Minnesota in May State BBQ Championship
Food freaks from all over Minnesota will converge at the Mower County Fairgrounds in Austin to judge barbecued meats in four categories: ribs, butt, brisket and chicken. Of course, there is a chili cookoff the the first night, plus a beer garden with entertainment on both days. The event is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society. May 18, 19. (www.austincvb.com)

Rhubarb Festival
You just gotta like the fun Lanesboro has. The judges are the people who visit the Rhubarb Festival, which is sponsored by the Lanesboro Farmers Market. Enjoy the Rhubarb Olympics, which includes the rhubarb stalk throw and green eggs and rhubarb. The Rhubarb Sister entertain guests. There are prizes for the largest rhubarb leaf and heaviest stalk. The event has all-things rhubarb. June 2. (www.rhubarbfestival.org)

Windsurfing Regatta & Unvarnished Music Festival
Worthington claims to have the best wind in the Midwest, and this year hosts the regatta for the U.S. Windsurfing Association. This means world-class windsurfing at Okabena Lake in Southern Minnesota! The air will be moving for the windsurfers by day and it will be vibrating from the music at night. Plus, food, swaps, lessons, crafts, gear and activities will keep visitors busy. June 8-10. (www.worthingtonwindsurfing.com)

Eddie Cochran Weekend
Albert Lea becomes the hometown of everyone who enjoys rock ’n’ roll, cruisin’ in classic cars and 1950s memorabilia. This year marks the 21st year for the three-day homage to Eddie Cochran, a rockabilly musician whose most known song is “Summertime Blues.” The event, sponsored by the Low Bucks Car Club, features more classic cars than you can dream of, musical entertainment and attracts Cochran fans from across the ocean. June 15-17. (www.freewebs.com/cochrancarshow/)

Rochesterfest
The best time of year to catch the Southern Minnesota sky filled with hot air balloons is during this annual event. The Mayor’s Cup Hot Air Balloon Race takes off several times during Rochesterfest, even at night. Rochesterfest also offers a hole-in-one golf shootout, lumberjack competition, live music, water ski show, street dance, old-time baseball, treasure hunt, auto show, historic sites, Frisbee dog competition and a long list of other fun. June 17-25. (www.rochesterfest.com)

Kolacky Days
In Le Sueur County, the folks of Montgomery get back to their Czech roots. There is Czech food galore, of course, but there are also crafts, art, classic cars, sports tournaments, parades, pageant, live music, dancing, games and, you guessed it, a kolacky eating contest. A kolacky is a pastry with filling that ranges from fruit to cheeses. Sometimes it is spelled kolache or kolach. Montgomery claims to be the Kolacky Capital of the World. July 27-29. (www.montgomerymn.org)

Hickory Street Ribfest
Rib eaters from around the country come to dine in the parking lot between Hickory and Cherry streets next to the Midwest Wireless Civic Center in Mankato. The event has live bands, games for kids, Aug. 2-5. (www.midwestwirelessciviccenter.com, www.greatermankato.com)

Swissfest
The Swiss settlers of Berne, a little hamlet on Minnesota Highway 57 north of Mantorville, converge for an interesting summer event called Swissfest. Visitors come from around the country and even from other countries for this annual event, which features Swiss alphorn, Swiss dancing, Swiss food, handbell concerts, yodeling, a style show, a Swiss band, stage performances, a historical village, kinder corner, lace making, bratzel making, steinstossen, fahnenschwingen, bauermalerei — if you don’t know what those are, well, go find out. Entertainment comes from Switzerland, too. This is a good event to bring the kids to. Aug. 4, 5. (www.swissfest.org)

Steele County Free Fair
The largest fair in Minnesota takes place in Owatonna. This year’s theme is “A Taste of Heaven.” The fair will have more than 100 food stands. The grandstand features auto racing, bull riding, motocross, stunts driving and other spectacles. The fair is first among county fairs in attendance, income and concessions. Don’t forget the barn animals, marionettes, fine arts and other activities and you’ve got a crowd pleaser. Attendance last year was almost 300,000. Aug. 14-19. (www.scff.org)

Downtown Oronoco Gold Rush Days
Oronoco, a city of 900, becomes an antique flea market the third weekend in August. It is said more than 20,000 people come there looking for unique finds. The sight is proof of the power of the “one man’s trash” adage. There are more than 1,200 vendor lots. Aug. 17-19. (www.oronoco.com/cultural0002.asp)