The West Liberty 59th annual Labor Day Festival will be held starting today through Monday.
There will be exhibitors, food trucks, displays, parade units, antique equipment, vendors and more.
Saturday’s parade begins at 10:30 a.m.
The Country Legends Festival, part of this annual event, will be held Saturday, with gates opening at 2 p.m. and pre-party from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
The main stage will include Blackhawk at 4 p.m., Chris Cagle at 6 p.m., Diamond Rio at 8 p.m. and Tracy Lawrence at 10 p.m. The Dalton Union Hometown Saloon Stage will include Kenny Chaffin at 2:30 p.m., Leah Crose at 3: 15 p.m., Andi Jo Taylor at 5:15 p.m., Rick George at 7:15 p.m. and Erin Stoll at 9:15 p.m.
Admission is free. For more information, including daily entertainment schedules visit WestLibertyLions.org.
Business networking event
Gateway Business Group will host a Coffee & Connections networking event from 8-9 a.m. Friday at Un Mundo Café, 117 S. Fountain Ave.
Grab a coffee while making connections with fellow business professionals in a friendly atmosphere. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting, this event is an opportunity to expand your network and exchange ideas.
The event is free but reserve a spot at https://shorturl.at/XnYE9.
Overdose awareness
International Overdose Awareness Day is Saturday, Aug. 31, and will be commemorated locally with a “Chalk the Walk” event from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the National Road’s Commons, 50 W. Main St.
The featured speaker is Kim McKinley, site manager at Sunrise Treatment Center, Springfield.
The event will also be hosting a “Chalk the Rock” activity where individuals can create designs on rocks to commemorate others that were affected by substance use. Chalk will be provided to create sidewalk art throughout the event, and an art memorial will be presented for all those affected by an overdose. Free naloxone and naloxone training will be provided, as well as other free overdose prevention resources.
For more information about free naloxone, contact Kelly Binegar, McKinley Hall’s Project Dawn coordinator at 937-717-1610.
U-pick flowers
A “U-pick Flowers” event will be held at 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday at Petals on the Pike, 6730 New Carlisle Pike in Springfield.
When you arrive, check-in, sign the guest book, pick up a jar and clippers under the white tent, and u-pick over 75 varieties of flowers. Before leaving, your flowers will be transferred from the large, glass jar to a cup that will fit in your car’s cup holder.
The cost is $20 for large, quart-sized jars or $75 for a bucket.
For more information, visit https://petalsonthepike.com/ or contact Dawn & Brian at petalsonthepike@gmail.com or 937-470-6174.
Archery event in Urbana
The Champaign County Shooting Academy, Inc. is hosting a 3D Archery Shoot from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Community Archery Park, 2506 South U.S. Highway 68 in Urbana.
This free event is open to the public and is sponsored by a grant from the Wildlife and Sport fish Restoration Program through the Ohio Division of Wildlife. Facilities are provided by Champaign County Shooting Academy and targets will be provided by Champaign County Chapter Whitetails Unlimited, Ohio Division of Wildlife, and NRA Foundation.
Pre-register for guaranteed start time. All other shooters will be accommodated first-come, first-served. Singles will be paired. Register at https://bit.ly/2024-3Dshoot.
Fair at New Boston
The Fair at New Boston will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at George Rogers Clark Park, 930 S. Tecumseh Road.
The cost at the gate is $10 for those 12 and older; $8 for first responders, active and retired military; $6 for children ages 6-11; and free for children 5 and under.
For more information, visit https://grcha.org/.
Shoe drive on Saturday
Northminster Presbyterian Church will host a shoe drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at 400 Villa Road.
All shoe types and sizes will be accepted as long as they are wearable and are free from mold/mildew.
Those donating can drive through the shoe drop-off zone and volunteers will unload the shoes from your vehicle. You do not need to get out.
The shoes will be donated to WaterStep, an organization that uses training and technology to provide clean safe water to people in developing countries and disaster areas. Approximately 3,000 pounds of shoes will purchase one water purification system. For more information, call (937) 399-0838 or visit http://www.northminsterspringfield.org.
WWII at the Heritage Center
The Heritage Center will hold a program and book signing at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Walter Stitt, who just turned 100, will talk about his new memoir, “Surviving Three Shermans: What I Didn’t Tell Mother About My War.” He will share his experiences during WWII with the 3rd Armored Division, the Battle of the Bulge, and other battles, and his life after the war.
The book, which will be available for purchase, features a WWII soldier’s rosy letters home, juxtaposed with his recollections of combat’s harrowing on-the-ground reality.
The event is free and open to the public.
DORA after Dark
DORA After Dark will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturday in downtown Urbana.
Join after hours and enjoy eats and shopping while sipping on drinks made by the DORA establishments.
Many shops will be open late, and sidewalk vendors will be set up as well for the event. Each participating location will be passing out glow-in-the-dark bling for you to collect along your travels.
The Urbana Brewing Company will host a roof-top after party with a DJ.
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