Take a Kid Fishing weekend is coming up Friday through Sunday, where Minnesota residents can fish without licenses if they take children 15 or younger fishing.

“Time spent fishing can be a way for adults and kids to spend time outdoors together,” said Jeff Ledermann, Department of Natural Resources education and skills team supervisor. “We’re encouraging adults to get out and learn how to fish so they can bring kids out fishing all year. Fishing can be a lifelong activity that connects folks to the wild places right outside their doors.”

While Minnesotans 15 and younger don’t need fishing licenses any time of the year, Take a Kid Fishing Weekend is a way for adults and kids to fish together without the step of buying a license.

The Austin Jaycees will host its Take a Kid Fishing program from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 8, at East Side Lake. The Jaycees will provide lunch and prizes will be awarded.

Adults who want to learn how to fish can visit the DNR website at mndnr.gov/GoFishing. The page covers fishing basics, where to fish, how to catch different types of fish, fishing programs to join, and the importance of fishing ethics and being stewards of Minnesota’s natural resources.

“It’s easy to get started fishing in Minnesota,” Ledermann said. “With just a few fishing tips and a spot picked out, most people can feel that tug on the end of the line if they get out and try.”

Fishing gear is available to borrow at state parks. The DNR’s I Can Fish program teaches the basics of fishing and runs throughout the summer at state parks.

Even when it’s not Take a Kid Fishing Weekend, Minnesota residents generally can fish in state parks without a fishing license if the body of water does not require a trout stamp.

These and other hands-on activities are available online at bit.ly/gofishingmn.

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Garden Brothers Circus

The Garden Brothers Circus will be in town on Saturday, June 8, at the Mower County Fairgrounds.

The performances feature three rings bursting with excitement, laughter and memories that families will always cherish – acrobats, contortionists, daring aerial artists, elephants, six motorcycles in the Sphere of Fear, racing camels performing with the largest and smallest horses on Earth, the funniest clowns, jugglers and more.

Kids Fun Zone offers a bouncy house, a giant slide, and rides on an elephant, a camel, a circus pony, and the whole family can get their face painted like Spiderman.

Come hungry cause there’s plenty of food.

Show times are 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The first 100 Adult Tickets sold online are only $12.50 at www.GardenBrosCircus.com.

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Schedule of Events

Friday

• Dine With Dad, noon at the Mower County Senior Center. Bring a friend or spoil the father in your life with a hardy lunch – stuffed pork loin, roasted baby potatoes, glazed carrots, and dessert. Members $9, non-members $10.  Entertainment provided. To sign up or for more information, stop by the Senior Center front desk or call 507-433-2370.

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

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.

• Second Saturday Kids Craft – Water Bottle Wind Spirals, 10:30 a.m. at the Austin Public Library. All ages welcome. Each child under 5 years old must be accompanied by an adult during the entire craft. For more information, call 507-433-2391.

• Berenstain Bear Bash, 1 p.m. at Sweet Reads. Help Sweet Reads celebrate its three years as our local bookstore, with bear claw pastries at the Coffee House on Main, prizes, treats, and time with Berenstain Bear collection owner Brad Mariska. Adult bear time follows at Dusty’s. For more information, call 507-396-8660.

• 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.

• 41st Annual Austin Eagles All Stars U14 Baseball Tournament, at the Riverland Baseball Complex. For more information, call 507-433-1881.

Sunday

• 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.

• 41st Annual Austin Eagles All Stars U14 Baseball Tournament, at the Riverland Baseball Complex. For more information, call 507-433-1881.

• Austin Greyhounds vs. Pine Island, 2 p.m. at Marcusen Park. Go Greyhounds! For more information, go to www.austingreyhoundsbaseball.com.