ALDEN — Morin Lake Days enters its third decade celebrating Alden and plans to commemorate other community milestones with both first-time and returning events.

In addition to the 30th anniversary of Morin Lake Days, 2019 is also Alden’s 140th birthday and marks 128 years of the Alden Advance. Because of its long-standing presence in the community, several representatives from the newspaper will also serve as the parade’s grand marshall.

A former Alden Advance owner and writer will also return to town for Morin Lake Days for a potential book signing of his “A Shiver Runs Through It,” a collection of short stories about surviving Minnesota winters. Morin Lake Days organizer Ann Bryson said they hope to have the book signing during the ice cream social at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Bryson said the book seemed particularly fitting this year.

“We just thought with the polar vortex that we had this year, that was just a hoot,” Bryson said.

In addition to Alden’s Amazing Race, Alden Area Lions Club was planning to host bed races this year.

Lions Club President Greg Hitchcock said he stumbled on the phenomenon of bed races while searching the web. In the event participants are expected to push either a regular bed frame or a built frame — with a mattress or a box spring on it. The group has decided the event needed more publicity, so the decision has been made to move the event to next year.

Morin Lake Days will continue to include the medallion hunt, children’s fishing contest, kiddie and regular parade, tractor pull street dances and fireworks over Morin Lake.

 

Schedule of events

Friday

Noon: Morin Lake Days medallion hunt begins ($50 prize)

1 to 4 p.m.: Community museum open for self-guided tours

1:30 to 3 p.m.: Wes Hintz Kids Fishing Contest at Morin Lake (meet by the shelter at 1 p.m. for instructions)

5:30 to 7 p.m.: Alden Scouts fundraiser at Morin Lake

5:30 p.m.: Albert Lea Community Band at Morin Lake

6:30 p.m.: Morin Lake Days Kiddie Parade on Water Street

 

Saturday

7 a.m.: Morin Lake Day Fun Run registration and sign-up begins at Hemmingsen’s Transfer

8 a.m.: Morin Lake Day Fun Run 10K and 3-mile run start

9 a.m.: Morin Lake Day Fun Run 1 mile run/walk start

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Broadway Flea Market

10 a.m.: Alden’s Amazing Race at Morin Lake boat landing

Noon: Bean Bag Tournament at Hemmingsen’s Transfer (registration at 11:30 a.m.)

Noon to 9 p.m.: Alden Scout concession fundraiser at Morin Lake

1 to 4 p.m.: Community museum open for self-guided tours

3 to 5 p.m.: Canoe races and activities on Morin Lake

5 p.m.: Pie and ice cream social at City Hall

7 p.m.: Morin Lake Days Parade

8 p.m. to midnight: DJ teen street dance

8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.: Legion street dance with live band at Hemmingsen’s Transfer

Dusk: Morin Lake Days firework show at Morin Lake

 

Sunday

8 a.m. to noon: Scout breakfast at Redeemer Lutheran Church

9:30 a.m.: Morin Lake Days Worship by the Water at Morin Lake picnic shelter (bring lawn chairs)

Noon to 3 p.m.: Canoes available for use

 

Ongoing

June 14-16: Best shot scramble at Oakview Golf Course (scores in by 3 p.m. Sunday with cash prizes given at 4 p.m.)