FamilyCalendar

features dozens of artists from throughout the south. You find handmade work of all of our exhibitors that includes, but isn’t limited to paintings, jewelry, photography, sculpture and more. Arti Gras is held on the Town Green at Russell Crossroads. Come join us! Come early as a lot of this merchandise will sell out fast! For more information contact Sydnee Riley. 256.212.1431 sriley@russelllands.com

July 4th Star Spangled Beach Party through Tuesday, July 4, 2023 Callaway Gardens, July 4th Star Spangled Beach Party Pine Mountain, Ga Celebrate summer days and starry nights with our weekend-long July 4th Star Spangled Beach Party! Enjoy four days of family adventures on the sunny shores of Robin Lake Beach with beach volleyball, putt putt, and water activities like stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking. Play all day on floating obstacle course Aqua Island, where your family can race across twisting bridges, scale towering inflatable mountains, and slip down gigantic slides into the sparkling waters below. Each day ends with a bang thanks to our nightly Fireworks Extravaganza; a spectacular salute to summer. www.callawaygardens.com/thegardens/events/4th-of-july/ www.rivercenter.org/event/madagascar-the-musical-2/

Madagascar The Musical RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, 900 Broadway, Columbus, Ga Join Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria as they bound out of the zoo and onto the stage in this live musical spectacular. This smash hit musical features all of your favorite crack-a-lackin’ friends as they escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar.

Monday, July 3

Opelika Freedom Celebration

6:30 PM - 9:30 PM, Opelika High School, 1700 LaFayette Pkwy, Opelika, 1700 LaFayette Pkwy, Opelika www.opelika-al.gov/749/freedom-celebration

Join the Opelika Parks & Recreation and Opelika community at the Freedom Celebration at Opelika High School on July 2nd! This event is packed full of fun including seeing the Silver Wings Parachute Team, music by Route 66, concessions, and a firework show at dark. There will be hamburgers, hotdogs, popcorn, musical entertainment and activities for the whole family.

Tuesday, July 4

Auburn Independence Day Celebration

5:00 PM, Behind Duck Samford Stadium, Auburn www.auburnalabama.org/4th-of-July/

Celebrate Independence Day with the entire Auburn Community. Enjoy great food and treats for purchase while listening to amazing music from a live band and D.J. Free inflatables. Special Guest Aubie. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. - Fireworks begin at 9:00 p.m. Families are encouraged to drive to Duck Samford Stadium, 1840 East Glenn Avenue, Duck Samford and Bo Cavin Baseball fields, 333 Airport Rad for parking. The fireworks will be set off in a centrally located area, the old water tower site on East University Drive, next to Duck Samford Park. Duck Samford Baseball Fields 1-3, 1720 East University Drive will be closed to the public to accommodate the fireworks shoot site.

4th of July Fireworks and Concert at the Amp

5:00 PM Lake Martin, Eclectic, Al, Eclectic, Al Find your place on the grassy lawn at The AMP for the largest 4th of July Fireworks Display in the Southeast. Gates open at 5pm. Come listen to Lake Martin’s favorite cover band, The Bank Walkers and Andrew Jannakos will take the stage right before and just after the Fireworks. www.theAmpOnLakeMartin.com

Tuesday, July 4

Concert & Fireworks

6:30 PM, Phenix City, Alabama Free Patriotic Concert & Fireworks. The show will be held in the Amphitheater located on the West bank of the Chattahoochee River in Russell County/Phenix City, Alabama. www.RussellCountyTourism.com

Saturday, July 8

Float-In-Movie: Luca (FREE admission with Splash Pass or $2 per person.)

8:00 PM - 11:00 PM,, Samford Pool, Auburn Join the Aquatics Staff for a float-in-movie. Enjoy a movie under the stars while relaxing and floating on a tube or lounging on the pool deck. Participants are encouraged to bring their favorite inflatable from home, as some will be provided. Concessions will be available throughout the evening. Pool floats are allowed for float-inmovies. Concessions will be available for purchase during the movie.

Sunday, July 9

Grossology Day

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Zoo Atlanta Find out the scoop on animal poop, the details of disgusting diets, and more during Grossology Day at Zoo Atlanta. We will be exploring the purpose of animal behaviors that many think of as gross, but that help animals to survive and fulfill their roles in the ecosystem. Come check out activity stations, a scavenger hunt, a themed storybook reading and more, celebrating some of the?less appreciated aspects of nature.? www.zooatlanta.org/event/grossology-day/

Friday, July 14

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus Springer Opera House, 103 10th Street, Columbus, Ga It’s not easy being a Pigeon. You never get to do www.springeroperahouse.org/springerproductions/ dont-let-the-pigeon-drive-the-bus

ANYTHING! But when the Bus Driver takes a break from his route, perhaps there is only one hero who could possibly save the day. Whatever you do, don’t let the Pigeon star in his own musical production. Featuring a combination of puppets, songs and feathers, this comedic drive will be sure to get your toes a’tapping and wings a’flapping.

Saturday, July 15

20th Annual Lions Lake Martin Charity Poker Run

8:30 AM - 5:00 PM,, Lake Martin, Al The day is filled with boating, fun, family and friends all while raising money for local Lake Martin charities. This year, participants will start at Kowaliga Marina and end at The Ridge Marina for food and awards.

Friday, July 21

Cheers on the Cheer

6:00 PM - 10:00 PM, Downtown Auburn The Downtown Auburn Merchant’s Association invites you to cool off this summer at Cheers on the Corner, an inaugural taste of downtown Auburn. Each of the stops along the way will provide you with a savory bite representative of the flavors of downtown Auburn. You will also receive a complimentary souvenir glass. www.downtownauburnonline.com/events

Tracy Byrd with Jo Dee Messina www.sweetlandamp.com/events/tracy-byrd-with-jodee-messina/

6:30 PM Sweetland Amp, 100 Smith Street, LaGrange Ga, 100 Smith Street, LaGrange Ga Tracy Byrd became a household name on the Country Music Scene in 1993 when his third single, called “Holdin’ Heaven”, off of his MCA Records, self-titled debut album, hit #1 on the Billboard Country Charts. The Album also included the remake hit of Johnny Paycheck’s “Someone to Give my Love to” cementing Byrd as a Traditional Country Troubadour!! The Debut Album went on to be certified Gold, an award signifying sale in excess of 500,000 copies.

Sundilla presents Ian Sherwood in Concert

(Advance tickets are $20 and can be found at Spicer’s Music, Ross House Coffee.) 7:30 PM Pebble Hill, 101 S. Debardeleben, Auburn, 101 S. Debardeleben, Auburn The show will begin at 7:30. www.sundillamusic.com

Every Monday

Opelika Public Library Movie Mondays Library@opelika-al.gov

Every Tuesdays

Opelika Public Library Baby & Me Library@opelika-al.gov

Opelika Public Library Jr. Book Club Library@opelika-al.gov

Every Wednesday Walk This Way Walking Club Library@opelika-al.gov

Every Thursday

Opelika Public Library Jr. Robot Crew Library@opelika-al.gov

Every Friday

Opelika Public Library Story time Library@opelika-al.gov

Saturdays thru August 26

City Market www.facebook.com/citymarketauburnal

8:00 AM - 11:00 PM, Town Creek Park, 1150 S. Gay Street. Auburn The Auburn Parks and Recreation Department partners with local growers and artisans for the city’s farmers market, City Market. City Market invites the community, growers and consumers alike to join us every Saturday 8 to 11 AM. The purpose of City Market is to help local farmers, growers and artists to sell their fresh, local and handmade products to community members.

Every Saturday

Market Days on Broadway

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM,, 1000 Broadway, Columbus, Ga www.alwaysuptown.com/market-days

Each Saturday, the 1000-1200 blocks of Broadway host over 100 local and regional vendors. Visitors can expect to find fresh produce, home goods, jewelry, unique crafts, florals, and delicious baked goods! Market Days is the perfect Saturday activity for family, friends, and even furry pals! Join us from 9am-12pm each Saturday.

July 6-August 6

Cabaret www.asf.net/cabaret-51

Alabama Shakespeare Festival, 1 Festival Drive, Montgomery, 1 Festival Drive, Montgomery One of the most famous American musicals of all time — from the creators of Chicago — Cabaret takes us to 1929 Berlin during the twilight of the Jazz Age as the Nazis are ascending to power. This groundbreaking musical focuses on the nightlife at the seedy Kit Kat Klub and revolves around American writer Clifford Bradshaw and the English cabaret performer Sally Bowles. Based on the writings of Christopher Isherwood and winner of Tony Awards and Oscars, Cabaret will offer our audiences a transforma tive theatrical experience unlike anything they’ve ever witnessed.

June 2, 10, 16, 23, July 15

Columbus Lions Indoor Football www.columbuslions.net

June 3-4, 10-11, 17-18

Day Out with Thomas

Cordele, GA Let’s Get Colorful! Join Thomas the Tank Engine for a day full of colorful adventures! All aboard an interactive train ride with Thomas to earn your Color Badge, say Hello to Sir Topham Hatt and get creative exploring the Color Corner. For even more fun, mix it up in the Play Pod with lawn games, snap eyecatching photo ops, enjoy live entertainment, check out the exclusive pop-up gift shop, and more! Activities include: Putt putt golf, bouncy houses, live entertainment, Play Pod Station, food trucks, model train displays, a hay bale maze, and so much more! www.samshortline.com/

Please

Please check with each venue prior to attending the event to verify the information provided is still accurate and up to date.

We are so excited to have you as our Mom 2 Mom feature for June. Tell

My husband Lee and I met in college at Auburn University. I moved away after graduation and then agreed to move back to in 2012 and have been blessed to build a life here

Our boys are currently six, four, and two years old: Cecil, Conrad, and Finch.

I am the Director of Marketing for a residential management company, Foshee Residential. I work 99% remotely from home. My husband, Lee Harris, is the owner and broker of Coldwell Banker Alliance.

AOP: How do you manage and balance working from home while having the younger boys there?

BH: It’s different for every family and every mom, but working from home is a gift for me. A nanny/babysitter can be with me four days a week. She has a consistent schedule, so I plan meetings or projects during that time when I can have several hours of uninterrupted time. I am a morning person, so I often work very early before the kids are up. I try not to schedule meetings from 3- 5 p.m. because that is when all the boys are home, and it’s just chaos. I’m still working during that time, but it’s easily interrupted, and I’m juggling dinner, emails, etc.

When I agreed to take a full-time work-from-home position, my husband and I made some significant changes around responsibilities with the kids and the house. When I was home and self-employed 100% of the time, I didn’t mind carrying the load of cooking/cleaning/kids, but I knew I would burn out quickly and be resentful if we didn’t make some changes. Being present with the children is essential to me, so I don’t want to constantly be loading the dishwasher or answering an email even though I’m “home.” Also, my husband and I think it’s important for our children to see both parents participating, whether cleaning, homework, or grocery shopping.

AOP: As a mom of three boys under six, how do you handle feeling overwhelmed or stressed as a mother?

BH: Having a partner I can trust to take over when I need a break helps. Also, I do better when I’m getting my time to run or do yoga and, of course, lots of coffee (and wine)!

AOP: How do you prioritize your needs while being a wife and mother?

BH: I’m not good at it, honestly. Running and yoga are my two constants. I get up early during the week to either work or do yoga, and I typically go for long runs on Saturday and Sunday mornings while Lee stays home with the boys.

AOP: With summer here, do you have any special trips or activities planned for the family?

BH: Beach time and family time. Our families don’t live here, so we’ll spend some time seeing everyone this summer while school is out. We all love the beach, so we’re always jumping at the chance to get our feet in the sand.

AOP: What is the most important lesson you have learned so far as a mother?

BH: Every mother and child are different, and that is more than okay.

AOP: Knowing what you know now, what is one piece of advice you would give your younger self?

BH: Try to relax. Easier said than done. I was so stressed about every single thing when we had our first baby. Postpartum anxiety/depression didn’t help. Having the second and third child was crazy because there were more kids, but the baby stuff seemed more manageable because I knew it was just a season.

Brooke Harris and her husband, Lee, have been married for 11 years. Together they have three boys under the age of six. Brooke enjoyed cooking, which is excellent in this season because they are feeding, what seems like, bottomless pits.