Water, bagpipes, baseball on tap this weekend
Some of my favorite family events are happening this weekend – Broward County’s Water Matters Day and Hollywood’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade – and they are just the tip of the iceberg.
Fort Lauderdale and Coral Gables also have St. Patrick’s Day events, plus Calle Ocho in Miami, free community events in Boynton Beach and Boca Raton, and much more.
The following are our top picks for family fun in South Florida this weekend:
Water Matters Day, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. today. Broward County’s largest environmental awareness event is at Tree Tops Park, 3900 SW 100th Ave. in Davie. Learn about conservation from more than 50 groups with games, bands, contests, kid-friendly activities, face painting, food trucks and a tree giveaway. Free. broward.org/Water Matters/Pages/Programs WMD.aspx
Fort Lauderdale St. Patrick’s Parade and Festival, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. today. A Shamrock Run begins at 7 a.m. at Huizenga Plaza (Las Olas and Andrews Avenue) followed by the “Lucky Little Leprechaun Dashes” for kids and festival. The parade at noon — complete with the Budweiser Clydesdales, floats and bands — travels west along Las Olas Boulevard from Southeast Fifth Avenue through downtown Fort Lauderdale. Enjoy live bands, Irish dancers, interactive entertainment, cultural attractions and an expanded Kids Zone featuring rides, bounce houses, slides, pony rides, a trackless train, face painting and a petting zoo at 305 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale. stpatsftl.com
YAA Festival of the Arts, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. today. Children ages 5-18 display and sell their original artwork and compete for prizes with paintings, drawings, sculpture, accessories, jewelry and more at a free festival outside of the Young at Art Museum, 751 SW 121st Ave., Davie. Hands-on artist workshops will take place inside the museum, which will offer discounted admission of $5 during the event. young atartmuseum.org
Community Fitness Day, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. today. The free, family-friendly event will have more than 25 fitness, health and wellness vendors and activities. The Community Caring Center Hunger Walk begins at 10 a.m. Bring your bike to participate in a ride led by Boynton Beach Police Department. Ocean Avenue Amphitheatre, 129 E. Ocean Ave., Boynton Beach. boynton-beach.org
Play Everywhere Tour, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today. Families and kids will learn about the benefits of play through games and challenges. Enjoy games, music, food trucks and family fun. Shenandoah Park, 1800 SW 21st Ave., Miami. miamigov.com/parks
Community Dance Class With Dance Theatre of Harlem, 10:30 a.m. today. Dance enthusiasts of any dance level are welcome to be a part of a special community dance class that will be led by a member of the world-renowned Dance Theatre of Harlem. The class for ages 10 and older will explore movement for everybody that incorporates the basic techniques used by the company. $5. South MiamiDade Cultural Arts Center Plaza, 10950 SW 211 St. in Cutler Bay. smdcac.org
Boca Chamber Community Cookout, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. today. Fun games for all ages, bounce houses, slides, DJ and more. Admission is free. Meal tickets $5 for a burger or hotdog, cold salad, chips and a beverage. Meals free for kids under 10. RSVP online at bocaratonflcoc.wliinc17 .com. YMCA of South Palm Beach County, 6631 Palmetto Circle South, Boca Raton. ymcaspbc.org
Me and My Dad Challenge, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. today. Fathers are challenged to step up for their children during a free event at Joseph C. Carter Park, 1450 W. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. First 200 participants get a free T-shirt. Bring swim gear and learn “Water Smart” techniques to keep your child from drowning, plus games, prizes, refreshments, music and special guests. Register at hmhbbroward.org/ upcoming-events/
Arts And Crafts Festival in the Pines, today and Sunday. Live music, a hands-on children’s art area, art demonstrations and art and jewelry for purchase. Pembroke Pines City Center, 601 City Center Way, Pembroke Pines. fl-pembrokepines. civicplus.com/1240 /ArtFest-in-the-Pines
Day Out With Thomas: Friendship Tour, today and Sunday. Take a ride with a talking Thomas the Tank Engine, meet Sir Topham Hatt, visit the Imagination Station, plus crafts, storytelling, activities and live music. $16-$20. Gold Coast Railroad Museum, 12450 SW 152nd St., Miami. gcrm.org /day-out-with-thomas
Miami Springs Festival of the Arts, today and Sunday. Art, kid’s zone, culinary corner and more, with work from 13 categories; oil, acrylic, sculptures, photography, and more. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 201 Westward Ave. (Westward Drive from City Hall to Curtis Parkway). miamieventsand festivals.com
Hope Floats, 1-5 p.m. today. Enjoy free family fun at Esplanade Park on the Riverwalk in downtown Fort Lauderdale and a giant paper boat parade at 4 p.m. on the New River to honor the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting victims. Enjoy food trucks, face painting, bounce houses, games, music and miniature horse to benefit Tomorrow’s Rainbow. tomorrowsrainbow .org/id43.html
One Tamarac Multicultural Festival, 3-9 p.m. today. Performances by Latin Grammy Award winner Ed Calle, the Sunshine State Junkanoo Band, TWave, the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida, Ashanti Cultural Arts and others. Also enjoy a cultural village, food trucks, a kids zone with rides and crafts, and a fireworks display at the Tamarac Sports Complex, 9901 NW 77th St. Free. tamarac.org
St. Patrick’s Day Irish Festival, 12-6 p.m. today. Traditional and contemporary Irish music, crafts, food, clowns, face painting,