Best Bets: Sporting out the weekend

Published 10:54 am Thursday, June 25, 2015

Take me out to the ball game, take me out to the SpamTown Challenge Baseball Tournament. With all kinds of sports this weekend — baseball, biking, a 5K, frisbee and more — there’s sure to be something for everyone, whether you’re participating or cheering on the sidelines.

1. Foreverlin Concert

7-10 p.m., Thursday, Freedom Event Center

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Come hear Wyoming-based Christian alternative rock band Foreverlin. They have released two recordings, including an EP and a full length titled “Long Lost.” Tickets are $5 online or $8 at the door.

2. SpamTown Challenge Baseball Tournament

Thursday through Sunday, Marcusen Park

Come to the amateur baseball tournament featuring the top 16 teams from Minnesota and surrounding states. The tournament will be played at Marcusen Park and Riverland Complex, rain or shine.

3. 17th Annual Shooting Star Bike Ride

7-11 a.m., Saturday, starts in LeRoy

This is a good opportunity to ride with family and friends through Prairie Visions country. The terrain is flat while riding past a lake, rivers and streams, woods and wildlife. These rides promote and support the Shooting Star Recreational Trail. Helmets and a registration form are required for every rider. For more information, call 507-433-4902 or go to www.shootingstartrail.org. The 4-mile Fun Ride is for ages 12 and under or more than 70 riders with no charge for this ride; riders may purchase shirts separately; there are 20-mile and 40-mile exerciser rides all on paved trail; a 50-mile Workout Ride, combination of the trail and blacktop county roads; 62 mile/100 mile Farm and City Challenger Rides.

4. Haitian Hustle 5K for Education

9 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, Faith Church 1800 12th St. SW in Austin.

Run with a purpose Saturday for a 5k run/walk with kids’ races to follow. Children in Haiti will get a chance to go to school with the funds raised. Sign up at www.haitianhustle.com.

5. Young Eagles Flight Rally

10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Austin Municipal Airport

This even is for children ages 8 to 17. It is hosted by Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 386, and registration starts at 10:30 a.m. Participants will go on a flight and learn about how airplanes work. Each participant should be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. After the flight, each participant will receive a certificate making them an official Young Eagle. They will then be entered into the “World’s Largest Logbook,” which is on display at the EAA Air Adventure Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The rally is part of the EAA Young Eagles Program, created to interest young people in aviation. Since the program launched in 1992, volunteer EAA pilots have flown more than 1.4 million young people. More information can be found at eaa.org or youngeagles.org.

6. Minnesota Southbound Rollers Mixer Bout

6-9 p.m., Saturday, Packer Arena

The first ever flat-track roller derby team from Austin and Albert Lea invites everyone to this bout with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Mower County Humane Society. An after party will follow at Torge’s Live.

7. MS Open Chairty Ultimate Frisbee Tournament

All day, Sunday, Todd Park

Tim Sheedy will put on this charity Ultimate Frisbee Tournament to raise money for the MS Foundation in honor of his mother, Jackie Sheedy, who passed away in 2011 of Multiple Sclerosis. The event is free to watch, and donations are accepted.