Reel in some fun this Saturday at the Wounded Waters Offshore War Fishing Tournament. The event includes both a fishing tournament and an all-day festival in Fort Pierce. Profits will go to the organization’s Help the Heroes initiative. The tournament is scheduled to run from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. However, the family festival held dockside runs 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. This is a “KDW Fishing Tournament” (kingfish, dolphin and wahoo), with the fee per boat of $300. Each boat can accommodate up to six people fishing. The tournament also includes a “Calcuttas” entry in which fishermen can enter any grouper, tilefish and amberjack they catch. The Calcuttas entry costs $50 each and winners split the prize with the organization. Back on land, there will be a festival which includes a kids’ fishing tournament on the docks running until noon; bounce houses; vendors; music supplied by a DJ; an awards ceremony; and live music with The Landsharks from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. The festival will also have food trucks, soft drinks and a full cash bar. Admittance to the festival is free. Money raised would help veterans, first responders and retired/active military struggling with PTSD. Kevin Klepac, who founded Wounded Waters, served almost 21 years in the Army. “It’s therapeutic,” Klepac says. “As soon as you get underwater, it doesn’t matter how bad a day you’ve had. It all washes away.” Klepac hopes enough people show up so he can get a healthy kickstart to raising $500,000 for the organization. The first thing he’ll do with the money is buy a bigger boat, with wheelchair access. The Wounded Waters Offshore War Fishing Tournament runs Saturday, July 1, at Causeway Cove Marina, 601 Seaway Dr., Fort Pierce. There is a Captain’s Meeting on Friday, June 30. Discount of $25 if a veteran or first responder will be fishing (limit to one discount per boat, proof of service will be required). For more information, visit WoundedWaters.org or call 772-321-9366 or email woundedwaters@gmail.com.
The Friday Morning Story Hour with Miss Erin will celebrate the Fourth of July with the annual “Bubble Wrap Explosion Party” Friday morning at the Vero Beach Book Center. It begins with Miss Erin reading “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom,” “Sharky McShark,” “I Love You with All of My Heart” and “What Does the Crocodile Say at the Beach?” Normally, after the story reading, children do some art projects. This time, though, they will be stomping on the scads of bubble wrap the Vero Beach Book Center has saved up during the year from all the packages they receive. The stomping of the bubbles sounds a little bit like firecrackers, hence the Fourth of July theme. After the celebration, children will receive a voucher for a Kona Ice Cream served outside of the Book Center. This is designed for children up to the age of 5 years. The Bubble Wrap Explosion Party starts at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 30. Admission is free. The Vero Beach Book Center is at 392 21st St. (Miracle Mile), Vero Beach. Call 772-569-6650, 772-569-2050 or visit VeroBeachBookCenter.com.
The Sea Turtle Conservancy will present Guided Sea Turtle Walks through July this summer. The walks begin 9 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Space is limited to 20 people per night. Cost is $20 per person. You must be at least 10 years old. Be prepared to spend up to four hours on these walks and to cover about a mile on soft sand. The walks end somewhere between midnight and 1 a.m. Also, be prepared to encounter some mosquitoes and sand fleas. Register online at ConserveTurtles.org. To register, go to Programs, select Education on the drop-down menu, then click onto Turtle Walks.
Riverside Theatre for Kids presents Disney’s “Newsies” performed by students ages 13 to 20 years. The fully staged musical runs on the Stark Main Stage at 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 30, 1 p.m. Saturday, July 1, and 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 1. Tickets are $10. Riverside Theatre is at 3250 Riverside Park Dr., Vero Beach. Call 772-231-6990 or visit RiversideTheatre.com.
The Celebration of Freedom Patriotic Concert begins 7 p.m. Sunday, July 2, at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church, 7590 26th St., Vero Beach. Free, but donations are accepted. Call 772-584-9744.
The City of Sebastian’s Freedom Festival starts with a parade 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 4, followed by a festival at Riverview Park running 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. It ends with fireworks at 9 p.m. Visit CityOfSebastian.org.
