Many are daunted by William Shakespeare’s work and style of writing.

Some people I know were forced to read “Romeo and Juliet” or “Julius Caesar” in high school and heard the Bard’s words tainted by the droning voice of a monotonous or unenthusiastic class participant.

With the premiere of Hobnob Theatre’s production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” this weekend at Preston Park in Butler Township, I feel it appropriate to try to convince reluctant people to give it a chance. This show specifically is a hilarious, once-in-a-lifetime experience you won’t want to miss.

Like most things, Shakespeare is an acquired taste: it’s hard to understand every single line without a little experience. But I feel it is possible, even without a theater background, to grasp the heart of a Shakespeare play without being an expert, to laugh along with the actors and leave refreshed. You may even find certain plays where the reason popular storylines grew to dominate Broadway and Hollywood.

My advice to any apprehensive theatergoer is two fold: Look up the plot of the show on Wikipedia before you go, and don’t think too hard. A lot of Shakespeare’s lines can be deciphered from the action and inflection of voices. You’re just along for the ride; trust the actors to guide you and just enjoy yourself.

I hope you will see this year's installment of Hobnob’s Shakespeare in the Park. If you can’t (or don’t want to employ my expert advice), there is plenty more fun to be had this weekend in Butler County. See the following.

Watch local first responders compete at the Can-Am Police-Fire Games, a multisport Olympic-style event featuring more than 500 first responders from Canada and the United States. The event made its Butler County debut this week and continues through Sunday, July 21. For a full list of the events and venues where they are taking place, go to butlercanam2024.com/2024-events.

Zelienople’s Horse Trading Days kicks off Thursday in the borough’s downtown. Shop vendors on the street starting at 10 a.m., enjoy carriage rides, live entertainment and more. For a full list of the happenings, go to horsetradingdays.com.

Book lovers should make their way to the Zelienople Area Public Library, 227 S. High St., for the used book sale that begins at 10 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. Purchase hardbacks, paperbacks, DVDs and other media for as low as 50 cents. There also will be a bake sale happening in support of the library. Visit the library’s Facebook page for further details.

Hear bluegrass music by the local band Better Late at a free, outdoor concert at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the First Responders Pavilion at Alameda Park, 184 Alameda Park Road, Butler Township. Visit bcpr.repdesk.com for more information.

Shakespeare in the (Preston) Park is back! Hobnob Theatre’s production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” premieres at 6:30 p.m. Friday and continues through Sunday. There will be more performances next weekend as well. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to 415 S. Eberhart Road in Butler Township and purchase tickets at hobnobtheatre.com/events.

The Mars Maker Market lasts from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday in the borough’s downtown near the spaceship. Eat, drink, be merry and support local artisans and businesses. For more information, visit the borough’s website.

Moon Markets and Foodie Fridays are back in Butler! Head on down to Main Street and shop vendors outside of Mystique Moon Antiques and Artisans from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday. Food trucks will be parked at 240 N. Main St. in the parking lot and food served starting at 5:30 p.m.

See a battle of the ebony and ivory keys at the “Dueling Pianos” performance event at 7 p.m. Friday in the Penn Theater, 149 N. Main St., Butler. The dynamic show is interactive, allowing you to make song requests and watch the Piano Maniacs at work. VIP tickets cost $30; general admission costs $20. For tickets, visit thepenntheater.org/shows.

Hovis Auto and Truck Supply is having its annual Toys for Tots Cruise-in from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 1000 Champion Drive in Mercer County. Bring a new toy for a chance at a grand prize and see trucks, bikes and cars galore! Visit the store’s Facebook page for more information.

The Lowrie Place car cruise lasts from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at Lowrie House, 100 Stirling Village, and proceeds benefit the Butler Township Volunteer Fire District. Check out the cars, have some food and bring your kids to participate in activities just for them. Check out the Rodfather’s flier for the event on the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau’s website for more information.

A Taste of the Symphony, a summer music series hosted by the Butler County Symphony Orchestra, kicks off at noon in Diamond Park, 108 S. Main St., Butler. The Kleemann Brothers rock band will be performing. Admission to the concert is free, and there will be vendors set up at the park. For more information, visit the symphony’s website.

The Family Freedom Festival starts at noon Saturday and Sunday at 408 N. Washington St., Evans City, and will feature live music, a beer garden, local vendors, food trucks, children’s games and a patriotic bike parade at 5 p.m. Saturday. There will even be a car cruise on Sunday. For a full events schedule, visit the “VFW Auxiliary 499” page on Facebook.

The St. Faustina Parish Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday at 232 N. Washington St., Prospect. Access to food, games, raffles and more starts at 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. Visit the event’s page on Facebook for more details.

Support foster children by attending a Hawaiian Luau put on by Isaiah 117 House from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday outside the Butler Senior High School, 120 Campus Lane. Admission is $50 and grants you access to an authentic Polynesian meal and performance. The event takes place underneath a tent and is rain or shine. For more information and ticket purchases, visit the “Isaiah 117 House Butler Co PA” page on Facebook.

Experience the summer blooms at a Wildflower Walkabout in Jennings Environmental Education Center, 2951 Prospect Road, Brady Township, starting Saturday. Take a self-guided tour of the prairie with information provided by park staff. No registration is required. To learn more, visit events.dcnr.pa.gov.

Hear music by the local band Usual Suspects at a free, outdoor concert at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the First Responders Pavilion at Alameda Park, 184 Alameda Park Road, Butler Township. Visit bcpr.recdesk.com for more information.

Purchase tickets for the Summer Dramatics Project’s production of the musical “Oklahoma,” which premieres the weekend of July 26 at the Succop Theater on the Butler County Community College campus in Butler Township. Tickets cost $18 for premium seating and $15 for general reserved seating. These can be purchased at summerdramaticsproject.ludus.com.