GET OUT: Weekend Events Preview Oct. 19-21

It's Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do this weekend.

Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-work-outta-here time. Check our picks for the activities to hit.

FISHHAWK PUMPKIN FESTIVAL

WHERE/WHEN: The seventh annual FishHawk Ranch Pumpkin Festival is set for Saturday, Oct. 20, at the property adjacent to Mosaic off FishHawk Boulevard in Lithia.

WHY GO: The day's festivities will kick off with a costume 2-mile fun run/walk at 8 a.m.

At 9 a.m., residents of all ages are invited to begin carving pumpkins to the traditional pumpkin lighting at 8 p.m. There will be more than 500 pumpkins available for residents to transform into fun and scary Jack-o'-Lanterns.

The day also includes activities and games for all ages from 2 to 7:30 p.m. including face painting and a hay ride, a treat street for children and a costume parade from 3 to 5 p.m. with local vendors and businesses handing out goodies, a pie-eating contest at 4:30 p.m., a Minute to Win It game contest at 6 p.m. and a free concert featuring Top 40 cover band Anchor Atlantic from 5 to 8 p.m.

Food, drink and game tickets will be available for cash purchase, with 50 percent of the proceeds going to the YMCA and Feeding America Tampa Bay.

PLAZA BELLA GOES PINK

WHERE/WHEN: The merchants at Plaza Bella on Bloomingdale Avenue in Valrico will host the fifth annual Plaza Bella Goes Pink walk to support breast cancer research and the patients who are affected by breast cancer Saturday, Oct. 20.

WHY GO: This year's walk is dedicated to Antoinette Cuellar, who died in May after a battle with breast cancer. Cuellar was the spokeswoman for the walk for two years.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the walk will begin at 9 a.m. The first 300 people to register will receive a goodie bag. Participants can register at The Green Boutique or Orange Home Accessories. The registration fee is $35. Residents also can donate $5 for a pink ribbon in honor of a loved one.

Participants can choose to walk the 5K Challenge or the shorter Diva Strut. Walkers are welcome to dress up in costumes or pink clothing.

The event also will feature music and refreshments.

TRICK OR TREAT STREET

WHERE/WHEN: Trick or Treat Street, hosted by the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce, will take place Oct. 20 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Riverview High School, 11311 Boyette Rd., Riverview.

WHY GO: There will be costume contests for kids and, for the older revelers, cash prizes for those wearing winning costumes. Representatives from local churches, businesses and organizations dress up in costume, decorate their booths and distribute candy or small toys to children of all ages. Prize ribbons are awarded for booth design and decoration in several categories. A dog costume contest will take place at 6 p.m. For more information, contact the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce at 813-234-5944 or info@riverviewchamber.com.

KIDS FALL FESTIVAL

WHERE/WHEN: Music Showcase, 402 Oakfield Dr. Brandon, will host a Kids Fall Festival Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHY GO: Admission is free but, for a small fee, kids can play games and activities and enjoy music and food.

PARENTS COSTUME PARTY

WHERE/WHEN: Music Showcase, 402 Oakfield Dr., Brandon, will host a costume party for parents Oct. 20 from 7 to 10 p.m.

WHY GO: Parents are invited to a costume Halloween party with food and music. Tickets are $10 in advance, sold at Music Showcase, and $15 at the door.

SKETCH N' SIP

WHERE/WHEN: The Rotary Club of Brandon South is hosting a fun Sketch ‘N Sip on Friday, Oct. 19 from 7 to 9 p.m.

WHY GO: Proceeds will benefit the Emergency care Help Organization. Sketch ‘N Sip is located at 11242 Winthrop Main St. in Riverview. Tickets are $40 with limited seating.

ANNUAL PLANT AUCTION

WHERE/WHEN: Hillsborough County Extension Service, The Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association and the Hillsborough County Fair will host their Annual Plant Auction at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, 215 Sydney-Washer Rd., Dover.

WHY GO: This is a unique opportunity to purchase quality plants donated by local growers at wholesale prices. Landscape shrubs, trees, ground covers, flowering annuals, perennials, herbs, hanging baskets and houseplants will be available as well as gardening supplies and fertilizers. Items will be sold in both live and silent auctions. Proceeds benefit youth ornamental horticulture activities and scholarships for area college students pursuing horticultural careers.

OKTOBERFEST

WHERE/WHEN: Immanuel Lutheran School will host its annual Oktoberfest Saturday, Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the school, 2913 John Moore Rd., Brandon.

WHY GO: Kids will enjoy carnival games, a car bash, face painting, a kiddie train and inflatables. There will be hourly entertainment and a costume contest for both kids and adults at 11 a.m. There is no entry fee. Tickets will be available at the door for games. Cash is required for food and beverages.

ROTARY CLUB CHILI COOK-OFF

WHERE/WHEN: For the fifth year, members of the Rotary Club of FishHawk/Riverview will host its chili cook-off Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hillsborough County Fair at the corner of Sydney-Washer Road and State Road 60 in Dover.

WHY GO: Everyone is welcome to come out and taste chili made by groups, individuals and youth entrants in the contest, and vote for their favorite choice. Tickets can be pre-purchased for $5 and include fair entry. Proceeds will go to fund the Rotary Club Scholarship fund for the Hillsborough County youth exhibitors at the fair and other Rotary charities. To purchase tickets or enter a chili team, visit the club's website or call 813-200-8840.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FAIR

WHERE/WHEN: The Hillsborough County Fair will run through Oct. 21 at the fairgrounds at the corner of Sydney-Washer Road and State Road 60 in Dover.

WHY GO: Activities include daily livestock shows and competitions, a  Battle of the Teen Bands Friday, Oct. 19 and Saturday, Oct. 20 from 6 to 10 p.m. on the outdoor stage, a Harvest Pageant for Babies and Children Sunday, Oct. 21 at noon, a 4H Foundation barbecue dinner Saturday, Oct. 20 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., traditional fair food including roast corn on the cob, mini-donuts and fried vegetables along with hamburgers and hot dogs prepared by the Brandon Shrine Club, a show by the Bay Area Bandits Mounted Shooting Club Saturday, Oct. 20, a speed show by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Mounted Posse Sunday, Oct. 21, a Ranch Rodeo Friday and Saturday nights at 7 p.m., a kids cooking contest Saturday, Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and a midway with rides for all ages.

Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for students and free for children 5 years and under. Parking is free.

WHERE/WHEN: Hillsborough County Animal Services invites the public to its annual Cats, Bats & Bones bash Saturday, Oct. 20.

WHY GO: This day of Halloween fun and pet adoption runs from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the county shelter located at 440 N. Falkenburg Rd. in Tampa. Children attending can come dressed for the kids costume parade, enter the "meow off" contest, and decorate the shelter with artwork from the creative coloring station. There will be an appearance by Bat Belfrys Inc. of Merritt Island. Bat Chats begin at 1:30 p.m. with a biologist on hand to answer questions, show the animals and demonstrate why bat houses make great neighbors. Animal lovers are invited to bring and distribute store-bought pet treats to lost and homeless shelter residents.