Library’s How-To Festival, food truck fest, Pride celebrations and more upcoming events in and around Lawrence

photo by: Mike Yoder

Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St., is pictured Aug. 20, 2015.

Events this weekend include an early-morning birding walk, live theater, Pride celebrations, the library’s multi-topic How-To Festival and much more.

FRIDAY

•Children and their families are invited this weekend to Landmark Activity Days at the Dole Institute of Politics, 2350 Petefish Drive. The event includes games, crafts, scavenger hunts and more summer activities, and kids can contribute their own art to the commemorative Bob Dole tribute earthwork. Visit doleinstitute.org/landmark for specific event times and more details.

•The Sustainability Action Network hosts its annual dinner and meeting Friday evening in the Flory Building at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St. The potluck dinner starts at 6 p.m., and keynote speeches from City of Lawrence Sustainability Director Kathy Richardson and Assistant Director of Municipal Services and Operations Melinda Harger begin at 7 p.m.

• The musical comedy “Something Rotten!” opens Friday at Theatre Lawrence, 4660 Bauer Farm Drive. Evening and matinee performances continue through June 25; see theatrelawrence.com for curtain times and ticket information.

SATURDAY

• The Jayhawk Audubon Society’s Clinton Lake Field Trip begins at 7:30 a.m. No birding experience is necessary; bring your binoculars if you have them. Meet at the turn-off to Sesquicentennial Point, just west of the dog park. Some hiking will be involved.

• The 2023 How-To Festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St., and the adjacent library lawn. Learn from experts on a variety of topics, including the local bus system, crafts, nature activities, volunteer opportunities, amateur radio, yoga and more. See the full list at lawrence.bibliocommons.com.

• The Lawrence Public Library Friends and Foundation’s 2nd Saturday Book Sale is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the library, 707 Vermont St. Come browse the books, CDs, DVDs and audiobooks, all priced at $2 or less. See categories and pricing at lplks.org/book-sales.

• A free community folk dance will be presented at 10 a.m. by the Lawrence Barn Dance Association at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St. It will feature live music and callers with instruction on simple, fun dances for all ages.

• Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical will host an open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its training center at 1941 Haskell Ave. The event is free and will include all-ages demonstrations.

• Comic book and toy show FANCON 59 is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Building 21 of the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St. Admission is $5 for adults; children 13 and under are free.

• Artists, live music, tai chi lessons and free chair massages will be available at the Art on the Green event from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 4840 Bob Billings Parkway. The event is organized by art collective Healing Haus.

• Americana Music Academy, 1419 Massachusetts St., hosts the Lawrence Women’s Jam from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Musicians of all skill levels, genres and instruments are welcome, including vocalists.

• Positive Bright Start hosts a food truck festival from 4:30 to 9 p.m. at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St., featuring live music, baked goods and a raffle. Admission is $10 and will go toward helping vulnerable children in Douglas County.

• The Lawrence Barn Dance Association will present another dance at 7 p.m. at Bishop Seabury Academy, 4120 Clinton Parkway. A free lesson will begin at 7 p.m. and the dance kicks off at 7:30. Admission fees vary; see lawrencebarndance.org for more details.

SUNDAY

• A historic home at 601 Louisiana St. that was recently rehabilitated will be open to the public from 1 to 3 p.m. Visitors can talk with the new owner and the Lawrence Preservation Alliance about the renovation project.

• The final Drag Bingo event at RPG, 724 Massachusetts St., is from noon to 3 p.m. The event is open to all ages; tables are first-come, first-served.

• It’s Science Sunday at the KU Field Station, 350 Wild Horse Road, where ecologist Courtney Masterson will present a program on prairie wildflowers at 2 p.m. Space is limited; email wendyholman@ku.edu to RSVP.

• Plymouth Church is holding its Plymouth Pride Party from 4 to 6 p.m. at the South Park bandstand, 1141 Massachusetts St. There will be free rainbow sherbet, live music, activities and games.

MONDAY

• A group knitting, crocheting, cross-stitch and needlepoint group meets from 2 to 3 p.m. at S & S Artisan Pub and Coffee House, 2228 Iowa St. The Lawrence Public Library is also involved in organizing the event. Registration is requested; see lawrence.bibliocommons.com for more details. The group will continue to meet on the third Monday of each month unless otherwise noted in the library events calendar.

TUESDAY

• Social service agencies will be at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St., from 3 to 5 p.m. for the Community Resource Clinic, which provides information about local resources for transportation, legal issues, health care and more. Participating agencies include donation thrift store “Give It Get It Inc.,” health care navigators from COVER Kansas and the Willow Domestic Violence Center.

WEDNESDAY

• Author Roxie Yonkey will be at the Tonganoxie Public Library, 217 E. Fourth St. in Tonganoxie, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. to discuss her newest book, “Secret Kansas: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure.”

• The Lawrence City Band continues its free summer concert series at 8 p.m. in South Park, 1141 Massachusetts St.; bring blankets and lawn chairs. In case of inclement weather, the concert will move indoors to the Lied Center, 1600 Stewart Drive; see more information about weather-related changes on social media.

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