PEACH WEEKENDER

Special Events: This Week 6-19

College to mark 50th anniversary

Monroe County Community College

Monroe County Community College will host an all-ages celebration Saturday to mark the college's 50th anniversary. The free event begins at 1 p.m. on the central mall of the main campus and will continue throughout the day, culminating in a fireworks show at dusk. Highlights will include the season eight American Idol winner and national recording artist Kris Allen at 8 p.m. The festival also will host multiplatinum '90s rock group the Verve Pipe at 3 p.m. Toledo-area band Madison Avenue and Swedish alternative Americana folk rock band Baskery also will perform. Other attractions include an alumni all-class reunion, offering a free lunch to the first 500 alumni;games and competitions; children's activities; an alumni art show; Native American pow-wow, plus food, raffles, beer tent, and wine tasting. Information: monroeccc.edu/50th.

■ Summer festivities at Oak Shade Grove will kick off this weekend with the Toledo Swiss Festival. The free event will feature sounds by Encore Band from 2 to 6 p.m. and Tru Brew Band from 7 to 11 p.m. There also will be food, drinks, raffles, and children's activities, along with special performances by the Bavarian Sports Club D'Nolzhackerbuam Schuhplattler Gruppe, the Toledo Holzhackerbuam Schuhplattler Gruppe, and the Toledo Swiss Singers.

■ Books 4 Buddies will host its 2014 kickoff from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday in the Macy's Court at Franklin Park Mall. The free family event will feature the Toledo Symphony School of Music Vivace! Fiddlers, and the Ann Arbor Suzuki Flute School Ensemble from noon to 1 p.m. There will also be cupcake decorating while supplies last, a meet-and-greet with Clifford the Big Red Dog from 1 to 3 p.m., and a performance by the Jean Holden Singers from 3 to 5 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring new or gently used children's books to The Blade truck in the parking lot between Macy's and bd's Mongolian Grill. Books 4 Buddies has donated more than 30,000 books to disadvantaged children and young adults in the area. Information: books4buddiestoledo.com.

Saturday is Kid's Day at the Toledo Farmer'?s Market downtown. Children can enjoy free face painting, cupcake decorating, contests, and more from 9 a.m. to noon. Michigan Native Butterfly House will provide an interactive exhibit. Kid's Day activities are free, but there is a $4 fee for the butterfly exhibit. Information: toledofarmersmarket.com.

■ The Believe Center will celebrate its second anniversary with a benefit dance. The Thank you for Believing fund-raiser, hosted by El Corazon de Mexico Ballet Folklorico, will feature a guest performance by the group, music by DJ's Lalo Gonzales and Anthony Duran, food, and drinks. The celebration is Saturday from 6 p.m. to midnight at the center, 1 Aurora Gonzalez Dr. Admission is $10 for anyone over age 10, free for children 10 and younger. All profits will support the Believe Center and El Corazon de Mexico. The Believe Center provides sports programs for youths.