Weekend Things: Free SCAT Bus Rides Today

1. Getting across Sarasota can be challenging at times if you don't have a car or don't like driving. Today's the perfect day to try out a bus to get to help start off celebrating the weekend. Thursday is Try Transit Day where riders on regular fixed-route SCAT or commuter Express buses will have free fares. On all other days, the standard fare for a single-ride is $1.25 for the regular fixed-route service and $2.50 for the Express service.

2. Now you can go, to the boat show. The 30th annual Suncoast Boat Show has consumed the parking lot at Marina Jack and will be in town Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at No. 2 Marina Plaza. Hundreds of boats, marine electronics, products and more will be displayed from dealers for your perusal and deal making. Tickets cost $8 online and $10 at the show. Kids under 15 are free.

3. For us land lubbers, Sarasota County government, Sears and Florida Power & Light Company will answer questions on how to save energy in your home and what type of products you can use to help keep that energy bill down. It's at a free Energy Upgrade Expo called "Take Earth Day Home from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the at , 8201 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. For more information on the county's Energy Upgrade Program, visit www.energyupgradetoday.com.

4. The comes to Five Points Park at 10 a.m. Saturday. will display an extensive student art exhibit and a room exclusively for screening student-made films curated by Education Department.

There will also be:

• Hands-on arts and crafts areas

• Local organizations will be exhibiting to offer information on the summer and after-school programs, workshops and scholarship opportunities they offer to students.

• Kid-friendly food and drink vendors

5. The Sarasota Film Festival wraps up this weekend with notable movies including "Dark Horse," "The Show Must Go On" featuring Sarasota's own Wallendas and the closing night film "Under African Skies," chronicalling the fallout of Paul Simon's "Welcome to Graceland." The festival is running a special where if you buy a ticket to the Filmmakers Luncheon, noon Friday at the Sarasota Yacht Club, you will receive a complimentary ticket to the "In Conversation" session with honore Penelope Ann Miller, which will be 1 p.m., Saturday at . The luncheon costs $100.