Summer is the return to the roots of our culture. You’ll see it everywhere. I mean, Taylor Swift is back in country music for a brief stint.

The theme for this week’s musing came to mind as I was driving a country road, belting out the original Broadway soundtrack for “The Music Man.”

If you’re unfamiliar with the story: conman “Professor” Harold Hill infiltrates a small Iowan town and promises to “reform the youth” by starting a boys marching band. In the past, he skipped town before providing band lessons, but the town’s librarian, Marian, wins his heart and reforms his ways.

Hill’s appeal to the townspeople is earned through flattery, which Marian sees through. He “seems” to have their best interest in mind; after all, he’s saving them from the threat of a town pool table.

The musical features images of Midwest Americana: trains, straw hats, small town main streets, piano lessons in living rooms and barbershop quartets. Though it’s a world we’ve never known, many of us yearn for it and the simplicity it promises.

“The Music Man” teaches a modern lesson about the importance of “we.” The conmen we face today are bigger than Hill, but their threat is the same. Their goal is to isolate us: close our libraries, stop us from critical and creative thinking, and deprive us of community.

If you’ve seen the show, you know the climax is when all those children get their band uniforms and perform in the town parade. That community support and excitement is what the arts can ultimately do for small towns, and what you should be experiencing this weekend.

Return to your roots, get outside, start a marching band. Whatever your fancy, find it in Butler County this weekend.

What happens when every member of an eccentric British family invites a guest over for the weekend without telling anyone? Find out at “Hay Fever” by Noël Coward, the final show of Butler Little Theatre’s 84th season. Shows run at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Tickets are on sale for $18 at butlerlittletheatre.com.

Laugh it up at Hobnob Theatre’s First Friday’s Improv starting at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the studio, 134 S. Main St., Butler. Tickets are $5 to watch or play along at hobnobtheatre.com.

The Zelienople Farmers Market starts its season at 9 a.m. Saturday in Four Corners Park, 402 E. Beaver St. For details, visit the event Facebook page.

Hear the tale of the Revolutionary War soldiers buried in downtown Butler at a free talk and book signing called “The Old Butler Graveyard” at the Little Red Schoolhouse, 200 E. Jefferson St., at 10 a.m. Saturday. Find more information at experiencebutler.com.

Family Day in Harmony is a time to learn the borough’s rich history through demonstrations, activities, music and more. This free event lasts from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Visit weaversofharmony.org/events/ for more information.

Play some cornhole and support Jean B. Purvis Community Health Center at the Food Truck Fundraiser and Cornhole Tournament from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 103 Bonnie Drive, Summit Township. You can either register as a team for $30 or as single for $15 at butlerhealthclinic.org.

Butler Bag Brawl is camaraderie and cornhole. Participate in the tournament (no partner needed) for $30 or spectate for $15, with food included. Registration begins at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Clearview Mall, 101 Clearview Circle, Center Township, with matches at noon. Find more information on Facebook.

The Butler County Symphony’s free concert series is back at noon Saturday in Diamond Park. This week’s performance is brought to you by Jim Cunningham’s Majestic Brass. Be sure to stick around for free tickets and prizes. Visit butlersymphony.org for details.

Take the Summer Wine Walk around Historic Harmony in support of the Zelienople Area Public Library from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $45 for general admission. You must be 21 and over to attend. Find out more at eventbrite.com.

Mars Brew Fest is landing from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday on Pittsburgh Street and Grand Avenue. Tickets cost $35 presale and $40 the day of to experience brew and food vendors, as well as activities. No children or pets are permitted. Purchase tickets via eventbrite.com.

Butler WingFest starts at noon Sunday at the Beacon Hotel, 231 Beacon Road, Forward Township, and features over nine acres of wings and things. Tickets are $30 presale when you call the Beacon at 724-586-6233 and $35 at the door. Visit gotothebeacon.com/wingfest for more information.

Celebrate the Musical Theatre Guild’s past season and the one to come at its annual meeting, starting at 6 p.m. Sunday in Butler Memorial Park at the William A. Lehnerd Performance Hall & Production Center. There will be food, fun and updates on next season. Visit mtgbutler.org for details.

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.