Get Out: Weekend Events for Brandon (Oct. 8-9)

There are plenty of events planned in the Greater Brandon area this weekend with everything from the Brandon Lions’ Wine & Cheese fundraiser to a Girl Scout festival.  There’s more, of course — and we welcome your additions, in the comment box below — but in the meantime, here’s a to-do list to get you started:

BRANDON LIONS 2ND ANNUAL WINE & CHEESE EVENT

•When/Where: 7 p.m., Oct. 8, Barn Theater at Winthrop, 11349 Bloomingdale Ave.

•Why Go: The event will include wines, beer, soft drinks, bottled water and snack foods. Live entertainment will be provided by Jeannie Rossi, Ms. Senior Florida 2006 and Ms. Brandon Idol 2006 and Troy Allen Coman, Brighthouse Senior Idol 2011. There will be door prizes and a 50/50 raffle. Proceeds benefit Brandon Lions Charities, a 501(c) 3 organization supporting our Brandon area Eyesight Programs, the Florida Lions Eyebank, Southeastern Guide Dogs, WUSF Radio Reading Service, Greater Tampa Lions Sight Fund, ECHO, and other local area causes.

•Cost: $12

FUNDRAISER HORSE SHOWS

•When/Where: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Oct. 8, Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, 4810 State Road 60, Dover.

•Why Go: The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Mounted Posse will host its 2011 series fundraiser horse shows to benefit 4-H going to state competition Sept. 10, Oct. 8, Nov. 12 and Dec. 10.

•Cost: Free

GODTOBERFEST

•When/Where: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Oct. 8, Lamb of God Lutheran Church, 10560 Browning Road, Lithia.

•Why Go: Lamb of God Lutheran Church and Open Arms Early Childhood Center is host Godtoberfest Oct. 8-15. The event kicks off Oct. 8 with a children's carnival and arts and crafts fair with a hayride, bounce castles and a petting zoo. Also featured will be a Taste of Lithia, with foods provided by local restaurants. Other events throughout the week include a coffee night at the newly renovated coffee house on the church property, a dinner auction Oct. 14 with Italian food and items to bid on, and a rummage and trunk sale Saturday, Oct. 15 in which anyone can set up and sell. Anyone interested in donating items or getting involved can contact ministry coordinator Val Parrish at 813-653-2345 or email godtoberfest@lambofgodlithia.org.

•Cost: Free

CARDS FOR THE TROOPS

•When/Where: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Oct. 8, Center Place Fine Arts and Civic Association, 619 Vonderburg Drive.

•Why Go: Center Place Fine Arts and Civic Association and The Community Roundtable are sponsoring the fourth annual Cards for Troops project. Last year, the organizations created more than 3,000 cards for service personnel. This is a free community event to show support for troops stationed overseas. Since there are no greeting card stores for the military, volunteers will assemble these hand-made cards. The inside is left blank for the soldiers to write a personal sentiment to their families. Call: Dawn Galia, 813-685-8888. Checks should be made payable to Center Place. Contributions are a 501 (c)(3) tax deduction.

•Cost: Free

DISNEY STORE STORYTIME WITH THE LION KING

•When/Where: 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Oct. 8, Westfield Brandon Mall, 459 Brandon Town Center Drive.

•Why Go: Join the Disney Store at Westfield Brandon for a "Roaring Storytime" and come dressed as your favorite Lion King character. The storytime features The Lion King storytime, singalong and parade. Three sessions: Session 1 - 10:30 a.m., Session 2 - Noon, Session 3 - 1:30 p.m. Minimum age for participation is 3 years.

•Cost: Free

BRATS ON THE GRILL

•When/Where: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Oct. 8, European Gourmet, 1919 W Brandon Blvd.

•Why Go: Enjoy authentic grilled German bratwurst and knatwurst at the European Gourmet. Comes with homemade German sauerkraut on a traditional brotchen roll with German mustard.

•Cost: $4.50

TURNING TRASH INTO YARD ART

•When/Where: 10 a.m., Oct. 8, Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, 4810 State Road 60, Dover.

•Why Go: The Hillsborough County Public Utilities Department, in conjunction with the Hillsborough County Extension Service and the Hillsborough County Fair, is sponsoring the Fourth Annual Recycled Yard Art Contest to be held at the Hillsborough County Fair from Oct. 12-16. Entries must be delivered to the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, State Road 60 and Sydney Washer Road in Dover, on Saturday, Oct. 8 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. or Monday, Oct. 10 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Entries must be accompanied by an entry form which includes the participant’s name, address, telephone number, etc. This event is open to all county residents and all age groups. Entries must be created mostly with recycled or recyclable materialsa nd should be able to withstand the elements for outdoor display. Contest rules, entry forms and additional information are posted on the Hillsborough County Extension website:  http://hillsborough.extension.ufl.edu. Call 813-744-5519 Ext. 146 if you have questions about the contest.

•Cost: Free

GIRL SCOUT FALL FESTIVAL

•When/Where: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Oct. 8, St. Stephen Catholic Church, 5049 Bell Shoals Road, Valrico.

•Why Go: Local Girl Scout troops will host their annual Fall festival. The festival is organized by the Girl Scouts and is one the the troops' few fundraisers. It includes games and refreshments.

•Cost: Free

POSTURE PLAYGROUND

•When/Where: Noon-2 p.m., Oct. 8, Asana Yoga of Brandon, 1252 Kingsway Road.

•Why Go: Explore some familiar (and less familiar) shapes and move them into different relationships to gravity.

•Cost: Free

SOCK HOP

•When/Where: 7-11 p.m., Oct. 8, Music Showcase, 402 Oakfield Drive.

•Why Go: The Florida Academy of Dance Arts hosts a Parents Night Out Sock Hop.

•Cost: $10

BENEFIT GOLF TOURNAMENT

•When/Where: 12:30 p.m., Oct. 9, Bloomingdale Golfers Club, 4113 Great Golfers Place, Valrico.

•Why Go: A golf tournament to benefit the Open Arms Early Childhood Center Scholarship Fund. The format is four-person scramble starting at 1:30 p.m. Registration begins 12:30 p.m., at Bloomingdale Golfers Club. The price includes golf, golf cart, range balls, goodie bag, one raffle ticket and various awards. For more information or to register in advance, email Patty Holloway at Patty.Holloway@lambofgodlithia.org.

•Cost: $45

BOWLING FOR A CURE

•When/Where: 9:30 a.m., Oct. 9, Oakfield Lanes, 1001 Oakfield Drive.

•Why Go: A Susan G. Komen 3 Day for a Cure Fundraiser. Donations: Adults $20, youth $10 and bowl 3 games of 9 Pin No Tap. There will be door prizes. The event supports the For Our Girls team which will be walking 60 miles Oct. 28 - 30. Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. with bowling at 10 a.m.

•Cost: $20, $10

ALL YOU CAN EAT BREAKFAST 

•When/Where: 9 a.m.-noon, Aug. 28, VFW 8108 in Riverview, 7240 U.S. Highway 301 South.

•Why Go: Breakfast benefits club. Call: 813-741-2756

•Cost: $6.

SPECIAL NEEDS SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN, TEENS

•When/Where: 10:15-1:30 a.m., Aug. 28,, 216 North Parsons Ave.

•Why Go: A weekly Sunday school for all children and teens with autism, Down syndrome, and any other intellectual disabilities. Children will learn by acting out bible stories, singing songs, and playing games. One on one attention with children to make sure the story, game etc. is adapted uniquely for them. Call: Tina LoPinto-Spruill, 813-447-7772 or email rspruill@tampabay.rr.com

•Cost: Free