ENTERTAINMENT

Best things to do this weekend include Greek festival, '70s prom, car show, Mardi Gras

Laurie K. Blandford
Treasure Coast Newspapers
The annual Greek Festival at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Fort Pierce is this weekend.

You can tell it’s season on the Treasure Coast by looking at the long list of some of this weekend’s best events.

In St. Lucie County, there’s a party in a state park, the area’s longest-running Greek festival, a pop-up nightclub at a golf course, a botanical gardens festival and Mardi Gras parties.

In Indian River County, British automobiles meet the jungle, a brewery turns into a '70s prom, antiques fill the garden club and the story of four brave chaplains is remembered.

In Martin County, an arts festival is taking over Stuart, and woodcarvers are coming to Jensen Beach.

Celebrate real Florida

Party In the Park, an annual family-friendly environmental event, is this weekend at Fort Pierce Inlet State Park.

The 24th annual Treasure Coast Party in the Park eco-festival is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Fort Pierce Inlet State Park at 905 Shorewinds Drive. The Conservation Alliance of St. Lucie County started the eco-festival in 1994 to celebrate Earth Day and the 1972 success of preserving the state park land that had been slated for condos.

The event includes more than 30 interactive exhibits from local organizations such as Ocean Research and Conservation Association, Florida Oceanographic Society, FAU Harbor Branch Ocean Discovery, Anglers for Conservation and the Treasure Coast Wildlife Center. It also has an ocean touch tank, a nature scavenger hunt, a learn-to-fish game, safe live alligator viewing, birds of prey display, nature art, group painting, gardening education, face painting, prizes, live music and food for sale.

Admission is free. For more information, call 772-468-3985 or go to www.floridastateparks.org/content/party-park-0.

PHOTOS: Party in the Park in Fort Pierce

Opa! Go Greek

The annual Greek Festival at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Fort Pierce is this weekend.

The 39th annual Greek Festival at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Fort Pierce, the longest running one on the Treasure Coast, is 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at 2525 S. 25th Street. The festival was created in 1979 to raise awareness about the Greek culture and generate money for the church.

The festival features authentic Greek food, imported Greek wines, beer, vendors selling Greek goods, live music, dancing and church tours. The food includes lamb shanks, soutzoukakia, moussaka, gyros and souvlaki, plus pastries such as baklava, koulourakia, kataifi and diples.

Admission is $3, but free for kids ages 12 and younger. Parking is free. Proceeds benefit the church and local nonprofits, including Big Brothers Big Sisters and Treasure Coast Hospice. For more information, call 954-540-2707 or go to fortpiercegreekfestival.com.

MORE:Fort Pierce's Original Greek Festival on Feb. 9-11 benefits church, organizations it supports

Get out your green thumb

The ninth annual Botanica Garden Festival and Plant Sale is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens at 2410 S.E. Westmoreland Blvd. The Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society is performing from noon to 2 p.m. both days.

The festival includes vendors with plants for sale, horticulture specialists, experts in landscapes, ornamental plants and flowers and carry-out service for sold plants.

Admission and parking are free. A $1 donation benefits the botanical gardens. For more information, call 772-337-1959 or go to www.pslbg.org.

MORE:February is full of sweet events and March has plenty to offer too

Party with pride

The first LGBT pop-up night club is Friday at Fairwinds Golf Course in Fort Pierce.

The first LGBT pop-up nightclub from Pride of the Treasure Coast starts at 6 p.m. Friday at the Fairwinds Golf Course Clubhouse at 4400 Fairwinds Drive in Fort Pierce.

The party includes live music and local drag performers. It’s a cash-only bar, and there will be food for sale. Those who attend must be ages 21 and older.

Cover charge is $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Proceeds benefit the 14th annual Treasure Coast PrideFest on April 15 in Fort Pierce. For tickets, go to paypal.me/prideofthetc/10. For more information, go to www.facebook.com/events/2010852322276784.

MORE:Treasure Coast LGBT community 'stronger' since Pulse shooting

Laissez les bons temps rouler

Celebrate Mardi Gras early this weekend at local breweries and a winery.

Before Fat Tuesday, celebrate Mardi Gras at a brewery or winery this weekend in St. Lucie County.

The New Orleans-inspired party at Sailfish Brewing Company at 130 N. Second Street in Fort Pierce starts 6 p.m. Saturday and includes live music and the limited releases of five bourbon barrel-aged imperial stouts. For more information, go to www.facebook.com/events/301700577010018.

The Big Easy-infused bash at Hop Life Brewing Company at 679 N.W. Enterprise Drive in Port St. Lucie starts 1 p.m. Sunday and features beer and wine specials, live music, a special Creole menu and king cake cupcakes — including one with a traditional hidden baby for the chance to win a gift basket from the brewery. For more information, go to www.facebook.com/events/154868431838053.

A pre-Mardi Pardi at Summer Crush Vineyard & Winery is from 1-5 p.m. Sunday at 4200 Johnston Road in Fort Pierce. The party features New Orleans native Sybil Gage and her Mighty Catahoulas Band, plus NOLA-inspired food. For more information, go to www.summercrushwine.com.

MORE:Plan on Summer Crush for pre- and post-Mardi Pardis

Queue up for cars

The annual Motor Car Exhibition at McKee Botanical Garden in Vero Beach features British vehicles this weekend.

The ninth annual Motor Car Exhibition at McKee Botanical Garden in Vero Beach is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 350 U.S. 1. Overflow parking is at the corner of 17th Street and Indian River Boulevard.

The event has 40 classic and current British cars and motorcycles on display throughout the garden, ranging from an old 1931 Bentley 8-Litre to a new 710-horsepower 2018 McLaren.

Admission is $12 for adults, $11 for seniors, $8 for kids ages 3-12 and free for McKee members and kids younger than 3. For more information, call 772-794-0601 or go to www.mckeegarden.org.

MORE:McKee Motor Car Exhibition set for Feb. 10

EVEN MORE:New exhibit takes McKee Botanical Garden back to its roots

Catch disco fever

Walking Tree Brewery is having a '70s prom this weekend.

A '70s-themed prom night at Walking Tree Brewery at 3209 Dodger Road in Vero Beach starts at 7 p.m. Saturday and ends at midnight.

A prom court, a “Soul Train” dance contest, a costume competition, light fare and a $1 discount on all beer are included in ticket prices.

Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door. Proceeds benefit the Veterans Council of Indian River County. For tickets, go to 70sprom.brownpapertickets.com. For more information, call 772-410-5820 or go to www.facebook.com/events/194769177758299.

MORE:Walking Tree Brewery owners took their time and now are Entrepreneurs of the Year

Go antiquing

The 20th annual Bougainvillea Circle Antique and Vintage Show and Sale is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Garden Club of Indian River County at 2526 17th Ave. in Vero Beach. A catered lunch will be available.

Admission is $2. Proceeds benefit local organizations and help maintain two gardens at the Indian River County Courthouse. For more information, call 772-567-4602 or go to www.gardenclubofirc.org.

MORE:This year's Garden Club of Indian River County ornament is tribute to local dig site

Honor the four chaplains

In this file photo, Palma DeLuca places a rose on the monument dedicated to the “Four Chaplains” at Riverview Park in Sebastian. This year's remembrance service is 1 p.m. Saturday.

The 75th anniversary and remembrance service for the Four Chaplains Monument at Riverview Park is 1 p.m. Saturday at 600 U.S. 1 in Sebastian.

On Feb. 3, 1943, the USAT Dorchester was hit by enemy fire and sank in the Atlantic Ocean. Of the 902 men on board, only 230 survived. Four of the men who died were chaplains who stood together helping others into lifeboats and handing out life jackets.

When the ship ran out of life jackets, the four chaplains removed their own life jackets and handed them to the next four men in line, regardless of religion. As the boat sank, the four chaplains’ silhouettes were seen linking arms as they offered prayers for the others.

For more history, go to www.fourchaplains.org. For more information, call 772-532-8749.

MORE:Philanthropist awarded honor at Four Chaplains ceremony

Rock out for art

ArtsFest is this weekend at Memorial Park at 300 S.E. Ocean Blvd. in Stuart.

ArtsFest at Memorial Park in Stuart is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 300 S.E. Ocean Blvd. There is a concert at 5:30 p.m.

The festival, which began in 1988, includes fine art, a literary village, a local green market, a culinary competition and activities for kids, including a Harry Potter-themed experience. It features more than 100 artists displaying their works along East Ocean Boulevard and in the park.

Admission is $5, but kids ages 12 and younger get in free. For more information, go to www.artsfeststuart.org.

MORE:ArtsFest 2018: A cultural kaleidoscope of fine art, music, drama, dance

Carve up some fun

The annual Treasure Coast Woodcarvers Show is this weekend in Jensen Beach.

The 34th annual Treasure Coast Woodcarvers Show is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the Vince Bocchino Community Center at Langford Park at 2369 N.E. Dixie Highway in Jensen Beach.

The show has hundreds of carvings on display from members of the local club, as well as carvers from across the U.S. and Canada, plus carving tools and supplies for sale. It also includes carving exhibitions and a sweet potato carving lesson for kids with tools, safety equipment and potatoes provided.

Admission is a $5 donation, but kids ages 12 and younger get in free. For more information, call 772-343-1189 or go to www.tcwoodcarvers.com.

MORE:Treasure Coast Woodcarvers to offer 'sweet potato' carving lessons

Next weekend’s preview

  • Florida Craft Brew and Wingfest at Royal Palm Pointe in Vero Beach
  • Thunder on the Beach Powwow at Indian River County Fairgrounds
  • Treasure Coast Rock and Gem Society's Gem and Jewelry Show in Vero Beach
  • Vero Beach Food, Wine & Music at Riverside Park
  • Highwaymen Heritage Trail Art Show and Festival at Moore’s Creek Linear Park in Fort Pierce
  • Summerlin Fish Fry at Little Jim Bait & Tackle in Fort Pierce
  • Celebrating Florida's Landscapes Art Show at the Platts-Backus House in Fort Pierce
  • Martin County Fair final weekend in Stuart

Laurie K. Blandford is TCPalm's entertainment reporter and columnist dedicated to finding the best things to do on the Treasure Coast. Read her weekly column, Laurie's Stories, on TCPalm.com. Follow her on Twitter at @TCPalmLaurie or Facebook at faceboook.com/TCPalmLaurie.