This weekend in Newark, OH

Granville Farmers Market brings together local growers and makers at Raccoon Valley Park in a friendly, community atmosphere. Shop for fresh produce, baked treats, flowers, and a variety of handcrafted goods.

Hosted by Heath Girls Soccer at Heath High School, this preseason girls soccer showcase features 12 programs and 12 games across a full day of play. It ranks among the largest preseason gatherings in Central Ohio. Participating teams include Heath, Bishop Ready, Northridge, Sheridan, Granville, Lancaster, Watkins Memorial, Bishop Hartley, Licking Valley, Coshocton, Buckeye Valley, and West Muskingum. Games are 40 minutes with a running clock, there is a 10 minute break between contests, and a two referee crew manages each matchup. Admission is free for all spectators. The concession stand operates all day, and a Kona Ice truck will be on site. Expect a family friendly setting with continuous soccer from morning to evening.

Create a vibrant hibiscus in acrylic with guidance from local artist Diana Andres, who studied at Columbus College of Art & Design. This hands-on session walks you through each stage so you leave with a finished 8x10 painting. All materials for an 8x10 piece are included. The fee is $35 per person, plus tax. Enrollment is capped at 14 participants and is limited to ages 16 and older. Advance registration and payment are required.

Christian Life Center hosts its annual back to school rally featuring a backpack giveaway for local students. Past editions have provided hundreds of supply filled backpacks, and the event returns with a full family focus. Guests can enjoy free lunch and sno cones, live music, games, fun prizes, and chances to connect with community resource vendors. The local fire department will be on site, and WIC along with other organizations will be available to support families, with a few extra surprises planned. Backpacks will be distributed until quantities run out, and children must be present to receive one.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Licking & Perry Counties presents the first annual Back 2 School Summer Slam Volleyball Tournament, a day filled with matches, cheering, and upbeat energy. Highlights include giveaways of school supplies, raffles with prizes, and a welcoming mix of community and competition. Whether stepping onto the court or supporting from the sidelines, attendees can enjoy a fun back-to-school celebration centered on volleyball.

Children entering kindergarten through sixth grade can dive into a summertime splash fest with showdowns using water balloons, kickball played on a slippery slide, and other lively games that bring plenty of laughter. Participants should wear water-friendly clothing and shoes, and pack a towel. Friends are welcome. Activities will proceed only if the weather cooperates. Registration is available.

This drop-in party celebrates the start of kindergarten with games, crafts, and treats. It is intended for rising kindergartners. Registration is not required, and participation is first come, first served.

This event features live musical performances presented in real time for an in-person listening experience.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy stepped into the grunge era in sharp suits with brass in hand and kept the spirit of swing in the spotlight. More than three decades later, they remain a standard bearer. Founded by singer and guitarist Scotty Morris and drummer Kurt Sodergren, the band helped fuel the 1990s swing resurgence by blending classic American jazz, swing, and dixieland with the punch of a modern rock show. Their breakthrough with the film Swingers sent songs like "You & Me & the Bottle Makes 3" and "Go Daddy-O" into the mainstream. Highlights since then include a Super Bowl halftime performance, seven appearances on The Tonight Show, music featured in Friends and Despicable Me, collaborations with leading symphony orchestras, performances for three U.S. Presidents, more than two million albums sold, and over 3,000 concerts at a steady touring pace. The original core remains in place, anchored by Morris and Sodergren and driven by a powerhouse horn section made for the stage. Recordings capture part of what they do, yet the live show is the focus. The brass hits with extra force, the rhythm loosens just right, and by the second song a roomful of strangers often becomes a loud, happy crowd. A 1928 stage sets the scene for a night like this.

Now in its tenth year, the fairies have returned to the Wildflower Trail at Infirmary Mound Park, turning the path into a whimsical neighborhood that welcomes visitors. Fairy attire is encouraged, since these tiny hosts enjoy seeing guests dressed in their finest wings and sparkles. New residents will continue to appear over the summer, and the community plans to remain through September, so each walk may reveal something new. Leave a note at the United Fairy Postal Service for the fairies and their friends, and there is a chance you will receive a reply. While exploring, visit the Nature Playscape at Shelter 5 for extra outdoor fun. To reach the trail, continue straight into the park, turn left at the T, and park by the lake near Shelter 6. Stop at the fairy wing kiosk for a map, then follow the route around the water and watch for signs. The trailhead sits about a quarter mile from the Shelter 6 parking area, and the fairy loop is an additional quarter mile. Please care for the space by being kind to all creatures, packing out everything you bring and avoiding glitter, trash, or plastic, staying on the path since plants like poison ivy and stinging nettle grow nearby, and leaving each fairy house just as you found it so others can enjoy the magic. Share your adventures with #LPDfairytrail.

A community cars and coffee meet centers on a food drive for the food pantry network. A red truck will be parked on the square to be filled with donated food, with a shared goal of surpassing 780 pounds. Expect a family-friendly atmosphere with plenty of cars and coffee while contributions are gathered.

Enjoy a creative session focused on pressed flowers, where each person makes three hanging pieces to take home or give as a gift. The cost is $20 plus tax per person. Attendance is capped at 14 and is limited to ages 16 and up. Advance registration and payment are required.

Turn a photo of your home or a favorite building into a personalized painting with guided instruction. Email your photo to Projectgoodpaint@gmail.com, and a custom sketch will be prepared to help you follow along step by step as you create your artwork. A portion of proceeds supports the rescue animals of A Brighter Day Animal Rescue League, and you will be able to meet some adoptable pets during the paint party. When you send your email, attach the photo and include your name, the names of any guests, and your class date in the subject line.