SPRING SUNDOWN CONCERT SERIES
The 2024 Spring Sundown Concert Series at Kiesel Park in Auburn will be held Thursdays in May from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The concerts are free. The community is invited to bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy great music, with food and sweet treats available for purchase from the Chill Spot. Pets on a leash are welcome. The concert lineup includes: AHS & AJHS Jazz Bands on May 9, Sally Brown Band on May 16, Soul Therapy on May 23 and Austin Ritch on May 30. Kiesel Park is located at 520 Chadwick Lane in Auburn. For the most up to date information on performers delays or cancellations, visit the Auburn Parks and Recreation Facebook page.
NOON TUNES CONCERT SERIES
Celebrate the arrival of summer every Wednesday in May on Courthouse Square in Opelika for a free lunchtime concert. Bring a brown bag lunch (or purchase lunch from a local restaurant), a quilt or lawn chair and relax by the fountain for an hour of unforgettable musical entertainment.
SUMMER SWING
Every Tuesday evening the Opelika Parks and Recreation Dept. hosts a free outdoor concert at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Park in Opelika. This 13-week concert series offers a wide variety of musical entertainment including Gospel, Soul, Jazz, R&B, Oldies, Country, Folk and community band music. The Opelika Band Boosters will prepare hamburgers and hotdogs for a nominal fee from 6:15-7:30 p.m., ideal for a family picnic. The Rocky Brook Rocket will give complimentary rides from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Bring the whole family, a quilt or lawn chair and relax on the banks of Rocky Brook Creek for an evening of musical fun, fellowship and relaxation. For more information call (334) 705-5560 or email LChesser@opelika-al.gov.
COMMUNITY THEATRE PERFORMANCE
Auburn Area Community Theatre (AACT) presents “The Game’s Afoot,” winner of the 2012 Edgar Award for Best Play from The Mystery Writers of America. Performances will be May 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18 at 7 p.m. with matinees on Sundays, May 12 and 19, at 2 p.m. All shows will be at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center, located at 222 E. Drake Ave. in Auburn. “The Games Afoot” is a murder mystery comedy. Some content may not be appropriate for children under 13. This production includes two gunshot sound effects and brief simulated lightning effects.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children, students and seniors. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling (334) 246-1084. Email info@auburnact.org for group rate information.
KIDS COMMUNITY MARKET
The Kids Community Market will be held in downtown Opelika at courthouse square on Saturday, May 11, from 10 a.m. until noon. The event will include vendors with arts and crafts, homemade baked goods, lemonade and homemade juices, jewelry, fresh eggs, fresh fruit and more.
10th ANNUAL FISHING RODEO
Join Auburn Parks and Recreation at the lake at Auburn Technology Park South on Saturday, May 11, from 7 to 11 a.m. for the 30th Annual Fishing Rodeo. Register at auburnal.myrec.com. Every participant must be pre-registered — there will be no registration the day of the event. The cost is $5 per child. This event is for children 14 years of age and younger. Each child will be permitted to bring home five fish and must be accompanied by an adult. If you plan to take home fish, please bring a bucket. Door prizes will be given out to lucky participants and prizes will be awarded to the biggest and smallest fish caught in each age category and the most fish caught overall. For more info, contact Sarah Cook at scook@auburnalabama.org or call Auburn Parks and Recreation at 334-501-2930.
EAST ALABAMA COMMUNITY BAND
The East Alabama Community Band will hold a concert at the Opelika Sportsplex Amphitheater on Monday, May 13, at 7 p.m. Bring your chairs and blankets to enjoy the 70-piece band, directed by Joshua Wine, which will be playing many diverse pieces, including music from Star Trek and Apollo 13. For those interested in joining the band, practices are on Monday nights from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Auburn Junior High School band room.
‘PETE THE CAT’ BOOK SIGNING
The Opelika Public Library will host an evening with “Pete the Cat” creator James Dean on Tuesday, May 14. This event, which will include an author talk and book signing, is recommended for all ages. Doors will open at 5 p.m., with all seats first come, first served. The library is located at 1100 Glenn Street.
HANDGUN SAFETY COURSE
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office will offer a basic handgun safety course May 14-18. Learn the rules of safe gun handling/shooting, marksmanship and laws pertaining to gun ownership. Fee is $99, which includes hearing and eye protection and range fees. The class will meet 6-8 p.m. on May 14 & 16 and 8-10 a.m. on May 18. Register at bit.ly/handgunsafetymay24.
AUBURN CITY MARKET
City Market, Auburn Parks and Recreation’s weekly farmer’s market, will return for the summer beginning May 18. The market will be held each Saturday morning through Aug. 24 from 8 to 11 a.m. at Town Creek Park. The entire family is invited to enjoy live music, fun activities for the kids and an array of fresh, local and handcrafted items to browse and purchase. Parking is available at Town Creek Park and in the gravel lot across the street from the park. City Market vendors will start selling their products at 8 a.m. sharp. For more information, visit auburnalabama.org/citymarket or email citymarket@auburnalabama.org.
HAY DAYS
Hay Days at the Farm at Rocky Top is set for May 18 & 19. The farm, located at 2910 Lee Road 145 in Salem, will be open both days from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $5, with children under age four admitted free. There will be more than 80 vendors at the event, offering a variety of arts and crafts items to explore, as well as plenty of delicious edible treats.
PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP
The Auburn-Opelika Parkinson’s Support Group will meet on Sunday, May 19, starting at 1:30 p.m. at First Methodist Church of Opelika, 702 Avenue A, Opelika, AL 36801. The group meets monthly and is for people with Parkinson’s, their care partners and their adult children.
CONFEDERATE CONSCRIPTION LECTURE
The Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities at Auburn University (Pebble Hill) will sponsor “Confederate Conscription and the Struggle for Southern Soldiers” with Dr. John Sacher on Monday, May 20, at 3 p.m at the Museum of East Alabama, located at 121 9th St., Opelika, AL 36801.
OPELIKA GIVING DAY
Envision Opelika will host the sixth annual Opelika Giving Day, a 24-hour online fundraiser which will support specific projects of 10 local nonprofits. Visit https://opelikagivingdays.org to see this year’s projects seeking funding. Donors may also visit the Envision Opelika office at 1103 Glenn St. in Opelika if they prefer to donate via check or cash. Those proceeds will go toward the specific initiative the donor chooses.
SUSCC MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE
Veteran Services at Southern Union State Community College will host a Memorial Day observance on Thursday, May 23, at 10 a.m. at the Southern Union Southern Room on the Opelika Campus. The Southern Room is located in the Business and Technology Center near West Point Parkway. There will be several guest speakers and performers from the area, and a light lunch will be served at the conclusion of the service. All are welcome to attend.
AU MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY
Auburn University will host a Memorial Day ceremony on Friday, May 24, at 11:30 a.m. on the Cater Lawn.
AUURN MAYOR’S MEMORIAL DAY BREAKFAST
The annual Auburn Mayor’s Memorial Day Breakfast will be held Monday, May 27, at 8 a.m. at the AU Hotel and Conference Center. Tickets are $25 per person or $250 for a table of eight and are available at City Hall, 144 Tichenor Ave. A wreath laying ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Monument, located at the northeast corner of East Glenn Avenue and Ross Street.
PRIDEFEST 2024
Pride on the Plains, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, will host several events during the week leading up to PrideFest 2024, including: Bingo at Red Clay Brewery downtown Opelika 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, May 26; Karaoke at The Jailhouse inside Rock ‘n’ Roll Pinball downtown Opelika at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28; Trivia at Avondale Bar and Tap Room downtown Auburn 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday, May 29; Fresh Faces open stage fundraiser on Thursday, May 30; the family-friendly 6th Annual Pride Parade in downtown Opelika at 6 p.m. followed by a party with Denali at the AU Alumni Center at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 31; and the family-friendly 6th Annual PrideFest at Auburn’s Kiesel Park noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 1. Vendors invited to sign up now. For more information, visit prideontheplains.com.
SUMMERNIGHT DOWNTOWN ART WALK
The 2024 SummerNight Downtown Art Walk is scheduled for Friday, June 7, from 6 to 10 p.m. in downtown Auburn. The festival features the work of local and regional artists, live music, merchant specials, children’s activities and a culinary contest. Presented by the City of Auburn/Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center, Auburn Arts Association, Saint Dunstan’s Episcopal Church and the Auburn Downtown Merchants Association. Visit auburnsummernight.org for sponsorship, vendor and volunteer information.
CHILDREN’S THEATRE SUMMER CAMP
Missoula Children’s Theatre, a world-renowned children’s touring theatre for more than 50 years, will be back in Opelika for Summer Camp June 24-28. Registration is open to young people in kindergarten through 12th grades. Cost is $200, with a 10% discount for additional family members. Camp is limited to 60 campers, and every camper will be cast in the production of “Gulliver’s Travels in Space.” Register at www.opelikacommunitytheatre.com. For more information, contact Opelika Community Theatre by calling (334) 400-9660 or emailing opelikatheatrecompany1@gmail.com.
ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI
The Lee County Alumni of Alabama State University is holding a membership drive. Increased membership will allow the group to offer more scholarships and support financial and other vital needs for student success at ASU, as well as will foster a sense of pride, visibility and connection to the community. For more information, contact President Dwight E. Howard at (334) 745-7293.