5 Things You Need To Know This Weekend: October 1-3

1. The Manatee County Extension Master Gardeners is holding its annual plant fair today from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Manatee County Fairgrounds.

2. The second annual will be held at the today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This comic book convention is geared to teenagers.

3. , part of the National Park Service is seeking volunteers to help fill out the winter season’s event schedule. The first of the opportunities will take place at the end of the month as the park puts on Desoween. The park is recruiting people who love to get spooky and have fun. The park needs people to dress in creepy costumes, be scary and have a great attitude. Desoween is a family-oriented haunted trail walk the takes place October 29, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. Call De Soto National Memorial volunteer coordinator Diana Bauman or Ranger Dan Stephens at 941-792-0458 ext 107 or ext 108 or visit www.nps.gov/deso to volunteer.

4. The Music Program will present its first concert of the 2011-12 academic year at 8 p.m. Tuesday in Neel Performing Arts Center, 5840 26th St. West. The Fall Festival of Music, featuring a wide variety of music from classical to jazz, will include Concert Choir and Chamber Choir, directed by Melodie Dickerson; Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo, directed by Marc Mannino; Guitar Ensemble, directed by Rex Willis; and Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra, directed by Robyn Wilkes. The SCF Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra also will perform a work featuring solo organist Michael Edward Stuart. Stuart is an alumnus of Southeast High School, SCF and Baylor University. He was recently featured in a world premiere performance at the Regional Convention of the National Guild of Organists in Atlanta. General admission is $8. Tickets are $4 for students and SCF employees. For information call the Neel Performing Arts Box Office at 941-752-5252 or the music department at 941-752-5351. A complete list of SCF music events is available at scf.edu/musicevents.

5. You might notice a sea of pink at the Downtown Bradenton Farmer's Market as Realize Bradenton and the downtown merchants promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which begin today.