WEEKEND MATTERS | Scrappers game to benefit Rich Center for Autism

Here are some of the events happening around the Mahoning Valley this weekend. For more events, check out our Events Calendar.

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers have partnered with the Rich Center for Autism to create a specialty jersey that players will wear for Autism Awareness Night on Saturday against the West Virginia Black Bears.

The jerseys worn during the game at Eastwood Field in Niles, which will begin at 7:05 p.m., will be auctioned off in person at the game and online here. Jersey proceeds will benefit the Rich Center for Autism.

“We are so thankful for our partnership with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers as they join us in promoting the awareness and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder through education,” Dr. Gregory Boerio, executive director of the Rich Center for Autism, said in a news release.

The Scrappers will also face the Black Bears at 7:05 p.m. Friday and at 2:05 p.m. Sunday.

The first 1,000 adults at Friday’s game will receive a travel mug courtesy of T-Mobile, and there will be fireworks after the game.

On Sunday, bring nonperishable food items for Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley or new children’s books for Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley and receive a free general admission ticket to the game.

The Scrappers are also partnering with the DeBartolo Corp. to reward Valley students for good grades. During the Tickets for A’s promotion, students can present their report cards at the Chevy All-Stars Box Office this weekend and receive a free general admission ticket for every A.

Tickets can be purchased here, at the Chevy All Stars Box Office or by calling 330-505-0000.

Caleb Johnson, Neverland Express to pay tribute to Meat Loaf

Bat — The Official Meat Loaf Celebration, featuring The Neverland Express and “American Idol” winner Caleb Johnson, will take the stage at Robins Theatre in Warren at 8 p.m. Friday.

The Neverland Express includes alumni of Meat Loaf’s official band, including record producer, music director and guitarist Paul Crook, drummer John Miceli and guitarist Randy Flowers, a news release states.

Johnson, the winner of Season 13 of “American Idol,” recreates Meat Loaf classics such as “Bat Out of Hell,” “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” and “I Would Do Anything For Love.”

Tickets, ranging in price from $25 to $42, can be purchased here and at the Robins Theatre Box Office, 160 E. Market St.

Monster Truck Throwdown coming to Trumbull County Fairgrounds

Monster Truck Throwdown will make its first appearance at the Trumbull County Fairgrounds in Cortland on Friday and Saturday.

There will be a track party at 4 p.m., and engines will fire up at 7 p.m. both days.

Among the monster trucks that will be at the event, Dave Rappach of Vienna will be driving Rap Attack, and Cory Rummell of North Jackson will be behind the wheel of Avenger.

The event will also include freestyle motocross and a chance to take a ride on a monster truck.

Tickets can be purchased online and at the gate. Prices and more information can be found here.

Jason Aldean, Toby Keith tribute bands to perform in Warren

River Rock at the Amp will present a night of country music tributes Saturday.

Ultimate Aldean, a tribute to country music star Jason Aldean, will take the stage at the Warren Community Amphitheatre, 321 Mahoning Ave. NW, at 8:30 p.m. Joining the performance will be Tribute to Toby Keith.

Northern Whiskey, a local country band, will kick off the show at 5:30 p.m.

Tickets are $10 at the gate. Children 12 and younger are admitted free.

Simply Slavic Baking Contest set for Saturday

Local amateur bakers will put their favorite recipes to the test during the annual Simply Slavic Baking Contest on Saturday at SMARTS, located in the Ohio One Building, 25 E. Boardman St., Youngstown.

The event will take place one week before the annual Simply Slavic Festival on June 17 and 18.

The competition encourages traditional ethnic recipes like kolachi and chrusciki. This year’s event will also feature a special tea service honoring Slavic tea ceremonies.

The event will include music by Luke Politsky and a presentation of Slavic tea traditions, as well as tastings by Simply Slavic vendor Voyager Coffee and Tea.

Judging will begin at 1 p.m.

Youngstown library to celebrate end of restoration project

The Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County’s Main Library in Youngstown will celebrate the end of its nearly two-year renovation and restoration project with a community open house from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday.

The celebration will include a ribbon-cutting; tours of the building, including the Grand Reading Room with restored skylight and Parthenon frieze, and the new Culinary Literacy Space; family activities; live music; food trucks; and Handel’s ice cream, a news release states.

The event is free and open to the public.

Renovations on the Main Library began in August 2020. The cost of the design and construction for the project is projected to be $27 million, according to the release.

Stage Left Players to present storytelling event

Stage Left Players will present an evening of storytelling at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Trinity Playhouse, 234 E. Lincoln Way, Lisbon.

The event is part of SPARK (Storytelling to Promote Acceptance, Respect & Kindness), Stage Left’s community outreach effort to promote the art of oral storytelling.

“A caring family. A caring community. Both begin when we share and listen to each other’s stories,” Kandy Cleland, Stage Left’s artistic director, said in a news release.

Using a $14,000 grant from the Ohio Arts Council, the community theater troupe brought in storyteller, author and teacher Kevin Cordi as a consultant for a group of novice storytellers, as well as coaches Regina Rees, a professional storyteller and literacy advocate, and Will Flannigan, a mutimedia journalist for the Wall Street Journal.

Cordi, Flannigan and the group of novice storytellers will share their stories based on the theme of “Home … or Something Like It.”

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here and at the door. A portion of the sales will be donated to the Lepper Library’s summer reading program, the release states.

Museum Block Party set for Saturday in Youngstown

The Youngstown Historical Center of Industry & Labor will host a Museum Block Party from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday.

The free event will feature outdoor lawn games, snacks and tours of the museum. Guests can also view displays by the Mahoning Valley Historical Society and the Melnick Medical Museum.

Riverfest, art show planned for Sunday in Youngstown

Riverfest 2022 will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Spring Commons Park/B&O Station, 530 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown.

The free, family-friendly event, sponsored by Friends of the Mahoning River, will feature river kayaking, entertainment, youth activities and a kayak fishing raffle.

Coinciding with Riverfest, the Artists of the Rust Belt will host an art show from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the B&O Station. Admission is $1.

COMING UP NEXT WEEK …

• BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER: The Stambaugh District, Great Trail Council, Boy Scouts of America’s 17th annual Celebration of Scouting breakfast fundraiser will take place Tuesday at The Lake Club in Poland. The keynote speaker will be Boardman native Lt. Col. Christopher S. Dobozy, an Eagle Scout and U.S. Army veteran. Doors will open at 7 a.m., and breakfast will be served between 7:15 and 7:45 a.m. The program will conclude by 9 a.m. Reservations can be made here or by contacting Stephen DiPaolo at 330-881-9412 or Stephen.DiPaolo@scouting.org.
• CONCERT IN THE PARK: Train Wreck, a modern country band, will perform at Austintown Township Park at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
• MORLEY CONCERT SERIES: Mill Creek MetroParks’ Morley Concert Series will present the John Reese Project, a jazz, R&B and pop band, at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Judge Leo P. Morley Pavilion in the Wick Recreation Area.
• MUSIC IN THE PARK: The Girard Swingtime Band will perform at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Lariccia Family Community Center at Boardman Park.