What's happening in our area this week

Friday:

Tractor and Engine Show

The North Florida Antique Association is hosting its first ever tractor and engine show on Friday. It will be held at Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park in Keystone Heights. There will be a tractor parade through the park at dusk. For more information, go to  www.nfaea.com.

Chart The Course! Reception

Local veterans are invited to attend the Chart the Course! Reception.  It will be held Friday at Fionn MacCool’s at the Jacksonville Landing beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person.  This event is sponsored by the Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association.

O.A.R.

Of A Revolution (O.A.R.) will perform Friday at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. Doors open at 5 p.m. The show begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $32.50 in advance and $35 the day of the show. Tickets are available at the box offices or on findmytix.com, all ticketmaster locations, livenation.com or by phone at 800-745-3000.

Kevin Hart

You may remember him from the movie  “Think Like A Man.” But this weekend, you can laugh with comedian Kevin Hart. Hart will perform at the Times Union Center on Friday. The show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at livenation.com, ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster outlets or by phone at 800-745-3000.

 Child Safety Fair

Local families are invited to a child safety fair beginning Friday at Cadillac of Orange Park. It will begin at 3 p.m. There will be free FBI quality digital fingerprinting. If you miss Friday’s event, there will be another one on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. Cadillac of Orange Park is located on Blanding Boulevard.

Book Release

Author Jody McFerren will preview his book “Back in St. Olaf…. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Stories, Idiotic Sayings and Home Cookery.” On Friday at the Metro Jacksonville. The book release will  begin at 6 p.m.

Saturday:

The Human Race

Lace up your shoes and participate in the Human Race 2012 on Saturday. It will be held at the St. Johns Town Center.  This race benefits 122 participating nonprofits. The 5K and the 1-mile begin at 8 a.m. When you register for the race, you will be asked for the name of the organization you are running or walking for, 50% of your registration fee will be given to that organization.  All 5K finishers will receive medallions. You can register online at  www.1stplacesports.com.

 Riverside Avondale Bicycle Festival

Learn more about bike safety during the Riverside Avondale Bicycle Festival on Saturday. It will be held at Willowbranch Park beginning at 10 a.m.  This festival is free  and participants are encouraged to bring their bikes. For more information, go to www.bike4fun.us or call 904-388-0612.

 Full Steam Ahead Gala

You are invited to the Full Steam Ahead Gala to celebrate the United States Navy Anniversary. It will be held Saturday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Riverplace Boulevard beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets are $75 each. You can purchase tickets at the shops store at the Jacksonville Landing or by going to  www.adams2jax.org.  The keynote speaker for this gala will be Governor Rick Scott.

 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 9^th 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.

Talbot Critters

Join a park ranger at the Fort George Island Cultural State Park for more information on Talbot Critters. You can learn about the many common species that inhabit the natural communities of the park. The program will take place at the Ribault Club. No reservation is necessary and it is free. The program begins at 2 p.m.

Retirement Expo

The 16^th annual Newstalk 1240 WFOY Retirement Expo will be held on Saturday. There will be food, music, free giveaways. It will begin at 10 a.m. at the Ponce Mall.

Justin Case Band

One of the most popular bands in North Florida will perform at the Spirit of the Suwanne Music Park this weekend. The Justin Case Band will perform on Saturday. Doors open at 6 p.m. The show begins at 8 p.m. For more information, go to www.musicliveshere.com.

Community Day

The St. Johns County Fire-Rescue and Firefighters for Families will host the annual Community Day on Saturday. This free event will feature fun for kids of all ages, bounce house, ladder truck and free hot dogs. It will be held at State 10 on Library Boulevard beginning at 11 a.m. During the event, Firefighter for Families will be conducting a food drive.

Okefenokee Festival

Go back in time during the Okefenokee Festival on Saturday at the Chesser Island Homestead. You can see how settlers washed clothes, smoked meat, and survived in and around the Okefenokee. This event begins at noon. The refuge entrance fee is $5 per vehicle. For more information, go to 912-496-7156.

Charity Golf Tournament

The St. Joseph Homeownership will host a charity golf tournament on Saturday. It will be held at the Blue Cypress Golf Club on University Boulevard North. Practice time is 12:30 p.m. Tee time is 1: 30 p.m. For more information, call 904-435-7546 or go to www.sjhmblackbottom.com.

Health Extravaganza

Students and community members can take part in a health extravaganza on Saturday. It will be held at Florida State College at Jacksonville North Campus. It will begin at 9 a.m. and lasts until 3 p.m.

Green Revolution

Go Green with MOSH. The local museum will open its latest traveling exhibit. Green Revolution will show ways to reduce resource consumption while improving lives. The exhibit opens at 10 a.m.

First Coast Head Race

Stanton River Bank Rowing will host the 2012 First Coast Head Race, a fast paced regatta on Saturday. It will begin at 8 a.m. along the St. Johns River. Viewing areas will be set up behind the Family and Children’s Services Building between  Cesery and the University Boulevards Bridges.

 “Going the Extra Mile” Walk Against Breast Cancer

The city of Bunnell will host the “Going the Extra Mile” Walk Against Breast Cancer. It will be held Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. The walk is to raise awareness and funding to fight breast cancer in Flagler County. The suggested donation is $10 per participant and children under the age of 13 and pets are free. Donations will go to the American Cancer Society. For more information, call 386-437-7425.

Sunday:

Suga’ N Spice Breast Cancer Awareness

P.H.A.T Ryder’s Motorcycle club will present Suga’ N Spice Breast Cancer Awareness on Sunday. This all-female motorcycle club will hold a dessert mixer. There will be current breast cancer patients and survivors there to tell their stories. It will take place Sunday beginning at 2 p.m. at the Holiday Inn on Jefferson Road. A portion of the proceeds from this event will go to the Donna Foundation.

 Great Escape

You can help the Child Cancer fund by participating in the Great Escape on Sunday. This wine-tasting event will be held at the One Ocean Resort and Spa in Atlantic Beach. It will feature wine selections curated by Master Sommelier Andrew McNamera. You can sip on more than 100 premium wines. This event will begin at 3 p.m. The Child Cancer Fund is a non-profit organization devoted to helping children and their families with the challenges of childhood cancer. For more information, go to www.great-escapejax.com.

 Jennifer Holliday Concert

You can hear vocal powerhouse Jennifer Holliday during the Edward Waters College Benefit Concert. It will be held Sunday at the Times-Union Center beginning at 8 p.m. Holliday will share the stage with the Jacksonville Symphony and the Edward Waters College Concert Choir. VIP tickets are $100 and this includes admission into the pre-concert reception. Concert tickets are $65 for reserved and general admission is $40. For more information, go to www.jaxsymphony.org.  All proceeds to the EWC Scholarship Fund.

Behind the Myth Tour

The all-new live stage show “Mythbusters Behind the Myths” starring Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage will be held Sunday.  They are the co-hosts of the Emmy-nominated Discovery series “Mythbusters.” There will be two shows: 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. For more information, go to www.artistseriesjax.org.

Walk To Remember

You are invited to attend the 22^nd annual Walk to Remember on Sunday at the Northbank Riverwalk Artist Square. This walk is in memory of babies. This event is free and begins at 2 p.m.

Monday:

Grief and Loss Support Group

Haven Hospice is hosting a grief and loss support group on Monday. This group is for parents and caregivers who have experienced the loss of a child. It will be held at the Haven office at 200 Southpark Boulevard in St. Augustine. It will begin at 6 p.m.

 Tuesday, October 16^th:

Annual Childhood Education Symposium

You can learn from developmental psychologist Cindy Rzasa Bess on Tuesday during the annual Childhood Education Symposium. It will be held at the Jewish Community Alliance on San Jose Boulevard beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 per person.  A kosher dinner will be provided. For more information, call 904-730-2100 ext.259.

Take Back the Night

The University of North Florida’s Women center and Alpha Chi Omega women’s sorority will host the 4^th annual “Take Back the Night.” The March and candlelight vigil will be held Tuesday beginning at 7 p.m. This event is free to the public.

 Trivia Night

NFAN will host a trivia night on Tuesday to celebrate National Boss Day and to raise money for NFAN. It will be held at Intuition Ale Works on King Street in Riverside. It begins at 6 p.m. All proceeds  will go to help provide service for those who are living with HIV and Aids.