While the Gators say “bye,” others say “hello” — with a jam-packed weekend of festivals, celebrations, concerts and fundraisers. Area events planned today through Sunday offer an almost mind-numbing array of choices really not seen at any other time of the year.
And the weather forecast for this busy weekend could hardly be better. Skies are expected to be clear, with temperatures in the high 70s during the day from Friday through Sunday, with lows around 49, according to the National Weather Service in Jacksonville.
Here's a look at some of what's planned. For more events, see page 2B.
OPEN HOUSE AND FALL PLANT SALE: Kanapaha Botanical Gardens invites visitors to go green with this event featuring 40 plant vendors, the American Orchid Society's judged orchid show and free — the only time each year that the gardens opens its doors for free; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, 4700 SW 58th Drive. (372-4981)
GAINESVILLE PRIDE PARADE AND FESTIVAL: Saturday's events celebrating the LGBTQ community begin with a parade starting at noon Saturday on West University Avenue at Seventh Street and include a festival with music, vendors and a Kids' Space from 1 to 9 p.m. at Bo Diddley Community Plaza, 111 E. University Ave. (377-8915)
10TH ANNUAL FLORIDA BAT FESTIVAL: Get a rare peek at the stars of the Lubee Bat Conservancy during this once-a-year event when the conservancy opens doors for a day of educational fun; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Lubee Bat Conservancy, 1309 NW 192 Ave. Free, donations accepted. (485-1250, www.lubee.org)
“MEGALODON” CELEBRATION: The festivities saluting this returning exhibit, subtitled “the biggest shark that ever lived,” invite visitors to “be consumed” Sunday with all sorts of free activities; 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Florida Museum of Natural History, 3215 Hull Road. Celebration is free; admission to the exhibit is $4.50-$7, free for UF students. (846-2000, www.flmnh.ufl.edu)
“FREE FRIDAYS” CONCERT SERIES: The series' finale for 2014 serves up sounds from two continents courtesy of UF's World Music Ensembles: Agbedidi Africa, Jacare Brazil and the Pazeni Sauti Africa Choir; 8-10 tonight, Bo Diddley Community Plaza. Free.
ARTBASH: UF's School of Arts and Arts History invites visitors to this open-house celebration of the visual arts with student projects and exhibits — and a concert featuring music by Dear and Glorious Physician, and the Mutt Blues Band, Event hours are 6-9 tonight; the concert runs from 8 to 10 p.m., School of Arts and University Galleries, UF campus. Free.
ROCK BY THE C: Cymplify hosts two days of live music, food trucks, ice cream and coffee with performances by Chuck Cannon, Tim Brantley and Tim Warren & Eric Donnelly of the Alternate Routes, among others, 5:45 p.m. today, 5 p.m. Saturday, Cymplify, 5402 NW Eighth Ave. Public performances are free. (www.rockbythesea.org)
“A TASTE 4 MUSIC”: This fundraiser for the Buchholz High School Wind Symphony features The Savants of Soul, whatSHEsaid and The String Kings along with tapas and two beverages, 7-11 tonight, The Warehouse, 502 S. Main Street. Tickets: $50; $90 for couples. (352-281-9330, 352-262-7422)
SHARE THE ROAD CELEBRATION OF CYCLING WEEKEND: Special events hosted by Bike Florida and the Florida Bicycle Association include a cycling social, food truck rally and bike parade, with live music from Flat Land, 6-9 tonight, Innovation Square, 747 SW Second Ave. Free admission. (262-5798, www.bikeflorida.org/events/share-the-road-celebration-of-cycling)
ALACHUA COUNTY FAIR: This year's event featuring a midway loaded with rides, games and entertainment continues today through Saturday; gates opens at 2 p.m. each day, Alachua County Fairgrounds, 3100 NE 39th Ave. Admission: $2-$5, free for ages 5 and under. (www.alachuacountyfair.com)
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY FALL BOOK SALE: Lovers of the printed word in book form will find a feast in this biannual sale offering more than 500,000 books and other items in 60-plus categories, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 1-6 p.m. Sunday, FOL Book House, 430 N. Main St. (www.folacld.org)
NOCHE DE GALA AMP: One of the area's most lavish benefit events is in its seventh year raising funds for the Sebastian Ferrero Foundation; 7 p.m. Saturday, Besilu Collection, 6800 NW 193rd St., Micanopy. Tickets: $450. (www.nochedegala.org, 333-2579
“SLASHER”: The Hipp's Halloween production marks the Florida premiere of this horror-film parody combining laughter and chills; 8 tonight, 5 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE Second Place. Tickets: $15-$35. (375-4477, Thehipp.org)
AUTUMN BEER FESTIVAL: This inaugural fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club of Alachua County features more than 60 types of beer, along with food and live music by the Kris Ritchie Band; 3-7 p.m. Saturday, Magnolia Park, 4989 NW 40th Place. Tickets: $25 advance, $35 day of event; designated drivers are free. (www.onelovecafefl.com)
SOUTHERN SHOWCASE OF CHAMPIONS MARCHING BAND INVITATIONAL: Seventeen high school marching bands from around the state will march in high style in this competition, gates open at 9 a.m. Saturday, awards ceremony starts at 4:45 p.m., Santa Fe High School, 16213 NW U.S. 441. Tickets: $8-$10.
MATHESON MUSEUM'S FALL FESTIVAL: Alachua County's history museum celebrates the season with fall tradition both international and historical including pumpkin decorating, folk dancing and more, 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Matheson Museum, 513 E. University Ave. Free. (378-2280, info@mathesonmuseum.org )
GAINESVILLE WALK TO END ALZHEIMER'S: This annual event begins with check-in at 8 a.m. Saturday followed by a ceremony at 9 a.m. and the walk at 9:30 a.m., Westside Park, corner of Northwest Eighth Avenue and 34th Street. Free registration, donations accepted. (Alz.org/walk)
MAKING STRIDES OF GAINESVILLE: The Gainesville edition of this charity event starts with check-in at 7:30 a.m. Saturday followed by the walk at 9 a.m., beginning and ending in front of the Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE Second Place.
ACCORDION VIRTUOSI OF RUSSIA: This acclaimed ensemble will perform everything from folk music to unique arrangements of rock songs, 2 p.m. Sunday, University Auditorium, 333 Newell Drive. Tickets: $20-$30, $10 for UF students. (392-2787, www.performingarts.ufl.edu)
“IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT”: Starting Sunday night, L.A. Theatre Works opens a three-day run of this riveting story set in the 1960s South, performed radio theater style; 7:30 p.m. Sunday-Tuesday, Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $35 general admission. (392-2787, www.performingarts.ufl.edu)