The Oconee Performing Arts Society (OPAS) Village Series will kick off Saturday beginning with the VILLAGE Picnic, a good old-fashioned, family-friendly picnic at the Lake Oconee Village.

Beginning at 2 p.m. and ongoing until 6 p.m., a host of activities will be set up including games, food, live music and even health screenings.

The second annual OPAS Village Series features several other events throughout the year, but

Saturday’s event will kick off the season and will hopefully be enjoyable for everyone, said OPAS Managing Director Samantha Duthler.

“The Village Series is a series of events,” she said. “It’s a series that we started last year. It’s something that we’re trying to do to have things going on that the whole community can enjoy.  Each event is distinctly different. This year, we have the picnic on Saturday. It’s a good hometown, family fun picnic.”

The event will feature The Wheels Band and a magician named Bradley Morgan who will not only perform an on-stage magic show, but will also be

doing some “one on one” magic tricks as well.

In addition, an entire host of games will be available for children on Saturday.

“And then amongst all of that, we have games scheduled,” said Duthler. “Sack races, water games, musical chairs, hula hoop contests, a kids area with booths run by Lake Oconee Academy and Redeemer Episcopal Academy that will

feature kite making.”

Presenting sponsor, MCG Medical Associates of Lake Oconee, will be on site with trained health professionals for free health

screenings.

Also, for those with an affinity for classic cars, the Georgia Classic Cruisers will be joining in on the fun with their Classic Car Show and several businesses and craft vendors will also be on hand at the event on Saturday.

Additionally, children will have the opportunity to take on a piñata at 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Food from surrounding area businesses, including Amici, Oconee Sweet Sensations, El Chapparro and Spotlight Theaters, will also be on hand for the event as well.

For avid fans of photography, a photograph by Antonio Garcia named “Morning at Lake Oconee” depicting Lake Oconee just after the snow last winter, will be raffled off with tickets being sold for $1 each or 20 for $10.

Duthler said the event should be a fun time for everyone.

“Hopefully if the weather cooperates, it’ll be fun for everybody,” she said.

Other events in the series include the upcoming Cardboard Regatta in August, the Village Concert in September, starring A1A, the official and original Jimmy Buffet tribute show and then the lighting of the village in Nov. 24.

For more information on this event, OPAS or other upcoming OPAS events, please visit http://www.opas.org.

Lake Oconee Village is located at the corner of Highway 44 and Linger Longer Road in Greensboro. All of the events of the Village Picnic will be taking place at the village meadow, located at the bottom of the steps at Spotlight Theater.