Austin will celebrate its fourth annual Harvest Fest from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday at Horace Austin Park.

The purpose of the event is to call attention to the need for donations to the local Food Shelves including the ones at Brownsdale, Adams, Grand Meadow, Lyle and Austin.

People are encouraged to bring healthy food donations to the event.

A new biking event starts at 8:30 a.m., with the 5K run and walk taking off at 9 a.m.

Steve Kime has generously donated a girl’s bike and a boy’s bike to be given away as door prizes. To enter, bring a donated non-perishable food item to the event and put your name in the jar.

You do not need to be present to win.

The Harvest Fest 2019 stage schedule is as follows:

• Austin High School Tennis Teams – 9 a.m.
• Matchbox Childrens’ Theatre – 9:30 a.m.
• Grand Meadow High School Competitive Cheerleading Team – 10 a.m.
• Sacred Heart Jugglers – 10:30 a.m.
• Jane Taylor Academy of Dance – 11 a.m.
• YMCA Gymnastics – 11:30 a.m.

Super Why and Austin Bruins’ mascot Bruiser will be on hand to greet fans. The Jay C. Hormel Nature Centerwill be providing free kayak rides on Mill Pond.

In case of inclement weather, the event will be held at Packer Arena.

For more information, go to harvestfestaustin.com.

---

Autism-friendly cosplay at the HHH

Autism Friendly Austin will host a cosplay social from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday at the Hormel Historic Home.

Cosplay is the pop culture activity of creating and wearing an outfit based on a beloved fictitious character from any franchise—often anime. The event is all about respect and camaraderie providing opportunities for social interaction, craftsmanship and performance skills.

The event will include pizza, photo opportunities, gaming (must bring your own handheld system), a cosplay contest, dancing and sale of merchandise.

The event is for ages 18 and older, though 17-year-olds may participate with permission from parents/guardians. General admission cost is $15 and $20 for vendor tables (included entry fee).

Pre-registration is appreciated. For more information or to pre-register, visit www.hormelhistorichome.org, call 507-433-4243 or e-mail autism@hormelhistorichome.org.

---

Cakes and Cars for Critters

The first annual Cakes and Cars for Critters event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Start out with delicious pancakes with a meat and beverage from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., then enjoy a car and motorcycle show as well as craft/bake sale with numerous vendors. For the car and motorcycle show, all makes are welcome – there will be no classes. Dash plaques will be given to the first 100. There will also be a $100  Mower County Humane Society Choice Award.

For info on the car show, contact Cathy Sorenson at Sorensoncathy@gmail.com.

The craft and bake sale vendors will include Scentsy, Thirty One, CakeSmith, Color Street Nails, Norwex, Northern Naturals, The Cookie Connection and more. Contact Kayla Lutz at kayschrom@hotmail.com if you are interested in being a vendor at this event.

Space is limited.

---

Schedule of Events

Friday

• American Red Cross Blood Drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mayo Clinic Health System-Austin. To make an appointment, go online to www.redcrossblood.org.

• Welcome Week: Hormel Institute Tour, 10 a.m. at the Hormel Institute. Welcome Week brings together residents in a spirit of unity to raise awareness of the benefits of welcoming everyone and acknowledging the important contributions that immigrants make in Austin. For more information, call 507-437-9940.

• Welcome Week: Austin Area Minority Business Project Luncheon, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hormel Historic Home. With keynote speaker Joe Mahon. Welcome Week brings together residents in a spirit of unity to raise awareness of the benefits of welcoming everyone and acknowledging the important contributions that immigrants make in Austin. RSVP requested at sara.karki@ilcm.org. For more information, call 507-437-9940.

• ArtRocks Open Jam Session, 7-9:30 p.m. at the Austin ArtWorks Center. Meet and play with other musicians from around the area. House band sets up and is available for back-up; you bring your music, instruments and energy. Cash bar available. For more information, go to www.austinareaarts.org or call 507-434-0934.

• North Central Highland Cattle Show, at the Mower County Fairgrounds. Check out this unique breed of cattle with their soft, abundant coats and long horns, and try a Highland Burger or some Cowboy Beans. For more information, call 507-433-1868 or email show@nchca.org.

Saturday

• Welcome Week: Harvest Fest Expo, 9 a.m. at Austin Horace Park. Welcome Week brings together residents in a spirit of unity to raise awareness of the benefits of welcoming everyone and acknowledging the important contributions that immigrants make in Austin. For more information, call 507-437-9940.

• Kids’ Studio – Coil Pencil Holder, 10:30 a.m. at the Austin ArtWorks Center. With Laura Brandenburg. For kids ages 5 -10 years old. Cost is $5. To sign up or for more information, go to www.austinareaarts.org or call 507-434-0934.

• Austin Artist Series – Ball in the House, 7 p.m. at Knowlton Auditorium, Austin High School. This first concert of the season brings soulful a cappella music from Ball in the House. For more information or tickets, email  AustinArtistSeries@gmail.com, visit AustinArtistSeries.org or go on Facebook. New this year – tickets can be bought for each individual concert for $20, purchased on line or at the door.

• North Central Highland Cattle Show, at the Mower County Fairgrounds. Check out this unique breed of cattle with their soft, abundant coats and long horns, and try a Highland Burger or some Cowboy Beans. For more information, call 507-433-1868 or email show@nchca.org.

Sunday

• Welcome Week: New Immigrant and Refugee Visions Documentary, 2 p.m. at the Austin Public Library. Welcome Week brings together residents in a spirit of unity to raise awareness of the benefits of welcoming everyone and acknowledging the important contributions that immigrants make in Austin. For more information, call 507-437-9940.

• North Central Highland Cattle Show, at the Mower County Fairgrounds. Check out this unique breed of cattle with their soft, abundant coats and long horns, and try a Highland Burger or some Cowboy Beans. For more information, call 507-433-1868 or email show@nchca.org.