The Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Department will bring one of literature’s most beloved classics to life with its production of “Little Women.” Based on Louisa May Alcott’s timeless novel, the show tells the story of the four March sisters – Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy – as they navigate love, loss and coming of age during the Civil War. Performances take place 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at the Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center, 1707 16th St. Tickets and information are available at VeroBeachPerformingArts.com or by calling 772-564-5537.
The Marine Flea Market & Seafood Festival and Marine Wildlife Art and Craft Festival is scheduled for Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 at the Indian River County Fairgrounds, 7955 58th Ave., Vero Beach. Visitors can browse through an array of marine-themed art, crafts and collectibles, enjoy live music, and indulge in seafood dishes from local vendors. This two-day event celebrates the coastal lifestyle and the artists who draw inspiration from the ocean. It runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Admission is $10, with free entry for children 12 and under. More information can be found at WildlifeArtFest.com or by calling 954-205-7813.
The Walk-A-Thon for Military and Veteran Suicide Awareness will be held 9 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at Riverside Park’s Grand Pavilion in Vero Beach. The 2.2-mile walk will be followed by a Veterans Expo featuring local organizations and resources. Proceeds benefit Dogs for Life, the Mental Health Association and Next Generation Veterans, all working to support mental wellness among service members and their families. Registration is $35 online or $40 the day of the event, and the first 200 walkers to sign up will receive commemorative T-shirts. In a show of community support, 21st Amendment Distillery in downtown Vero Beach has created a special-release bourbon and whiskey in honor of Gold Star Mothers of Indian River County, with 40 percent of proceeds going to support their mission. For details, visit IRCGoldStarMoms.org.
The Emerson Center will host TEDx Vero Beach: Breaking Barriers – Systems that Challenge the Status Quo from 2 P.M. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2. The event will feature 12 speakers, including world-renowned athletes, innovative educators, and thought leaders in artificial intelligence. Each hour will include three talks designed to ignite new ideas and conversations about human potential and innovation. Between sessions, guests can enjoy gourmet hors d’oeuvres, fine wines, and live music from Indian River Charter High School students, along with the soulful sounds of the Carvajal Sisters in the lobby. Ellen Contreras, media personality and host of the iHeart radio show Treasure Coast Connector, will emcee the event. Tickets start at $87.61. The Emerson Center is at 1590 27th Ave., Vero Beach. For more information call 772-778-5249 or visit TheEmersonCenter.com.
Capt. Hiram’s Resort will host the Great Duck Derby from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2. Presented by the Rotary Club of Vero Beach Oceanside, the annual event benefits Treasure Coast Community Health’s Pediatric Center. Thousands of rubber ducks will “race” in the Indian River Lagoon, with prizes for the fastest finishers. It’s a lighthearted, family-friendly event that supports children’s health services across the county. Capt. Hiram’s is at 1580 U.S. 1, Sebastian. More information is available at DuckRace.com/VeroBeach.
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Catholic Charities’ Samaritan Center will hold its annual Soup Bowl fundraiser to help families transition out of homelessness From 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6. The event takes participants through more than 25 locations throughout the county. Go first to the Vero Beach Heritage Center, 2140 14th Ave., to get a list of participating locations. There will be homemade soups served in handcrafted pottery bowls made by local artists. For a $20 donation, guests receive a unique bowl to take home, while soups are available for $5 a serving or $15 a quart. Funds raised go to the Samaritan Center’s transitional housing program. For details, call 772-770-3039.
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Riverside Theatre’s current show, the musical “Little Shop of Horrors,” continues its run through Nov. 9. The cult-favorite musical, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman, tells the darkly funny story of Seymour, a meek flower shop assistant who discovers a mysterious plant with a thirst for blood. As Seymour’s fame grows, so does the plant’s appetite, leading to hilarious and horrifying consequences. Tickets start at $70, with student discounts available. Riverside Theatre is located at 3250 Riverside Park Dr., Vero Beach. Call 772-231-6990 for tickets and showtimes.
