JURIED ART RECEPTION
The Auburn Arts Association invites the public to the 23rd Annual Juried Art Reception on March 15 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center, located at 222 E. Drake Ave. in Auburn. The Juried Art Show exhibition features works from local artists from Lee County and adjacent counties. Awards will be announced at the reception, which will recognize the artists who submitted pieces for the exhibition. The reception is free and open to the public.
HATS & HORSES HOOTENANNY
Hats & Horses: A High-Class Hootenanny is set for March 15 at 5 p.m. at Storybook Farms, located at 300 Cusseta Road in Opelika. Enjoy an evening of shopping, elegant cocktails and delectable appetizers, setting the stage for the season’s most anticipated event, Kentucky Derby Day on May 4.
BARK IN THE PARK
Auburn Parks and Rec and CARE Humane Society will host the 12th Annual Bark in the Park: An Event Celebrating Responsible Dog Ownership on Saturday, March 16, at Kiesel Park from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This FREE community event is open to all dog owners and their favorite four-legged friends. The day will begin with the Tails & Trails 3K fun run at 9 a.m. for dog owners and their canine companions. This year, the Tails and Trails 3k is FREE to register and will not be timed. Prizes for the top three finishers overall and awards for the best-dressed pups will be announced at 9:45 a.m. by the starting line. View a race map, register and check out T-shirts from previous years at auburnal.myrec.com.
BATS, BUGS & BIODIVERSITY
Esteemed environmental educator Vicky Beckham Smith of A-Z Animals for the presentation “Bats, Bugs and Biodiversity: Connecting Kids to Parks” at Chewacla State Park has been rescheduled for Saturday, March 16, at 1 p.m. at the Beach Pavilion. The program includes live animal encounters, crafts and engaging activities. This program is offered at no additional cost to the front gate fee, but you will need to pay the fee in advance to secure your spot. Registration for this program is first-come, first-served, and seating is limited. Please bring your own chair. Pre-register at the website: reserve.alapark.com/register/bats-bugs-biodiversity-chewacla.
POETRY SERIES @ PEBBLE HILL
The Third Thursday Poetry Series will be hosted at Pebble Hill, 101 S. Debardeleben St. in Auburn, on Thursday, March 21, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The readings will be by Gregory Pardlo and Laura Spence-Ash.
HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION DAY
The city of Auburn’s annual spring household hazardous waste collection day will be held on Saturday, March 23, at the new Environmental Services and Public Works Complex, located at 4277 Wire Road. Auburn residents may bring up to 20 pounds of material per household for disposal at no charge (bring a recent water bill to prove residency). Acceptable items include household chemicals, pesticides, paints, batteries, automobile fluids and more. Computers and electronics will be accepted for recycling, and there will be a shredder on site to safely and securely get rid of old paper documents. Participants are asked to register ahead of time online. For a list of accepted items, a link to register and more information, visit auburnalabama.org/hhw.
123 ANDRES @ GOUGE CENTER
123 Andres, the Latin Grammy-winning duo for kids, will bring their high energy, interactive concert to the Jay and Susie Gouge Performing Arts Center, located at 910 S. College St. in Auburn, on Sunday, March 24. Tickets are $10 and are available at the website goguecenter.evenue.net.
8TH ANNUAL AZALEA FESTIVAL
Auburn University’s Donald E. Davis Arboretum will host the 8th Annual Azalea Festival on March 30 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Arboretum, a native plant museum and garden, is located at 181 Garden Drive in Auburn. The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature fun activities for all ages, including live music, local art, food trucks, the arboretum’s spring native plant sale and more.
OHS HIRING FAIR
Opelika High School will host a hiring fair on April 9 from 8:30 to 11 a.m., giving businesses an opportunity to speak with students about co-op, part-time and full-time jobs. Interested businesses must register by March 20.
PICKLEBALL SENIOR OLYMPICS
The Opelika Pickleball Club will host the Senior Olympics April 12-14, featuring a round-robin format. For more information go to www.opelikapickleball.com, and follow Opelika Pickleball Club on Instagram.
AUBURN LIBRARY BOOK SIGNING
The Auburn Public Library will host local children’s book author Dr. Sarah “Mimsy” Odom on Saturday, April 27, who will read from her book, “Xantu Learns to Read,” at Family Story Time, which starts at 9:30 a.m. Odom has written a series of children’s books using her grandson as her muse. She also writes devotional and journal motivational books. In addition to her writing, she is the president and chief executive officer for a student educational and motivational consulting company.
SUNDILLA PRESENTS RUTH WYAND
The Sundilla Concert Series will feature a performance by Ruth Wyand on Thursday, March 28, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, located at 450 E. Thach Ave. in Auburn. Free coffee, tea, water and food will be available, and the audience is welcome to bring their own favorite food and beverage. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $15 with student ID and free for children under age 12. Tickets are on sale at www.sundillamusic.com.
JONATHAN DELY JAZZ @ OCPA
Jonathan Dely with his All-Star Jazz Band will be in concert on Wednesday, April 3, at 7:30 p.m. at the Opelika Center for the Performing Arts, located at 1700 Lafayette Parkway in Opelika. Tickets range in price from $20 to $59 and are available at www.eastalabamaarts.org/tickets.
POETRY @ PEBBLE HILL
A poetry reading will be hosted at Pebble Hill, 101 S. Debardeleben St. in Auburn, on Thursday, April 4, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The readings will be by Rose McLarney and Justin Gardiner.
SUNDILLA PRESENTS SAM ROBBINS
The Sundilla Concert Series will feature a performance by Sam Robbins on Friday, April 5, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, located at 450 E. Thach Ave. in Auburn. Free coffee, tea, water and food will be available, and the audience is welcome to bring their own favorite food and beverage. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $15 with student ID and free for children under age 12. Tickets are on sale at www.sundillamusic.com.
AUBURN LIBRARY AUTHOR SIGNING
On Saturday, April 27, at 9:30 a.m., local children’s book author Dr. Sarah “Mimsy” Odom will read from her book, “Xantu Learns to Read,” at the Auburn Public Library’s Family Story Time. Odom has written a series of children’s books using her grandson as her muse.
AUBURN LIBRARY AUTHOR SIGNING
The Auburn Public Library will host nine-year-old local children’s book author Della Gardner on Saturday, May 4, who will read from her debut book, “Cornflowers Life,” at Family Story Time, which starts at 9:30 a.m. Della spends most of her free time writing books for kids like herself because she “likes to make people happy!” She has been a regular library user since her first visit to Baby Story Time.
ZUMBA CLASSES
Zumba classes are held on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Frank Brown Recreational Center in Auburn. Cost is $5 drop in, $25 for five classes and $40 for 10 classes. Register at auburnal.myrec.com.