5 Local Events to Enjoy This Month

Comedy Zone

At Riverside Theatre’s Friday- and Saturday-evening Comedy Zone and Live in the Loop events, guests can enjoy live outdoor music, food and drinks from the grill, and two comedians on the Waxlax Stage. The month kicked off June 1 with comedian and impressionist Patrick Garrity along with Nik Macik, who describes his style as “dark, charming, and irreverent.”

The June 7–8 lineup is Richy Leis, who uses the healing power of laughter to help many charities, and comedy veteran John Charles. Guitar-playing comic Greg Hall and the energetic Kojo Prince are scheduled for June 14–15, with Chicago-based Paul Farahvar and former sales professional Paul Ollinger following June 21–22. Outspoken senior citizen Gid Pool and Indian-born Boynton Beach resident Seetha Radha will wrap up the month June 28–29. Comedy Zone is intended for audience members aged 18 and up. Shows take place at 6 and 8 p.m., and tickets are $25. For more information, call the box office at 772-231-6990 or see riversidetheatre.com.

Turtle Walks

While sea turtle nesting season began in March, turtle walk season begins June 1 and runs through July 31. Coastal Connections and Sebastian Inlet State Park conduct guided nighttime beach walks that allow participants to witness the turtle nesting process. Walks begin at 9 p.m. and may last several hours, depending on if and when scouts spot a turtle. Preregistration is required as space is limited. State park walks begin at the Fishing Museum, accessed via the park’s south entrance (14251 Hwy. A1A) Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights. They are led by a ranger and require a $15 donation. Coastal Connections’ walks originate at Costa d’Este (3244 Ocean Drive) Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights and are free. For more information, see coastal-connections.org and friendsofsebastianinletstatepark.org.

Offshore Fishing Tournament

June 15 is the big day for the Indian River Firefighters Benevolent Association’s second annual Firefighters for Clean Water Offshore Fishing Tournament. The entry fee of $250 per boat will fund a generous donation to Captains for Clean Water, a total prize payout of $14,000, and the IRFFB’s work on behalf of local firefighters. Prizes will be awarded for the top three grouper, dolphinfish, kingfish, and snapper, and the Beau Bloch Junior Angler Award will send one lucky youngster home with $1,000. All captains must attend the captains’ meeting Friday at 5:30 p.m. On Saturday, it’s lines in at 6 a.m. Spectators are welcome to come out to the Sebastian Saltwater Marina (1732 Indian River Drive) and enjoy live music as the anglers return with their catches for the weigh-in from 2 to 5 p.m. For more information, call 772-643-1361 or see irffb.com.

Waterlily Celebration

McKee Botanical Garden, home to one of Florida’s most spectacular water lily collections, will hold its 19th annual Waterlily Celebration June 15 from 8:30 a.m. to
2 p.m. Plein air artists will be in the garden demonstrating their techniques, while other artists will showcase their talents in the annual Waterlily Photo Contest. Merchants will also be on hand to sell plants and conduct repotting demonstrations. Regular admission fees apply: free for members and children under 2; $10 for children 12 and under as well as military members; $13 for seniors 65 and over and youth 13 to 17; and $15 for all other adults. You may reach McKee at 772-794-0601 and mckeegarden.org.

Burgers & Brews

The title of Best Burger in Indian River County will be on the line June 29 at United Against Poverty’s Burgers & Brews festival at Riverside Park. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free to attend. Tasting punch cards, good for five sliders and two beverages (beer or soft drinks), are available for $25. Local breweries will be on hand with their craft beers, and a variety of teams, including restaurants, will be grilling up their favorite burgers for competition and consumption. There will also be live music, food trucks, a kids’ zone, and even a car show. Proceeds support UP’s mission of helping people living in poverty to lift their families to economic self-sufficiency. For more information, call 772-770-0740, ext. 204, or see burgersandbrews.org.