Party on the Patio
We can't even wait until Memorial Day, with summer like temperatures here this week, the summer concert season starts now as Huntington's monthly Party on the Patio Summer Concert Series kicks off with some old-school cool from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, with the Oakwood Road Ban firing some classic rock on the bricks of the historic Heritage Station patio.
For more info, call the Greater Huntington Park & Recreation District at 304-696-5954, go online at ghprd.org or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
Time to 'Sing' At Barboursville Park
Over in Barboursville Park, take the fam to the Amphitheater Friday night at 8:30 p.m. as they will be hosting their free summer movie series showing the film, "Sing."
You may want to get there a lot early to maybe go throw some disc golf, go fishing, play on the playgrounds, take a walk around the lake or make it just a little early as gates open at 7:30 for some chalk art fun.
Concessions will also be available for purchase. Make sure to get your junior ranger handbook signed for attending!
Forecast is Fair to Sustainable
Head over to the heart of Huntington's Old Central City antiques district where The Wild Ramp and Gazebo is hosting the third annual Huntington Sustainability Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
The Sustainability Fair will feature local artisans, live music, environmental films, a recycled art show, local food booths, and activities for the whole family including the annual bicycle ride the Tour de PATH from 8 to 10 a.m. at the fair. Come out and enjoy a number of guided bicycle tours on the nearby Paul Ambrose Trail for Health. There's a bicycle ride for all levels.
The Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, 725, 14th St. West, will be hosting free film screenings. You can see these award winning documentaries by taking a short walk down to their offices at 725 W. 14th St. 10:30 a.m., “Catching the Sun," at 12:30 p.m., “Backlight: The Breakthrough in Renewable Energy,” and at 2 p.m. “Sustainable.”
There will also be live local music at the Gazebo and behind the Wild Ramp, with 20 local musical artists performing at the Gazebo and behind the Wild Ramp, including such acts as The Settlement, 5$Red, Tim Browning & the Widowmakers, and The Shadowshaker Band.
Enjoy local foods from area vendors such as the Press Club, Ice Cream a Go GO, the Bodega Market and Cafe, and Grindstone. And savor local produce, plants, and products from a variety of area farmers and growers.
There will also be a number of workshops, demonstrations and activities including a yoga demonstrations, the Perennial Exchange and Plant Sale hosted by the Cabell County Master Gardeners, a pallet workshop with Kentucky Pallet Artist, and solar power info from Solar Holler and WV Sun.
If you are interested in volunteering, please visit: www.HuntingtonSustainabilityFair.com and click the Volunteer tab to register.
Go online on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HuntingtonSustainabilityFair for more info.
Last Call For Strawberry Pie
It's the almost famous Strawberry Pie Week at Jim's Steak and Spaghetti House, 920 Fifth Ave., Huntington, where they are serving up the homemade pies (made by Patti Theiss and her daughter Michelle) two slices at a time from
11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, May 16-20. Last year, Jim's sold 200 strawberries pies (10,698 slices) from 300 flats of fresh strawberries.
If you want to exercise off that strawberry pie, head over after an early dinner to the Ritter Park fountain at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 19, for the monthly Critical Mass, a free six-mile bicycle loop ride through the city.
A Purrrrfect Weekend for Cat Lovers
Cat Lovers Start Your Purring Engines.. as pedigreed cats from around the country will compete at the 2017 annual Cat Fancier's Association show that runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 20 at the Charleston Civic Center in Charleston,
More than 150 pedigreed cats are expected to compete in this year’s show from Siamese to Maine Coons.
The cost is $6, $5 for children/seniors and free for children under 5 years of age.
The Almost Heaven Cat Club and Western PA founded in 1906 and is the world’s largest pedigreed cat registry, with affiliated clubs producing more than 325 shows a year.
For more information on the show, call Show Manager Ron Pastor at 724-420-5236 or Susan Tephly of Almost Heaven Cat Club at 304-542-0235.
Park It At Ritter for Bi-Annual Art in the Park
Exercise your mind, spirit and body as Ritter Park hosts The 2017 Spring edition of the Tri State Art Association "Art in the Park" is scheduled for Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21.
Running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and placed around the walking track at Ritter Park, Art in the Park allows folks to come out and browse the diverse work of more than 30 regional artists.
Get a few laps of walking around the park while stopping to stroll through some excellent art works in oils, acrylic, watercolor, wood-carving, photography and glasswork and more.
Go online at https://www.facebook.com/TriStateArtsAssociation/ for more info.
My Road-Trip Pick: Clear the truck bed and gas up the engine, it is time for the 10th annual Highway
23 Yard Sale that runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, May 25 through Saturday, May 27 along the Eastern Kentucky's famous Country Music Highway, which runs from Greenup County down to Letcher County, on the Virginia border.
Closest to Huntington is Boyd County, and its organized site will again be at Sargent’s Tires (intersection of US 23
and Hoods Creek Pike – as you go into Westwood). Vendors can pick their spots – first come, first served.
If you have questions, please call the Ashland /Boyd County Tourism & Convention Bureau from 9 a.m. to 5
p.m. Monday through Friday at 606-329-1007.
Dave Lavender is the author of "Dave Trippin: A Daytripper's Guide to the Appalachian Galaxy of Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia" and his new travel book, "Mo' Dave Trippin" now for sale on Amazon.com and through CreateSpace.
Check out the new book at the Red Caboose, Empire Books and News, and now at Camden Park. Lavender covers regional travel. Follow The Herald-Dispatch reporter on Facebook and Twitter @DaveLavenderHD.