What's happening in our area this week

Thanksgiving:

Subaru Distance Classic

Lace up your shoes and participate in the Subaru Distance Classic Half Marathon and 6K on Thanksgiving. It will begin at 7 a.m. at Pickwick Plaza on San Jose Boulevard. The half-marathon and 6K will begin at 7 and the 1-mile will begin 5 minutes later. To register for the race, go to 1stplacesports.com.

Friday:

Hippodrome Theatre Holiday’s Productions

You can get in the holiday spirit at the Hippodrome in Gainesville. The theatre will open the holiday season with its annual production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and A Tuna Christmas. A Tuna Christmas has been a fan favorite for 9 years. The show opens on Friday at 7:30 p.m. It will be on stage Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. through December 23.  A Christmas Carol is on stage beginning Saturday through December 2^nd, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Kids can get in free with a paying adult and a donation of a non-perishable food item or unwrapped new toy. Tickets for both plays can be purchased by call the box office at 352-375-HIPP or online at www.thehipp.org.

 Old Tyme Farm Days

Travel back in time beginning Friday at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. The Old Tyme Farm Days & Swap Meet will begin on Friday. You will find century skills such as cane grinding syrup making, antique equipment, petting zoo, food vendors and basket weaving. Admission is $10 per vehicle per day. Organizers encourage you to bring a lawn chair.

2 Chainz

One of the hottest rapper in hip hop music will be in Jacksonville this holiday season.  2 Chainz will perform at the Florida Theatre beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets being at $33.50 and $38.50 on the day of the show. For more information on the show, go to www.floridatheatre.com.

 Christmas Made in the South

A holiday tradition comes back to Jacksonville this weekend. Christmas made in the South will begin Friday at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. See some of Florida’s most unique selection of contemporary art and traditional crafts, meet the craftsmen and see the latest in arts and crafts.  The show runs through Saturday. For more information, go to www.madeinthesouthshows.com.

 Fiddler’s Turkey Run

You can see the top barrel racers in the nation at the Fiddler’s Turkey Run beginning Friday. The Run will be held at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center and it will end on Sunday. 

Saturday

Small Business Saturday

It’s a chance for you to support small businesses in Jacksonville. Small Business Saturday will be held across the nation. Locally, you can find several shops at the Riverside Arts Market. The market opens at 10 a.m.

Fall Arts and Crafts Festival

You can find more than 100 artists and vendors at the 47^th annual Fall Arts and Crafts Festival. It will take place Saturday and Sunday at Francis Field in St. Augustine. Admission is $1 donation. Hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, go to www.staaa.org.

 The Gopher Tortoise

Have you ever wanted to learn more about a gopher tortoise? You have an opportunity on Saturday at the Fort George Island Cultural State Park. It will begin at 2 p.m. at the Ribault Club. No reservation necessary. The program is free.

Community Outreach Program

UNF’s Enactus Chapter, a society that competes with schools nationwide to see who can put together the best community service projects, will host a recycling event on Saturday. The group will be collecting old electronics at the Sam’s Club on Beach Boulevard.

Sunday:

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans

The Jacksonville Jaguars will be back in action at home on Sunday. They will take on the Tennessee Titans at Everbank Field beginning at 1 p.m.  The Jaguars will be promoting Movember during the game. A special Jaguar Movember t-shirt will be on sale, with a portion of the sale going to the Movember campaign. A group of oncology and urology specialists will also be attending the game to give free advice on men’s health issues. For tickets, go to www.jaguars.com.

Monday:

Grief and Loss Support Group

Haven Hospice is hosting a grief and loss support group on Monday. It will be held at Allegro of Fleming Island at State Road 24 at 5^th Street in Cedar Key. The group meeting will begin at 3 p.m. For more information, call 352-493-2333.

 Holiday on the River Concert Series

You can enjoy daily and evening live performances by local schools, churches and dance groups at the Jacksonville Landing beginning Monday. Performances will take place in front of the Christmas tree in the courtyard during lunch and in the evenings.

 Ripley’s Believe It or Not

Ripley’s Believe It or Not wants to give you a chance to enjoy some holiday fun from around the world. Beginning Monday, the attraction will be offering half-off admission for Florida residents. This includes the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! St. Augustine Odditorium, Ripley’s Red Trains, Ripley’s Ghost Train Adventure, and Bayfront Mini-Golf. This deal runs through Friday, December 21.

Cooking Oil Recycling Sites

The St. Johns County and the City of St. Augustine have come together to collect used cooking oil and grease after the Thanksgiving holiday. The drop off point will be at 25 W. Castillo Drive (Francis Event Field) and 840 West 16^th Street on Anastasia Island beginning at 7:30 a.m. The program gives families a chance to properly dispose of used cooking oil to be recycled.