By Marla Ballard Columnist
The first week of July offers artists, music lovers, foodies, nature enthusiasts, and hikers fun activities to choose from. Tuesday, July 2, a Paint Night will be hosted at Jefferson's Restaurant in Fort Payne by Lacy Hope Art -- locally known as the "Happy art for the hippie at heart."
Reservations for painting are required and need to be made by July 1.
Guests will be led step-by-step through painting their own frog on an 11"x14" stretched canvas to take home at the end of the lesson. All ages and skill levels are welcome to attend.
All painting supplies will be included in the $36 per person fee. Patrons are encouraged by the artist to purchase food/drink items from Jeffersons in appreciation for the space provided for the art activity.
The lesson will be held from 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. For reservations the link can be found on Facebook under Lacy Hope Art, look under upcoming events. Jefferson's is located at 616 Glenn Blvd. SW, Fort Payne.
Thursday, July 4 at 6 p.m. gather for the Summer Music Series sponsored by Little River Arts Council in Mentone.
This is made possible, in part, by the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the musical presentation.
The music program is free and will be held in the Linger Longer Pavilion behind the Mentone Inn, located at 6139 AL-117, Mentone.
"There will be a small pop-up art show from noon until 5:00 p.m. with 12 to 15 artists selling their artistic wares," said Cynthia Stinson, manager of the Mentone Inn.
"The band that will be performing will be The Locals, presenting 60s, 70s, and 80s tunes."
During the earlier part of the day the event will also include a fund raiser for St. Joe's Episcopal Disaster Outreach. St. Joesph's will be selling food items to raise money. Stinson said St Joesph's will be serving what they are calling the "freedom plate" with a choice of barbeque chicken or pork sandwich, baked beans, coleslaw, pasta salad, tea, and choice of dessert for $10 from noon until 5 p.m.
Fontastic Food Truck will serve gourmet burgers and more in the late afternoon beginning at 5 p.m. Stinson said,
"Both St. Joesph's and Fontastic Food Truck will be offering vegan plates as an option."
Saturday, July 6 nature lovers are invited to Hike with a Naturalist.
The event is hosted by Jacksonville State University Field School. The hike will be on the lower two-mile trail in the Little River Canyon National Preserve.
Participants will join JSU Field School staff on a steep half-mile arduous trail. The hike is not recommended for pets or people who have difficulty climbing stairs or steep terrain.
Bring plenty of water, snacks, hiking poles, sturdy shoes (open-toed shoes are not recommended), and dress appropriately for seasonal weather.
The hike is free.
Hikers will meet at Little River Canyon Center at 10:30 a.m. and caravan to the trail head.
The Canyon Center is located at 4322 AL-35, Fort Payne. If inclement weather is in the forecast, call ahead to see if the hike has been cancelled (256-845-3548).
