Best bets: Gator homecoming, food truck rally, 'House of Usher,' Chomp the Block, more

GATOR HOMECOMING TRADITIONS: Wear your favorite orange-and-blue gear and get out on the town for the Gators’ homecoming weekend festivities! Events begin at 9:30 a.m. today with the UF Homecoming Festival at the Plaza of the Americas on the University of Florida campus. The event, set to run until 12:30 p.m., will feature student organizations and local businesses offering activities and goodies for families and students. For more information, visit gatorgrowl.org. During the festival, starting on the corner of Newell Drive and Union Road, running enthusiasts can take part in the Gator Gallop. Starting at 11 a.m., this annual fun run will feature a new 2-mile route that will take Gators through the historic University of Florida campus and finish at the Homecoming Festival. Day-of registration tables will be set up in front of Library West. There is a fee of $22 to participate. To register beforehand, visit bit.ly/gatorgallop22. Don’t forget the UF Homecoming Parade, set to begin at noon, which will feature more than 120 organizations ranging from local charities, businesses and student organizations. The parade starts at Norman Hall on 13th Street then turns right down University Avenue. It is hailed as the largest student-run parade in the nation. For more information on the parade, visit facebook.com/hcgatorgrowl. End the day with live performances from Olivia O’Brien and headlining performance from Flo Rida. The annual Gator Growl — the largest student-run pep rally in the world — will end the night beginning at 7 p.m. For more information, visit gatorgrowl.org.

HOMECOMING FOOD TRUCK RALLY: If you’re in the mood for good eats, head over to First Magnitude Brewing Company at 1220 SE Veitch St. for their Homecoming Food Truck Rally. The event, set for 2 to 9 p.m. today, is open to all ages and will feature food trucks from DB Rolling Dough, Fat Tiki, Germains, Curry Coma, Bone of My Bone and Latin Food Blessing. First Magnitude will have 20 unique taps of beers and ciders, two taps of wine and non-alcoholic options available. Live DJs will spin the decks, and there will be plenty of seating in the shaded beer garden, covered warehouse and indoor taproom spaces. After the rally, stay for a “Jungle Boogie” homecoming dance party from 8 to 11 p.m. For more information, visit bit.ly/fmfoodrally22.

“THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER”: The High Springs Playhouse is bringing an short story by Edgar Allan Poe to life — just in time for the spooky season. Their adaptation of “The Fall of the House of Usher” is re-invented as a detective thriller and set in 1930s Boston. James Brookfield, an up-and-coming writer of potboilers from New York City, is invited to the Boston home of his childhood friend, Roderick Usher, to, as his host suggests, “chronicle the evolution” of the House of Usher. What begins for Brookfield as a pleasant distraction from the busy hubbub of New York’s literary circles turns into a maelstrom of horror when he slowly discovers Usher’s secret intent, and realizes that the life of Usher’s sister, Madeline, as well as Brookfield’s own life, are in terrible danger. Told as a series of lightning-paced flashbacks as tough-as-nails police detective Michael Shaughnessy questions Brookfield about what actually happened to cause the fire that destroyed the House of Usher, the play moves relentlessly to its terrifying, stunning conclusion. Catch at showing at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays plus 2 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 30 at the High Springs Playhouse, 23416 NW 186th Ave. in High Springs. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for students 17 and younger and seniors ages 65 and older. For more information about this and other upcoming shows, or to purchase tickets online, visit highspringsplayhouse.com.

CHOMP THE BLOCK: Celebration Pointe’s Chomp the Block events have returned for the 2022 season! The official block party of the Florida Gators is held every Friday before home football games. The events feature food and drinks from onsite restaurants and food trucks, live music, giveaways and games along with special appearances by the Gators’ Spirit Team. Celebration Pointe is located just off of Interstate 75 and Archer Road. A Chomp the Block party is held each home-game Friday from 6 to 10 p.m. with a kids’ zone with child-friendly games such as a bounce house, face painting and balloon animals. This year’s Chomp the Block schedule includes live performances by Jamie Davis today, You’re Gonna Get It! on Oct. 14, and Gainesville Retro Society on Nov. 11. The exclusive block parties are part of a comprehensive, ongoing partnership program with the Florida Gators. In addition to Chomp the Block parties, the agreement includes Celebration Pointe hosting Gator Talk Radio with Florida Athletics coaches, which is held at 6 p.m. on most Mondays at The Keys Grill & Piano Bar inside Celebration Pointe. For more information, visit celebrationpointe.com.

“FREE FRIDAYS” CONCERT: Catch the next performance of the city’s popular “Free Fridays” concert series from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Bo Diddley Plaza downtown amphitheater, located at 111 E. University Ave. The free concert series highlights a different act each week, with The Last Waltz, a The Band tribute band, performing today. Attendees are encouraged to bring their blankets and lawn chairs to Bo Diddley Plaza to enjoy the concert under the stars. For more information, including a list of upcoming performances, visit bodiddleyplaza.com/upcoming-events. Future dates include Morningbell performing psychedelic rock and soul on Oct. 14; and The Imposters, a The Beatles tribute band, closing this year’s series on Oct. 21.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Best Bets: 'Free Fridays' concert, Chomp the Block, 'House of Usher'