FinFest on the River

FinFest on the River is Jacksonville Speech and Hearing Center’s annual fundraiser. It will be held Saturday at Timuquana Country Club on Timquana Road beginning at 7 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by Gary Roland and the Landsharks. Tickets are $100 per person. You can purchase tickets at www.shcjax.org. Funds raised from this event will be used to benefit children and families in  need of speech and hearing services in Jacksonville.

Hook the Future Kids Dock Tournament

The Jacksonville Marine Association presents Kids Dock Tournament on Saturday. It will begin at Beach Marine at 9 a.m. Registration begins at 8 a.m. It is free for kids ages 3-15, accompanied by adult. The first 75 kids receive a free rod and reel. The second 75 kids will receive a free life vest. Organizers say bring your rod and tackle, bait will be provided.  For more information, go to www.hookthefuture.com.

 Making Strides against Breast Cancer

Thousands of Jacksonville residents and breast cancer survivors will put on their pink bras and walk in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on Saturday. It will be held at Treaty Oak Park on Prudential Drive beginning at 9 a.m.  For information on how to sign up for the walk, call 1-800-227-2345 or www.putyourpinkbra.com.

 CureSearch Walk

It’s a walk to honor children affected by childhood cancer. The CureSearch Walk will be held Saturday at the Jacksonville Landing. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the opening ceremony and walk begins at 10 a.m.  There will be music, food, and fun activities for the entire family. To register, go to www.curesearchwalk.org.

Downtown Festival & Art Show

Downtown Gainesville will turn into area full of art, music and culture beginning Saturday. The Downtown Festival and Art Show will be held this weekend. See the work of 250 artists, enjoy music on three stages all weekend and bring your kids for free art activities. The show ends on Sunday. For more information, call 352-334-ARTS.

Surf Contest

EPIC Surf Ministries will host a surf contest this weekend. It will be held Saturday at Jacksonville Beach at the pier. The contest will raise money to purchase food for several local needy families for Thanksgiving. In addition to the contest, there will be a silent auction and raffle.  This event begins at 8:30 a.m. For more information, go to www.epicministries.com.

 Dogtoberfest

First Coast No More Homeless Pets will present the 9th annual Dogtoberfest on Saturday. It will be held at Metropolitan Park. This year’s event features a fundraising trick-or-treat walk, costume contest, vendors will goodies. Registration begins at 10 a.m. The trick-or-treat walk begins at 11 a.m. and the festivities will end at 4 p.m.

National College Fair

Local families can learn more about college during the free National College Fair on Saturday. It will be held at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. Representatives from more than 100 colleges and universities will be on hand to answer questions. There will be information sessions on financial aid, college planning, and scholarship tips. The college fair begins at 9 a.m. and will last until noon. Pre-fair orientation sessions begins at 8. The hall opens at 9 a.m. For more information, go to www.jaxcollegefair.com.

 ARTober Fest

Take the family down to Palatka for the ARTober Fest this weekend. This family-oriented festival will be held on Saturday. It includes an Art and Crafts Sale, Business Expo, Recycling Regatta, Car Show, Bass Tournament and other educational activities. The opening ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. There will be food, including whole smoked pork butts, pulled pork, hamburger and hot dogs. This event is free and alcohol-free. For more information, go to www.keepputnambeautiful.org.

The Music of Queen

Join the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra for the Music of Queen. The creators of “The Music of Led Zeppelin” will pay tribute to the timeless genius of Freddie Mercury and his bandmates. The show will be held Saturday night at 8 p.m. at the Times-Union Center. Tickets are available from $18-75. Call 904-354-5547 or www.jaxsymphony.org  for more information.