Tonight (Thursday, Oct. 4): Columbus Cavaliers Orchestra

Columbus Cavaliers Orchestra host a benefit concert tonight at the band shell at Lake Bottom Park. Show time is 7:30 p.m. and the concert is free. Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs and picnic baskets and give donations which will benefit the Wynnton Neighborhood Network, an interfaith service that maintains a food pantry and provides emergency assistance to those in need.

The Columbus Cavaliers is a 17-piece big band that's been entertaining music fans since 1946. For more information, call 706-315-9117 or email stephen.scott@mchsi.com.

Tonight (Thursday, Oct. 4): Author Jonathan Haidt

Author Jonathan Haidt, the writer of the best-selling book "The Righteous Mind" speaks at 7 p.m. at the Columbus Public Library's auditorium as part of the Building Common Ground series. He will explore psychological underpinnings of the divisive morality of politics and religion. It's free. Call 706-243-2669 for more information.

Saturday, Oct. 6: Free family fun at Columbus Museum

The Columbus Museum hosts Falling into Seasons Family Day 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at the museum. Kids can create seasonal art projects, participate in a scavenger hunt, get temporary glitter tattoos and listen to seasonal stories. It's free.

While you're there check out the "Rocio Rodriguez: Divergent Fictions: A Selection of Works from 1988-2012" and "Beautiful and Practical: Newcomb College and American Art Pottery" exhibits. Saturday the museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday's hours are 1-5 p.m.

For more information, call 706-748-2562 or visit www.columbusmuseum.com.

Saturday, Oct. 6: The Market's Seafood Festival

Bite into some delicious fresh seafood at The Market's third annual Seafood Festival from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday at the Backyard of the Market, 1039 First Ave.

New to this year's festival are food trucks that will be serving up, you guessed it, seafood!

Games and bounce houses will entertain the children while adults can sip beer and wine while listening to live music by Ed Cox, Kevin VanNoy and the Soul Providers and a Jimmy Buffet sanctioned band: A1A. Don't worry about missing the big game. Large screen TVs will be showing SEC football games during the festival.

Opportunities to give back to the community abound. There will be a Greater Columbus Georgia American Heart Association dunking booth. You can purchase food items from the American Culinary Foundation food stations and taste wines from around the around the world at a wine-tasting booth that will support an Uptown Market Thanksgiving, in which the Market provides food for those in need.

Cost is $5 in advance, $10 at the gate. Buy tickets at The Market, 1039 First Ave. uptownseafoodfestival.com and 706-320-9733.

All weekend, Oct. 6-7: The Cotton Pickin' Fair

If you need some fun holiday gifts or fall and holiday decorations, be sure to head to the Cotton Pickin' Fair in Gay, Ga.

Local and regional vendors have crafts, food, antiques, art and jewelry to sell from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Cost is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for children, free for kids 6 and younger.

Bands and dance groups will entertain and children's games and activity areas are featured. Visit www.cpfair.org for more information.

Tuesday, Oct. 9: Garden Gala

The Columbus Botanical Garden's Garden Gala, sponsored by Flower Magazine, is set for Tuesday at the Green Island Country Club. Horticulturalists Renny Reynolds, who specializes in landscape architecture and event planning, and Jack Staub, an expert on edible plants and garden design, will be the speakers.

The event opens with a reception and silent auction from 10 to 11 a.m. Then Reynolds and Staub showcase their prized estate, Hortulus Farm in a slide presentation, "Listening to the Land." Lunch is noon to 1 p.m. It's $75.

From 2 to 3:30 p.m., study sessions will be held where guests can interact with Reynolds and Staub. Each study session is $75 and lunch attendance is not required.

For more information, visit www.columbusbotanicalgarden.org or call 706-327-8400.