The Olympics are all about comebacks.

You’ve got Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast alive, returning for her third Games at the unconventional age of 27. Brittany Griner is playing basketball after 10 months of Russian imprisonment. And just two days ago, the USA men's gymnastics team won its first medal since 2008 thanks to Stephen Nedoroscik, pommel horse specialist.

But hardly anyone is talking about the person who I would consider having the greatest comeback of this Olympic Games.

Celine Dion.

Often renowned as the greatest singer in the world, Dion performed for the first time in four years at the Paris opening ceremonies, atop the Eiffel Tower in a glittering sequined gown. Since her diagnosis with stiff-person syndrome, a neurological condition which results in rigid muscles, she has taken a hiatus.

Dion said in an interview that she would return to the stage despite the obstacles: “even if I have to crawl.” That level of tenacity paid off when she gave a heart-wrenching performance that brought many to tears.

I find Dion’s performance to be very telling about the nature of true artists. When you are born to do something, you will stop at nothing to do it. Even if the “nothing” is illness, insufficient funds or a demanding 9 to 5, artists persevere.

This hard work happens everywhere. Most of the local musicians you hear play in Butler were changing out of their suits and ties or construction gear before they hit the stage. Many craft shows are peopled with folks who stay up in the late hours of the night after their kids have gone to bed perfecting their recipes or their goods.

We should appreciate the triumphant return of Celine Dion, not because she’s one of the greatest to ever do it, but because the hard work and dedication it took to get her back on stage is the same stuff that drives local artists all around us.

So get out and see them this weekend, whether they’re playing in the park or at the Moraine State Park Regatta. There’s many places to see artists at work below.

Thursday

Start your engines! The Portersville Steam Show is up and running Thursday, Aug. 1, through Sunday, Aug. 4 at 1512 Perry Highway, Portersville. Come see antique equipment and tractor pulls, eat food and shop at the flea market, and so much more! For a list of every day’s activities, visit portersvillesteamshow.com/events/summer-show.

Friday

Mars Area Public Library is hosting a community children’s clothing swap event at 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 2 and Saturday, Aug. 3 at their location, 107 Mars Avenue. For more information about how to attend and how it works, visit marsarealibrary.org/clothesswap.

The Butler Rib and Music Festival lasts all weekend, starting at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2 until 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4 at Pullman Park, 100 Pullman Park Place. Try delicious food, hear great bands, and bring your children to try out the Kids Zone. Admission costs $7, parking costs $5, and both are purchased at the event. For a full list of musical acts, visit butlerribandmusicfest.com.

Saturday

The Moraine State Park Regatta is a free event with water and land activities for all ages, all weekend. On Saturday, Aug. 3 and Sunday, Aug. 4 the south shore of Lake Arthur, 225 Pleasant Valley Road, Portersville, will be bustling with opportunities to see fireworks or races, eat delicious food, and more. You can even sign up for the 5K Run/Walk, which kicks off at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the Sunken Garden Trailhead. For a full schedule of this weekend's regatta events, visit morainestateparkregatta.org.

The Antique Gun Show in Stewart Hall at Harmony Museum, 218 Mercer St., lasts from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3. Admission is $5 and grants you access to 25 specialists presenting arrays of historic firearms. For more information, visit the event page on visitbutlercounty.com.

A Taste of the Symphony, a summer music series hosted by the Butler County Symphony Orchestra, starts at noon in Diamond Park, 108 S. Main St., Butler. The Jim Cunninghjam Jazz Trio 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, butlersymphony.org.

South Butler Community Library’s Summer Finale will feature harrowing hot air balloon tales and demonstrations up close! The event takes place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company grounds, 195 Pittsburgh St., Saxonburg, and requires registration by calling 724-352-4810 or emailing director@southbutlerlibrary.org by Thursday, Aug. 1. Bring chairs or a blanket, as the event is totally outdoors. There will be hot dogs, chips, and cookies provided by the library. For more information, visit the event’s page on Facebook.

Sunday

Bluegrass Mini-Fest at Foxburg’s Scenic Riverstone Estate, 527 Foxview Road, lasts from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4. The concert is rain or shine — moving into the RiverStone H-Barns Olympic arena in the event of inclement weather. Admission is $20 for adults, $5 for students and children under 6 are free. Call 724-659-3153 to reserve a spot, or buy online at alleghenyriverstone.org. Pay by cash or check at the gate.

Auditions for Butler Little Theatre’s first show of the season, Neil Simon’s “The Star Spangled Girl,” will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4 and Monday, Aug. 5, at 1 Howard Street. This show features two men and one woman in their 20s. Audition pieces can be provided; email ktinsr@gmail.com to request. If you are unable to attend the scheduled dates, please email the above address to provide contact information and times available before Aug. 4. For more information, visit butlerlittletheatre.com/auditiions/.

Next week

Auditions for Musical Theatre Guild’s next production, “Honeymoon in Vegas” start at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7, and Thursday, Aug. 8 at the William A. Lehnerd Performance Hall & Production Center in Butler Memorial Park, 100 Memorial Drive. Participants must schedule their audition through mtgbutler.org, prepare a 32-bar vocal selection and a short monologue. Please bring printed music/tracks for your selection for the accompanist. Video auditions can be submitted to Auditions.MTG@gmail.com until noon on Aug. 8. For more information, visit MTG’s website.

If you want to submit an event for Miller Minutes, email the information to news@butlereagle.com.