This weekend in Charlotte County, FL

Learn to scuba dive with a beginner friendly open water course that builds confidence and safety from the start. Experienced instructors cover fundamental skills, buoyancy control, dive planning, and how to respond to emergencies so you can enjoy underwater exploration with peace of mind. The training blends at home eLearning with pool and classroom sessions in a controlled setting, then concludes with open water checkout dives. A boat trip is included, and the final two qualifying dives take place from a dive boat. Use of key rental gear is provided, including a BCD, regulator, dive computer, wetsuit, and weights, and certification is awarded through a widely recognized training organization. The typical flow begins with a day of classroom and pool work, followed by a weekend dedicated to checkout dives. Students only need personal items such as a mask, fins, snorkel, and an SMB, and guidance is available to help choose equipment that fits well. This course is designed for complete beginners, no prior experience is required, only basic swimming ability and a spirit of adventure. Class sizes are kept small to support focused instruction and strong diving habits.

Shop local in North Port at this family-friendly community market featuring local vendors, live music, farm-fresh offerings, handmade goods, and food creators. Admission and parking are free. The market runs Saturdays from 8:30 AM to noon.

Build a solid foundation for safe and confident boating with an in-person course that satisfies Florida’s education requirements. Thanks to support from the Charlotte County Marine Advisory Committee, tuition is free. Across 12 hours of instruction, participants learn essential skills and receive an introduction to using local nautical charts. Completing this training can help reduce accidents and injuries, may lower boat insurance costs, and qualifies attendees for the Florida Boater Education Card for operators of vessels powered by 10 horsepower or more who meet state criteria. For details or to register, call 941-584-5993 or email education@AmericasBoatingClubPeaceRiver.org.

Join the monthly 2nd Saturday Social Dance Party featuring a dance lesson plus refreshments. The lesson and party run from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, with the dance party starting at 2:45 PM. It is a fun way to put into practice the moves, techniques, and styles learned during the lesson, and meet new friends. Please call to book your spot.

This event takes place at a tiki bar in downtown Punta Gorda.

Enjoy live music with a variety of musicians and bands taking the stage at Fishermen’s Village. Performances run every Friday and Saturday, with shows happening in the village center court and on the dry beach. Admission is free.

Learn how to create perfect wine and cheese pairings with Total Wine & More. This session walks through how different wines and cheeses work together, with guidance on which cheeses tend to pair best with different styles of wine. The event runs from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM, and admission is $20.

An enchanted evening celebrates literacy while raising funds for the Charlotte County Imagination Library. The night includes a welcome reception with a signature cocktail, hearty hors d’oeuvres and grazing stations, and a decadent dessert bar. Guests can enjoy storybook photo moments, a literary character costume contest, a mystery book wall, a wine pull, silent auction items, raffles, and a Fund-a-Child giving opportunity. Tickets are $75 per person, with only 100 available. Proceeds support the Charlotte County Imagination Library, managed by the Gilstad Literacy Foundation, which provides a free, age-appropriate book every month to local children from birth to age five. More than 2,700 children receive books each month, and every ticket helps put stories into homes, building a love of reading and readiness for kindergarten and beyond. Sponsorships are offered at several levels. Presenting Sponsors at $2,500 receive premier recognition, featured logos on event marketing, recognition during the program, prominent signage, and eight complimentary tickets. Chapter Sponsors at $1,000 receive logo placement on marketing, recognition during the program, featured event signage, and six complimentary tickets. Story Sponsors at $500 receive recognition on marketing, name placement on event signage, recognition during the program, and four complimentary tickets. Book Sponsors at $250 receive recognition on marketing, name placement on event signage, recognition during the program, and two complimentary tickets. Presented by the Gilstad Literacy Foundation and Charlotte County Imagination Library.

This family-friendly bowling night brings the CDBIA community together at Treasure Lanes for strikes and spares, lighthearted competition, and time to connect away from the office and jobsite. All experience levels are welcome, whether aiming for a perfect game or just trying to steer clear of the gutter. Expect plenty of laughs, good company, and memories to take home.

A local duo performs popular hits from the 1990s and 2000s, offering a nostalgic throwback for fans of both decades.

Desoto Gun Club is hosting a Cowboy Match for a classic cowboy-style shoot. The match accepts single-action revolvers .32 or greater, shotguns in 20 gauge and 12 gauge, JR’s .410 (or a Winchester 97 or remake), as well as lever or pump action rifles. The entry cost is $10. Shooters are asked to arrive and help set up match targets, or the match will be cancelled. Note that the range used for the match will be closed for member use until the match is completed and match items are cleared away.

A lively dance party at Deep Creek Elks showcases 80s and 90s dance music. Expect upbeat favorites from both decades that build a nostalgic atmosphere and keep the dance floor moving.

Cooking with C.A.R.E. offers an evening of fine dining, live culinary instruction, and community support at Carmelo’s Italian Restaurant. Guests will savor a three course menu created specifically for the occasion by Carmelo, while he demonstrates the techniques behind each dish. Two ticket options are available. The VIP package is $350 for two people and includes premium seating with the best view, an opportunity to participate alongside Carmelo during the demonstrations, and a gift from the C.A.R.E. Auxiliary. Only three VIP packages are available. Standard tickets are $100 per person and include the complete three course meal and all live cooking demonstrations. All proceeds support the C.A.R.E. Center, the Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies of Charlotte County.