News from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach

South Florida always has plenty of options for the weekend. From Miami to Fort Lauderdale to West Palm Beach – and all other parts that make up our glorious region – we are here to provide you with the best in entertainment and activities to make the most of your Saturdays and Sundays (and sometimes Fridays too because, let’s face it, Fridays mark the unofficial start to the weekend).

We continuously update this post to bring you new picks for free and cheap things to do, whether you want to be indoors or out, accompanied or flying solo, so be sure to keep checking back!

Whatever you choose, here’s hoping you get to unwind from the long work week and have fun. Have a good weekend, South Florida!

Lots of free & inexpensive fun & entertainment is offered this weekend in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Photo/Tamarac Water Parks, Water Playgrounds & Pools (including discounts)

Here are the best free and cheap things to do this weekend...

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With a focus on protecting oceans and sea turtles, an educational facility in South Florida is open to the public featuring exhibits and a saltwater pool where resident rescued sea turtles swim and eat.

The female turtles on site are not releasable due to injuries from boats, according to a representative of MEEC in Hollywood.

MEEC is a nickname for Marine Environmental Education Center. Entry is free, and donations are encouraged. MEEC is a partnership of Broward Parks and Recreation and Nova Southeastern University.

The oceanside venue is usually open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays at Hollywood North Beach Park, 4414 N. Surf Road, Hollywood 33019

Educational displays include

• shark and turtle tracking
• aquaponics
• sea turtles

The rescued turtles is are especially popular. They usually are fed at 3:30 p.m. and spectators are welcome to watch. Dinner often includes such fare as leafy greens and bell peppers.

The turtles are not...

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If you’re interested in picking up a fresh, at-home activity, producing edible indoor plants such as radishes, turnips and arugula right inside your South Florida home is fun, relatively easy and relatively inexpensive.

For wisdom on the topic, we solicited tips from a South Florida urban horticulture program specialist affiliated with the University of Florida Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences, also known as IFAS.

(Photo courtesy of University of Florida/IFAS)

Maybe you’ll be inspired. Ideally, you’ll be richly rewarded with a delicious sense of accomplishment and tasty freshly harvested produce.

Read our Q&A with Samuel Chillaron, Urban Horticulture Program specialist, Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program for UF/IFAS Extension Office in Davie.

Thanks, Sam!

To keep up with latest news, sign up for the daily Miami on the Cheap newsletter. You can also follow us on Facebook and on Twitter and visit our Facebook group page.

Sam Chillaron

Q: What edible...

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Organizations in South Florida offer free food distribution for families needing help. Some sites provide drive-through pickups, while others offer doorstep deliveries for eligible participants.

Food distributions are in Broward, Miami-Dade and greater Palm Beach.

If your organization is distributing food, please email complete info to editor@miamionthecheap.com or news@miamionthecheap.com.

This list is periodically updated to reflect new distribution sites.

Drive-through & other food distributions include:

Free food for kids in summer

Free food for kids 18 and younger during summer is offered via Summer BreakSpot at libraries, schools, parks and other locations in South Florida.

For locations

• log on to the website

or

• text FOOD or COMIDA to 304-304

or

• dial 2-1-1 on your phone

Farm Share

Farm Share is a nonprofit organization that distributes fruits, vegetables and other food items, is offering drive-through distribution events in Florida. Free food items provided usually...

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Picture this — you’re sitting on a lawn chair, an ocean breeze hits your face on a sunny Sunday with live music playing in the background.

You can make this daydream a reality with the Ocean Drive Promenade Music Series that takes place every Sunday at 5 p.m. between 14th Street and 14th Place on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach in front of The Betsy Hotel.

Concerts feature talented local South Florida performers. Bring a picnic, lawn chairs, blankets, and your whole gang to enjoy these free open-air performances.

Ocean Drive Promenade Music Series:

July 17: Broadway Night, 7 p.m.

July 24: Best of the Miami Music Festival, 7 p.m.

July 31: Opera Aria Night, 7 p.m.

In the case of rain, events will be held in The Betsy’s Lobby.

The music series is presented in partnership with The Betsy’s 10th Annual Overture to Overtown Jazz Festival and during National Jazz Appreciation Month (“JAM”), created in 2001 at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History to celebrate the...

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