Barkaroo

Barkaroo: the Middle Tennessee Dog Festival promises a fun-filled day for dog lovers and their leashed friends from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at Murfreesboro Bark Park, 1526 W. College St., near the General Bragg Trailhead.

The event features the Purina Incredible Dog Team, which is scheduled for three shows, performing extraordinary acrobatic tricks and offers crowds of all ages a chance to watch precision dog training at its best.

Using a high energy performance set to music, the trainers and their dogs entertain while also educating people about responsible pet care and how proper nutrition and training can help bring out the best in any dog, at any life stage. The athletic feats performed by the team include rolling back catches, two-legged balancing acts on the trainer’s feet and jumping nearly 10 feet in the air to snare a flying disc.

Also, this year Dennis Ferrier of Channel 4 WSMV of Nashville will MC the Mr. and Ms. Barkaroo contest. Other contests include Frisbee Flyers, Best Dressed Pooch and Owner/Dog Look-a-Like contests. Also there will be the Mutt Market, Canine Carnival, concessions and more.

For more information, please contact Rachel Singer at 893-2141 or email rsinger@murfreesborotn.gov.

Stones River National Battlefield

The battlefield presents Two Years in Murfreesboro: 1862 and 1895 starting at 11 Saturday morning in the Stones River National Cemetery.

Rangers will present living history programs throughout the day, beginning with How Can This Be God`s Will? at 11 a.m. where visitors gather at the Stones River National Cemetery rostrum and listen as several soldiers and civilians describe their lives in Murfreesboro in 1862 through General Nathan Bedford Forrest`s July raid.

Many of the same characters will tell visitors about the events of the last half of 1862 leading up to the Battle of Stones River during It Could Not Well Be Avoided at 1 p.m.

Then visitors will walk with a ranger at 3 p.m. from the visitor center into Stones River National Cemetery and step back in time with a bereaved mother and a veteran to hear 1895 – a presentation about the terrible losses resulting from the Civil War and understand how those who survived remembered the fallen.

All programs at the battlefield are free and open to the public. For more information call John McKay at 893-9501 or visit the battlefield Web site.

Hitfest 2008

Siegel Bullpen holds the inaugural HITFEST 2008 starting at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Siegel High School Baseball complex.

Hitfest 2008 features a home run derby, Karaoke contest, live music, food, crafts and family fun.

Gates open at 10 a.m. rain or shine. Tickets are $4 for students, $5 for adults and $15 for a family up to two adults and two children. Children under age 6 get in free.

Area baseball players are invited to compete in the Home Run Derby for grand prizes, including David Price autographed memorabilia. Age categories are 9 -11 years, Middle School, High School, and 19 and up. Entry fee is $10. Sign ups must be completed by noon at the field. The event includes a karaoke contest on the Main Stage with 3-hr vocal recording session at Tombstone Studios in Nashville as grand prize.

Grammy nominated songwriters Sam and Annie Tate perform, with Country Duo "FarCry" GAC Video finalists, and "The Remedies," a Music Row cover band.

First Friday Star Parties

Come gaze at the heavens at MTSU’s Physics and Astronomy Department First Friday Star Party from 6:30-8 Friday night on MTSU campus.

The evening features a 30-minute public lecture by Eric Klumpe on the Solar Cycle, which is followed by stargazing at the outdoor telescope.

The free lecture takes place in Wiser-Patten Science Building room 102.

For more information contact Dr. Charles Higgins at 898-5946 or Dr. Eric Klumpe at 898-2483.

Piano Concert

The Murfreesboro Center for the Arts, 110 W College St., presents a solo piano concert with three national artists at 7:30 p.m. Friday.                                          

The concert features David Nevue, Philip Wesley and Joseph Akins. The local and national recording artists will perform their original solo piano music as heard on Whisperings Solo Piano Radio.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students, and can be purchased at by calling Brown Paper Tickets at 1-800-838-3006 or by going online: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/43698.

Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser

The St. Clair Street Senior Center, 325 St. Clair St., holds a pancake breakfast from 6:30-10 Saturday morning.

The public as well as Center participants are invited to enjoy “all you can eat” pancakes and sausage prepared by community volunteer Tally Arnold and his crew.

Tickets for the breakfast may be purchased in advance at the Senior Center or at the door. Adult tickets are $8 each. Tickets for children age 12 and under are $4.

Reservations are not required; however purchasing tickets in advance will help with planning. Proceeds from this fundraiser will be used to support activities and programs in the Senior Center.

For additional information on this event and other services and programs offered by the Center to enhance the quality of life for senior individuals in the community call 848-2550 or stop by the Center from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Omelets and airplanes

Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 419 offers breakfast and free airplane rides for kids from 7-10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport, 1931 Memorial Blvd.

Breakfasts of omelets made to order, ham, bacon, eggs, pancakes and more cost $6 for adults; $3 for ages 12 and under.

Attendees can view different types of general aviation aircraft, including kit-built and commercial aircraft.

Kids ages 8 to 17 fly free (weather permitting with parental permission) and get Young Eagle Certificate.

For further information, call Chad Gerhke at the airport, 615-848-3254.

If you have an event you’d like included, contact Michelle Willard at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com.