About 10 years ago Chad Parker discovered a love for glass blowing and marble making.

After driving past signs advertising glass blowing lessons, Parker, who resides in Fawn Township, decided to stop in the Glass Blowing Center. The school, located at 114 Leonard Road, Hilliards, and gift shop is owned and operated by Tom and Elaine Doner.

At 32-years-old, Parker “finally” stopped in and took a lesson.

“I never quit after that,” Parker said.

Now, he's trying to spread his love of glass blowing and marble making to others in Butler County.

Parker's friend Topher Reynolds lives in Eureka, California, which Parker called the “marble capital of the world.” Reynolds even manages a large event called the Humboldt Marble Weekend.

However, he'll be making the trip to Pennsylvania next weekend. Parker, the Doners and the Glass Blowing Center will host the Butler Area Marble Hunt, July 14-15. The event is all ages and open to the public. There will be 12 glass blowers to present in total, including Reynolds and Christina Primerana of New Jersey.

As part of the festivities, at least 100 marbles will be hidden around Butler County.

Parker is optimistic that the event will be crowded — and popularize marble hunting and glass blowing in Butler County.

“There won't be just one place that you have to watch and a crowd of people surrounding,” Parker said. “We have plenty of space, plenty of parking. We could expect around 300 people this weekend. If we get around that, I'd be really excited.”

The purpose of the event isn't to promote a business or a lifestyle. Instead, Doner, Reynolds and Parker just want community members to be aware of glass blowing.

“We want to share this,” Doner said. “Hiding these marbles is fun for us, too. It's going to be a fun event for the people of this area. Everyone has a little treasure hunter in them and loves finding hidden treasure. It's exciting for the people who are hunting and the people who are making these pieces and hiding them.”

“Seeing their marbles being found is gratifying for the artist.”

Parker is excited to hide his marbles and put on a show for Butler County.

“Everybody loves marbles,” he said.

For more information, see a full report in the Butler Eagle.