[naviga:h3]Ice festival arrives[/naviga:h3]

The third annual Carved in Ice festival, hosted by the Butler AM Rotary, takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in Diamond Park on Main Street.

The daylong event will feature ice carving, a children’s ice slide, a chili cook-off, and a beer, wine and spirit tasting.

Proceeds benefit the Rotary’s nonprofit Butler AM Rotary Charities.

[naviga:h3]Washington’s Trail hikes set[/naviga:h3]

BRADY TWP — The annual Washington’s Trail/Cherry Pie Hike will go from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 24 at Jennings Environmental Education Center, 2951 Prospect Road.

The event commemorates George Washington’s birthday and the Virginia Colony mission demanding French withdrawal from British territory that precipitated the French and Indian/Seven Years War.

Featured will be 30-minute history hikes, where visitors can witness the 1753 musket shot that could have changed history, informational displays, and a re-enactors’ camp portraying wilderness life of the time period.

The event is free, though a $2 per person donation is requested.

Reservations are required by Feb. 22. Parking is limited. Visit events.dcnr.pa.gov.

[naviga:h3]Opus I hosts program[/naviga:h3]

ADAMS TWP — Opus I Music Society continues its “Connections” series with a look at “Music and Cancer Treatment” on Monday at LifePointe Alliance Church, Route 228.

The program will be presented by Amy Baker, an oncology nurse in Butler and music teacher at Slippery Rock University. She combines her bachelor of nursing degree with her bachelor of music degree in presenting excerpts from a document she is compiling on “The Many Benefits of Music for Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy.”

Refreshments in the music room begin at 9:30 a.m. with the program starting at 10 a.m.

Admission is free.

[naviga:h3]Masterworks music planned [/naviga:h3]

JEFFERSON TWP — Masterworks Concert Chorale, a chorus of talented singers in the Greater Pittsburgh area, will perform at 2 p.m. May 19 at Concordia Haven Apartments’ Haven I Dining Room, 112 Marwood Road.

Admission is free.

The chorale is dedicated to performing a classical and contemporary repertoire.

Reservations are preferred, but not required. Call 724-352-1571, Ext. 8518.

[naviga:h3]Shakespeare contest on tap[/naviga:h3]

PITTSBURGH — Students from Evans City Elementary and Middle Schools in the Seneca Valley School District and Slippery Rock Middle School will be participating in the Pittsburgh Public Theater’s annual Shakespeare contest.

The 24th annual Shakespeare Monologue & Scene Contest hosts more than 1,000 students from over 90 schools competing in preliminary rounds through Feb. 15 at the O’Reilly Theater, 621 Penn Ave.

Teams of judges will evaluate each participant and those with the highest scores will progress to the Showcase of Finalists on Feb. 19 at 7 p.m., which audiences may attend free. Call 412-316-1600 or visit ppt.org.