PLEIN AIR PAINTOUT: Take a peek at what 22 artists are coming up with during the public observation days of the Santa Fe Springs Plein Air Paintout. They will be painting the North Florida Springs through Sunday, when a reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at Lanza Gallery & Art Supplies, 23645 W. U.S. 27 in High Springs. Friday, you can watch the artistry at Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park, 7450 NE 60th St. in High Springs; Saturday, head out to Downtown High Springs. Some of the locations are free, while others have entrance fees. Pick up your map to find out where the artists will be and all of the information throughout the paintout at Lanza Gallery & Art Supplies. Light refreshments will be served during the reception. All of the finalized art also will be on display and for sale. The exhibit will run Sunday through May 18. For more information, call 474-9922.
HOME & GARDEN SHOW: The 20th annual North Central Florida Home & Garden Show will be held Saturday and Sunday at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. The yearly event will feature booths, seminars and experts from all over North Central Florida with a focus on everything house-related. If you’re buying a new home, building a new one or planning to remodel part — or all — of your current residence, you’ll find helpful tips, tricks, items and businesses to help ease the process. Some of the popular topics covered during the event will include home repair, landscaping, home security, home decor and electronics. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The Stephen C. O’Connell Center is located at 250 Gale Lemerand Drive. For more information, check out the Home & Garden Show Program in Friday’s Gainesville Sun.
CHAT WITH AUTHOR ELIZABETH BERG: Pick the mind of author Elizabeth Berg this Saturday during the current installment of the Alachua County Library District 2019 Author Series. Berg will discuss her latest book, “Night of Miracles,” a feel-good novel about surprising friendships, community and how small acts of kindness can change a life. Released in November, “Night of Miracles” is a companion novel to Berg’s 2017 book, “The Story of Arthur Truluv.” Berg’s first novel, “Durable Goods,” won the American Library Association’s Best Book of the Year award. Her novel “Open House” was an Oprah’s Book Club selection. Berg worked as a nurse for 10 years before winning a magazine essay contest and embarking on her writing career. She will answer questions and be available for book signings during the event. Copies of her books will be for sale, and library copies may be reserved at aclib.us/author-series. The event begins at 2:30 p.m. at Headquarters Library, 401 E. University Ave. For more information, visit aclib.us.
CRUISE-IN: The Gainesville Street Rods Monthly Cruise-In, which raises funds to support Stop Children’s Cancer, will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday at the Springhill Publix, which is located at Northwest 39th Avenue and Interstate 75. The car show is free to spectators and $5 for anyone who wants to register their vehicle as part of the show. Registration is open to all makes of legal, street-driven vehicles. There also will be a $100 jackpot drawing for registered vehicles and a trophy award for the “Young Cruisers of the Month.” The show will host a DJ and a 50/50 drawing to benefit Stop Children’s Cancer. For more information, call 658-1477.
OLD FASHIONED RIVER PARTY: Celebrate Manatee Springs with live music and a fish fry from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday in the picnic area of Manatee Springs State Park. The 27th annual Old Fashioned River Party will showcase more than a dozen acoustic acts, including fiddlers, banjo players, guitarists, singer-songwriters, old-time musicians and yodelers. Noted local conservationist Whitey Markle will do a set of his songs in the afternoon. A fish fry will be served from 1 to 2 p.m., and the food is included in the park entrance fee of $6 per vehicle. The event is intended to raise awareness of the springs and to help protect them for future generations. Manatee Springs State Park is located at 11650 NW 115th St. in Chiefland. For more information, call 493-6072.
