Due to potential changes and cancellations, we encourage you to check with presenting organizations about the status of their events.
1. Puerto Rican Day parade and festival in Palm Bay
The 27th annual Puerto Rican Day Parade and Festival will be held on Sunday, Oct. 6 at Fred Poppe Regional Park, 1951 Malabar Road NW, Palm Bay. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. with the festival following immediately after. The event will include a musical performance by Tito Puente Jr., artists, entertainers, vendors, food trucks, an antique car show and more. Admission is free. Call 863-381-4858, email [email protected] or visit utbunitedthirdbridge.org or palmbayflorida.org.
2. Blessings of the animals
-
Tales at the Barkery hosts a blessing of the animals on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 1 p.m. at the Myrt Tharpe Square gazebo in Cocoa Village. Conducted in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures, a procession of animals, from dogs and cats to hamsters and even horses, are welcome. Deacon Joseph A. Pecko of Church of Our Saviour, Cocoa Beach, will officiate this special ceremony. Pet photos with Deacon Pecko will be taken for a $5 donation. Proceeds will benefit the Florida Wildlife Hospital. All pets are welcome on a leash, or in appropriate carriers, and must have current vaccinations and county tags. Call 321-305-4584 or visit tailsatthebarkery.com.
-
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 5555 N. Tropical Trail, Merritt Island will offer animal blessings on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 4 p.m. Visit stlukesmi.org or call 321-452-5260.
3. Art festivals around Brevard
-
Fall art and craft expo in Wickham Park: This celebration of arts, crafts and the human spirit will be at Wickham Park, 2500 Parkway Drive, Melbourne, on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 5 and 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 250 booths will showcase the works of Florida artists. There will be live music, a kids zone and more. Call 772-492-6105 or visit artandcraftexpo.com or facebook.com/events/444265934769679.
-
Fall craft fair in Titusville: The North Brevard Historical Society and Museum hosts a fall craft fair on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 3671 S. Hopkins Ave., Titusville. Admission is free. Visit northbrevardhistoricalmuseum.org.
4. Meet author Brian Freeman in Rockledge
BeachFly Brewing Company, 513 Barton Blvd., Rockledge, hosts a “meet the author” night with Brian Freeman, the author of more than two dozen psychological thrillers including five Jason Bourne novels. The event will be Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free. Call 321-305-6865 or visit beachflybrewing.com.
5. Jazz Junction concert in Melbourne
The 3-2-1 Jazz Orchestra, formerly known as Swingtime, will offer a free concert at the Melbourne Auditorium, 625 E. Hibiscus Blvd., on Thursday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. with pre-show entertainment by Oh Golly Dixieland Band. The Concert Café format for the event enables the audience to select from traditional theater-style seating or sit at tables and also provides room to dance for those so inclined. Call 321-724-0555 or visit MelbourneMunicipalBand.org.
6. First Friday events
-
Fun Friday by the Bay: Fun Friday by the Bay will be at Veterans Memorial Park, 2201 Port Malabar Blvd., Palm Bay, on Friday, Oct. 4 from 6 to 10 p.m. There will be a free outdoor concert, craft vendors, food trucks and a kids zone. Bring your own chairs. Worried about the weather? Call the special events rainout hotline at 321-726-5682 or visit palmbayflorida.org.
-
First Friday in Wickham Park: This rain-or-shine event will be in the pavilion at Wickham Park, 2500 Parkway Drive, Melbourne, on Friday, Oct. 4 from 5 to 9 p.m. There will be food trucks and live music by Tru Phonic. Visit facebook.com/events/925285065832379.
7. Auditions at Melbourne Civic Theatre
Melbourne Civic Theatre, 817 E. Strawbridge Ave., Melbourne, will hold auditions for the play “It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” on Sunday and Monday, Oct. 6 and 7 at 7 p.m. This adaptation of the beloved classic takes place at radio station WBFR in New York City, as the cast assembles and performs a live broadcast version of the holiday favorite. Actors will be asked to read from the script and create different-sounding voices for different characters. Also needed are vocalists for live commercial jingles and Christmas songs. The performance dates are Dec. 6 through 22, 2024. Call 321-723-6935 or visit mymct.org.
8. Brevard Antiques and Collectibles Club in Viera
The Brevard Antiques and Collectibles Club will hold its monthly meeting at the Suntree/Viera Public Library, 902 Jordan Blass Drive, at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 4. The subject will be “Souvenirs.” Please bring one item for study and discussion. Note that the group consists of collectors, not dealers, so they do not give appraisals. Call 321-254-5831.
9. Yard sale at the Liberty Bell Museum
The Liberty Bell Museum, 1601 Oak Street, Melbourne, hosts a yard sale on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. to noon. Items will include office equipment and supplies, military clothing, patriotic music CDs and more. The museum will be open to visitors during the sale hours. Admission is free. Call 321-373-2311 or email [email protected].
Do you have a community event? Email [email protected] at least three weeks in advance for consideration for the Things to Do roundup.
Looking for more to do? 7 fun things to do in Brevard for Oct. 4-10
Whether you’re interested in music, theater, festivals or other local entertainment, FLORIDA TODAY has got you covered. Support local journalism by subscribing at Special Offers – USAToday Network.
Christina LaFortune is the Entertainment and TGIF Editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/christinalafortune or send her an email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Free things to do! 9 free or low-cost events in Brevard this weekend
