This year marks the sixth year of Thursdays on first & 3rd Summer Market and Music Festival being branded as such, however a smaller scale market actually began two years prior from passionate volunteers and community members.  Thursdays on first & 3rd has become a truly authentic community gathering place with a variety of live music featured on two stages, a tasteful spread of outdoor food choices and a vibrant mix of market vendors showcasing art, craft and baked goods products.  Thursdays on first & 3rd begins June 7th and runs every Thursday through August 30th.

The 30th annual Rochesterfest Button Kick-off will be held on Tuesday, May 8th at 9:30 a.m. at City Hall.  Mayor Brede will be on hand to purchase the very first Buttons. This year there will be 5 "Button Bargains" which will be good from Memorial Day - Labor Day.  There are many more discounts and freebies during the week of Rochesterfest.  Buttons are $5.00. Any non-profit or other group selling the Buttons makes $1.25 per Button sold. Blair Harrington, the 2012 Button designer will be on hand to autograph the Buttons. For any other information, please contact Carole Brown at 285-8769 or go to http://www.facebook.com/Rochesterfest

On Thursday night, fifteen companies were recognized by Workforce Development Inc. as the group held its fifth "Best Places To Work In Southeast Minnesota" banquet.

"Just a wonderful feeling out there all the way around," says Harold Long with Dodge Center’s McNeilus Steel, Inc.

"We're very fortunate to be selected and we've very honored by it," says Steve Pulley with Albert Lea’s Alliance Benefit Group.

"It's really humbling being around the other employers here and the community. It's also a great honor," says John Daniels with Zumbrota’s Commercial Water Distributing.