Friday Fun: Wedding Weirdness

Unexpected Wedding

Anyone that has ever planned a wedding will readily admit that a wedding can be a strange, stressful, and expensive affair (and no, I don’t mean the word “affair” in the Panic at the Disco sense.) In fact, unless the word “stoic” is engrained in the DNA of every single person attending, there’s a pretty good chance that even the most well-planned wedding will include some family drama, some people taking their merriment a little too far, and/or some photographers or caterers who are more than happy to relieve the wedding couple of the enormous weight of their life savings. However, many brides-to-be, grooms-to-be, parents of the bride, married couples, and a number of other people who have or haven’t been involved with a wedding in some way will find it comforting to know that there are a couple of events this weekend that will allow them to unwind and look at their situation in a new way.

First, if you are a former bridesmaid looking for a reason to put on your old dress or someone who has always dreamt of being a bridesmaid, you may want to head down to Boston Common tomorrow. This is because Boston.com is hosting the 2nd Annual Running with the Bridesmaids on Saturday, September 28, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. This event, which is a strange parody of the running of the bulls designed to raise money for The Big Sister Association of Greater Boston, will allow individuals and teams of up to six to compete in a one-mile run while they wear some of the most ridiculous bridesmaid’s dresses possible. Prizes will of course be awarded to the top fundraiser, worst dressed team, worst dressed individual, and the individual with the worst hair. And, if you really have no interest in actually running in a bridesmaid’s dress, don’t worry. You can always just watch. For more information and/or to register for the event, please visit Boston.com.

Secondly, if you want to try your hand at playing your own wedding music or any other music for that matter, you may want to check out the Street Pianos Boston Festival. The Celebrity Series of Boston is hosting Luke Jerram’s project Play Me, I’m Yours: The Street Pianos Boston Festival from today, September 27, to Monday, October 14, 2013. This festival features 75 pianos that have been placed throughout the Greater Boston area so that anyone can play them. In addition, each of the pianos has been decorated by a local artist or organization, and all of the pianos that survive the two and half week festival will be donated to charity. For more information on the Festival, please visit the Street Pianos of Boston website.

Photo credit: josemanuelerre / Foter / CC BY-ND

Friday Fun: Race for a Good Cause

Have you ever wanted to feel what it was like to drive a race car or run like a cheetah? Have you ever wanted to race down the middle of the street or another area where racing is usually frowned upon without getting in trouble? Have you ever thought about turning a corner so fast that you leave everyone behind you in the dust? Well, if you answered “yes” to any and/or all of these questions, you may be in luck because there are a couple of events this weekend that will not only allow you to demonstrate your racing prowess but will also allow you to experience a warm, fuzzy feeling whether you win or lose.

First, the Boston Police Athletic League (PAL) is hosting the 5th Annual Boston PAL Grand Prix tomorrow, September 21, 2013, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. This event, which takes place in the Seaport District of Boston, is a team go-cart race in which members of each team of six will take turns driving through a street course that is designed to mimic a Formula 1 race track. However, the race track is not the only thing designed to mimic the Formula 1 experience, as the go-cart that each team will drive is said to handle in much the same way as an F1 race car. In fact, each go-cart will allow racers to soar by their families and friends at speeds of up to 45 mph. Fortunately, any friends and family that are a little squeamish at the thought of watching their loved ones race around the track, let alone driving it themselves, will have plenty of face painting, balloon animals, food, drinks, and other activities to keep them busy at the Grand Prix carnival. Best of all, all of the proceeds from the event will go to help pay for PAL’s youth programs. For more information on the 5th Annual Boston PAL Grand Prix and/or to register for the race, please visit the Boston Police Athletic League’s website or call 1-617-699-7099.

Secondly, if you’re more interested in a race that allows you to put your feet to the test than your driving skills, the Franklin Park Zoo may have the answer. This is because the Franklin Park Zoo is hosting the Run Wild 5K on Sunday, September 22, 2013. This race, which begins promptly at 8:30 a.m., features a 3.1 mile course that will allow runners to race through the zoo, Franklin Park, and White Stadium. Then, once the race is over, everyone 21 or over is invited to join their fellow runners for a “wild” party with drinks, music, games, and more. For more information on the Run Wild 5K or to register for the event, please visit the Race Menu website.