VETERANS DAY

A Tribute to Veterans

9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park, 2459A U.S. 280 West, Cordele. Guest speaker will be Col. Tom Patton, U.S. Marine Corps (retired). Also featuring Mercer University Pipes and Drums, a patriotic flag presentation and the Dooly County High School JROTC color guard. The annual Veterans Day Fly-In will also be held throughout the day. (229) 276-2371.

Veterans Day Program

11 a.m. Sunday, Linwood Cemetery, Walnut Street between Pursley Street and Grant Avenue. Lt. Col. Vincent A. Amos, Army (retired), will be the keynote speaker. There will also be a wreath laying at the closing of the program. 746-0589 or Iroot31@aol.com.

Fort Hawkins Veterans Day Salute

4 p.m. Sunday, Fort Hawkins Historic Site, Emery Highway. The Fort Hawkins Commission invites the public to attend a solemn U.S. Flag Retirement Ceremony with more than a dozen veteran organizations participating, including the 48th Brigade National Guard Color Guard. A light reception at the Blockhouse Replica will follow the ceremony. 742-3003. www.forthawkins.com. Free.

FESTIVALS

The Kitchens Road Old Time Family Festival

9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 370A Kitchens Road, Haddock. The community fundraiser will feature an antique classic car, truck and tractor show, arts and crafts, Mule Day demonstration, hayrides and pony rides, storytelling, live entertainment and more. Proceeds will go to local charities. (478) 288-6205. www.kitchensroad.com. $5.

Fly South Music Festival

3-10:30 p.m. Nov. 17, the Big House, 2321 Vineville Ave. This is a family-friendly event and chairs and blankets are welcome. The festival will also feature a kids’ corner, sponsored by Macon Arts Alliance, and a silent auction to benefit Macon Purrs and Paws. Food and beverages will be available. Music by the Mathis Brothers, Travis Denning, Lingo, Flannel Church and St. Francis. thebighousemuseum.org or 741-5551. $15 advance, $20 day of show, free admission for kids 10 and younger.

HOLIDAYS

Ice skating

Friday-Monday, Nov. 16-21, 23-25 and 30; Dec. 1-2, 14-16 and 19-24; Jan. 18-21 and 25-27, Macon Coliseum, 200 Coliseum Drive. $8-$10 per person, depending on time. Price includes skate rental. For specific skate times, which vary per day, visit www.maconcentreplex.com.

Open House

9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dickey Farms, 3440 Old Highway 341 North, Musella. Holiday refreshments and product samples. (478) 836-4362.

Mark Ballard Holiday Events

Deck the Halls: 10 a.m. Friday, Anderson Conference Center at Goodwill, 5171 Eisenhower Parkway. Holiday decorating and entertaining extravaganza and luncheon. $40 per person, or $320 for a table for eight. 471-4389. Holiday Celebration: 2 p.m. Sunday, Galleria Conference Center, 2922 Watson Blvd., Centerville. Mark will create, cook and inspire for the holiday season. Refreshments served. $15. 971-7701. Holiday Celebration: 3 p.m. Dec. 8, County Extension Building, 420 Peacock St., Cochran. The Pilot Club of Cochran hosts Mark as he creates holiday decorations and entertaining ideas. Refreshments served. $10 in advance, $12 at the door. (478) 230-8379.

Victorian Holiday House Auction and Party

6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Old Capitol Building, Georgia Military College, Milledgeville. Auction and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are available through the museum, (478) 453-1803 or sally@oldcapitalmuseum. www.oldcapitalmuseum.org. $25 museum members, $30 non-members.

Festival of Trees Luncheon and Gala

Luncheon: noon Wednesday, Museum of Arts and Sciences, 4182 Forsyth Road. $50. Gala: 7-11 p.m. Thursday, Terminal Station, downtown Macon. $75 per person. Reservations required for both events. Trees will be on display Thursday-Dec. 31 at the museum. 477-3232 or www.masmacon.org.

Mistletoe Market

9 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 16, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 17, noon-5 p.m. Nov. 18, Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter, Perry. Hosted by the Balvaunuca Club of Perry. $5. mistletoe_market@yahoo.com or (478) 952-1610.

Operation Christmas Child Drop-Off

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Nov. 16, Destiny’s Boutique, 500 Wilson St., Suite B, Centerville. Sponsored by the I Think I Am Foundation. Fill an empty shoe box or plastic container with school supplies, toys, personal care items, etc., and include a $7 donation for shipping. Deanna Moore, (478) 714-1040. www.ithinkiamfoundation.com.

MARKETS

Wesleyan Market

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday and Dec. 8, Wesleyan College, 4760 Forsyth Road. The event features a variety of locally grown and produced items ranging from flowers and organic fruits and vegetables to baked goods, art and crafts. Music, fun and educational events also offered. 757-5233. Free.

GOSPEL/CHRISTIAN

All Saints’ Episcopal Church Women’s Fall Marketplace

9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 1708 Watson Boulevard, Warner Robins. Specialty vendors, crafts, holiday gifts, gold and silver buyer, baked goods and more. Soup and panini for lunch. (478) 953-4046.

Fall Bazaar

8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Vineville Baptist Church, 2591 Vineville Ave. Breakfast, lunch and a variety of shops including a large gently used shop, bakery, car show and more. 743-9366. Free.

Annual Bazaar, Bake Sale and Yard Sale

8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, First Christian Church, 100 N. Houston Road, Warner Robins. Free. 923-1536.

Dayspring Trio

7 p.m. Saturday, Juliette Baptist Church, 12670 Ga. 87, Juliette. (478) 994-9337. 6 p.m. Sunday, Bloomfield United Methodist Church, 5511 Bloomfield Road fellowship hall. Karen Rogers, 397-6568.

VARIETY

Stories and Songs

8 p.m. Friday, The 567 Center for Renewal, 533 Cherry St. The monthly songwriter series features songwriters who tell the stories behind their songs and talk about the art of music. Artists featured in November are Lauren St. Jane, Jeremy Ezzell and Sterling Waite. $7 at door, $5 students.

Elvis Tribute Artist

8 p.m. Saturday, Cox Capitol Theatre, 382 Second St. Humane Services of Georgia presents Owen Roberts, an Elvis tribute artist, for a show featuring Elvis’ greatest hits and holiday favorites. Mark Ballard will emcee the event, which features open seating and a cash bar. Tickets available at the theater box office, at TailsSpin or at the door. Reggie Bellamy, 283-1732. $15.

The Kruger Brothers

7:30 p.m. Nov. 16, Douglass Theatre, 355 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Acousticproductions.com. $20 adults and $15 students in advance, $22 at door.

DANCES

November Swing Dance

8-10:30 p.m. Friday, Warner Robins Recreation Center, 800 Watson Blvd., Warner Robins. Sponsopred by USA Dance No. 6100. Beginners and singles are welcome. $10 members, $15 nonmembers. Kim, 918-7922.

Old and New Friends Dance

7-11 p.m. Friday, Porter-Ellis Community Center, Houston Road. No smoking or drinking; light snacks and soft drinks. Nancy, 747-4270. $10 per person.

Monthly Dance

8 p.m. Saturday, Howard Community Club, 5645 Forsyth Road. Presented by the Greater Macon Chapter of USA Dance No. 6059. This will be a Thanksgiving celebration; bring a covered dish to go with turkey or ham. Meat and beverages will be supplied. Dressy casual. DJ with a variety of dance music. usad6059.org or 743-7970. $7 members, $10 nonmembers.

MUSIC HALLS

Bleckley County Jamboree

7 p.m. Fridays, Oak Grove Community Center, Ga. 126, Cochran. Classic country and gospel music, featuring Josh Lucas and Friends. (478) 230-3380. Free.

Hollonville Opry House

6:30 p.m. Saturdays, Ga. 362, Hollonville. This week: Sandra and Friends, Country Dreamers, Lard Bucket and Blue Jam. (770) 228-4832 or hollonvilleopry.com. Free; operated on donations.

Ole Clinton Opry

6:30-10 p.m. Fridays, 215 Old Ga. 18, Gray. This week: 6 p.m. Heaven Bound, 7:25 p.m. the Generals, 8:30 p.m. Intermission, 8:45 p.m. Ruby Rose and Southern Nites. (478) 461-3544 or oleclintonopry.com. Free; donations accepted.

FILMS

Macon Film Guild

Douglass Theatre, 355 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Films show at 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Sunday: “Farewell, My Queen.” 742-2000. Maconfilmguild.org. $5.

Senior Cinema

2 p.m. Wednesday, Douglass Theatre, 355 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Showing: “To Kill A Mockingbird” featuring a young Robert Duvall. Free for seniors ages 65 and older. 742-2000.

FUNDRAISERS

Ocmulgee National Monument 5K/Run/Walk

8 a.m. Saturday, Ocmulgee National Monument, 1207 Emery Highway. The race will take place on the park road and begin at the Visitor Center and go to the Funeral Mound and finish back at the Visitor Center. Registration is available at racerpal.com. 752-8257. $20.

EG Kight and Friends

6 p.m. Saturday, Oconee Fall Line Technical College, Porter Center, Dublin. Featuring EG Kight, Randall Bramblett, Paul Hornsby and Tommy Talton, with David Gabble opening. Benefits the OFTC Foundation-South. Jenny Shuman, jshuman@oftc.edu or (478) 296-6117. $25 general admission, $40 VIP (includes meet and greet reception).

“Cirque du Goodwill”

7 p.m. Nov. 16, Anderson Conference Center, 5171 Eisenhower Parkway. Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the CSRA’s annual black-tie gala will feature dancing to Georgia Big Band, circus entertainment, open bar and hors d’oeuvres. Proceeds benefit Goodwill’s education, job training and placement programs. E-mail gala@goodwillworks.org or visit www.goodwillworks.org/goodwillgala for more information. $125 per person.

Riverside Ford Adoption Day

9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 17, Riverside Ford, 2089 Riverside Drive. Several animal rescue groups will have cats, dogs, kittens and puppies available for adoption. Hot dog lunches, silent auction and raffle will be held. All proceeds to benefit local animal rescue organizations. Donna, Vlandyra@aol.com.

Rescue KOI Auction

10:30 a.m. registration and viewing, 11:30 a.m. auction, Nov. 17, 195 Old Perry Road, Bonaire. Sponsored by the Middle Georgia Koi Society. About 30 koi from 14 to 22 inches will be auctioned. Lunch, bonsai and pond plants will be sold to raise funds for the Middle Georgia Koi Society spring koi show. bretwilson@cox.net or (478) 225-2584.

Macon Area Habitat for Humanity Light More Homes 5K Run/Walk

4 p.m. Nov. 17, Raffield Tire Master and Chick-fil-A, Tom Hill Sr. Boulevard and Riverside Parkway. Pre- and post-race activities will take place and more than 45,000 Christmas lights synchronized to music of the season will be illuminated at dusk. www.maconhabitat.org, race@maconhabitat.org, or 745-0630.

LITERARY/LECTURES

Empowering the Family Summit

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Lowe Toyota’s Conference Room (second floor), 375 S. Houston Lake Road, Warner Robins. Hosted by the I Think I Am Foundation. Speakers include Gloria Cisse, Tian Foss, Raymond Spottsville and Deanna Moore. Deanna Moore, (478) 714-1040 or dmoore@ithinkiamfoundation.com. Free.

Menlia Trammell

12:15-2 p.m. Sunday, First Baptist Church, 595 New St. Trammell will sign copies of her books, “The Gift” and “Rob and Rex Prevent A Poaching.” Free. menliatrammell@yahoo.com.

Community Engagement Series

7 p.m. Tuesday, Grand Opera House, 651 Mulberry St. In the first of four scheduled lectures, the Rev. Robert M. Franklin, the 10th president of Morehouse College, will present his Renaissance Initiative and “the five wells” as a relevant strategy for community transformation. For more information, contact Diversity Assets, 335-2337. Reservations are required and must be made by 5 p.m. Friday, 301-5470. Free.

Historic Macon presents Nathalie Dupree

Tuesday, the Blacksmith Shop, 665 Poplar St. Biscuit Bash (Master Class) at 11 a.m. Salon and book signing at 5:30 p.m. Nathalie Dupree, author of 11 cookbooks about the South, entertaining and basic cooking, will teach a biscuit-making master class where participants will learn about making classic Southern biscuits and specialty biscuits. There also will be a special Salon with Dupree at 5:30 p.m. where she will give her best tips for a quick and easy Thanksgiving preparation. A book sale and signing will take place. To register for the Master Class, visit www.historicmacon.org/nathalie-dupree or call 742-5084. Space is limited. $85. For the Salon, admission is $10 for Historic Macon members and $15 for non-members at the door.

Jeff Biggers, environmental activist

11:15 a.m. Thursday in Taylor Amphitheater and 7 p.m. Thursday in Candler Alumnae Building, Wesleyan College. Journalist, fiction writer and cultural historian Jeff Biggers will share selections from and thoughts on his writing. Free. 757-5181.

ET CETERA

Mercer University Homecoming

Second Annual All Class Party: 8 p.m. Saturday, Penfield Hall, Mercer University. Headliner is Party Nation, a premier party band playing music of various genres and eras. Dedication ceremony for the new Drake Field House: 2 p.m. Friday, Moye Football and Lacrosse Complex, Mercer University. Post-game Party on Friday: student skit competition at 9 p.m. Then, at 9:45 p.m. a traditional bonfire and pep rally and fireworks display at Bear Hill, the green space across from the Hilton Garden Inn. 5K Road Run: 8 a.m. Saturday. Orange Pancake Breakfast: 8:30 a.m. Saturday, benefits the Muscular Dystrophy Association. All events are open to the public, but attendees are required to register online at homecoming.mercer.edu. For a full schedule and more information on individual events, visit homecoming.mercer.edu.

Fall Family Fun Days

10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, The Rock Ranch, 5020 Barnesville Highway, The Rock. Enjoy a day in the country with zip lines, hay rides, a corn maze, Tiny Town, a locomotive train, a petting zoo, paddle boats, cane pole fishing and more. Each Fall Family Fun Day will feature a different experience. Guests may also reserve a campfire picnic site for their group during a Fall Family Fun Day for $75. TheRockRanch.com. $15; children 3 and under free; half price with a military ID; discount coupons are available at Chick-fil-A locations.

TroupCorn Corn Maze

10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 105 Marie Church Road, Dublin. Corn maze, swings, games, food, horseshoes, playground and petting zoo. $12 general admission, $24 adventure pass. Free for ages 2 and younger. www.troupcorn.com.

North Macon Park Indoor Community Garage Sale

8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, North Macon Park, 815 North Macon Park Drive. Rain or shine. Macon-Bibb County Parks and Recreation Department will supply the building, tables and chairs. Bring stuff to sell, or come to shop. Tables are limited; call 477-8526 to reserve one.

Candlelight Apparitions from the Cannonball House

5-8 p.m. Saturday, the Cannonball House, 856 Mulberry St. See one of Macon’s premier Antebellum homes illuminated as it would have been in the mid-19th century and take a night time tour of the home while witnessing events of Macon’s past and how they may have affected the home. Reservations encouraged. $10 adults, $5 for children ages 6 and younger. 745-5982.

Shine a Light on Lung Cancer Vigil

6 p.m. Monday, Macon City Hall. Join people across America and beyond who are coming together to provide a voice for those touched by lung cancer. Register at www.maconvigil.kintera.org. Free.

Helping Hands, Helping People Youth and Family Day

Noon-5 p.m. Nov. 17, Frank Johnson Community Center, 2227 Mercer University Drive. Hosted by Helping Hands Community Outreach and Bibb County Parks and Recreation. Features panel discussions, entertainment and free refreshments. Three age groups (10-13; 14-17 and 18-25) will hear from and engage local celebrity panels. Organizations and groups specializing in health and human service will be on hand to provide information. 743-2587 or 751-9274. Free.