There are plenty of options for food, fun, and entertainment in southwest Minnesota this weekend.

The Yellow Medicine County Fair is underway in Canby, while organizers are getting ready for Tyler’s Aebleskiver Days festival and for the Southwest Minnesota Toys 4 Tots Motorcycle Run.

While Aebleskiver Days is a celebration of Danish heritage, it’s also a time when people with connections to the Tyler community get back together, said Diane Borresen, one of the festival organizers.

“People are already talking about it. Everyone loves to come back,” Borresen said.

Lots of high school class reunions are planned for Aebleskiver Days weekend, she said.

Traditions like serving aebleskiver, the ball-shaped Danish pancakes, are also part of the festival. People can try some aebleskiver on Saturday morning, or check out the Aebleskiver Signature Bake contest this evening. Borresen said six bakers will compete to wow the judges with their own unique spins on aebleskiver. Judging will be at 7 p.m., with free admission with an Aebleskiver Days button for the first 50 people, she said.

Borresen said there is some new musical entertainment planned for this year’s festival, including performances by the Pipestone Community Jazz Band, and Bob and the Beachcombers.

“We always try to get somebody new,” she said.

On Saturday evening, the Aebleskiver Days parade will have a float contest with the theme of “Old MacDonald Had a Farm,” Borresen said.

“I think the parade is going to be quite large,” she said. “We have had a lot of calls.”

A ride to brighten the holidays

Area motorcyclists will be hitting the road Saturday to help support an area Christmas charity. The Toys 4 Tots Motorcycle Fun Run will start in Amiret at 11 a.m., and will take riders to stops in Marshall and around southwest Minnesota and South Dakota. Toy donations are welcome, with drop-offs in Marshall and in Amiret.

The ride ends at the Balaton Community Center, with food and a live auction to benefit Heart to Heart of Lyon County. Non-riders can also join the gathering in Balaton after 5:30 p.m.

One new feature of the ride this year is a separate route for people who want to drive UTVs in the run. Organizers said side-by-sides won’t be able to accompany the motorcycle riders to their first stop in Marshall due to highway safety laws. However, the UTV ride will still have a full route, taking riders to stops in Russell, Balaton, Lake Wilson, Hadley and Slayton.

Yellow Medicine Fair in full swing

Whether it’s crafts, 4-H shows, or races at the grandstand, there’s a lot going on at the Yellow Medicine County Fair in Canby. The fair kicked off Wednesday with events like the open class entry day, but the bulk of the fair schedule is today, Friday and Saturday.

A variety of free events and entertainment are planned during the fair, ranging from live music to crafting events and kid-friendly games. Visitors can join in the watermelon eating contest today, corn hole tournaments on Friday and Saturday, and farm-themed challenges at the Ag Olympics on Saturday.

There will be grandstand entertainment today through Saturday at the fair. The action starts with the Renegade Speedway Races tonnight, a tractor pull on Friday afternoon, and Baja races on Saturday night.

Live music will round out nights at the fair, with RHINO performing Friday night, and Roxbury on Saturday night.

Schedule of events

Southwest Minnesota Toys 4 Tots

Motorcycle Run

Saturday

Registration: 9:30-10:45 a.m. at Roaring Lyons clubhouse in Amiret

Kickstands up at 11 a.m. Toy drop-off is at the Hitching Post in Marshall. Meal at Hitching Post is $10 to benefit Toys4Tots.

Food and live auction: Balaton Community Center after 5:30 p.m.

Aebleskiver Days, Tyler

Today

7 p.m. Aebleskiver Signature Bake judging

Friday

8 a.m. Aebleskiver days golf tournament

5-7 p.m. Picnic supper at Tyler Swimming Pool. Free will donation.

5-7 p.m. Chalk the walk

6:30-8:30 p.m. Free pool party and games

Saturday

7:45 a.m. Aebleskiver Amble run/bike

9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Aebleskiver served at fairgrounds 4-H building

9 a.m. Danebod Sweet Shop at fairgrounds pavilion

9 a.m.-3 p.m. Vendors and crafters

9 a.m.-1 p.m.RTR barnyard at the cattle barn

9 a.m. Kiddie Olympics by the ball fields

10 a.m. Aebleskiver eating contest under the tent

10:30 a.m. Pipestone Community Jazz Band

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Mural painting

10 a.m.-noon Family friendly craft

10 a.m. Model airplanes at the Tyler Airport

11 a.m.-2 p.m . Trolley rides, Jessica’s Little Ponies

11 a.m.-3 p.m. Bouncy houses

11 a.m.-2 p.m. Car show

Noon-3 p.m. Bob & the Beachcombers

3-4:30 p.m. Self-guided tours at Danebod Campus

4 p.m. The Singing Q’s at Bandshell Park

4-6 p.m. Danebod Polser served at Bandshell Park

6 p.m. Grand parade

8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Free dance featuring Show Me Your Hits

Sunday

9:30 a.m. Community church service by the Hallelujah Hooligans

Yellow Medicine County Fair, Canby

Today

1-9 p.m. Bounce Around inflatables and games

1-5 p.m. Giant yard games

1:30 p.m. 4-H goat show

3-6 p.m. Pony rides with Natalie Otto

3 p.m. 4-H dairy show and

watermelon eating contest

3:30-5:30 p.m. Billups Balloon Benders

5 p.m. 4-H swine show

5-8 p.m. Live music by Wendinger Band

7 p.m. Races at the grandstand

8 p.m.-midnight Music bingo

Friday

8:30-10 a.m. FFA tractor driving demo

8:30 a.m. 4-H rabbit show

9:30 a.m. 4-H poultry show

10:30 a.m. 4-H beef show

Noon Kids’ corn hole tournament

1-9 p.m. Bounce Around inflatables and games

1-8 p.m. Tractor pull

2-6 p.m. Face painting with Ms. Chevious

2:30-4:30 p.m. Billups Balloon Benders

4 p.m. 4-H lamb lead and sheep show

5:30 p.m. Lego building contest

5:30-7 p.m. Cattlemen’s meal

8 p.m.-midnight Live music by RHINO

Saturday

8 a.m. Farmers’ Share pancake breakfast

9 a.m.4-H ribbon auction

11 a.m. 4-H senior showmanship

1 p.m. Corn hole tournament

1-9 p.m. Bounce Around inflatables and games

1 p.m. Ag Olympics

2 p.m. Pedal tractor pull

2:30 p.m. 4-H fashion revue

2:30 p.m. Small animal show

4-7 p.m. Live music by Kayla Daniels

7 p.m. Baja races at the grandstand

8 p.m.-midnight Live music by Roxbury