Start your weekend by indulging in the First Friday Gallery Strolls. The monthly event runs 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and takes place in Vero Beach’s Historic Downtown Arts District. You can amble along the sidewalks, dip into art galleries and shops. Frequently, gallerists will offer a sip of wine or tasty tidbits to munch on while speaking to some of the artists with works on view. If all that strolling gets just too much for you, then stop at some of the lively restaurants in the area. The Art Gallery Stroll takes you along 14th Avenue. If you need a specific starting point, head to the Main Street Vero Beach Studios & Gallery, 2036 14th Ave. You can pick up maps for directions to other participating galleries. For more information, call 772-643-6782 or visit MainStreetVeroBeach.org.
Mulligan’s Skim Jam returns for its 15th annual event in Sexton Plaza on Saturday, Sept. 3. The event raises money for the Vero Beach Lifeguard Association. Sign-in starts 8 a.m. Raffles begin 10 a.m. on the beach. Prizes and awards will be announced at the After Party beginning 5 p.m. at Walking Tree Brewery. Cost to participate in the Skim Jam is $40 for non-pro and $100 for professionals. Register at LiveHeats.com/ShoreLB. If you hang a little while at Walking Tree you can enjoy music by Live Bait, an acoustic duo from Fort Pierce. Walking Tree Brewery is at 3209 Dodger Road, Vero Beach. To reach Walking Tree, call 772-217-3502 or visit WalkingTreeBrewery.com.
The Vero Beach Book Center presents “Linda Hurtado Bond in Conversation with Sophie Julin” early Friday evening. Hurtado Bond is an Emmy Award-winning news anchor for Fox 13 in Tampa. Her book, “All the Broken Girls,” was recently released. The novel takes place in Central Florida and follows Cuban-American crime reporter Mari Alvarez on a hunt for a serial killer. Hurtado Bond will sign copies of her book. Social media influencer Sophie Julin will host the book signing. The book signing begins 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2 at the Vero Beach Book Center, 392 21st St. Regular hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. For more information, call 772-569-2050 or visit VeroBeachBookCenter.com.
Kick back and cool off at Summer Crush Vineyard & Winery this weekend. The locale, which offers up muscadine wine, tours and a gift shop, also is a spot to stroll and enjoy the outdoors, and to listen to music. The concerts this weekend feature the Beatle Guys Band performing “All Beatles All Day” 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and Fonda Cash in a tribute to Fleetwood Mac 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. On both days there will be food trucks and Summer Crush Boxes serving up cheese, charcuterie, seafood dips, chips and salsa, ice cream and more. The concerts are held in an outdoor setting with tickets starting at $5 for a lawn pass or gate fee. Bring a lawn chair. You can bring your own canopy with hold downs or umbrellas. The venue has circulating fans and water-cooled fans that help keep it all cool. No coolers or off-premises food or beverage. Those are sold at the venue. Summer Crush Vineyard & Winery is just south of the Indian River County line, at 4200 Johnston Rd., Fort Pierce. Call 772-460-0500 or visit SummerCrushWine.com.
For something different, head to Art on the Porch. The weekly event takes place 10 a.m. to noon Mondays at Cool Beans Brew. The free event welcomes donations to help defray costs in its art projects and crafts. The event is family friendly and open to all ages. Cool Beans Brew is a coffee meetinghouse and art gallery in the Peacock Arts District in Fort Pierce. It’s got everything coffee, from espresso-based drinks (both hot and iced) to cold brew coffee and points in between. The establishment’s front porch has rocking chairs to invite you to stay a while. Cool Beans Brew is at 1115 Delaware Ave., Fort Pierce. Call 772-828-2355 or visit CoolBeansBrew.com.
