Miller Minutes
The Butler Italian Festival is this weekend, and though I don’t have an ounce of Italy in my heritage, it’s always exciting to attend.
My family hails from a Russian, Polish and Slovak background, and as someone who is not a fan of cabbage, I wasn’t as interested in trying the traditional fare when it was put on my plate.
In contrast, I don’t know if there’s anyone who can resist stromboli, pizza, spaghetti and cannoli. The fact that I can list those foods and everyone has an idea of what I’m referring to is proof of how much influence Italian culture has in the United States.
People from all backgrounds will attend the Italian Festival, and they usually get a taste of Italy through more than just food. There will most likely be music and vendors on the street “until the moon hits your eye.”
Main Street will be decked out in red, white and green for the occasion, starting at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25, and running through Sunday, Aug. 27. Enjoy food, drink and entertainment from the heart of Italy.
If you can’t make the festival, check out the other events below.
Family Fun Night is from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, at the Butler Farm Show grounds, 625 Evans City Road. Enjoy food, music and vendors in a family-friendly atmosphere!
The Band Jam Music Festival lasts all weekend at Cooper’s Lake Campground, 205 Currie Road, Worth Township. For information about the local bands performing and tickets, visit thebandjam.com.
The Butler County Symphony Orchestra’s weekly concert takes place at noon every Friday this summer. On Friday, Aug. 25, enjoy a performance by Melanie Rodgers on violin and viola. Listen to music via Facebook livestream, stop by the symphony’s office on Main Street to see them in action, or listen from Diamond Park in Butler.
Final performances for the Freeport Theatre Festival are this weekend. For more information on tickets and times for the zany comedy “Baboon” written and directed by Rennick Steele, visit freeporttheatrefestival.org.
Butler Two Steppers will host a dance at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25, at Tanglewood Center, 10 Austin Ave., Lyndora in Butler Township.
The Martha Gault Art Gallery at Slippery Rock University will be exhibiting pieces by Gary Jurysta, a master artist from Pittsburgh. The show is on view from Monday, Aug. 28, through Sept. 28. A reception for the show will be on Tuesday, Sept. 26.
For all of September, the Cranberry Artists Network’s Back Hall Gallery will feature watercolor works by Beth Beiter. Visit the show during gallery hours at the Cranberry Township Municipal Building, 2525 Rochester Road.
