From food and music to a motorcycle ride for a cause, there will be lots to see and do in the area this weekend.

The fun starts today with the Lincoln County Fair. Fair board members said they’re excited to welcome fairgoers in Tyler.

“It looks like the weather’s going to be great for us,” said Curt Madsen, a member of the Lincoln County fair board.

In addition to the exhibits and events, the fair has a friendly and fun atmosphere.

“We pride ourselves in that we’re kind of like a big family reunion,” Madsen said.

Madsen said there will be a variety of entertainment events and hands-on activities like make-and-take craft projects at the fair this year.

“On Friday night, we’re pretty excited to have Church of Cash performing,” Madsen said. “They’re a country band, and they play a lot of Johnny Cash.”

On Saturday, there will be a ranch rodeo, and a free performance by hypnotist Freddie Justice. And on Sunday afternoon, demolition derby returns to the fair. “That’s usually huge,” Madsen said.

There are also opportunities to enjoy some good food for a low cost at the fair, Madsen said. On Saturday morning, the Lincoln County Corn and Soybean Growers Association will hold an “Ag Awareness Breakfast.”

“What they do is, they charge you exactly what a farmer gets from the meal,” Madsen said. That means diners can get their breakfast for just 80 cents, he said.

Later on Saturday, the Southwest Cattlemen Association will hold a free hamburger feed, until the burgers are gone, he said.

Hitting the road for a cause

On Saturday, motorcyclists will be meeting in Amiret for the start of the 30th annual Southwest Minnesota Toys 4 Tots Motorcycle Fun Run. The event, hosted by the Sinister Brethren motorcycle club, will raise money and collect toy donations to benefit Lyon County Heart To Heart.

Registration for the ride starts at 9:30 a.m. in Amiret, and the ride starts at 11. Riders will travel to the Hitching Post in Marshall for toy drop-offs and lunch. After that, they will have a choice of a route either east or west of Marshall, that they can take at their own pace. Both routes will end in Balaton, for supper and raffle drawings.

Loose Gravel Music Festival returns to Walnut Grove

The outdoor amphitheater in Walnut Grove is best known as the site of the annual Wilder Pageant. But this weekend, it will be the place for performances in a range music styles, from folk and bluegrass to rock. The second annual Loose Gravel Music Festival will start Friday afternoon, and continue through Saturday.

This year’s concert lineup includes performances from Minnesota bands Nate Boots & the High Horses and 4onthefloor on Friday. On Saturday, the lineup includes Maple Street, singer/songwriter Kayla Daniels, and bluegrass and string bands like the High 48’s, Monroe Crossing, Fish Heads and Arkansauce.

More information on the festival schedule, and ticket sales, is available online at https://loosegravelmusicfestival.org.