This is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and as such, it comes with ways you can participate in growing the awareness, raising funds to help find a cure and helping those who have been diagnosed. If you want to participate in all this positive action, then head to one – or all – of the three big area events this Saturday. The first is the “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk” at Riverside Park, Vero Beach. This is part of a nationwide, noncompetitive walk to eliminate breast cancer. It begins with a 7 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15 check-in, complete with music, entertainment, refreshments and giveaways. A Survivor Reception opens at 7:30 a.m., followed by an opening ceremony at 8:30 a.m. The walk begins 9 a.m. It is a 5K awareness walk with three laps around Riverside Park. Parking is in the field west of the Riverside Theatre parking lot. For more information, visit ACSEvents.org. Later in the day, you can head to “Hunt for Hope,” a family-friendly team scavenger hunt. Participants will be given a list of items, some to collect, some to photograph, and some tasks to perform. This 10th annual event raises funds to benefit the IBC Network Foundation’s hunt to find a cure for inflammatory breast cancer, a rare but deadly cancer. The Hunt for Hope begins at 12:30 p.m. at the big pavilion at Riverview Park in Sebastian. For more information, call 772-589-1140 or visit TheIBCNetwork.org. End the day with the Pink in Paradise Gala supporting the Friends after Diagnosis support organization. The Pink in Paradise Gala runs 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the American Icon Brewery, 1133 19th Place, Vero Beach. There will be dancing, live and silent auctions, hors d’oeuvres, sweet treats and crafted cocktails. Dress in formal attire. The cost is $150 per person, with funds going to helping local women diagnosed with cancer. For more information, visit PinkInParadiseVB.com.
Pet lovers will want to take notice of a couple of events happening this Saturday, Oct. 15. A Bingo Vendor Fest will run noon to 3 p.m. at the Indian River Mall. It is designed to benefit the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County. Also in the afternoon is the “Running of the Wieners,” which features dachshund races, live music and food trucks. You can also get some beer as it’s being held 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the dog friendly Pareidolia Brewing Co., 712 Cleveland St., Sebastian. Funds raised will help support H.A.L.O., a no-kill pet rescue shelter in Sebastian. For more information about the Running of the Wieners, call 772-571-5693 or visit PareidoliaBrewing.com.
If you want more great causes to help support, then turn out for the United Way Day of Caring on Saturday, Oct. 15. It starts with an 8 a.m. breakfast at the Vero Beach High School Citrus Bowl, 1707 16th St. There, you’ll join in with service projects at nonprofit and public organizations in need. You can register as an individual or a team. Whatever way you get involved, it should be a great way to meet other like-hearted people wanting to help make a difference. For more information, call 772-567-8900, ext. 120, or visit UnitedWayIRC.org/DOC.
“Paranormal Evening with a Twist” will get you in the mood for the spooky season and help raise money for Vero Heritage Inc. The event runs 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, at the Heritage Center and Indian River Citrus Museum, 2140 14th Ave., Vero Beach. The evening will be filled with scintillating facts and history presented by Indian River Hauntings, which leads frequent historical ghost tours and investigations of paranormal events throughout the Vero Beach area. Indian River Hauntings was founded by retired police detective Larry Lawson, who also founded the Florida Bureau of Paranormal Investigation. Wild Thyme Catering will provide craft cocktails, mocktails and light bites. Admission is $60. For more information, call 772-770-2263.
The Space Coast Jazz Orchestra presents “Legends: Kenton & Ferguson” Sunday afternoon at the Emerson Center. The concert pays tribute to two important jazz figures – Stan Kenton and Maynard Ferguson. You’ll hear songs written and arranged by Kenton including “Malaguena,” “Peanut Vendor” and “A Little Minor Booze.” Ferguson tunes include “Coconut Champagne,” “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” “Birdland” and more. Tickets are $30. The concert begins 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, at the Emerson Center, 1590 27th Ave., Vero Beach. Call 772-778-5249, or 855-252-7276, or visit SpaceCoastSymphony.org.
