Thousands of people are expected to participate in Austin’s various Freedom Fest events. With meals, races, fishing and Fourth of July mainstays, there should be something for everyone.

1. Austin Community Jazz Band

6:30 p.m. Friday Free Peace Garden concert at Hormel Historic Home.

The Austin Community Jazz Band will hold one of its several Fourth of July weekend shows at the Hormel Historic Home Peace Garden. Check out the Freedom Fest schedule for a listing of other performances.

2. Masonic pancake feed

9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday at the Austin Masonic Lodge, 303A N. Main St.

The Austin Masons host an all you can eat pancake breakfast for $5 per person. Enjoy pancakes, sausage, orange juice, milk and coffee.

3. Spam Town Disc Golf Tournament

9 a.m. Saturday at Todd Park. Sign up at the Izaak Walton Cabin. 

Singles will play two rounds. For more information, call Deb or Greg Huckaby at 507-433-1611.

4. Hog Jog

8 a.m. Saturday at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center

Distance is 5 miles. Top male and female and top three in each age group will win an award. registration is from 6:45 a.m.-7:30 a.m. Register early to guarantee a shirt.

5. Kids fishing contest

10 a.m.- 12 p.m. on Saturday at East Side Lake Park

This event is for children 15 and under with shore fishing only. Heaviest fish in each age group wins a trophy. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. Includes prizes and gift bags. The grand prize will win $50.

6. Dan Ulwelling Bike Race

Noon on Saturday at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center

The annual 25-mile bike race returns to the nature center. Contestants must wear a helmet. Registration is $15 and begins at 11 a.m. Fee includes a Freedom Fest T-shirt.

7. Bandshell Park entertainment

2-10 p.m. on Sunday and 1-10 p.m. on Monday at the park

Festivities in the park will include ides and slides, Kaptain Kirby Train Rides, an 80-foot Zip Line on Sunday, entertainment and more. Sunday, which is Family Day, will feature the Miss Sparkler/Mr. Firecracker Pageant, and Monday will feature the Pillars of the City at 1:30 p.m. Fireworks will close both nights at dusk.

8. Lions Fly-in Breakfast

7 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday at the Austin Municipal Airport

This annual breakfast is serving pancakes, sausage, Spam, coffee, juice and milk. Be sure to stop out to see the planes and possibly take in a plane ride.

9. Freedom Fest parade and Mini Piggy Fun Run

10:45 a.m. and 11 a.m., Austin City Hall west on Fourth Avenue to Main Street and south to Bandshell Park.

The annual run for children ages 12 and younger returns to kick off the parade. The run is not timed. Cost for the run is $5 by July 2 and $8 on July 4. The Independence Day parade will follow on the same route.