Awake the Lakes: Rib Fest, car show, music and more will take place

• Whiplash

Echo Press file photo Whiplash, a band that has been rockin’ Central Minnesota since 1998, will perform Friday night on 2nd Avenue from 8:30 p.m. until midnight as part of the Rib Fest.
• Rib Fest

Echo Press file photo The annual Rib Fest competition will take place Friday, May 28 beginning at 5:30 p.m. on 2nd Avenue.

Talk about it

It’s time to gear up for summer, which means it’s time for the annual Awake the Lakes celebration weekend.

This year’s festivities will take place Friday, May 28 through Monday, May 31.

Awake the Lakes – where summer begins and the fun never ends – is the kickoff to summer in the lakes areas, according to Coni McKay, executive director of the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.

“From the Friday night Rib Fest to the Monday morning traditional Memorial Day parade and recognition ceremony, Awake the Lakes includes something for everyone,” said McKay. “Local non-profit groups partner on this event, to entertain and raise dollars to support their missions.”

On Friday night, nearly 2,000 pounds of ribs, sponsored by Elden’s Food Fair, will be served up on 2nd Avenue during the annual Rib Fest with 13 rib-cooking teams competing for the title of “The Best Ribs in Douglas County.”

During the festivities, around dusk, there will be fireworks over Lake Agnes to light up the night sky.

Saturday starts off with the Runestone Museum’s popular Breakfast with Big Ole and will also feature the annual Show ‘N’ Shine Car Show.

New this year will be the Habitat for Humanity Motorcycle Ride, which is set to take place at 2 p.m. (See related story.)

Sunday’s activities include a worship service in City Park and Monday will feature a pancake breakfast and the annual Memorial Day parade and service (see related story).

Rib Fest

The annual Rib Fest will take place Friday, May 28 beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Attendees are encouraged to “Get there early or you won’t get!”

Judging for this year’s Rib Fest will be done by People’s Choice judging only. There are two divisions of competition – amateur and pro. Each first place division winner will receive $100 in Chamber bucks, a traveling trophy and of course, bragging rights.

The cost is $2 per bone. Ribs will be served until they are gone. There will be a beer garden from 5 p.m. until midnight and free entertainment. This year’s lineup includes Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and Whiplash from 8:30 p.m. until midnight.

Bringing crowds to their feet at the hardest to please and sophisticated night clubs in the Midwest, Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys play traditional blues, straight up with a big dose of passion.

With smoking grooves, served up with hot harmonica and smooth stinging guitar, they play original songs peppered with nods to Slim Harpo, Little Walter, Jimmy Rogers, Billy Boy Arnold and Junior Wells and the three Kings.

Rockin’ the daylights out of Central Minnesota since 1998 Whiplash delivers high-energy rock and roll and generates real excitement with the best classic rock performance in the area.

With more than 75 years of combined experience, the Whiplash boys know what makes people want to bust loose and celebrate the days of summer.

Car show

The Show ‘N’ Shine Car Show will take place on 2nd Avenue on Saturday, May 29. Registration begins at 9 a.m. with an awards presentation set for noon. There is no entry fee for this event, which will feature muscle cars, antique cars, hot rods, custom compact and old and new race cars.

Breakfast with Big Ole

The annual Runestone Museum’s Breakfast with Big Ole will take place Saturday, May 29 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. or until gone. Tickets are $5 and are available at the door.

Shop Hop

The Alexandria Downtown Merchants Association is sponsoring a “Shop Hop” event, which runs May 25 through May 29.

All customers who shop at a minimum of 10 participating downtown locations will be eligible for prize giveaways totaling more than $700. Customers will receive a Shop Hop card that they will have stamped at participating locations.

Shop Hop customers who visit all participating Shop Hop locations – nearly 30 of them – will be eligible for the grand prize of $500 in downtown dollars. The drawing will take place at 3 p.m. on May 29 at The Daily Grind in downtown Alexandria. If the person drawn for the grand prize is not present, the winner will receive $300 in downtown dollars.

Customers are eligible to win the $500 prize if their Shop Hop card is completed and they are in attendance on May 29 at the Daily Grind.

For more information about this event, visit the Alexandria Downtown Merchants Association website at www.downtownalexandria.com.

SCHEDULE

Friday, May 28

(All Friday activities on 2nd Avenue except if noted otherwise.)

•All day – Downtown Merchants “Shop Hop” and sidewalk sales in downtown Alexandria.

•2 to 6 p.m – Live music featuring Duke Zecco at Carlos Creek Winery.

•5 p.m. to midnight – Beer garden and food vendors.

•5:30 p.m. until gone – Awake the Lakes Rib Fest Competition. Cost is $2 per bone. Get there early or you won’t get!

•5:30 to 8 p.m. – Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys.

•8:30 p.m. to midnight – Whiplash rock and roll band.

•At dusk – Fireworks by Zambelli Fireworks over Lakes Henry and Agnes.

Saturday, May 29

•8 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Show ‘N’ Shine Classic Car and Motorcycle Show sponsored by Viking Car Club on 2nd Avenue by Big Ole.

•8:30 to 10 a.m. (or until gone) – Breakfast with Big Ole in Fort Alexandria at the Runestone Museum.

•9 a.m. to noon – Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest in downtown Alexandria.

•9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Minnewaska Kayaks for rent on Lake Agnes by Big Ole Park.

•9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Downtown Merchants Shop Hop and sidewalk sales.

•1 p.m. – Bug-A-Boo Bay volleyball tournament.

•1 to 6 p.m. – Children’s inflatable games by Games Galore by Big Ole Park.

•1:15 to 3 p.m. – Bicycle ride around the Central Lakes Trail. Registration will run from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

•2 to 6 p.m. – Live music featuring Gregory Michael Bruce at Carlos Creek Winery.

•2 to 3:30 p.m. – Fourth annual Motorcycle and Vintage Car Ride for Habitat for Humanity around the Chain of Lakes. Registration will run from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

•3 p.m. – Downtown Merchants Shop Hop prize winner drawn at The Daily Grind.

•3:15 p.m. – Bicycle rodeo at Big Ole Park.

•4:30 to 6:30 p.m. – Shasta Blvd contemporary Christian band on 2nd Avenue by Big Ole Park.

•5:30 p.m. – Viking Speedway races at the Douglas County Fairgrounds (WISSOTA Series).

Sunday, May 30

•11 a.m. to noon – First Lutheran all-faith community church service at City Park bandshell.

•2 to 6 p.m. – Live music featuring Jeff James at Carlos Creek Winery.

•5:30 p.m. – Viking Speedway races at the Douglas County Fairgrounds (WISSOTA Series).

Monday, May 31

•8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (or until gone) – First Congregational Church annual pancake breakfast (221 West 7th Avenue).

•10:15 a.m. – Traditional Memorial Day Parade from 10th Avenue to Kinkead Cemetery for service.

•2 to 6 p.m. – Live music featuring Matt Veline at Carlos Creek Winery.

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