I’m not Italian in the slightest — you can look at me and tell my ancestors hail from Ireland and Russia. But if there is one thing I understand, it’s Italian culture.

Italian food is some of the most comforting and crowd-pleasing of all cuisine. Who doesn’t love spaghetti, gnocchi, pizza and cannoli? Not only that, but Italians are known for their hospitality and they place a particular importance on family gatherings. Watch any movie centered around Italian families (“Moonstruck,” “The Godfather” or “Under the Tuscan Sun,” to name a few) and you’ll immediately feel right at home.

This is the kind of energy you will find if you attend Butler’s Italian Days this weekend. Everyone is family, everyone is happy you are there and everybody wants to ensure you leave stuffed.

If you’re looking for a place to belong, you can certainly find it on Butler’s Main Street. The event closes out summer, while opening the door for you to try wonderful authentic foods and hang out with friends.

It’s also not the only food-centric event happening this weekend in Butler. Take a look below to see what else is taking place.

The Band Jam Grass Roots Festival is back at 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, and runs through Sunday at Cooper’s Lake Campground, 205 Currie Road in Worth Township. Buy a $30 ticket for the entire weekend or a $20 ticket for a single day of the festival. This family-friendly celebration of music includes local bands and food. For tickets and more information, visit thebandjam.com.

Saxonburg’s Mingle on Main starts at 5:30 p.m. Thursday on the borough’s main drag. Featuring vendors, food, activities and more, this event offers a chance to get to know your neighbors and local business owners. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.

The Pie Festival hosted by Butler Golden Tornado Marching Band, which costs $6 for admission, is a great way to kick off high school football season. The event starts at 7 p.m. Thursday in Art Bernardi Stadium, 110 Campus Lane in Butler Township. Tickets can be purchased from a band member or at the gate. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.

Butler Italian Days is a celebration of good food, lively music and entertainment. The fun is from 5 to 10 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday on Main Street. For more information on vendors and activities, visit butleritaliandays.com.

A disc golf tournament hosted by Playthings Etc. takes place in Moraine State Park, 124 Lakeview Beach Road in Worth Township, on Saturday. Play 18 holes for a chance to win awesome prizes. Registration is $30 when you visit discgolfscene.com. Check in starts at 8 a.m., with the tournament beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Learn about the start of education in Butler County by visiting Foltz School, which sits on Route 8 across from Jennings Environmental Education Center, 2951 Prospect Road, Brady Township. Visit from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday to receive a tour and gain knowledge from local historians. For more information, visit experiencebutler.com.

The free Taste of the Symphony concert series is from noon to 1 p.m. in Butler’s Diamond Park, thanks to the Butler County Symphony Orchestra. This week’s performance is by solo soprano Lynea Csefalvay. For more information, visit experiencebutler.com.

The 24-Hour Play Project is a unique experience where audiences can watch four short plays which were cast, written and produced in a single day. The tomfoolery commences at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Hobnob Theatre’s studio, 134 S. Main St. in Butler. Space is limited and tickets are pay what you can at hobnobtheatre.com.

Audition for “Edgar Allan Poe: Tales of the Grotesque” at 7 p.m. Sunday or Tuesday in Hobnob Theatre’s studio, 134 S. Main St. in Butler. The show tells the macabre poet’s life story through his works, including “The Tell-Tale Heart” and “The Fall of the House of Usher.” There are roles for males and females over the age of 18. For more information and sign ups, visit hobnobtheatre.com/auditions.

Do you have a child destined for the stage? Hobnob Theatre is offering acting workshops for students in Grades 1 through 9 this fall. For more information on class dates, instructors, and admission prices, visit hobnobtheatre.com/education.

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