School may be out for summer, but that’s no reason to skip this weekend’s and next week’s history lessons. Interactive history lessons, of course.

1. Grand Meadow Fest/Sesquicentennial

It all starts Friday. Head to Grand Meadow for the kickoff of Grand Meadow’s sesquicentennial celebration. The 150-year-old town will open events on Friday night with the crowning of Miss and Junior Miss Grand Meadow, beanbag tourneys and of course, a beer garden and music. Then the history really gets going on Saturday with cemetery walks, a 6 p.m. vintage baseball game and even an afternoon appearance by Abraham Lincoln at the GAR Hall — honest.

2. Adams Civil War Days

Either enjoy your safety in Grand Meadow or find yourselves amidst the Civil War, which will be in progress in Adams on Saturday and Sunday. The Adams park opens for festivities at 9 a.m. each day, and battles will take place 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday and noon Sunday. It’s all free, and spectators can even mingle with living historians first-hand. Does Abe know about this?

3. Jay C. Hormel Nature Center Ecoblitz

Locals will really have to pick their battles this weekend, or so to speak. The Jay C. Hormel Nature Center has its own festivities, as well. It’s the annual Summer Solstice Ecoblitz starting at 9 a.m. Saturday and winding into the afternoon. Participants can enjoy speakers, canoe races, trail rides, pond digging and more. Register at the Nature Center office before it’s too late.

4. Spruce Up Austin’s Yard and Garden Tour

More natural beauty abounds in Austin on Saturday during Spruce Up Austin’s Yard and Garden Tour. Tickets to the self-guided tour of Austin yards are available in advance at Berg’s Nursery, Hardy Geranium or Jim’s Super Fresh for $8, or $10 the day of the event.

5. Ham Radio Field Day

The history lesson isn’t over yet, folks. So please, come in … to the Ham Radio Amateur Field Day that starts noon Saturday at the Mower County Historical Society and runs for 24-hours. Ham radio operators will be sending morse code to other operators around the world.

Other events

The learning experience carries into next week with Mr. Twister for the kids, Wednesday at the Austin Public Library. For the adults, head out for lunch and see the first Lunchbox History Series of the year: The History of East Side Lake, held at the Mower County Fairgrounds.

Look to Reporter Matt Peterson’s column every Friday for more about upcoming events in Austin. For even more, check out the calendar on Page 4 every day in the print edition and the AustinDailyHerald.com homepage.