By Karen Vance
Enquirer contributor

MIAMI TWP. - Clarinet solos, painted soccer balls and music by 3-year-olds are all a part of Miami Township's first year participating in Greater Cincinnati's 18th Annual Fine Arts Weekend Sampler.

TODAY'S EVENTS

Events today at Miami Township Community Park, 5951 Buckwheat Road: 1 to 1:45 p.m.: Kindermusik demonstration - singing, dancing and playing for children ages newborn to 3 and their parents. 1:45 to 2:45 p.m.: Skateboard design workshop 3 to 3:45 p.m.: Milford Theatre Guild performs latest project. 3:45 to 4:30 p.m.: "To Journey Within," a creative journaling workshop. 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.: Milford High School Choral and Band Ensemble groups. 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.: Poetry reading with Poets Anonymous and an open-microphone session.

Events geared at all ages continue in the Clermont County township today.

"The city has a lot of fine arts opportunities downtown, but for people who aren't as likely to go there, it's nice to show them there's a place to go that's right around the corner," said Beth Salazar, recreation director for the township.

Eight-year-old Kourtney Dean from Union Township was among those who came to the nearby Leming House in Miami Township's Community Park to participate in "Design Your Own Soccer Ball."

She's played soccer for two years and had fun decorating a ball in a Valentine's Day theme, with hearts and bows and arrows.

Barb Brown, a member of the recreation staff, supervised the soccer ball decorating Saturday and will host a skateboard design workshop today .

"I think you get a lot of people who wouldn't necessarily be interested in an art class to come out to something like this because they'll get to make something they can play with and show their friends," Brown said.

The arts fair was also an opportunity for local students to share their talents. Milford High School Band members performed solos and ensemble pieces Saturday, and more students from the band and choir will perform today.

The students had been working on their pieces for three to four months before the recent competition.

It was the promise of music that brought Terry Thorman, 57, of Newport to the Leming House with her father, Bernie Thorman, from Milford.

"We were looking for something to go to and it was fun to see what other schools are up to," said Terry Thorman, who is a musician and former music teacher.

Miami Township is also offering drama performances, poetry readings and a workshop on creative journaling.

"We hope to get people to realize the amazing wealth of culture that's here," said Lonna Kingsbury, who will teach journaling classes today. . "We need to connect the rural and the suburbs and the city through the arts."