Miller Minutes

People of my generation are contracting what’s known as “music festival fever.” Essentially, they’re feeling a sense of loss when they cannot afford to attend the big-name desert festivals like Coachella and Stagecoach, which feature musicians like Justin Bieber, Kacey Musgraves and Sabrina Carpenter.

I don’t understand the appeal of these festivals. Would it be cool to hear my favorite songs while sweating my butt off and getting sand in my eyes? I suppose so. But you know where I can do that? Pretty much any outdoor event in Butler and surrounding areas (minus the sand).

Seriously! You don’t have to dress up in costumes and take out a second mortgage to have some fun around here. We’ve got cooler climes and plenty of rhymes to spark up a weekend. We even have food trucks, JUST like Coachella does!

For the younger audiences reading this, be grateful you’re missing out, and remember, there is NOTHING stopping you from wearing that festival outfit like you planned. Take advantage of the photo ops and local stops at any of the events below.

Anyone with an interest in history or aircraft should join the bus trip from the Butler Farm Show grounds in Connoquenessing Township to Oshkosh, Wis., for the Experimental Aircraft Association Aviation Convention. The trip takes place from July 21 to 25. Sign-up starts now on a first-come-first-served basis. Call 724-766-5847 for more information.

Penn Christian Academy invites you to Touch-A-Truck from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday on its campus, 199 Airport Road, Penn Township. This event includes service vehicles, food trucks, children’s activities and music. Visit experiencebutler.com for more details.

Like ’70s disaster movies and rock music? Spend your weekend seeing the musical “Disaster!” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Musical Theatre Guild, 100 Memorial Drive, Butler. Tickets cost $18 and can be purchased at mtgbutler.org.

Support Butler Township Volunteer Fire Department at the Spring Craft & Vendor Show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the station, 121 Sparks Avenue. Admission is free. See the event Facebook page for more information.

Children can learn dance, gardening and swim skills when they join the fun at the YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day. This event takes place Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Butler location, 339 N. Washington St., and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cranberry Township location, 2001 Ehrman Road. Admission is free with registration at bcfymca.org/events/healthy-kids-day. Information will also be available on summer camps and child care options.

The Scholastic Book Fair will be open at Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA, 2001 Ehrman Road, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until May 1. Card or Apple Pay are accepted. Visit the website for more information.

Learn more about the invasive species of your area at a guided talk from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday in Jennings Environmental Education Center, 2951 Prospect Road, Brady Township. The lesson includes a visit from a lantern fly-sniffing canine and information on IMapInvasives, a tool that records and tracks species. Visit https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/events for more information.

Glide down to the line dance night at Saxonburg Fireman’s Club, 155 Pittsburgh St., at 7 p.m. Saturday. There is a $5 cover charge and only those 21 and older can enter. Visit the Facebook page for details.

Help the community of Zelienople with various projects by enjoying a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at Glade Run’s Matthew Hall, 50 Glade Run Drive. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Visit experiencebutler.com for more information.

Take the City Nature Challenge walk along Swamp Run Road from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Lake Arthur. The start is located at coordinates 40.95220 N, 79.99204 W from Route 8. Participants should download the iNaturalist app ahead of time to use on the walk. Visit butlerbirders.club/events for more information.

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.