The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department 352walls/Gainesville Urban Art Initiative, in collaboration with Santa Fe College’s Department of Fine Arts, will host acclaimed urban artist Maser from Sunday, Nov. 12-Monday, Nov. 20 at their Northwest Campus, located at 3000 NW 83rd St.

Dwight H. Hunter (Northeast) Pool is closed until 3 pm today.

Gainesville will transform into a masterful blend of art, music and entertainment during the 36th Annual Downtown Festival & Art Show, one of the nation’s premier outdoor fine arts festivals. Presented by the City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department (PRCA), the festival draws a crowd of 90,000 visitors each year. On Saturday, Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors can meet the exhibiting artists, enjoy live music and sample international cuisine.

The City of Gainesville, Alachua County Community Support Services' Office of Community Stabilization and Depot Park have partnered together for the 2nd Annual Family Information/Children "Happyween" Fun Day. This event is at Depot Park (200 Southeast Depot Ave.) Saturday, Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Downtown Festival & Art Show, a nationally-recognized event, helps Gainesville get in touch with its creative side. Since 1996, it has ranked among the top festivals in the nation. Visitors embrace the culture of more than 240 of the nation’s most talented artists, who showcase their original oils and acrylics, vibrant watercolors, unique sculptures, dazzling jewelry, decorative ceramics and vivid photography. Artisans compete for more than $22,000 in cash prizes and purchase awards.

The soulful sound of blues will usher in the Downtown Festival & Art Show weekend Friday, Nov. 10 with a free Downtown Blues Concert on the Bo Diddley Plaza from 7-10 p.m. The North Central Florida Blues Society is pleased to announce an evening under the stars featuring three incredible blues performances.

The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department, in cooperation with Shake Rag Cultural Center, Inc., is pleased to welcome the Atlantic City Boys to the next Jewel Box Concert at the Thomas Center on Thursday, Nov. 2.

The Star Good Neighbor award recognizes the efforts of individuals, groups or organizations that help to maintain and preserve natural areas within the City of Gainesville. Awardees are recognized for their positive impact in promoting environmental awareness, environmental stewardship or other environmental contribution.

A representative of National Policy Institute (NPI) is scheduled to speak at the University of Florida’s (UF) Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts from 2:30 to 4:30 pm on Thursday, October 19th. To assist law enforcement with ensuring public safety in the Downtown Gainesville business district, the Bo Diddley Plaza will close to the public immediately following the Union Street Famer’s Market event scheduled from 4 pm – 7 pm this evening.

The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department (PRCA) is happy to announce the installation of improved shade sail structures for Cofrin Nature Park’s playground. Cofrin Nature Park is located at 4810 NW Eighth Ave. The new shade sails will be larger than the old shade sails and will provide additional coverage from the sun. The entire play area will be closed during construction but the park itself will remain open. Construction begins October 16 and is estimated to be completed by October 27th.