Miller Minutes
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
No, you’re not dreaming. Christmas is still six months away.
The time of year I’m talking about is the nine days of Big Butler Fair merriment.
We’re closing in on one of the biggest events Butler puts on. It has everything: rides, animals, tractor pulls, demolition derby, entertainment and fried food fit for a king.
But do you know what else the Big Butler Fair offers? A chance to put on your cowboy boots and have some good, old-fashioned, family fun.
If you do attend the fair, you will see the community doing what it does best: conversing and laughing with their neighbors and enjoying the finer things in life, like deep-fried Oreos.
You have ample opportunities to check out the fair this weekend, but if you’re looking to stand out from the crowd, there are plenty of other places to be in Butler!
See the events listed below.
The Butler County Symphony Orchestra will help you to feel patriotic in preparation for the upcoming holiday with a concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 27, in Rotary Amphitheater at Cranberry Community Park, 111 Ernie Mashuda Drive. The concert is free, but please bring a lawn chair or blanket. Visit the symphony’s website for more details.
The Big Butler Fair officially starts at 9 a.m. Friday at 1127 New Castle Road, Prospect. The carnival opens at 3 p.m. and food, concerts, demolition derbies will be at your disposal throughout the weekend and into next week. Children under 6 enter free. General admission costs $9 online, $8 at the gate. Ride passes cost an additional $30 and can be purchased online at the fair’s website, bigbutlerfair.com.
If you’re up for a drive, the Washington Rib and Music Festival kicks off at 4 p.m. and continues at noon Saturday and Sunday at the Washington County Fairgrounds, 2151 North Main St., Washington. Admission is $5, and there is an additional parking fee of $5. For a complete list of performers, visit washingtoncountyribandmusicfestival.com.
Register for a cornhole tournament being held at Cranberry Township’s Farmers Market from 4 to 7 p.m. at the municipal building, 2525 Rochester Road. Register for $60 per team by visiting the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber’s website.
The Butler Art Center is hosting an open mic night and the grand opening of its coffeehouse, Hip Stirs, from 7 to 10 p.m. at 344 S. Main St. Admission is a $5 donation. There will be board games, live entertainment, and a chance to purchase drinks. For more information, visit the gallery’s website, butlerartcenterandgallery.org.
The Butler Two Steppers is holding a dance on at 7:30 p.m. at Tanglewood Center 10 Austin Ave. Guests are welcome. For more information, contact 724-445-2173.
Night Disc Golf at Alameda Park starts at 9 p.m. at 184 Alameda Park Road. Registration starts 15 minutes before. Bring $10 for admission and your own discs. Make sure they glow! For more information, visit discgolfscene.com.
Parker Community Day runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature vendors, live music, children’s activities, yard sales, a parade and car show and fireworks. Head to the park near the Parker ball fields on Euclid Avenue. For more information, check out the “Parker Community Days” Facebook page.
St. Peter’s Anglican Church is celebrating its 200th anniversary. The church at 218 E. Jefferson St., will be open for tours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. An organ recital is also planned for Saturday and is open to the public. For more information, contact St. Peter's Anglican Church office at 724-287-1869.
Butler County Tourism’s History Day lasts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature various historical attractions like the Harmony Museum, Foltz School, and more. You can pick up your history passport at any of the locations, get it stamped three times, and receive a prize. For a full list of locations and more information, visit the tourism bureau’s website, visitbutlercounty.com.
The Cranberry Township bike rodeo will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the community park, 111 Ernie Mashuda Drive. Join township police officers in learning about bike safety through a course, helmet fitting, safety inspection, and more. The event is free.
A Taste of the Symphony, a summer music series by the Butler County Symphony Orchestra, kicks off at noon in Diamond Park, 108 S. Main St., Butler. Saxophone quartet “Need for Reeds” will perform. Admission to the concert is free, and there will also be vendors set up at the park. For more information, visit the symphony’s website.
Future brides can walk through a showcase of vendors and a venue from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Butler Grand Ballroom, 201 S. Main St., Suite 300. Explore the latest in decor, fashion and all things wedding. The event is free. For more information, visit the Butler County Tourism Bureau’s website.
Go on a Salamander Safari and explore Davis Hollow Creek in Moraine State Park to look for critters from 1 to 3 p.m. The tour is led by a park naturalist and includes a 15 minute walk to a stream. Meet at the Davis Hollow Marina Office on North Shore Drive, Portersville. Wear sturdy walking shoes and pack water shoes and bug spray. For more information, visit events.dcnr.pa.gov.
