Here are two events that adults and children can enjoy together this weekend.
JOHNSTOWN ― Looking for something to do with the family this weekend?
Two events are taking place Saturday in Johnstown’s Cambria City neighborhood that offer entertainment and education for adults and children to experience together.
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NatureWorks
Somerset County residents can learn more about nature’s four seasons in the Laurel Highlands at the seventh annual NatureWorks event, taking place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bottle Works, 411 Third Ave.
A group of 25 local and state organizations will be there to share information and offer hands-on activities to help guests learn more about birds, fish and animals that live in this region, said Melissa Reckner, program manager at Penguin Court, a private nature preserve in Laughlintown.
Reckner and Sue Konvolinka, a BottleWorks board member, are the co-coordinators of the annual event, which usually draws about 400 people each year, Reckner said.
Admission is free and free parking is available in the BottleWorks parking lot or along the nearby streets.
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“Nature Works is a guaranteed cure for late winter cabin fever,” Konvolinka said in a release announcing the event. “Adults and children can participate in various activities to learn how to preserve and protect local parks, forests, rivers, hiking trails and streams.”
Those who attend can learn how to identify the region’s birds, animals and trees, compare their “wingspan” to a bird’s, paint with bird feathers and pine needles, practice a turkey call and see live reptiles and amphibians, according to a list of activities posted at the NatureWorks event page.
Guests can also make a variety of crafts and items to take home, including tying a fishing fly, making a booklet of animal footprints or making a piece of chalk from iron oxide. The entire list of participating organizations and activities planned are listed on the NatureWorks event page.
“There are lots of activities and extensions, things to take home and do at home, things that can be incorporated into your everyday life,” Reckner said. “Bring along a tote to take things home, come with an open mind and any questions about things you’ve seen at your home or in the area. There will be lots of experts there to help out.”
JSO Family Concert
The Johnstown Symphony Orchestra’s (JSO) Family Concert, which features young musicians from the area performing with the orchestra, is taking place at 3 p.m. at the Grand Halle, 306 Broad St.
“This is a concert for children of all ages, including the young at heart,” said James Blachly, music director, in a statement from the concert announcement.
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The concert program includes several pieces of music selected especially for the young audience: ‘Double Violin Concerto,’ by Bach, which features RJ Shayesteh and Boyi Chen from the symphony’s Youth Orchestra; ‘Ubi Caritas,’ by Durufle, which features the Inclined to Sing children’s chorus, directed by Valerie Galczynski; ‘Dumbarton Oaks,’ by Stravinsky and Bach’s ‘Brandenburg Concerto No. 3.’
“We hope families and children will enjoy the beauty of the space while dancing to the music from our talented musicians,” said Erin Codey, executive director of the JSO.
Tickets for the family concert can be purchased online at the JSO website or by calling the box office at 814-535-6738. Tickets can also be purchased at the Grand Halle on the day of the concert, starting at 2:30 p.m.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: NatureWorks event, JSO Family Concert offer family-friendly entertainment
