Enjoy the kind warmth of a Florida morning by heading to the “Annual Waterlily Celebration” running this Saturday morning and early afternoon at the McKee Botanical Garden. At this event you’ll see more than 300 potted and 100 free-range plants adorning the McKee ponds and waterways. There are more than 80 varieties of water lilies including both night-blooming and day-blooming kinds. But this is more than something pretty to look at – these plants help oxygenate the water. Moreover, they provide food and shelter to fish. During your visit, be sure to head to the Historic Hall of Giants to view the “17th Annual Waterlily Photo Contest.” The categories of photos include color, black and white, and manipulated. Visitors to the photo contest exhibition will have the opportunity to vote for the “People’s Choice” award. Winning photos, including the People’s Choice and those chosen by a panel of judges, will be featured on the McKee’s website. Admission to the McKee is $15 general, $13 for seniors and youth 13 to 17 years, and $10 for children 2 to 12 years. Of course, McKee members as well as children younger than 2 are admitted free. The Annual Waterlily Celebration runs 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, June 18. Regular hours for the McKee Botanical Garden are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. The McKee Botanical Garden is at 350 U.S. 1, Vero Beach. Call 772-794-0601 or visit McKeeGarden.org.
If heading indoors to see something beautiful is more to your liking, then consider the Summer Art Show running 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, June 18, at the Emerson Center. You will find original art, jewelry and crafts created by area artists. In addition to seeing the beautiful products of their creativity, you can also get inspired by artists demonstrations of how they get ideas and how they forge those ideas into something concrete. Works on view, and available for sale, include photography, jewelry, drawings, fabrics, clay, woodwork, hand-crafted gifts and more. The Emerson Center is on the campus of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach, 1590 27th Ave., Vero Beach. Call 772-778-5880 or visit ArtAtTheEmerson.com.
Award-winning concert pianist Dimas Caraballo will perform in concert Sunday evening at the First Presbyterian Church. The concert, “Unforgettable Musical Memories Through the Years,” will showcase the area pianist’s wide repertoire. Dimas, who was born in Havana, Cuba, received a full scholarship to the University of Miami’s prestigious music program. After getting his B.A., he went to the University of Michigan where he was awarded a double master’s degree in piano pedagogy and performance. The concert begins 4 p.m. Sunday, June 19 in the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church, 520 Royal Palm Blvd., Vero Beach, Fla. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Tickets are $15 for children under 12 years. Call 734-377-8033 or visit FirstPresVero.org.
This weekend’s laughs at the Comedy Zone will be served up by headliner Jim Holder, feature act Bob Lauver and emcee Jim Harpring. Holder has been a standup comedian for 18 years. He kick-started his career at the Comedy Workshop in Houston. That club is the home of the so-called “Texas Outlaw Comics,” whose most famous member was the late Sam Kinison. Holder has headlined from coast to coast. His observational humor has been described as ranging from “silly” to “hard-hitting.” A Pennsylvania native, Lauver does comic takes on work and family and the Navy. Harping is a Vero Beach resident whose career includes trial attorney, law enforcement officer and bass player. The Comedy Zone performances are 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. June 17-18. Tickets are $23. Get to the venue ahead of time and enjoy the “Live in the Loop” free outdoor concert. There’s also a bar and grill where you can relax even more. The Comedy Zone and Live in the Loop are at Riverside Theatre, 3250 Riverside Park Dr., Vero Beach. Call 772-231-6990 or visit RiversideTheatre.com.
The Vietnam Veterans of Indian River County have a couple of events coming up this weekend. First is the Mary Snyder Golf Tournament, which begins with a shotgun start 7 a.m. Saturday, June 18, at Sandridge Golf Club, 5300 73rd St., Vero Beach. $75. Call 772-794-0005 or visit VVIRC.org. Then, there’s the Father’s Day Car Show running 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 19, at the Elks Lodge, 1350 26th St., Vero Beach. Call 772-299-6225. Both events benefit the Vietnam Veterans of Indian River County. Visit VVIRC.org for more information.