Start Thanksgiving off with the Trot Against Poverty 5K Walk/Run. The kids race begins at 7:15 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 27, followed by the 5K at 7:30 a.m. The event ends with the famed sweet potato pancake breakfast and the 8:30 a.m. awards ceremony. $40. Proceeds support United Against Poverty. Riverside Park is at 3001 Riverside Park Dr., Vero Beach. Visit TrotAgainstPoverty.org.
Main Street Vero Beach’s Downtown Friday’s Hometown Holidays runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, along 14th Avenue. Local merchants will open their doors for holiday shopping, food trucks will line the street, and live music by Johnny & the Blaze. Free. Call 772-643-6782 or visit MainStreetVeroBeach.org.
The original musical “Dancing on the Dingle” runs 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, and Sunday, Nov. 30, at the Vero Beach Theatre Guild, 2020 San Juan Ave. Created by local writers and produced for the Vero Beach community, the show follows Professor Winslow Welk, a North Dakota anthropologist whose astonishing adventures span Ireland’s Dingle Peninsula, Reykjavik, Iceland, and even the North Pole between 1911 and 1914. Tickets range from $17.50 to $40 and can be purchased by calling the box office at 772-562-8300 or by visiting VeroBeachTheatreGuild.com.
The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra Jazz Orchestra presents “Jingle” at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, at the Emerson Center, 1590 27th Ave., Vero Beach. It features fresh arrangements of classics like “Winter Wonderland” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the door. Concerts are free for those 18 and under or college students with a student ID. Call 855-252-7276 or visit TheEmersonCenter.com. Space Coast Symphony Orchestra.
The American Association of University Women will hold a Book Review Breakfast at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 1, at the Richardson Center at Indian River State College, 6155 College Lane, Vero Beach. The review features national award-winning artist and sculptor Dana King reviewing “All Blood Runs Red” by Phil Keith and Tom Clavin. The book tells the true story of Eugene Bullard, the first African-American fighter pilot and a man whose remarkable life broke racial barriers across continents. Free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring new or gently used children’s books to support the four Little Free Libraries maintained by AAUW-Vero Beach. Visit AAUWVeroBeach.org.
Indian River CARES hosts a Countywide Volunteer Recruitment Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at the Gifford Youth Achievement Center, 4875 43rd Ave., Vero Beach. About 30 local nonprofits will be on hand to connect with potential volunteers, and the Treasure Coast Girls Coalition will serve lunch and snacks. A free aerobics class will be offered from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. before the fair begins. Visit IndianRiverCares.org.
The Vero Beach Book Center will host a couple of bestselling authors this week. First is Mitch Albom, who will be on hand from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, to discuss his newest release, “Twice.” Tickets include a copy of the book. Later next week, longtime local author Rody Johnson will discuss his newest book, “Forever Vero,” at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4. That event is free. The Vero Beach Book Center is at 392 21st St. Call 772-569-2050.
McKee Botanical Garden annual Jungle Lights display opens Wednesday, Dec. 3, and runs through Jan. 3. This is one of the Treasure Coast’s most anticipated holiday attractions. This year’s luminous journey explores six South American countries – Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. It is designed to immerse visitors in glowing flora, fauna and rainforest soundscapes. Beloved traditions return as well, including the Great Reindeer Hall with its 12-foot Rudolph, the large-scale model train display, and Santa’s appearances in the Spanish Kitchen on select nights. Jungle Lights runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. nightly except Mondays and holidays, with last entry at 8:30 p.m. Tickets range from $20 to $30 with discounts for members. McKee Botanical Garden is at 350 U.S. 1, Vero Beach. Call 772-794-0601 or visit McKeeGarden.org.
