The coming weekend and week is a time to have fun but also be serious. Please, be ready to do both, folks.

1. Four Daughters

Who doesn’t want to have fun on Friday night? If there is that person out there, they won’t be at Four Daughters Vineyard and Winery. Among the gourmet food, fun service and unique atmosphere, a concert will begin at 5:30 p.m. Opening act “Ridin’ High” will be followed by Nashville native and former Minnesota Bluegrass Artist of the Year Becky Schlegel. Four Daughters is located on Highway 16 five miles east of Grand Meadow.

2. Nature Center 8K

There is more than life to eating and being blissful, perhaps. Share that philosophy with others at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center’s 8K run-walk, 1304 21st Street NE. Run, walk, do an 8K or a 1-mile. Registration is $15 for the 8K and $5 for the walk at 7:30 a.m. Saturday.

3. Barrow Show

Not so much into the gourmet food or a long trek? Stick around Austin for the kickoff of the 66th annual National Barrow Show on Sunday at the Mower County Fairgrounds, 700 12th Street SW. The show starts Sunday with several events, including a pork chop dinner for the public at 11:30 a.m. Sorry hogs — we like to eat ya. Tickets for the dinner are $8.

4. Patriot Day

On a much more serious note, Austin will honor Patriot Day early this year on Sunday, Sept. 9. at the Veterans Memorial downtown. The program, featuring military speakers and local officials will begin at 2 p.m.

5. Tuesdays on Main

Tuesdays on Main will also be special this week, as Tuesday actually is Patriot Day. Officials will hold a proclamation ceremony for the recently formed Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Group in Austin. The program will feature some of the groups volunteers and founders and information, starting at 6 p.m.

Other Events

And there is more. The Mower County Humane Society will hold a walk/fundraiser around Mill Pond at 1 p.m. Sunday and church dinner season, like football, is kicking off. It starts with a fall dinner at St. John’s in Johnsburg 3:30 p.m. Sunday. It’s good to be back. ‘Til next week, Austin.

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.