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Upcoming Week at a Glance
Click through for more information on each event or search below for featured event articles.
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Golf Scramble for Kids Scholarships - Oct. 16 registration deadline | |
The City of Gainesville Park, Recreation and Cultural Affairs' annual Charity Golf Scramble to benefit city youth is Friday, Oct. 23 at 8:30 a.m. at the Ironwood Golf Course. Player registration is just $75 for an individual and $275 for a foursome. Registration fees include green fee, cart fee, range balls, breakfast and awards luncheon following the tournament.
Registration deadline is Friday, Oct. 16.
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A Very GNV Holiday Parade registration deadline is Oct. 25
Registration for participating in the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade is open! This year’s parade is Saturday, Dec. 5. The registration form, parade rules and additional details are available on our website. Entry forms must be submitted by Sunday, Oct. 25.
The parade is scheduled to begin at noon and cover a one-mile stretch of East University Avenue. The event launches the city’s holiday festivities on Dec. 5 that include afternoon activities at Bo Diddley Plaza followed by the Holiday Lights Celebration, held at City Hall Plaza.
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Movie Night: Halloweentown
Friday, Oct. 16
| Join us for Movie Night at Bo Diddley Plaza featuring Halloweentown! This event is free and open to the public. Come enjoy a movie under the stars. | | | |
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The Great Pumpkin Bash
Saturday, Oct. 17
| Join us for our second annual Great Pumpkin Bash Saturday, Oct. 17 at Bo Diddley Plaza! We'll have games, a corn maze, carnival games, pumpkin patch, a photo booth and more! | | | | |
Seeking nominations for the Michelle Park Family Scholarship by Dec. 1
We are seeking nominations for the Michelle Park Family Scholarship! The scholarship provides one low-to-moderate income Gainesville family access to nature, recreation and cultural activities provided by the city and other providers in our community. The recipient family will be able to take advantage of a year’s worth of events, programs, tours and more at no cost.
One scholarship, valued at $1,500, can be used to enjoy activities such as:
- After-school program and day camps for school breaks and teacher holidays
- Access to the Wellness Center at the Martin Luther King Jr. Multipurpose Center
- Tickets to cultural events
- An annual pass to the Sweetwater Wetlands Park
- Adult and youth recreation and sports activities
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Free Fridays Concert Series call to artists - open until Jan. 31
Are you interested in playing on the Bo Diddley Plaza stage? Bands and musicians are invited to apply to perform in the 2027 Free Fridays Concert Series! Applications are open through Jan. 31, 2027.
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The Art of Death: Plein air painting at Evergreen Cemetery (Oct. 10-18) | Evergreen Cemetery is hosting a plein air art event. Artists will capture the natural beauty of Evergreen Cemetery starting on Saturday, Oct. 10 through Sunday, Oct. 18 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. An art reception will be hosted from 5-8 p.m. on Halloween. | | | |
Out of School Days Available
Out of School Days offers all day activities for days Alachua County Public Schools are closed, providing a safe and enjoyable environment for children in 1st through 8th grades. The program enhances the children’s physical, social and mental awareness by providing sustainable healthy lifestyle lessons and building positive character development through learning teamwork and creating art projects together. Our dedicated staff is committed to keeping children safe while they learn and have fun! Out of School Days hours are 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Upcoming dates are:
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Coed Youth Basketball registration is open!
For all kids age 5-14. All kids play and it’s fun for everyone! Registration is open through Tuesday, Dec. 1, and games begin in January.
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Free Group Therapy for Those Affected by Gun Violence
As part of ongoing efforts to address gun violence in Gainesville, IMPACT GNV has partnered with Guiding Growth Therapy, LLC to offer free group therapy for those affected by gun violence.
The group is open to anyone who has been affected directly or indirectly, including family members, community members, churches and individuals concerned about gun violence. Those directly affected by gun violence are strongly encouraged to participate.
Sessions are facilitated by licensed therapists trained in trauma.
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Fall Wildflower Walks continue! | When the air becomes cool and crisp, find what blooms among the pines. Put on your comfortable walking shoes and join our nature interpreters for a guided walk among the purples, yellows and pinks at Morningside! | | | | |
Free pumpkin composting drop-off (Nov. 3-13)
Turn your leftover pumpkins into compost! Free pumpkin compost drop-off is available Monday, Nov. 3-Thursday, Nov. 13 at the following locations:
- Reserve Park (700 NE 11st St.) daily from dawn to dusk
- Possum Creek Park (4009 NW 53rd Ave.) daily from dawn to dusk
- TB McPherson Park (1717 NE 15th St.) Monday-Saturday dawn to dusk, Sunday dawn-4 p.m.
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Fall Swim Lessons
Registration for fall swim lessons is open!
After-School Program
The After-School Program provides children and youth in grades 1 through 8 with a safe and engaging environment, which incorporates hands-on activities. Registration is open.
Out of School Days
Out of School Days provides children and youth in grades 1 through 8 with a safe and engaging environment, which incorporates hands-on activities. Registration is open.
SOAR - Science-Oriented Activities and Recreation: Kids and teens of all ages are welcome to join the fun and learn about their surroundings through hands-on activities. Held the second Friday from 3:30-4:30 p.m., September-May, outside the Elite Training Center (2626 E. University Ave.).
Start Smart Sports helps parents of preschoolers 3-5 years old objectively measure their child's abilities. As the programs progress and children show improvement, the skills and exercises are altered so that each child remains challenged while using age-appropriate equipment. They will learn concepts and skills including: sport specific skills, preparation for organized sports, building self-esteem and confidence, and social skills. Start Smart Basketball registration is open.
Lil' Cooking Club provides preschoolers ages 3 to 5 with a fun, social and creative environment to learn and be introduced to culinary arts. As a hands-on activity, with required parent engagement, preschoolers will learn concepts and skills including: language and vocabulary, fine motor coordination, mathematical skills, problem solving and social skills. Registration is open.
Youth Coed Basketball is for kids age 5-14. All kids play and it’s fun for everyone! Registration is open through Tuesday, Dec. 1, and games begin in January.
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With the anticipation of cooler temps, our fall nature programs are starting back up! Join us at Morningside Nature Center this fall for some family-friendly experiences!
Barnyard Buddies: Come down to the Living History Farm at Morningside Nature Center to say moo, cluck, baa, and oink to our cows, chickens, sheep and pigs. Children, accompanied by their adult, can meet and learn about all of our farm animals while helping to give them their afternoon snacks.
Farm and Forest Friends: Venture through the woods and onto the farm as we learn and explore! Begin your journey meeting one of our friendly classroom animals, then follow your guide as we learn about the birds, bugs and plants on our way to help the farm animals with their morning feed!
Living History Saturdays: Visit the Living History Farm and experience a time when the rooster’s crow and the rising sun - not an alarm clock - welcomed a new day! During Living History Days, interpreters portray day-to-day life on an 1870 Florida farm. Step back in time, enjoy nature and experience Florida as it was!
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Gainesville Zero Waste News
Surprisingly Common Items That Are Not Recyclable
Confusion about what can and can’t be recycled is widespread, and with recycling rules varying from one place to another, it doesn’t make it any easier. However, keeping non-recyclable materials out of recycling bins is crucial to reducing processing costs and maintaining strong market demand for recycled materials.
Here are seven items that most recycling programs do not accept:
1) Store receipts: Most receipts are printed on thermal paper coated with chemicals that make them unsuitable for recycling.
2) Single-use plastic cups: Don't be misled by the recycling arrows; these cups are made from lower-grade plastic, which is not widely recyclable.
3) Ceramic bottles and jars: Common in high-end beauty products, these items differ from glass beverage containers and can contaminate recycling streams.
4) Paper coffee cups: The plastic lining that keeps these cups waterproof also makes them non-recyclable. However, the cardboard sleeves are usually recyclable.
5) Plastic straws and utensils: Most straws, forks, spoons and knives are usually made from non-recyclable plastics and are too small to be processed effectively.
6) Pizza boxes: The greasy, oil-soaked bottoms of pizza boxes can’t be recycled. However, the clean tops can be torn off and recycled.
7) Insulating liners: Often used in meal kit deliveries, these liners can tangle in sorting machinery and should not be placed in recycle bins.
To find out what items are recyclable locally, visit the Zero Waste Wizard at gainesvillefl.gov/WasteWizard.
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Indigenous Peoples Day Ceremony
The City of Gainesville, the Indigenous Peoples Task Force and community partners recently celebrated the vibrant culture, traditions and history of the first inhabitants of our land. Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward recognized the contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples including the Potano, part of the Timucua Nation, who once inhabited north central Florida, and presented a proclamation to elders in attendance.
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City Commission Meetings
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Thursday, Oct. 15: City Commission meeting
For a listing of other board/committee meetings and agendas, please visit our website.
Live meeting coverage is available on Cox Cable Channel 12, Roku TV, Fire TV and the City of Gainesville website.
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