Carnival moves to July

SAXONBURG — Remember the Saxonburg Carnival is being held later this year, July 20 to 25.

Open nightly from 6 to 11 p.m., the carnival will feature the pet parade on July 20, the water battle on July 21, and the fireman’s parade on July 23.

Petite Miss Saxonburg, Junior Miss Saxonburg and Miss Saxonburg pageants are planned.

For more information, visit svfc.com.

Mars New Year celebrated

MARS — Mars New Year celebration activities run today through Saturday.

The celebration will launch with a Blast-Off Dinner at 6 p.m. today at Treesdale Golf & Country Club.

Around 10 p.m. Friday, the town of Mars will be counting down to the New Year on the planet Mars, celebrating with fireworks.

A movie trailer for “The Martian” will be shown on a large screen at 8:30 p.m. Friday and again just before the fireworks.

The rest of the Mars New Year festival will take place in downtown Mars on Friday and Saturday, featuring exhibits from NASA, the University of Pittsburgh’s Mobile Science Lab and Carnegie Science Center. Visit www.MarsNewYear.com.

Students part of season

CRANBERRY TWP — Keystone State Music Theater chose five local student apprentices to be part of its first professional summer season.

Seneca Valley students Tessa DeJeet and Lance Hahn, Mars student Mia Manuppelli, North Allegheny student Delaney Martin and Pine-Richland student Alena Zappa will be working backstage during “Always … Patsy Cline” and are all ensemble members in “Pinkalicious, The Musical.”

The apprentices are as young as junior high students to recent high school graduates, and are all studying performing arts at the Keystone State Music Theater.

“Always … Patsy Cline” runs at 8:15 p.m. through Saturday starring Butler native Marlana Dunn in the title role.

“Pinkalicious, The Musical,” based on the children’s book, will go on at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Cruise-A-Palooza draws near

CONNOQUENESSING TWP — The 21st annual Cruise-A-Palooza will be from 10 a.m. to dusk June 28 at its new location at the Butler Farm Show grounds, Route 68. Gates open at 9 a.m.

The event is hosted by the Rodfathers of Butler car club.

The U.S. Army Reserve on Evans City Road plans to bring a Humvee. Saxonburg and Herman volunteer fire departments intend to show their older models of fire trucks.

Other attractions will include raffles, T-shirts, basket auctions, a Toys for Tots collection center, craft displays, and live entertainment.

The event will conclude with a fireworks display beginning at dusk.

Visit therodfathers.com.

Tiny train rides begin

MARS — Tiny train rides on the Mars Shortline Railroad begin this month and continue every Friday and every other Saturday until September.

As long as weather allows, adults and children may catch rides from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays at the Mars History and Landmark Society’s restored small scale B&O Train Station south of downtown at 1 Brickyard Road.

Rides are free, but donations are accepted. Other rides and activities run by the society will be open at the same time.

State park hosts ‘Fireflies’

SLIPPERY ROCK TWP, Lawrence County — McConnells Mill State Park will be the site of “Fireflies!” from 8 to 9:30 p.m. June 26, meeting at the Kildoo Picnic Area pavilion, and “A Taste of History” featuring Dutch oven cooking from noon to 3:30 p.m. June 28 in the gristmill courtyard.

The gristmill is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays through September. Interpretive tours are available at 1 and 3 p.m.

Oil City focus of video

The original documentary “Our Town: Stories from Oil City,” a 90-minute video scrapbook of the people, places and happenings of Oil City and surrounding areas, will be shown at 8 p.m. June 25 at WQLN.org.

Topics range from the community’s artistic life — including the Oil Heritage Festival and the many local artists — to shared memories of fishing in West End Pond and the establishment of St. Joseph Church.

For more information, call 814-217-6055 or e-mail jtaylor@wqln.org.