Looking for some easy, inexpensive ideas for this weekend? Here are some ideas

The weekend is coming up, and the weatherman predicts cooler temperatures. Or, at least, cooler temperatures for Florida. That means time to get outside for some free family fun!



Here are some ideas that have free admission:

The Youth Jamboree in Indian River County on Oct. 9 advertises free games, hay rides a karaoke contest and other fun for kids at the Indian River County Fairgrounds in Vero Beach.



The Lake County Folk Festival is happening Oct. 9 and 10 in Eustis and features arts, crafts, children's activities and games. Kids can make their own musical instruments!



Celebration Oktoberfest in Celebration -- near Orlando -- features free entertainment, hayrides and nightly falling leaves. The event is Friday and Saturday. Leaves fall at 7, 8 and 9 p.m.

What's great about these activities is that they go all day from about 10 or 11 a.m. and continue to about 9 p.m. That means you can run your errands or attend the soccer games and then head to some fun later in the day.

If anyone attends the Celebration Oktoberfest, send me some pictures of the falling leaves. It sounds cool!

Free Florida July 4th daytrips

I love the Fourth of July. Not only is it a commemoration of this country's birthday, but there are usually plenty of activities scheduled in Florida. No need to pay for theme park tickets when the family has plenty of things to do that don't cost a dime!

In Orlando, the Orlando Sentinel has compiled a list of July 4 parades, festivals and ideas for free activities.

This list compiled by the St. Petersburg Times contains free activities in the Tampa Bay area. Note: some items on this list cost money.

On the Treasure Coast? Here is a list by Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers on free July 4 activities from Indian River County to Palm Beach County.