This weekend may be the best one of the year to stick around Mower County. Perhaps its just coincidence, but everything happening this weekend only comes around once a year. And one event is completely new to the area.

1.) That new event is the North Field Trial for the National Llewellin Setter Club, and it’s free to watch, starting 7:30 a.m. Saturday at Three Arrows Hunting Preserve outside of LeRoy (78590 125th St.). Hunting may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but there will be some top-quality dogs with serious talent in tracking, pointing and retrieving. If that doesn’t draw you in, there’s a category for puppies, too. The event continues on Sunday.

2.) Back in Austin, the Police Department and Fire Department are holding their fifth annual softball game and 5K run. The run begins 10 a.m. Saturday, and the softball game starts at 12:30 p.m. at Todd Park. Even if both sides are battling to be Austin’s softball supremacy, they’re both working toward one goal: Raising funds to offset new security systems at Austin Schools. Attend this event, and be part of keeping Austin’s students safe.

3.) If Saturday isn’t already entertaining enough, Riverland is hosting the fourth annual RE-fest. It’s about “rethinking conservation, rethinking clean energy and restoring conservation.” Each year, this event offers more than just a seminar; there’s a solar semi display, Toyota Prius for demonstration, Segway scooters, a puppet show, music and geocaching. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Riverland.

4.) Sunday’s events have conflicting times, but if there’s time to attend both, it’s worth it. The Mower County Humane Society will hold its 15th Annual Walk for Animals. Registration begins at 1 p.m. with a the walk beginning at 2. Proceeds from this year’s events will go toward operating costs; though, the shelter is trying to build a new facility. The top four pledge earners will win prizes, and prizes will be given for participants who earn $50, $100, $150, and $200 respectively.

5.) The most significant event this weekend has touched us all. Sunday is Patriot Day and the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Veterans, local officials and citizens will hold a 2 p.m. ceremony at the Veterans Memorial in Austin with speeches, Color Guard salutes and time to remember past events afterward. Remember, all flags, nationwide, will be flown at half staff on Sunday.

And actually, it should have been called six till Friday this week because the 65th Annual National Barrow Show kicks off on Sunday at 9 a.m. There’s also a windsor chop dinner at 11:30. But don’t worry, if all the other events this weekend soak up too much time, there will be plenty of opportunity to attend the barrow show, as it continues through Wednesday.

—Matt Peterson’s weekly planner appears every Friday.