This weekend the Frankfurt Sunflower Festival, including a mullet competition

Lori Graven
| Specially for the Gazette

I was driving down High Street in Chillicothe last week and came across a traffic jam at the BP gas station. I noticed my light was red so I pulled over a few feet from the entrance and waved for a car to pull out. As I did so I looked in my rear view mirror and saw a man losing his mind. He was waving his hands in the air, yelling at me and believe me I could read his lips. What I did next is what you would expect me to do… I let the other two cars that were also waiting out and waved at him with a big smile. Random act of kindness or petty? I’ll leave that up to you to decide. Another thing you’ll have to decide is how many of these upcoming events you’re going to attend in our area this weekend.

The whole weekend

CCT’s next production, “Back to the 80’s,” will be at the Chillicothe Civic Theatre on July 25, 26, 27 and 28. From the publisher, “A pop culture trip down memory lane, Back to the 80’s tells the story of Corey Palmer and his senior year of high school: his best friends, his class bully and the girl he has a crush on.” The jukebox score includes a wide variety of popular ’80s hits, such as “Video Killed the Radio Star,” “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” and “Love Shack.” Tickets can be purchased at cctoh.booktix.net

Thursday

Open mic comedy returns to Gutterball Lounge at Shawnee Lanes tonight at 7:30 p.m. The evening will be closed out by Dayton’s Brent Bowser, hosted by McKenzie Reutinger. At Steiner’s Speakeasy, Sugarloaf Shakedown begins at 9 p.m. Hazel’s Roadshow, featuring DJ Hazel, will bring the music of Soul Train artists from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. (weather permitting) by the lake in Yoctangee Park. This entertainment is free and open to the public. Cozy Inn Bar & Grill will kick off Music Bingo at 6:30 p.m., and 90’s Name That Tune trivia at Old Capitol Brewing will also begin at 6:30 p.m.

Friday

Comedy is back at The Pour House at Machinery Hall with Jeremy Johnson (Dayton) and Amber Falter (Columbus.) Hosted by me with special guest Megan Shope. Visit https://pour-house-at-machinery-hall-inc.square.site/ for your tickets to the ONLY rooftop comedy show in Chillicothe. The laughs start at 8pm Danny Hines takes the stage at Steiner’s from 7pm-10pm DJ Travis spins your favorites at the Cozy Inn Bar & Grill from 10:30pm-2am

Sunflowers bloom on Bristol farm

Sunflowers are in full bloom at Thompson Strawberry Farms in Bristol.

Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Saturday

At 12:00 noon I will be hosting the Frankfort Sunflower Festival Mullet and Beard Contest. This is a free event to attend, but there is a $10 registration fee for participants. Please register in advance at https://friendsofthevillage.square.site/. This is a family event. No vulgar or non-family friendly costumes are permitted. All mullets and facial hair must be grown by the participant themselves. No fake hair, wigs, extensions or artificial hair will be accepted. DJ Hazel will be at the festival from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm playing your favorite music during the car show. From 10:00 am to 7:00 pm the Ministry of Magic hereby invites all wizards and muggles to celebrate our favorite wizard’s birthday at High Five Cakes. There will be a costume contest, free face painting and photo ops plus buttery concoction boba and dozens of sweet treats shipped by train from HoneyDukes. In the evening you can find Ben Haynes at Steiner’s Speakeasy from 7pm to 10pm

Sunday

Beginners are welcome to join Steiner’s Open Jam Session from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. Bring your instrument and join many other local musicians on stage.

Monday

There will be an open art show at Fifty West Brewing from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The event is free for artists to show and sell their creations. Steiner’s Wine Walk starts at 6:30 PM. Grab your Dora cup of wine and take a walk through downtown.

Looking forward

Jason Banks will be performing in the grandstand at the Ross County Fair at 8pm on Wednesday, August 7th. Gates open at 7pm. 18+. $10 admission. “During the pandemic of 2020, Jason created a TikTok account that has since amassed over 9 MILLION FOLLOWERS, over 270 million likes, and over 1 BILLION views.” Tickets can be purchased at https://www.rosscountyfair.com/fair/index.html.

Until next time. I hope to see you smiling.

*For consideration in Matters of Graves Importance, please email Lori at [email protected].