Friends, from left, Rose Manning, Blair Laska, Aaron Smith, Melanie Kovach and Jon Kovach celebrate at the 2023 Sips in the City event on Main Street in Butler. This year’s event is Saturday. Butler Eagle File Photo
Whitney Houston once sang, “I believe the children are our future,” and boy, was she right.
As the school year draws to a close, I tend to reflect on how it felt as summer approached in my younger years. It meant playing outside, swimming and looking forward to fun events like the Butler Farm Show and Big Butler Fair.
We’re stuck in the gap between spring and summer, when children are restless for days spent in the sun. Adventurous spirits and childlike wonder abound, and it doesn’t have to stop as you age. Just because it’s not officially summer doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of fun activities available right now.
Attending a few Butler County events (some this week are geared toward children) could bring back the youthful light winter stole from our eyes.
So, don’t delay. Take a look at the events below. They are sure to put some wind back in your sails.
Friday
First Fridays Improv at Hobnob Theatre Company is back at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 2, in the studio, 134 South Main Street, Butler. It costs $5 to attend and participate, or to sit back and watch. For tickets, visit hobnobtheatre.com.
Saturday
Children younger than 12 years old can participate in the fifth annual Youth Fishing Derby at Glade Run Lake Park on Lake Road in Valencia. The event starts at 7 a.m. Saturday, May 3. You must download the FishDonkey app to register for this event. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
Shop from the trunks of your neighbors cars at Alameda Park’s community trunk sale, starting at 8 a.m. Saturday in the Masonic Shelter parking lot, 184 Alameda Park Road. The event is rain or shine and free to attend. For more information, visit bcpr.recdesk.com.
Support the Ellen O’ Brien Gaiser Center by playing in a pickleball tournament, which originally was scheduled Saturday in Ritts Park, 947 North McKean St., Butler. The date has been changed to Aug. 9 with a rain date of Aug. 10. All levels of experience are welcome, and the cost is $65 per team. The event lasts from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Food trucks and raffles will be on site. Register in advance by visiting gaisercenter.com.
The YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day takes place Saturday at both the Butler YMCA, 339 North Washington St., and the Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA, 2001 Ehrman Road, Cranberry Township. The Butler event is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the Cranberry Township event is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be games, vendors and more. For more information, visit bcfymca.org/events/healthy-kids-day.
Penn Township Volunteer Fire Department’s Tool Bash starts at noon Saturday at the Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport, 475 West Airport Road. There will be raffles and various prize drawings. You can obtain tickets from any fire department member or by calling Jason, 724-272-3460. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
Sips in the City is back for its third year! Explore Butler Main Street businesses while trying beer and wine from local vendors. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $35 for VIP. The event starts at 1 p.m. Saturday. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
Community Partnership is hosting a comedy show benefit at American Legion Post 778, 150 Legion Memorial Lane, Lyndora, on Saturday. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. and will include a show, cookie table and cash bar. Tickets can be purchased online at eventbrite.com and cost $25 each.
If you are interested in your event being featured in Miller Minutes, email information to news@butlereagle.com.
Molly Miller is an Eagle correspondent.
This story was updated May 1 to note the date change in the Ellen O'Brien Gaiser Center benefit pickleball tournament to Aug. 9 with a rain date of Aug. 10.