The Hormel Historic Home will hold its second annual Spam Kids Fest on Saturday, April 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Appropriate for kids ages 2-12, the event includes live music, crafts, storytelling, and games that celebrate the product that put Austin on the map.

“All activities have some sort of historical connection to the Hormel family or to Spam,” said Holly Johnson, director of the Hormel Historic Home.

Last year’s Spam Kids Fest drew a crowd of nearly 400 participants. Johnson says there is no limit to how many attendees can participate in the event, except during the kid-friendly tours of the Historic Hormel Home, which is limited to 20 people at a time.

“We have added many new attractions this year,” Johnson said. “There will be more games, a bubble zone, sensory activities, and even ponies to pet. We are also selling refreshments, which is new to the event. We are also encouraging people to visit the Spam Museum and a chalk activity will be available in the Wells Fargo Parking Lot.”

Since the event’s theme is Spam, will there be Spam to eat? The answer is yes.

“We will have samples of Spam in the form of chocolate cookies,” said Johnson, who prepared the cookies using homemade candied Spam. Johnson said Musubi, or “Spam sushi,” will also be available to sample. Attendees can purchase Spam pizza from Godfather’s Pizza.

Kids can also meet the Spam characters, including Spammy.

A “Just For You” hour for children with special needs will be held before the event from 9 to 10 a.m.

“We wanted to offer a time where kids with special needs, such as Autism, can enjoy the activities with a smaller crowd,” Johnson said.

She asked that parents who plan to attend this event call ahead or email autism@hormelhistorichome.org to let them know they are coming.

Admission to both events is free.

“We want everyone to celebrate our famed local product through science, history and the arts,” Johnson said.

For more information about either event, visit www.hormelhistorichome.org or call 507-433-4243.

Friday

•Easter Meal, noon at the Mower County Senior Center. Traditional Easter meal of ham or turkey – $9 for members, $10 for non-members. Dinner comes with all the sides and dessert. Entertainment, too! Sponsored by Primrose Retirement Community. For more information or to sign up, stop by the Senior Center Front Desk or call 507-433-2370.

•Second Floor Gallery Opening – Tom Hormel and Chad Augustin, 5 to 7 p.m. at the Austin ArtWorks Center. Free and open to the public. Opening reception for Second Floor Gallery show featuring works by Tom Hormel and Chad Augustin. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call 507-434-0934.

•Bingo, 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. at the Austin VFW. Early Bird starting at 5:15 p.m. Open to the public. For more information, call 507-433-6039.

•Knights of Columbus Friday Fish Fry, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Knights of Columbus Hall (211 First Street SW). The Knights of Columbus will be offering dinner of broiled or batter fried haddock served with potato and salad bar. For more information, call 507-433-1492.

•2017 Austinaires Show: I Love Rock and Roll, 7 p.m. at Christgau Hall, Austin High School. The show features classics from Rock and Roll history including Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Beach Boys, Journey, 80s girls rock bands, Michael Jackson, and more. Each night also spotlights some talented senior soloists from Austinaires and Choralaires. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time at Hy-Vee Foods and the AHS Cashier’s window. This is always an excellent show that highlights the huge amount of talent Austin Public Schools students have. For more information, please contact brian.johnson@austin.k12.mn.us.

• “Charlotte’s Web,” 7 p.m. at the Historic Paramount Theatre. A Matchbox Children’s Theatre production. Enjoy all the enchanting characters of this beloved children’s classic about friendship. Tickets: $10 for adults, $6 for youth 14 and under. For more information, go to www.matchboxchildrenstheatre.org or call 507-437-9078.

•Calico Hutch Quilters Retreat, at the Holiday Inn Austin Conference Center. “Tropical Tiki” theme. Fun-filled days of quilting with friends, plus free demos, massage therapists, show and tell, door prizes, games and more. For more information, call 507-377-1163 or 507-433-8000.

Saturday

•“Just For You” Hour – Spam Kids Day, 9 to 10 a.m. at the Hormel Historic Home. For kids with special need – presented by the Hormel Historic Home and sponsored by Hormel Foods. Celebrate the love of Spam through science, history and arts. Activities geared for ages 2-12 include crafts, games, taste-testing, interactive presentations, story-telling, Spam projects, kid-friendly tours of the HHH, music, giveaways and more. Special appearances by Sir Can-a-lot and Spammy Free event. For more information, call 507-433-4243. Volunteers needed – please call 507-433-4243.

•Sweet Stories Children’s Story Time, 10 to 11 a.m. at Sweet Reads Books and Candy. For ages 1-7. For more information, call 507-396-8660.

•2nd Annual Spam Kids Fest, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hormel Historic Home. For more information, see above or visit www.hormelhistorichome.org or call 507-433-4242.

•Painting With the White of Your Paper, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Austin ArtWorks Center. Join Jim Wegner in creating luminous watercolor paintings by making the most of the white of your paper. Discuss how to save white space or create it. Also learn how to let the light shine through your transparent color. Cost: $55 (includes paper). ArtWorks Center will also provide list of additional supplies recommended for his class. Pre-class: Collect pictures that will provide subject matter and examples of how white works. For ages 16 and older. Participants encouraged to bring a sack lunch. For more information, call 507-434-0934.

•2nd Floor Gallery Show – Tom Hormel and Chad Augustin, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Austin ArtWorks Center. 2nd floor gallery show featuring works by artists Tom Hormel and Chad Augustin. Free admission and open to the public. For more information, call 507-434-0934.

•Kids Studio: Ribbon Weaving, 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Austin ArtWorks Center. Learn how to make your own loom and weave during this fun Kids Studio class with Jenelle Cummings. Cost: $5 for kids ages 4 to 13 years old. For more information, call 507-434-0934.

•Crawfish Boil & Jambalaya Feed, noon until gone at Hoot & Ole’s Tavern. All proceeds to PTTP Plunge Team “Dutchtown Jumpers” Hormel Institute for Cancer Research. Free will offering.

•“Charlotte’s Web,” 2 p.m. at the Historic Paramount Theatre. A Matchbox Children’s Theatre production. Enjoy all the enchanting characters of this beloved children’s classic about friendship. Tickets: $10 for adults, $6 for youth 14 and under. For more information, go to www.matchboxchildrenstheatre.org or call 507-437-9078.

•2017 Austinaires Show: I Love Rock and Roll, 7 p.m. at Christgau Hall, Austin High School. The show features classics from Rock and Roll history including Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Beach Boys, Journey, 80’s girls rock bands, Michael Jackson, and more. Each night also spotlights some talented senior soloists from Austinaires and Choralaires. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time at Hy Vee Foods and the AHS Cashier’s window. This is always an excellent show that highlights the huge amount of talent Austin Public Schools students have. For more information, please contact brian.johnson@austin.k12.mn.us.

•Calico Hutch Quilters Retreat, at the Holiday Inn Austin Conference Center. “Tropical Tiki” theme. Fun-filled days of quilting with friends, plus free demos, massage therapists, show and tell, door prizes, games and more. For more information, call 507-377-1163 or 507-433-8000.

Sunday

•Charlotte’s Web, 2 p.m. at the Historic Paramount Theatre. A Matchbox Children’s Theatre production. Enjoy all the enchanting characters of this beloved children’s classic about friendship. Tickets: $10 for adults, $6 for youth 14 and under. For more information, go to www.matchboxchildrenstheatre.org or call 507-437-9078.

•Calico Hutch Quilters Retreat, at the Holiday Inn Austin Conference Center. “Tropical Tiki” theme. Fun-filled days of quilting with friends, plus free demos, massage therapists, show and tell, door prizes, games and more. For more information, call 507-377-1163 or 507-433-8000.