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Due to potential changes and cancellations, we encourage you to check with presenting organizations about the status of their events.<\/em> \u00a0<\/p>\n The Hit Songwriters Music Festival will take place in downtown Cocoa Beach on Oct. 17 through 19. The event brings nationally acclaimed singers and songwriters to the Space Coast for three days of live musical performances. The festival will take place in various venues, restaurants, and bars, ranging in size from about 30 people for the intimate performances, to 3,000 or more at the kickoff street party Friday night, to the\u00a0ticketed “Heavy Hitters” main event show at the Radisson Resort at the Port in the Convention Center on Saturday, featuring some of Nashville\u2019s top performers. General admission tickets<\/a> are $35 in advance or $40 at the event. For the full schedule, visit hitsongwriter.incentrev.com<\/a> or thehitkicker.com.<\/a><\/p>\n Celebrate Indian River Lagoon Day with a free, family-friendly event at Front Street Park, 2210 Front Street, Melbourne, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18. Environmental exhibitors will be present to showcase a variety of restoration projects, educational efforts, available citizen-science projects and volunteer activities. Food trucks, music, arts and craft vendors, bounce house, games and other activities for children will also be available. A Hook Kids on Fishing clinic for kids 5-15 years old will take place from 9 to 11 a.m.; registration is required at anglersforconservation.org<\/a>. For gardeners, a rain barrel workshop will be held from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Participants will be able to learn and take home a free rain barrel; registration is required at eventbrite.com<\/a>. Admission is free. Visit facebook.com\/CityofMelbourneFL<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Brevard Symphony Orchestra presents \u2018Expect the Unexpected\u2019 concert at the King Center, 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18. Enjoy a thrilling mix of classical masterpieces like Bernstein\u2019s \u201cCandide Overture,\u201d Sibelius\u2019 \u201cThe Swan of Tuonela,\u201d and Saint-Sa\u00ebns\u2019 \u201cDanse Macabre,\u201d plus iconic film scores and a nostalgic journey through \u201950s and \u201960s hits, including a Beach Boys medley. Tickets start at $45. Visit kingcenter.com<\/a> or brevardsymphony.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n A concert of \u201cyacht rock\u201d music of the 1970s and early \u201880s will take place at the Merritt Island Moose Lodge #2073, 3150 N. Courtenay Pkwy., Merritt Island, on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. In this upbeat, light-hearted show, a live band will take you on a journey that winds through the greatest songs of the era. Tickets are $30 to $40. Call 407-252-3536 or visit showtickets.live<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Melbourne Municipal Band presents a free concert celebrating the American story at Eau Gallie High School, 1400 Commodore Blvd., Melbourne, at 3 p.m. Oct. 19. \u201cThe American Saga\u201d features a guest conductor, retired Col. Thomas Palmatier, and will include selections such as \u201cAn American in Paris,\u201d \u201cShenandoah,\u201d \u201cAnd With this Day\u201d and \u201cAmerican Flourish,\u201d Admission is free. Call 321-724-0555 or visit mmband.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n Over 200 artisans will sell their handmade wares on the streets of Cocoa Village on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 18 and 19, starting at 10 a.m. each day. Bring kids, tweens and teens to the Taylor Park playground where artist Jen Gallo will host free all-day workshops. There will also be food trucks, live music and more. Admission is free. Visit visitcocoavillage.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n While you\u2019re at the art and craft fair in Cocoa Village, visit Tails at the Barkery<\/a>, 14 Oleander Street, Cocoa Village, on Oct. 18 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to have your pet create their very own one-of-a-kind piece of art in exchange for a $10 donation to benefit the Mid Florida Sheltie Rescue<\/a>. All pets must be on a leash or in appropriate carriers and have current vaccinations and county tags. Call 321-305-4584 or visit tailsatthebarkery.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Visit Woodside Park Viera, 1705 Crane Creek Blvd., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 to enjoy activities like a hay maze, costume contest, face painting, crafts and a pumpkin patch. Local physicians from Orlando Health will represent the Ted E. Bear Clinic and will be on hand to give full exams for bears and other stuffed animals brought by children. Certificates of wellness will be offered after the exams. Admission is free. Visit facebook.com\/VieraVoice<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Enjoy a free concert in Wickham Park, 2500 Parkway Drive, Melbourne, on Friday, Oct. 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. Experience the greatest hits of Stevie Nicks with live music by Bella Donna Project. There will be food trucks at the event. Admission is free. Visit brevardfl.gov<\/a> or facebook.com\/BrevardParks<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Are you planning a community entertainment event?<\/strong>\u00a0Email\u00a0tgif@floridatoday.com<\/a>\u00a0at least three weeks in advance for consideration for the Things to Do roundup.<\/em><\/p>\n Christina LaFortune is the Entertainment and TGIF Editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Follow her on Facebook at\u00a0facebook.com\/christinalafortune<\/a>\u00a0or send her an email at\u00a0clafortune@floridatoday.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n1. Hit Songwriters Music Festival in Cocoa Beach<\/h2>\n
2. Indian River Lagoon Day in Melbourne<\/h2>\n
3. \u2018Expect the Unexpected\u2019 concert at the King Center<\/h2>\n
4. \u2018Summer Breeze: A Yacht Rock Experience\u2019 on Merritt Island<\/h2>\n
5. \u2018The American Saga\u2019 concert in Melbourne<\/h2>\n
6. Fall art and craft fair in Cocoa Village<\/h2>\n
7. Fall Gobble-licious pet art in Cocoa Village<\/h2>\n
8. Harvest Festival in Viera<\/h2>\n
9. Free concert in Wickham Park<\/h2>\n
10. Live theater around Brevard<\/h2>\n
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