Fun ideas for your days in the sun

Events offer more refined way to spend summer's free time

Sure, the summer vacation rush has Lawrence students lining up outside the pool – or maybe just switching off their alarm clocks – after a busy holiday weekend.

Online resources

Here are some helpful Web sites for a more complete listing of events around Lawrence. They also include pricing information for some activities on this page.

For concerts: Watch for updates at www.lawrence.com or visit www.ticketmaster.com.

But it’s time to think about how you want to spend your summer, if you haven’t yet signed up for classes or purchased concert tickets. Here’s a comprehensive list of offerings for kids ages 5 to 18, but take a look at the information for Web sites that will take you to all the classes and camps offered at Kansas University, Lawrence Parks & Recreation and more.

You don’t want to spend the entire summer with your Xbox, do you?

(OK, don’t answer that. But think about broadening your horizons just a little bit.)

Today: Lawrence Public Library Sleuth Society, for 7- to 12-year-olds, 3:30 p.m., library auditorium, 707 Vt., registration requested, 843-3833 ext. 117. Tuesdays through July 24.

Wednesday: Act Around, for 6- to 10-year-olds, 3:30 p.m., library children’s room, 707 Vt., Wednesdays through July 25.

¢ Lawrence City Band concert: “A Memorial Day Concert,” 8 p.m., South Park, 1141 Mass.

Saturday: CSI @ Your Library, for 11- to 18-year-olds, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Teen Zone, 707 Vt.

June 2: Birdwatching Basics, for all ages, 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m., Prairie Park Nature Center, 2730 Harper St., registration required, 832-7980.

June 3: Brooks & Dunn/Alan Jackson, 7:30 p.m., Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, 633 N. 130th St., Bonner Springs, (913) 721-3400

June 4: Mystery Mondays: “The Crime Caper at Fowler Library,” for 7- to 9-year-olds, 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m., Lawrence Public Library auditorium, 707 Vt., registration required, 843-3833 ext. 117. Also July 16.

June 6: Lunch Bunch, for 11- to 18-year-olds, noon-1 p.m., Lawrence Public Library auditorium, 707 Vt., Wednesdays through July 25 (no sessions July 4 or July 18).

¢ Make Your Own, for 11- to 18-year-olds, 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m., Lawrence Public Library auditorium, 707 Vt., call for each week’s project at 843-3833 ext. 121, Wednesdays through July 25 (no sessions July 4 or July 18).

¢ Ki-Aikido introductory class, 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m., Kansas Ki Society, 711 W. 23rd St., 843-8419.

¢ Lawrence City Band concert: “Music for a Summer Night,” 8 p.m., South Park, 1141 Mass.

June 7: Magicreations, with Keith Leff, 5- to 12-year-olds, 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., Lawrence Public Library auditorium, 707 Vt.

¢ Gaming tourneys, for 11- to 18-year-olds, 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m., Lawrence Public Library Teen Zone, 707 Vt., 843-3833 ext. 121., Thursday through July 26, except for July 19.

¢ CPR and First Aid, for ages 14 and older, 6 p.m.-10 p.m., East Lawrence Recreation Center, 1245 E. 15th St., preregistration required with Lawrence Parks & Rec, 832-7930.

¢ Wakarusa Music & Camping Festival 2007, Clinton State Park, Clinton Lake, 843-7665. Also June 8-June 10.

June 8: Hershey’s Track & Field Meet, for 9- to 14-year-olds, 10 a.m., Southwest Junior High School, 2511 Inverness Drive, no cleats, preregistration required with Lawrence Parks & Rec, 832-7930.

¢ Summer matinees, for 11- to 18-year-olds, 1 p.m.-4 p.m., Lawrence Public Library auditorium, 707 Vt., Fridays through July 27 (except for July 20).

June 9: Summer Youth Theatre’s “Pigs at Play,” 11 a.m., Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H.

¢ Chalk It Up, chalk design contest for first- through ninth-graders, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Holcom Park, 2700 W. 27th St., preregistration required, 832-7940.

¢ Bookworms Unite, for 8- to 12-year-olds, 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., Lawrence Public Library’s children’s room, 707 Vt., registration requested, 843-3833 ext. 117.

June 10: Grandparents Day at the Lawrence Indoor Aquatic Center, 4706 Overland Drive, 832-7946.

¢ Royals vs. Phillies, with Sluggerrr T-shirts, autographs at 11:45 a.m., Family Fun Run, 1:10 p.m., Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Mo., (800) 676-9257.

¢ Red, White & Boom, 4 p.m., Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Bonner Springs, (913) 721-3400

¢ Chris Daughtry/Katharine McPhee/Hellogoodbye/Gym Class Heroes, 5 p.m., Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, 633 N. 130th St., Bonner Springs, (913) 721-3400.

June 11: Mystery Mondays: “The Fossil Furor at Mudstone Museum,” for 8- to 12-year-olds, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Lawrence Public Library auditorium, 707 Vt., registration required, 843-3833 ext. 117. Also July 2.

¢ Cooking Up Some Fun, for 8- to 12-year-olds, 5:30 p.m.-6:20 p.m., Maceli’s, 1031 N.H., preregistration required with Lawrence Parks & Rec, 832-7930.

June 13: Lawrence City Band concert: “Flag Day Celebration,” 8 p.m., South Park, 1141 Mass.

June 14: Whodunnit, with Priscilla Howe, 5- to 12-year-olds, 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., Lawrence Public Library auditorium, 707 Vt.

¢ Summer Youth Theatre’s “101 Dalmations,” 7 p.m., Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H., also 7 p.m. June 15 and 2 p.m. June 16.

June 16: Kids Night Out: Shark Attack, for 5- to 12-year-olds, pizza included, 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center, 727 Ky., preregistration required, 832-7990.

June 17: Father’s Day Swim, at the Lawrence Indoor and Outdoor aquatic centers, 832-7946.

¢ Royals vs. Marlins, Family Fun Run, 1:10 p.m., Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Mo., (800) 676-9257.

¢ Amphibians and Reptiles, for all ages, 2 p.m.-3 p.m., Prairie Park Nature Center, 2730 Harper St., registration required, 832-7980.

¢ Wild West Film Fest 5, 7 p.m., Liberty Hall, 644 Mass., 749-1912.

June 18: Mystery Mondays: “The Hobo Hullabaloo at Henriette Junction,” for 6- to 10-year-olds, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Lawrence Public Library auditorium, 707 Vt., registration required, 843-3833 ext. 117. Also July 23.

June 19: John Mayer/Ben Folds, 7 p.m., Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, 633 N. 130th St., (913) 721-3400.

June 20: Lawrence City Band concert: “Greatest Show on Earth,” 8 p.m., South Park, 1141 Mass.

June 21: Mysteries of Music, with Dylan Bassett and Michael Hamm, 5- to 12-year-olds, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Lawrence Public Library auditorium, 707 Vt.

¢ Tee Off with Dad, ages 5 and older, 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m., Eagle Bend Golf Course, 1250 E. 902 Road, preregistration required with Lawrence Parks & Rec, 832-7930.

¢ Summer Youth Theatre’s “Pride and Prejudice,” 7:30 p.m., Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H., also 7:30 p.m. June 22-June 23 and 2 p.m. June 24.

June 22: Lecompton Territorial Days, 6 p.m., downtown Lecompton, www.lecomptonterritorialdays.com.

¢ “A Prairie Home Companion,” 7:45 p.m., Starlight Theatre, 4600 Starlight Road, (800) 776-1730.

June 23: Lecompton Territorial Days, 7 a.m.-midnight, downtown Lecompton, www.lecomptonterritorialdays.com

June 24: Prairie Wildflowers, for all ages, 2 p.m.-3 p.m., Prairie Park Nature Center, 2730 Harper St., registration required, 832-7980.

June 25: Mystery Mondays: “The Curious Case of the Lost Elephant,” for 9- to 12-year-olds, 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m., Lawrence Public Library auditorium, 707 Vt., registration required, 843-3833 ext. 117. Also July 9.

June 27: Lawrence City Band concert: “Annual Children’s Concert,” 8 p.m., South Park, 1141 Mass.

June 28: Ginny’s Signs and “Why” Stories, 5- to 12-year-olds, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Lawrence Public Library auditorium, 707 Vt.

June 30: “V is for Victory,” family story hour and craft, 10:30 a.m.-11 a.m., Watkins Community Museum of History, 1047 Mass., donations accepted.

¢ Self-Defense, for ages 13 and up, 2 p.m.-5 p.m., Lawrence Community Building, 115 W. 11th St., preregistration required with Lawrence Parks & Rec, 832-7930.

¢ Toby Keith, 7:30 p.m., Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, 633 N. 130th St., (913) 721-3400.

July 1: Royals vs. White Sox, with Salute to the Negro Leagues, autographs at 11 a.m., Family Fun Run, 1:10 p.m., Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Mo., (800) 676-9257.

¢ Family storytime with Stephen Johnson, 5- to 12-year-olds, 3:30 p.m., Lawrence Public Library children’s room, 707 Vt.

July 4: Fourth of July Aquacarnival, 1 p.m.-6 p.m., Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center, 727 Ky.

¢ Lawrence City Band concert: “Lawrence’s Fourth of July Celebration,” 8 p.m., South Park, 1141 Mass.

¢ Royals vs. Mariners, fireworks spectacular, 7:10 p.m., Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Mo., (800) 676-9257.

July 6: Elvis film series: “Jailhouse Rock,” 7 p.m., Lawrence Public Library’s auditorium, 707 Vt.

July 7: Get a Clue about Nature, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Lawrence Public Library west lawn, 707 Vt.

July 8: Talons of Steel, for all ages, 2 p.m.-3 p.m., Prairie Park Nature Center, 2730 Harper St., registration required, 832-7980.

¢ Royals vs. Devil Rays, autographs start at 11:45 a.m., Build-a-Bear workshop day, hot dog derby racer, fun run, 1:10 p.m., Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Mo., (800) 676-9257.

July 9: Cooking Up Some Fun, for 8- to 12-year-olds, 5:30 p.m.-6:20 p.m., Maceli’s, 1031 N.H., preregistration required with Lawrence Parks & Rec, 832-7930.

July 11: First Aid for Little People, for 5- to 8-year-olds, 6 p.m.-7 p.m., East Lawrence Recreation Center, 1245 E. 15th St., preregistration required with Lawrence Parks & Rec, 832-7930.

¢ Lawrence City Band concert: “76 Trombones and the Music Man,” 8 p.m., South Park, 1141 Mass.

July 12: The Case of the Missing Case, for 5- to 12-year-olds, 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 7 p.m., Lawrence Public Library auditorium, 707 Vt.

¢ Kids Night Out: Swingin’ Safari, for 5- to 12-year-olds, pizza included, 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center, 727 Ky., preregistration required, 832-7990.

July 13: Elvis film series: “King Creole,” 7 p.m., Lawrence Public Library’s auditorium, 707 Vt.

¢ Blue October, 7 p.m., The Crossroads KC, 417 E. 18th St., (816) 472-5454.

July 14: Summer Youth Theatre’s “Pixies at Play,” Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H.

¢ Kids Fight Back, self-defense for 5- to 12-year-olds, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Lawrence Community Building, 115 W. 11th St., preregistration required with Lawrence Parks & Rec, 832-7930.

July 15: Kansas Mammals, for all ages, 2 p.m.-3 p.m., Prairie Park Nature Center, 2730 Harper St., registration required, 832-7980.

July 16: Bob Dylan, 7 p.m., Starlight Theatre, 4600 Starlight Road, (800) 776-1730.

July 18: Lawrence City Band concert: “Gala Finale,” 8 p.m., South Park, 1141 Mass.

July 19: “The Mixed-Up Mystery of Song City,” for 5- to 12-year-olds, 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., Lawrence Public Library auditorium, 707 Vt.

¢ Summer Youth Theatre’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” 7 p.m., Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H., also 7 p.m. July 20 and 2 p.m. July 21.

July 20: Elvis film series: “Blue Hawaii,” 7 p.m., Lawrence Public Library’s auditorium, 707 Vt.

July 21: “M is for Museum,” family story hour with craft, 10:30 a.m.-11 a.m., Watkins Community Museum of History, 1047 Mass., donations accepted.

July 26: “Investigate Nature: Follow the Clues,” for 5- to 12-year-olds, 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., Lawrence Public Library auditorium, 707 Vt.

Summer Youth Theatre’s “My Fair Lady,” 7:30 p.m., Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H., also 7:30 p.m. July 27-July 28 and 2 p.m. July 29.

July 27: Elvis film series: “Viva Las Vegas,” 7 p.m., Lawrence Public Library’s auditorium, 707 Vt.

July 28: “Catfish Cookies,” for 5- to 12-year-olds, 2:30 p.m., Lawrence Public Library auditorium, 707 Vt.

Tech N9ne/Kottonmouth Kings, 8 p.m., Memorial Hall, 600 N. Seventh St., (913) 371-7555.

July 29: Royals vs. Rangers, fun run, 1:10 p.m., Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Mo., (800) 676-9257.

Aug. 1: Douglas County Free Fair, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., carnival starts at 6 p.m., Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds, 2110 Harper St. Continues through Aug. 5. See http://www.dgcountyfair.com/.

Aug. 10: Musical: “The Ballad of Black Jack,” 7:30 p.m., Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H., 843-2787. Also 7:30 p.m. Aug. 11 and 2:30 p.m. Aug. 12.

Aug. 11: “Children’s Games of the 1860s,” 10 a.m., South Park, 12th and Massachusetts streets.

Aug. 13: Let’s Build a Mud Fort, for 7- to 12-year-olds, 9 a.m.-11 a.m. (continues Aug. 14), Union Pacific Depot, 402 N. Second St., preregistration required with Lawrence Parks & Rec, 832-7930.

Aug. 15: Warped Tour 2007, noon, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, 633 N. 130th St., Bonner Springs, (913) 721-3400.