'BIG RIVER' Salem theater production fits city's role in fighting slavery

American Idols Live Tour 2006 will visit Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh at 7 p.m. Featured performers will be Ace Young, Bucky Covington, Chris Daughtery, Elliott Yamin, Katharine McPhee, Kellie Pickler, Lisa Tucker, Mandisa, Paris Bennett and Taylor Hicks. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster. k
Conneaut Lake Park will offer a buy one, get one free deal on Ride-A-Rama Ride and Slide passes in observance of its Eastern Ohio/Mahoning Valley Community Day. Admission to the park itself is free, and individual ride tickets also may be purchased. The day also will feature a rib cook-off and a Cool Cruize-In, sponsored by Classic Iron and Cool 101.7. Pure Gold will perform at 9 p.m. at the park's Dreamland Ballroom on Saturday. For information, call (814) 382-5115 or visit www.conneautlakepark.com.
j Greater Youngstown Italian Fest 2006 will begin with opening ceremonies at 5 p.m. at the Canfield Fairgrounds, state Route 46, Canfield. The annual event will feature a beauty pageant, food, music, dancing and contests during its three-day run. The event opens at noon Saturday and Sunday.
The Mid-America Band Organ Rally will take place at noon at Warren Courthouse Park. Call (330) 399-1212 for information.
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. at LiveNation.com for the Sept. 26 performance of Tool with special guest, Isis, at Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh. Reserved seat tickets are $42.50 and $52.50. Tickets also are available at Ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster outlets including select Giant Eagle locations or at Charge-by-Phone at (412) 323-1919.
Pig Iron Literary and Art Works Community Street Festival with music, poetry, talent show, exhibits, food and refreshments will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., on North Phelps Street between Commerce and Federal streets in downtown Youngstown. For details, call (330) 744-1708.
The annual Outdoor Holiday Craft and Gift Fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Chevrolet Centre, 220 Front St., downtown Youngstown. For tickets, call (330) 746-5600.

Sunfest is planned from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Wick Recreation Area, Mill Creek MetroParks, Youngstown. Activities will include golfing, hiking and a sand sculpture contest, with the event concluding with music at the Judge Morley Pavilion featuring The First Degree at 5:30 p.m. and No Bad Ju Ju at 7.
12th annual "Thunder in the Park" car show will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. at McDonald Park. For information, call (330) 530-1717.
Gloria Jean and Friends will be present "Songs of Your Life" at 7 p.m. Monday at the Canfield Village Green Gazebo, U.S. 224 and state Route 46, Canfield.
Long Road Home Tour with John Fogerty and Willie Nelson and Family will be featured at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Post-Gazette Pavilion, routes 18 and 22, Burgettstown, Pa. Call (724) 947-7400 or visit www.post-gazettepavilion.com. k
Conneaut Lake Park will hold its Back in Time Festival Aug. 4-6 at the park, 12382 Center St., Conneaut Lake, Pa. The event will feature carousel carving demonstrations, antique carousel organ demonstrations, organ grinders, antique displays, barbershop quartet music and other activities.