert Lea Art Center gallery show, “Share the Light.” Many of his images showcase travel and nature. The show will kick off with an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Art Center, then runs through Aug. 11. Rietz said his goal in photography is to share stories, stimulate conversation and encourage a sense of community and awareness.

 

5. Movie night at the gallery

In an unusual twist on the animated movie, 65,000 frames bring to life a fully painted feature film exploring the mystery of artist Vincent Van Gogh’s death. “Loving Vincent” was made by a team of 125 painters and will show at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Freeborn County Arts Initiative.