photo by: Mike Yoder

In this August 2013 file photo, Connor Shuck, left, and Sam Thomas warm up before the open fiddle contest at the Kansas State Fiddling and Picking Championships in South Park. The 2019 championships are scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 25.

String instrument enthusiasts from around the state will converge on Lawrence this weekend for the 39th annual Kansas State Fiddling and Picking Championships.

The event officially begins at noon Sunday at South Park, 1141 Massachusetts St. Scheduled throughout the afternoon are fiddle, banjo, mandolin and guitar contests, as well as four free concerts from regional musicians. There will also be food trucks at the park.

If you can’t wait until Sunday, there will be workshops, a jam session and a free outdoor concert from folk musicians Howard Rains and Tricia Spencer on Saturday at Americana Music Academy, 1419 Massachusetts St. The workshops start at 1 p.m., and the concert will be at 6 p.m.

For a full schedule of events, go to fidpick.com.

Lawrence Beer Company block party

photo by: Contributed photo

Matt Williams, co-founder of Lawrence Beer Company, shares a toast with the crowd during the brewery’s 2018 anniversary party.

Lawrence Beer Company is celebrating its second anniversary on Friday with a block party, a new beer and a lot of live music.

Matt Williams, co-founder of the eastern Lawrence brewery, says he’s excited for the premiere of the new beer variety, which Lawrence Beer Company developed in collaboration with Colorado’s Odell Brewing Company. But he said the party should have something for everyone, even those who don’t or can’t drink beer.

“There will be a family-friendly festival atmosphere,” Williams said.

Three regional bands will take the stage, according to a news release from the brewery — Kansas City-area rockers Six Percent, St. Louis ska punk band The Urge and Colorado-based One Flew West.

The party will be from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday at the brewery, 826 Pennsylvania St. Admission is $10, and food and beer will be for sale inside. Children 12 and under get in free.

Sunrise Project pie auction

photo by: Contributed photo

Crowds gather in Hobbs Park for a previous Sunrise Project pie auction. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at Hobbs Park, 702 E. 11th St.

More than 40 homemade pies will be sold to the highest bidder on Saturday at Sunrise Project’s annual pie auction.

The pies are all donated by area residents, and Melissa Freiburger, executive director of Sunrise Project, said some of them have sold for around $35 or $40 in past years.

“People get very creative, and we have some beautiful pies,” Freiburger said.

The auction starts at 6 p.m. Saturday in Hobbs Park, 702 E. 11th St., but Sunrise Project will be holding a community potluck dinner before the auction at 5 p.m.

Proceeds from the event benefit Sunrise Project, which offers a community garden and other programs related to local food, social justice and sustainability.