The weather has returned to livable conditions (barely) just in time for our slate of weekend activities. Well, two weekend activities.
On Friday, July 20, Isthmus joins with its neighbors, the Majestic Theatre folks, to present the first in a series of Live on King Street musical events. Headlining the inaugural is the sustainability-conscious band Cloud Cult. The gates open at five, admission is free, and beer will be available for purchase by those 21 and older. The complete lineup and other details are viewable in the ad, conveniently located on the page facing this column.
Then at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 21, at James Madison Park, the gun sounds for the beginning of the 33rd edition of Paddle & Portage. Somewhere over 600 competitors will take to the water in the first stage of the event. Participants will still be able to sign up from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. for $50 per person, $100 per team. Everyone must have a life jacket. For more details and a diagram of the race's course, see the ad on page two.
Also at 9 a.m. on Saturday, the gates will be open at Olin Park, the race destination. Spectators will be admitted to greet the racers upon arrival. Food and beverages will be available starting at 10 a.m., and at 11 a.m. Harmonious Wail starts wailing. (That is, the band Harmonious Wail begins to entertain.) An awards ceremony will begin at 12:30, and the whole thing wraps up at 2 p.m.
So that's what we're doing this weekend. How about you? It's a good time to leave the comfort of air conditioning and experience reality - a little bit. You don't have to join a crowd or wield a paddle, but you do have to get up off your butt while the butt-moving opportunity exists.
