Weekend is full of activities

Do not say it.
Do not say there’s nothing going on around here.
That certainly isn’t accurate at the moment.
Already, Jay County is bustling with the return of old engine and tractor collectors gathering for the Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association’s spring swap and sell meet.
And on Saturday, you couldn’t ask for a better menu of family-friendly events.
It all starts at 8 a.m. when the first wave of competitors take off for the Mad Run. The event at Fort Recovery’s Ambassador Park is a 5K obstacle course, but also includes refreshments and entertainment.
Jay County High School will host its first school-wide student art show from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the auxiliary gym. The free exhibit, which includes an awards ceremony at 1 p.m., shows off the best of the students’ work from this year.
At 2 p.m., there will be a kid-oriented mini-festival at Hudson Family Park to kick off the Arts in the Parks summer programming of Arts Place. The event is free and low-key, and if the weather holds, it could make for a great day in the park.
The boundless energy of Thaddeus Rex will be featured on the amphitheatre stage for a free performance. T-Rex is one of the most popular school and kid entertainers in the country, and he’s made his home in Jay County for the past several years. Sadly, he and his family will be moving soon. Saturday’s concert provides one great opportunity to catch his act before he heads out of town.
About the time the mini-festival wraps up, the annual Kroozin’ the Courthouse event begins. The Arched Bridge Koozers have made the spring car show on West Main Street in Portland one of the most popular ways to kick off the warm weather season. And like the Arts Place event, it’s free and family friendly.
All we need now is a little sunshine, so keep your fingers crossed. It looks like a fun weekend. — J.R.[[In-content Ad]]