“Another opening, another show …”

I find myself back here again, in the throes of “tech week” for a play that opens this Friday. The cast is about to see all of their hard work pay off as we get people in the seats to laugh at the jokes and bits. It took so long to get here, and it’s going to be over in a minute … much like the other events you will see listed below.

That is the nature of artistic performances, and any event you attend here in Butler. People dream up an opportunity for gathering, put hundreds of hours into it on the front end for only a few hours of fun. And then it’s all over.

But, if you have ever been to a play, concert, gallery opening or street event, you know those few hours are always worth going out for.

You’ll notice there are an exorbitant amount of events taking place this weekend, and it’s going to be hard to catch them all. I may be biased, but I hope you make it a point to see our little play at the Butler Little Theatre, “Exit Laughing,” and support the various charitable causes raising money. We’ve got a strong community here in Butler, one that puts pride in its ability to have fun and make a difference. But these opportunities will only keep coming up if you support them.

So, take a look below and make notes on your calendar!

Planting for the Future is a spring agriculture, plant, and vendor show at the Butler Farm Show grounds, 625 Evans City Road in Connoquenessing Township, and lasts from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, May 16, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 17. There will be a line dance on Friday night, as long as other opportunities to gather and learn about the land and what we grow. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.

Celebrate Cranberry is from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday in the municipal building, 2525 Rochester Road in Cranberry Township. There will be vendors, a book sale, story walk, touch-a-truck and more going on indoors and outdoors. For more information, visit experiencebutler.com/events/celebrate-cranberry.

Support Riding for the Cure by playing bingo at the Sons and Daughters of Italy, 338 N. Main St., Butler, at 7 p.m. Friday. Doors open two hours before the games start, and a $25 ticket gets you 10 games. The kitchen and cash bar will be open. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.

Foodie Fridays and Moon Markets are kicking off on Butler’s Main Street at 5:30 p.m. this Friday. Taste the flavors from local food trucks at 205 N. Main St., shop local vendors, and enjoy camaraderie with your neighbors. Everyone is invited. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.

The opening reception for the Butler Art Center and Gallery’s Spring and Floral show starts at 7 p.m. Friday at 334 S. Main St. Come admire the various painting, sculpture and photography pieces our town’s talent has to offer. For more information, visit experiencebutler.com/events/spring-floral-show.

Butler Little Theatre’s final show of the season is sure to make you “Exit Laughing.” The play depicts a wild night for three ladies in a bridge group after they “borrow” their friend’s ashes from the funeral home. If you like “Golden Girls,” you’ll love this show, which runs at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, and through next week at 1 Howard St. For tickets, times and more information, visit butlerlittletheatre.com.

Explore acre after acre of antique attractions when you visit the Portersville Steam Show Spring Gas Up, which starts at 9 a.m. Saturday and carries into Sunday at 1512 Perry Highway, Portersville. Learn history, watch demonstrations and get something good to eat. For more information, visit portersvillesteamshow.com.

The first day for the Mars Farmers Market is Saturday in the parking lot of Advance Community Church, 225 Crowe Ave., from 9 a.m. to noon. Local vendors will have good produce and goods. More information can be found on the event Facebook page.

EDCO Fest starts at 10 a.m. Saturday and continues into Sunday at 154 W. Main St., Evans City. The fun includes games, food, drinks, raffles and live music. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.

Rev your engines and cruise down to a car show being held at Old Union Presbyterian Church, 200 Union Church Road, Mars, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The event is rain or shine. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.

Butler Township’s Guys Who Grill Event is scheduled for 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Preston Park. Admission is $20 presale and $25 at the door. Proceeds benefit the Kids’ Weekend Backpack Program.

Concordia will host a free fishing derby for children ages 14 and under from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Saxony Farm Estate. No fishing license is required for children under 16, but all participants must be accompanied by a chaperone. To register, visit the events page at ConcordiaLM.org. For more details, call Concordia at 724-352-8268.

Echoes From Our Past brings Butler History to life along the walkways of North Side Cemetery, 1004 N. Main St. in Butler, as costumed actors tell the stories of our ancestors. The walking tour begins at 11 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets cost $10 for historical society members and $15 for nonmembers. For tickets, visit butlerhistory.com/product-page/echoes-from-our-past-tickets or call 724-283-8116.

Ladies, support Portersville Christian School by attending the Ladies Day Out event at Butler’s Grand Ballroom, 209 S. Main St., from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. There will be various giveaways and raffles to participate in. Your $35 ticket purchase gets you access to the fun and a delicious brunch. For tickets, visit the event Facebook page.

Glade Run, 30 Glade Run Drive, Zelienople, is hosting a Summer Touch-A-Truck event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. For more information on this community event, visit the Facebook page.

Learn the ins and outs of drop spindle spinning from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Weaver’s Cabin in Harmony, 245 Mercer St. For more information and a full list of events, visit weaversofharmony.org/events.

The Spring Mighty Moraine Multi-Sport festival is from Saturday into Sunday, with events and excitement for all ages at 198 Pleasant Valley Road, Portersville. To see the full list of events, register and look at safety requirements, visit getfitfamilies.com/spring-mighty-moraine.

Audition for Hobnob Theatre Company’s Shakespeare in the Park on Sunday or Monday at 7 p.m. in the studio, 134 S. Main St., Butler. The show is “The Merry Wives of Windsor” and there are roles available for up to nine females and 11 males. To sign up for an audition slot and view the audition materials, visit hobnobtheatre.com/auditions.

If you are interested in your event being featured in Miller Minutes, please email information to news@butlereagle.com.

Molly Miller is an Eagle correspondent.