Happy Friday everyone! This time of year our area is buzzing with activity on the weekends....even if the Swamp is quiet.

A fall favorite each year in Gainesville is the Art Festival at Thornebrook...now in it's 28th year. This weekend you'll get a chance to see the work of 125 local and national artists at the festival. There'll be a wide variety of art on display, as usual. Add to that live music, an area of activities for kids, and plenty of food and drink. The Art Festival at Thornebrook runs Saturday and Sunday from 10 in the morning until 5. Thornebrook Village is located at 2441 NW 43rd Street in Gainesville.  Website

Country music fans, Rascal Flatts is coming to the O'Connell Center Saturday. The band...which has topped the Billboard Hot Country charts a dozen times...is on it's "Changed Tour" right now. The name reflects the title of their latest album. You can catch Rascal Flatts, along with Little Big Town and the Eli Young Band Saturday night. Show time is 7 pm in the Odome.  Website

The Alachua County Library is hosting the Family Literacy Festival Saturday. The purpose of the event is to raise awareness about literacy and to reward children for participating in reading programs. Awards will be given out...plus there'll be entertainment & free books for kids. And there'll be some special guests, too. The festival goes from 10 to noon Saturday morning in Gainesville at the library's downtown headquarters...and at the Matheson Museum.  Website

Also in Gainesville, the Sickle Cell Disease Association is hosting the Sickle Cell Awareness 2k walk Saturday morning. The goal of the walk is to educate people about the illness that affects about 100,000 Americans. The walk kicks off at 8 am at Citizens Field on Waldo Road, ending at the TB McPherson Recreational Park in Gainesville.  Website

This is also the weekend for Noche de Gala...the event benefiting Shands Hospital for Children at UF. The event goes from 7 to midnight Saturday night in Micanopy.  Website

Enjoy your weekend!