A few weekends each year in Logan County are busier than others: the second weekend in October with the Tobacco & Heritage Festival, the first weekend in June with the Antique Tractor Show in Auburn and the 400-Mile Sale, the weekend before Thanksgiving with the craft show and open houses, and the two middle weekends in May. One of those event-packed 36 hours or so is upon us.
Highlights usually are the Bluegrass Jam in Auburn and one of two big Saturdays of the Adairville Strawberry Festival, but-led by the boundless enthusiasm of new Lewisburg mayor Tina Callahan-Dye-North Logan has also entered the picture. And in the middle, there’s a lot going on in Russellville, including a fund raiser for one of the county’s most beloved senior citizens.
Here’s a look at some of the events:
Logan County Gives Back to Brother Joe Carrico
A fund raiser honoring long-time Doer of Good Deeds Joe Carrico is planned Saturday at City-County Park in Russellville.Corn Hole tourney signups start at 8 a.m.-$20 per team, Cookout (hamburgers, hotdogs & drinks) 11-1, Cake Walk at noon (Organizer Myla Thomas of The Beaver says, “We need lots of cakes, if you can bake one or two.” Music with WRUS’ Tim Harris (gospel & other favorites) starts at 3 p.m. “100 percent will be donated to Bro Joe's account. Let's give back to the man who has helped and done so much for all of us! if you need info call me at 843-3333 or message me on Facebook,” Thomas says. The event is being called “Logan County gives Back to Brother Joe Carrico.”
Baked goods that don’t need refrigeration can be left at the WRUS studio on Nashville Street between 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Former Russellville mayor Shirlee Yassney, who was instrumental in getting the downtown area named Carrico Park Square, says, “Bro. Joe Carrico is known far and wide as a man of God who gives back... He took a special interest in our children to ensure they had food and toys at Christmas, he took an interest in our military to love and support them and they in turn love and support Logan County! He is a man with many talents and interests that he has invested in our county and beyond..Now it's our turn to show our love and support for him by coming to this event and giving generously to assist his needs while confined to his bed.”
Information is also available from Dewayne Croft at 772-4772.

Bluegrass Jam in Auburn
The 22^nd Logan County Bluegrass Jam will be held at McCutchen-Coke Park in Auburn Friday night and Saturday. One of the county’s leading tourist attractions-especially in bringing in visitors who have no other ties to the Land of Logan, the Bluegrass Jam is going back to its roots. Founding father Otis Bilbrey is in charge again, there is no gate fee, and the stage is open to anyone who wants to pick and sing.
Lots of folks bring their RVs and campers to spend the week, and visitors can often find impromptu jams going on all over the park. These music lovers don’t need a stage or an audience, just someone else to join the harmonizing.
The music inside the pavilion will begin at 6 p.m. Friday and again at noon on Saturday. Auburn City Hall has more details.


Middle school musical
A different kind of music will be in evidence at the Historic Courthouse a block away from Carrico Park Square. Youngsters from all over the county will present “Doo Wop Red Riding Hood” twice Saturday-at 2 p.m. and again at 6 p.m.
The production is an outgrowth of a $500 grant received by Lewisburg Family Resource Youth Service Center DirectorMelanie Manley. She didn’t limit the experience to Lewisburg students. Auditions were open in March to any middle schooler in the Logan County System, and participation is widespread.
Manley heldd auditions in March and opened them up to middle schoolers from any of the Logan County system schools. Thirty-one students are involved in some way in the production, many of them sixth and seventh graders.
Veteran music director Larry Vaught has assisted in the practices and in the production .
Tickets are just $5 each for the show and can be obtained by seeing any cast member or by calling 755-3463. Approximately 225 people can be seated at each performance, and organizers are hoping for full houses. If tickets are still available, they will also be sold at the door/

Adairvlle Strawberry Festival
Brent Holman needs to get along better with the weatherman and/or Mother Nature. The Adairville community activist worked tirelessly to organize what would have been a marvelous outdoor market in December, but winds and severely cold weather limited participation. He had also put in many hours preparing for the seventh annual Car and Tractor Show Saturday afternoon, but felt that it had to be postponed because of a rainy forecast. He knows people who spend so much time and love on their vintage vehicles don’t want to risk damaging them in spring storms. The Bike Night featuring Clay Bilyeu has also been postponed.
Still many other events will help put the 65^th Adairville Strawberry Festival into action Saturday, setting up an eight-day extravaganza.
It all begins with a pancake breakfast, which will be held from 6-10:30 a.m. at Red River Fish & Game Habitat at 265 James Lake Road just east of Adairville. The price is $5. A kids’ fishing tournament will begin at 8 a.m. for ages up to 15 years old.
Also that morning will be the annual 5K race, which will start at 8 a.m. at Adairville Baptist Church. Those who want to cover the course a little slower can do the Walk, which will begin after the Run.

Activities in Lewisburg
Each weekend during the month of May, Trade Days will be held at Lewisburg’s McKinney Park. All vendors are invited to set-up and sell their wares on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. All spaces available are 20’X20’. There is a set-up fee for the booths: $10 per day or $15 for the weekend or the best deal $50 for all four weekends!! Please call Lewisburg City Hall at 755-4828 if you have questions or wish to set-up.
Lewisburg’s monthly Garden Swap Meet will be held from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday in the Lions Pavilion in McKinney Park. Gardeners come out and swap plants, seeds, tips and recipes with other gardeners. Call Mayor Tina Callahan-Dye at 755-5202 for more information,
The Lewisburg Cruise-In will begin at 6 p.m. on Front Street next to McKinney Park. All cars, trucks and motorcycles are welcome to participate. Music and food will be available to ensure that everyone has fun!
The monthly “2^nd Sunday Lewisburg” will begin at 2 p.m. in the Lions Pavilion. Bring your whole family out and join others who spend an hour engaging in fun physical fitness! Callahan-Dye notes, “We moved the date to the third Sunday this month due to Mother’s Day the week before.”

Sunday events in Russellville
The deGraffenried Chorale will present its spring concert Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the Methodist Temple, 7th & Main streets, in Russellville. The concert will feature a wide range of musical styles from folk songs to Broadway classics. The Chorale invites the public to attend the free performance as its gift to the community.
A reception for long-time Russellville Schools’ administrator Kaye Warren Wilkins will be held from 2-4 p.m. in the Stevenson Elementary School cafeteria. Among her many roles in the system was serving as the SES principal. A ceremony will be held in her honor at 2 p.m., according to Board Chair James Milam.

Enjoy the weekend in the Land of Logan, and get ready. Next weekend will be even busier.