Weekend activities include music, sales, farm day, pride event and more
FRIDAY
• In a special three-part exhibit opening this week at the Watkins Museum of History, 1047 Massachusetts St., visitors will see how World War I shaped local lives. Created in partnership with the National WWI Museum, the Smoky Hill Museum in Salina and the Spencer Museum of Art, “On Two Fronts: Kansans Fighting the Great War” is a ticketed event featuring the traveling exhibit “Life in the Trenches” and two additional exhibits, “How the War Was Told: Propaganda in WWI” and “Roll of Honor: The WWI Soldiers and Nurses of Lawrence.” The exhibit runs through July 29. Admission is $10 for the general public and $5 for Douglas County Historical Society members and children 13+; admission is free for children under 12. Museum hours and ticket information are available at www.watkinsmuseum.org.
• The Lawrence Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America is holding a swap meet beginning at noon Friday and running through noon Sunday at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St. Public admission is $5; see lraaca.org/swapmeet/ for more information.
• The First Friday Game Night will be at Murf’s Grille. The event is free and open to the public; you may bring your own tabletop games or play the games others bring. The fun starts at 6 p.m. at 3115 W. Sixth St.
• Tickets are still available for Friday’s album release concert by Vanessa Thomas. The singer, a Lawrence native, is now performing for national audiences with her wide command of genres and her five-octave range. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Lied Center, 1600 Stewart Drive. See lied.ku.edu for tickets.
SATURDAY
• A combination yard sale and plant sale, hosted by the Kaw Valley Kickball League for the benefit of the Ballard Center, is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 746 Maple St.
• Douglas County Spring Farm Day 2023, sponsored by the Kaw Valley Farm Tour, provides a good opportunity to connect with people who grow our local foods. The tour is self-guided from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Maps are available at kawvalleyfarmtour.org. Tickets are available at participating farms on the day of the tour.
• The Prairie Moon Waldorf School hosts May Festival, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at 1853 East 1600 Road. Come enjoy the springtime music, Maypole dances and children’s activities; the Uplift food truck will be on site, or you can bring your own picnic lunch.
• The Lawrence Maker’s Market hosts a Spring Pop Up, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., at Lucia, 1016 Massachusetts St. Come browse and buy handcrafted items and vintage finds from local vendors. The sale also features drinks, food, music and a raffle benefiting the Lawrence Humane Society.
• Skateboarding enthusiasts won’t want to miss the grand opening and dedication of the Corey Lawrence Memorial Vert Ramp. Meet at noon at the ramp in Centennial Park, 600 Rockledge Road.
• Saturday and Sunday, the Lawrence Home Builders Association presents its Spring Parade of Homes, 1-4 p.m. Take the driving tour and see homes built by LHBA members. See www.lawrenceparade.com for map and details.
• The Mid-America Performing Arts Alliance presents “Voices from the Metropolitan Opera” at 7 p.m. at the St. Lawrence Catholic Center, 1631 Crescent Road. Four KU alumni who are now multiseason performers at the New York Metropolitan Opera will perform, among other featured musicians. Free admission with suggested donations; no tickets required. See mapaa.org for more details.
SUNDAY
• The Restoring Our Landscapes Community Group is scheduled to meet at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St., 11 a.m.-noon. The group, led by Daniel Lassman, discusses restoration ecology and community efforts to preserve ecosystems.
• All ages are welcome at the “Cornhole for CASA” fundraiser, 1-4 p.m. at Abe & Jake’s Landing, 8 E. Sixth St. Register for the tournament at https://www.dccasaks.org/cornhole-for-casa or just come watch the fun at no charge. Free activities include a visit with Baby Jay and the University of Kansas volleyball team, live music, raffles, face painting and more.
• The Sunrise Project is hosting an open mic event, 3-4:30 p.m. at 1501 Learnard Ave. Come and perform or hear poetry, stories, comedy, music and more.
• Lawrence PRIDE invites the public to a screening of “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar” at 6 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m.) at Liberty Hall. The 1995 movie portrays three drag queens on a road trip across the U.S. Live drag performances will happen before and after the show. Tickets are $15 and will benefit Lawrence PRIDE. See libertyhall.net for details.