Get ready for some tabletop gaming as Austi-Con returns for its fourth year this weekend at the Austin National Guard Armory, 800 21st St. NE.

Running from 10 a.m. to midnight Friday, and Saturdayand 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Austi-Con will feature a conglomerate of games for pros and novices alike.

“It is a lot of fun for people from all over to get together and play these games,” said Austi-Con organizer Michael Jordal.

This year’s event will feature open gaming for popular games such as Heroscape and roleplaying games like Dungeons & Dragons and Kids on Bikes.

There will also be play-to-win contests, in which winners will receive a copy of the game.

No experience is necessary; anyone is welcome to sit at a table and learn to play.

Weirdcards Charitable Club will return to run Magic the Gathering charity tournaments throughout the weekend and a Key Forge tournament will also be held to raise money. A silent auction consisting of donated items will run through the weekend. Proceeds from these events will go to the Autism Day Camp programs in Austin run through the Hormel Historic Home.

“Last year we raised about $3,500 (for the camps),” Jordal said. “Hopefully this year we will meet or exceed that.”

Vendors, such as local gaming shop Fett’s Hutt, will have display booths on site. Items sold will include tabletop games, card games, costume/cosplay items, and custom made gaming tabletops and 3D figurines.

Tienda y Taqueria Guerrero will sell food to hungry gamers.

“It’s a really fun event,” Jordal said. “Even if you may not have heard of some of these games, there are games for people of all ages. You will find something you’ll like.”

Admission to Austi-Con is $15 per person for the entire weekend. Sunday is Family Fun Day, where families of four can be admitted for $10 per family. Attendees will also receive a swag bag on a first come, first serve basis.

For more information, visit the Austi-Con event page on Facebook, visit https://tabletop.events/conventions/austi-con-2019, or contact Michael Jordal at jordalmichael@gmail.com.

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Schedule of Events

Friday

• “Camelot,” 7 p.m. at Frank W. Bridges, Riverland Community College. Lerner and Loewe’s Camelot brings the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table to life with an extraordinary score boasting such gems as “If Ever I Would Leave You,” “I Loved You Once in Silence,” “The Lusty Month of May,” and of course, “Camelot.” Arthur, a young, ambitious, idealistic king dreams of creating a just society inspired by his vivacious Queen Guinevere. Together, they create a kingdom where might works at the service of right and the King serves at a round table with no head–a symbol of collaboration and unity. But just as this utopian vision starts to become reality, everything begins to unravel. In a world of human realities, can Camelot achieve the utopia of which Arthur dreams? Season tickets $50 or $16 for this show. For more information, go to www.riverland.edu/theatre or call 507-433-0595.

• Chateau Speedway Opening Night, 7-10 p.m. at Chateau Speedway in Lansing. First action of the season. First green flag at 7:15 p.m. with USRA A Mod, USRA B Mod, WISSOTA Midwest Mod, WISSOTA Street Stock, Hobby Stock and Hornet. Admission $10 for adults, $5 for pre-teens, free for under 5. For more information, call 507-440-8238.

• MN Jr. Spring Cattle Show, at the Mower County Fairgrounds. An educational not-for-profit organization that encourages youth from around Minnesota and surrounding states to participate in a junior livestock show each year. For more information, got to www.mnjrspringclassic.com or facebook.com/minnesotajsc. For questions, contact Noah Carroll at carro481@umn.edu or call 507-440-0502.

Saturday

• Cedar River Archery Club 3D Shoot, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cedar River Archery Club. Come out for a fun, family sporting event. $10 for members, $15 for non-members (family and child rates available). For more information, go to www.cedarriverarcheryclub.com or call 507-208-5698.

• Austin City-wide Sale, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout Austin. Annual city-wide event offering the opportunity to provide or obtain great bargains at multiple sites throughout the city.

• Strides for a Cure 5k Walk/Run, 9 a.m. at Pavilion No. 1, Todd Park. Registration and t-shirt pick up begins at 8:15 a.m. Race kick-off at 8:40 a.m. Race begins at 9 a.m. All proceeds donated to cancer research at the Hormel Institute. Registration forms can be found at stridesforacurerace.wordpress.com, or you can register the day of the race.

• Open Auditions – “Disney’s The Little Mermaid,” 9 a.m. to noon at Frank W. Bridges Theatre, Riverland Community College. Open casting call for Summerset Theatre’s production of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.” No experience necessary. Roles available for adults and kids over the age of 10. For more information, visit www.summersettheatre.org.

• History at Play Family Event, 10-11:30 a.m. at the Hormel Historic Home. Fun free family event. Historic activities to include burlap sewing, water color painting, ring toss, Lincoln logs, dress up, tiddlywinks, seed planting, and story time with Lisa from Sweet Reads. For more information, call 507-433-4243.

• Book Arts for Kids – 1-page Animal Books, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Austin Public Library. Free activity for kids up to grade 4. For more information, call 507-433-2391.

• Kids’ Studio – Tabletop Make-believe Theatre, 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Austin ArtWorks Center. With Rachel Obranovich. Kids will create their own tabletop puppet theatre. For kids ages 4 to 14; cost is $5. To sign up or for more information, go to www.austinareaarts.org or call 507-434-0934.

• “Camelot,” 7 p.m. at Frank W. Bridges, Riverland Community College.

• Sola Fide Observatory Viewing, 9-11 p.m. at the Sola Fide Observatory. Come out and discover fascinating facts about the night sky during our free observatory open house hours. For more information, call 507-437-7519 or email info@hormelnaturecenter.org.

• MN Jr. Spring Cattle Show, at the Mower County Fairgrounds.

Sunday

• Brownsdale Fire Department Fireman’s Breakfast, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.  at the Brownsdale Fire Station. Serving French toast, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, sausage, coffee or milk. Proceeds from this event will help fund the purchase new turnout gear for our firefighters. For more information call 507-567-2616.

• Cedar River Archery Club 3D Shoot, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cedar River Archery Club.

• Austin Symphony Orchestra featuring Tony Ross, 2 p.m. at Knowlton Auditorium, Austin High School. Featuring the Minnesota Orchestra’s principal cellist and fervent advocate, Tony Ross with Dvorak’s Cello concerto. For more information, go to www.austinmnsymphony.org.

• MN Jr. Spring Cattle Show, at the Mower County Fairgrounds.