A truck is reflected in a hubcap at Trucker's Day at the Buck.
Jessica Smucker will perform at Triskadecafest.
Matthew Dodd, Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum.
Rigs With Bling .... Saturday
What has 18 wheels and a big heart? Truckers Day at the Buck, of course. This 21st annual event at Buck Motorsports Park on Saturday features the Children's Miracle Network's "Truckers for Miracle Kids" Safe Truck Drivers Rodeo at 8 a.m. And at 10 a.m. the Big Rig Jamboree -- a Best Appearing Truck Contest. It's worth a drive down first thing Saturday morning to see truck drivers strut their stuff as they compete in safety-oriented tests of skill, all to benefit the Children's Miracle Network. The event annually draws thousands of spectators. And best of all, it's free. If your kids -- or you -- didn't get enough horsepower, wheels and chrome during the morning event, you can come back for more trucks at the Buck's regularly scheduled Saturday night event -- the Lucas Oil National Hot Rod Modified Semi Truck Series. The evening will include a show truck parade of champions, truck pulling and side-by-side drag racing for street-legal semi trucks and dump trucks. Vroooom! The evening show has a regular admission fee of $12 for adults and $6 for kids 5 to 12. For more information, visit www.buckmotorsports.com.
Lucky 13 ..... tonight
It may not roll off the tongue in a melodic way, but nevertheless, Triskadecafest is all about music. Happening tonight at the Mulberry Art Studios, 21 N. Mulberry St., Triskadecafest is a concert held annually on Friday the 13th (which is today, folks!) The event features emerging local musicians and benefits Music For Everyone, a Lancaster-based charity that supplements public school music programs, awarding grants to schools and community groups. Tonight's concert includes performances by Jessica Smucker, left; the Carmitchell Sisters; the Willie Marble Xperience; You Are the Research, above; the Blind Willies and HUEMENZ. Doors open at 6:13 p.m. (cute!) and the first band takes the stage at 7. Tickets are $10 -- that's a lot of music for a 10-spot and it also supports a musical cause. For more information, call 367-5863 or e-mail
Past Times .... Saturday, Thursday
True, it may not be emotionally healthy to dwell on the past. But sometimes, isn't it just a blast to revisit it? This week, visitors to both Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum and Rock Ford will have the opportunity to revel in a bygone era. On Saturday, Landis Valley will host "Tall Tales, Laughs and Yarns," its annual Storytelling Day. This year's event features professional storyteller Matthew Dodd, who will present "Songs and Stories of Old Railroad Days" at noon and "The American Hobo" at 2:30 p.m. George and Nettie Mae Landis will also be coming home to Landis Valley and reminiscing about the early 1900s and their daily life on the Landis Homestead. The day also features authors, 19th century school lessons, horse-drawn wagon rides, hands-on children's activities and more. For details, visit www.landisvalleymuseum.org or call 569-0401. Meanwhile, Rock Ford is gearing up for its Thursday night "unveiling" of sorts. The barn on the historic site's grounds will soon open as the Rock Ford Museum and Education Center -- and on Thursday night they're hosting a reception for any history lovers who want to get the first look. Visitors will see three exhibits: "Rock Ford's Kauffman Collection of Pennsylvania Rifles," "History of Archaeology at Rock Ford" and "Henry Kauffman as Historian and Collector." For details, call 392-7223 or visit www.rockfordplantation.org.