Happy Friday everyone! Weatherwise we may have more challenges this weekend....but if you're willing to brave the elements there's plenty to do around north-central Florida. As the Boy Scouts say, "be prepared".

The strawberry will be king in Starke this weekend as the Bradford County Strawberry Festival comes to downtown Starke. This 14th edition of the festival will feature a Strawberry 5K run. There'll be no shortage of strawberries....with plenty of food, activities for the kids and entertainment for all. The event runs from 9 am to 7 pm Saturday and 9 to 5 Sunday.  Website

This weekend, Boomtown Days are coming to Dunnellon in Marion County. Dunnellon celebrates its history as a mining town every year at the festival. Some of the festivities include an antique car show, the Queen of the Rainbow pageant and over a hundred craft displays. Boomtown Days runs Saturday and Sunday on West Pennsylvania Avenue and Cedar Street in Dunnellon.  Website

The 5th Avenue Arts Festival is this weekend in Gainesville. It's a two day street event that celebrates the culture of African-Americans in the city. In addition to art, you'll hear a wide variety of music. There'll be a variety of food, too...ranging from barbeque to Jamaican. The event runs Saturday from 9 am to 8 pm....and Sunday from noon until 5 near the corner of 6th Street and 5th Avenue in Gainesville.  Website

Indoors, the Alachua County Friends of the Library Book Sale starts Saturday. Always a popular event, the book sale will feature an estimated half million books for sale. There will also be audio books, music CD's and other items. This weekend the sale runs from 9 to 6 Saturday and from 1 to 6 Sunday. The book sale ends Wednesday.  Website

Also inside this weekend you can help raise money to fund pediatric cancer research. STOP! Children's Cancer is having it's annual fundraiser Saturday night. The event includes a silent auction. The activities begin at 7 pm in the O'Connell Center.  Website

Finally, thanks in part to the movie the Hunger Games, the sport of Archery is seeing a spike in popularity. You can check out many of the nations best archers Saturday as the Gator Cup tournament wraps up at the Easton Newberry Sports Complex.  It's located a little over a mile north of Newberry on Highway 27.  Website

Enjoy your weekend!