March's last weekend set to be crazy busy

March is wrapping up with a crazy busy weekend. Here’s a list of items you may need to help you get through a handful of the scheduled events:

1. A tiara

2. Dancing boots

3. Work gloves and canned goods

4. A fishing pole

5. A thinking cap

Ready?

Portales High School has invited all of us to come to the ball as it presents its spring musical, “Cinderella,” for four performances beginning at 6 p.m. Friday in the PHS Performing Arts Center at 201 S. Knoxville.

“Tiaras are encouraged,” according to drama teacher Melody Gallagher, and not just for kids, but for “audience members of all ages.”

Performance times are earlier than usual to make it easy for kiddos to attend this family-friendly production.

Curtain time is 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with weekend matinees at 2 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $7 general admission; and $5 for military, students, and seniors over 60. Children 5 and under may attend for free.

“We just ask that if your young child begins to cry that you step out for a few minutes as to not disrupt the performers,” Gallagher said.

The cast will stay in costume for photo opportunities after the show with any budding princes and princesses.

Polish your favorite boot-scootin’ footwear for the 69th annual version of the Floyd Lions Club Country Jamboree that also opens Friday evening.

“We’re going to have our dance floor back this year,” said Floyd Lion Wade Carter, “and (local fiddler) Chek Rippee is back this year in the Jamboree band — he’s always a crowd favorite.”

Carter said the show is limited to two performances — 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Floyd School Gymnasium, 1564 NM 267, Floyd. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and supper will be available at a concession stand in the building.

“We have several new acts this year,” Carter said, “and some new singers.”

Another local favorite, singer/songwriter Andy Mason, who now lives in Santa Fe, will be on the bill on Friday evening only.

Jamboree tickets are $7 general admission, and $5 for military with ID.

Saturday is Great American Cleanup time in Portales, along with a food drive to lend a hand to folks in need in our community.

Bring your work gloves and non-perishable foods to the Memorial Building, 200 E. Seventh St., Portales, at 9 a.m. and they’ll load you up with trash bags and an assigned territory in need of a spiff up. Volunteers will be rewarded with pizza and water at 11:30 a.m. that day.

If you finish early Saturday … or if you’d rather just ditch that project and go fishing … grab a pole and head to Oasis State Park for its 10th annual trout derby scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A five dollar bill will get you and a carload of your friends into the park at 1891 Oasis Road; bring another $5 for anyone who wants to participate in the derby.

Kids under 12 can fish with reckless abandon, but those who are older are required to have a valid New Mexico fishing license.

And finally, if you’re a trivia buff and don’t care who knows it, this year’s Leadership Portales class is hosting “Battle of the Brains” at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Campus Union Building Ballroom at ENMU.

Tory Gard, a member of Leadership Portales, said the event will pit teams of up to eight individuals against each other, testing their knowledge in 10 different categories ranging from math to New Mexico history.

You have until 5 p.m. Thursday to find your thinking cap, round up a team (a maximum of eight members but no minimum) and pay the $250 entry fee, Gard said. You may sign up online at: http://www.portales.com/

events/details/

battle-of-the-brains-4412 or by calling 575-356-8541.

“All proceeds will be for Portales Passport,” Gard said, “which will give kids an opportunity to do things in the summer like choir camp, soccer, and tae kwon do. It will help folks who don’t have the funds to do that, or maybe just help a kid who needs a boost for the summer.”

Gard said there will be a “peanut gallery” for those who prefer to watch and not compete, and he promised a good time for all who attend the fundraiser.

“It’s not about who wins or loses,” he said. “It’s about helping out the kids.”

Check out the Eastern New Mexico News events calendar for even more choices for weekend activities. We may need Cinderella’s fairy godmother to work some magic to fit it all in.

Betty Williamson is certain she doesn’t own a tiara. Yet. Reach her at:

[email protected]