The really big deal this weekend is the Firefighters’ Indian River County Fair. This year it’s called “Create New Memories,” and that’s sure to happen with its fun lineup. There will be 4-H livestock and horticultural competition, entertainment, demos, shows, carnival rides, games, food, and all a family needs to create those new memories. The fair runs Friday, March 11 to Sunday, March 20 at the Indian River County Fairgrounds. Special events include a country music concert, a magic show and a Cash Cyclone where you can grab $500 in folding money. There’s also a comedy hypnosis show, a firefighter training show for kids, an aerial gymnastics show, vendors and food galore, and even “goat yoga.” General admission to the fair is $10 with discounts for children, seniors, first responders and military. Free for children under 6. Tickets for admission plus unlimited rides are $25. Tickets to the concerts are $25 with VIP seating for the concerts ranging from $100 to $250. Proceeds help the Indian River County Burn Fund which gives financial assistance to burn victims. Proceeds also help scholarships, fairground improvements and more charitable causes. The Indian River County Fairgrounds is at 7955 58th Ave., Vero Beach. The fair opens 5 p.m. weekdays and 1 p.m. weekends. It closes around 10 p.m. each day. For more information, visit FirefightersFair.org.
The Brevard Symphony Orchestra and Maestro Christopher Confessore are set to thrill when it performs Sunday, March 13 with acclaimed violinist Paul Huang as he plays Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concert in D major. This should be a most stunning concert. The violin concerto is the only one Tchaikovsky composed. Because of its technical demands, it was first thought to be too difficult a piece to play. In fact, Tchaikovsky had been dead three years before the concerto had its premiere. The concerto is also known for its lyricism and its roots in Russian and Slavic folk music. The BSO will also perform Beethoven’s “Leonore” Overture No. 3, Op. 72 and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op. 10. The concert is being presented by the Indian River Symphonic Association. It begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Community Church of Vero Beach, 1901 23rd St. Tickets are $60. Call 772-778-1070 or visit IRSymphonic.org.
The First Presbyterian Chamber Music Series presents Duo Beaux Arts in concert on Sunday, March 13. The concert features pianists Catherine Lan and Tao Lin performing classic piano works. The husband-wife team have performed throughout Europe and China and are founders of the Beaux Arts Chamber Music Series in Naples, Florida, and have performed concertos with the South Florida Symphony. The concert begins at 4 p.m. in the sanctuary at the First Presbyterian Church, 520 Royal Palm Blvd., Vero Beach. Admission is free, but a $10 donation is suggested. For more information, call 772-562-9088 or visit FirstPresVero.org.
The Vero Beach Art Club will host the Under the Oaks Fine Arts & Crafts juried show this weekend. This is a large outdoor event where more than 200 artists from around the country set up their works to delight visitors who like to stroll in the lovely grounds in Riverside Park. This is your chance to get out of the house and see some beautiful art and chat up an artist or two. It is the largest event and fundraiser of the Vero Beach Art Club and is listed as one of the “200 Best” by Sunshine Artists magazine. It runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, March 11 and Saturday, March 12, and then 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 13. Admission is free. Riverside Park is at 3280 Riverside Park Dr. For more information, visit VeroBeachArtClub.org.
The Pelican Island Conservation Society Celebration runs Saturday and Sunday, March 12 and 13. Events are planned at various locations to celebrate the 119th anniversary of Pelican Island being named the country’s first National Wildlife Refuge. There will be a wildlife display at the entrance to Centennial Trail, pontoon boat cruises around Pelican Island, a fishing demonstration, tours of the Rodney Kroegel Conservation Area in Sebastian, and more. There are also a couple of Environmental Learning Center cruises to Pelican Island with Teddy Roosevelt himself (or some facsimile thereof): a sunset cruise with wine and cheese 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 12 ($60); and a morning cruise with coffee, orange juice, champagne or mimosas 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Sunday, March 13 ($120). Sunday brunch runs 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ($70). The Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge is at 4055 Wildlife Way, Vero Beach. For more information, visit FirstRefuge.org/festival or call 772-202-0697.