Five October Events to Attend

“Return to the Wild”

Art and nature will unite in a message of conservation at McKee Botanical Garden (350 U.S. Hwy. 1). Beginning October 9, during our strolls through the garden, we will stumble upon exquisite bronze animal sculptures by renowned public-art creators Gillie and Marc (Schattner). The “Return of the Wild” installation, running through the end of 2027, includes the cheetah shown here, as well as a baby giraffe, an elephant, a hippopotamus, a bear, a zebra, an arctic fox, and a giant tortoise. The garden is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; admission is $25 for adults, $15 for children, and free for children under 3. With proper ID, veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders are admitted for $15. For more information, see mckeegarden.org or call 772-794-0601.

Holidays for Heroes

It’s time once again (October 15–December 15) to grab a mailing kit at one of more than 30 locations throughout the county and prepare a care package to let our deployed military men and women know we are thinking of them during the holidays. The Military Moms Prayer Group provides all the information you need, including pickup locations, instructions, and suggested items. The troops’ requests are modest: socks, snacks, books, magazines, and crossword puzzles, for example. Visit militarymomsprayergroup.com to get started. It’s fun to fill the flat-rate USPS box; but be advised—it holds more than you think!

Workshop & Walkthrough

On Saturday, October 17, Vero Beach Museum of Art (3001 Riverside Park Drive) welcomes Jill Nathanson, whose exhibition “Chromatic Phrases” is currently on display, for a day of enriching activities. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., she will conduct an intermediate-level workshop titled “Abstract Painting: Past, Present, Personal.” The cost is $235 for nonmembers and $200 for VBMA members. Then, at 3 p.m., she will lead a walkthrough that will treat guests to her firsthand insights into her works. There is no charge for VBMA members or workshop participants, and, for nonmembers, the $12 fee includes admission to the galleries. For more information, see vbmuseum.org or call 772-231-0707.

Friday Fright Night

Everyone is invited to dress up and head out to The Arc’s West Campus (2455 5th St. SW) Friday, October 23 for a new fundraising event benefiting local residents with special needs. From 6 to 9 p.m., guests will enjoy food by Wild Thyme, live music by Riptide, bar service, costume contests, a photo booth, and even a haunted house tour. Tickets are $150. For more information, call 772-217-1491. On Saturday, The Arc will hold its annual Halloween party for members of the community with special needs and their families, complete with the popular haunted house and lunch. Tickets are $10, and one caregiver per person is admitted free. Additional family members are welcome, but the $10 fee is applied to cover the lunch. This year’s event will also include a new Tent or Treat with partner nonprofits. RSVP to Trish at 772-766-1374. The Arc of Indian River County’s website is arcir.org.

“Heroes of the Silver Screen”

The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra’s October 25 program will immerse you in all the emotions you experience while watching some of your favorite films. At this 3 p.m. concert at The Emerson Center (1590 27th Ave.), you’ll hear evocative melodies from Rocky, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Back to the Future, The Avengers, and more. New works by composers Kevin Wilt and Farhad Poupel, sharing the same spirit of imagination, will be debuted. Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 at the door, and students 18 and under are free. Flexible pricing is available through SCSO’s Symphony for Everyone program. For all the details, see spacecoastsymphony.org.