My Charleston Weekend: 16-22

First Day Festival

This 10th annual event is all about getting ready for the first day of school. Go for the free school supplies, entertainment, food, boat rides, face painting and information about services for students. And while you’re there, check out education exhibits and the health and wellness zone that will include health-related exhibits and vision screenings. The food court will offer educational experiences to promote healthy lifestyles and wellness. Attendees will be able to sample healthy snacks and foods, and local chefs will perform cooking demonstrations with nutritional options. The festival also is acting as a food drive. Attendees are asked to bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the Lowcountry Food Bank; it’s not a requirement for admission. The festival will be 1-4 p.m. Sunday at Liberty Square (by the S.C. Aquarium and the Charleston Maritime Center). Check out www.charleston-sc.govfor more info.

Back-to-School Splash

The town of Mount Pleasant postponed the Splash Day earlier this month and decided to hold a Back-to-School Splash in preparation for the first day of school next week. At 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, head over to Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park and Pier off Harry Hallman Boulevard for a day of free fun that includes water slides, jump castles and more. Food and drinks will be available for purchase on-site. For more info, check out www.comeonovermp.com.

Charleston Pub Crawl

What better way to see the sights of historic Charleston than by way of a pub crawl? On Saturday, weave your way through more than 20 bars and restaurants through the Guided Pub Crawl or the Scavenger Hunt Crawl. The scavenger hunt lets you choose your own path as you complete tasks while the guided crawl will be led by representatives from SweetWater Brewing Company, Red Bull, or a university or media personality. This choice will visit about 10 venues. Participating bars and restaurants include Mad River, The Brick, Southend Brewery, Tommy Condon’s, Blind Tiger, Vendue Rooftop, The Griffon, Upper Deck Tavern and more. The official crawl time is 1-9 p.m., but attendees may go at their own pace. Check in is at Marion’s, 159 East Bay St., in the French Quarter. Tickets, which are $25, include two complimentary SweetWater draft beers, discounted drinks, live music, a T-shirt, swag and more. A portion of the proceeds will go to Charleston Waterkeeper. For more information, check out crawltheglobe.com.

Ice-Cream Social

Head over to the Summerville Dorchester Museum, 100 E. Doty Ave., from noon-3 p.m. Saturday for an afternoon of fun, games and ice cream. This family-friendly social is all about supporting your local museum. Find out more by calling 875-9666 or going to summervilledorchestermuseum.org.

Bachelor Bid Bash

This fifth annual event benefiting S.C. Jayee Camp Hope, a residential summer camp for mentally challenged individuals at the Clemson Outdoor Lab, promises to be a good time. With a charity bachelor/bachelorette auction and a silent auction, you better start working out your bidding arm. DJ Trev will be throwing down tracks at the live auction and The Groove Junkies Band will perform live later in the evening. The Saturday event will be at The Hippodrome, 360 Concord St., and doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance, $35 at the door for general admission; $40 in advance, $50 at the door, will get you VIP access and a private open bar. Check out what will be up on the block at www.bachelorbidbash.org.

Third Thursday

This month’s Summerville DREAM-hosted Third Thursday will begin with a bang, literally. Grab any type of percussion instrument from home, or check one out in Hutchinson Square, and pull up a chair at the community drum circle from 5 to 6 p.m. All are invited to participate. In addition to the drum circle, the event will play host to Sam Singleton, a recent inductee to the Omaha Black Music Hall, who will perform songs from the ’60s and ’70s and some classic standards. Short Central will continue with the Art Walk. Restaurants and shops along East Richardson Avenue and North Main Street will stay open late for this free event. Find out more by calling 821-7260 or going to summerville dream.org.

Reggae Nights

The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission wraps up its 2012 summer concert series at James Island County Park on Saturday with a performance by ReggaeInfinity. Head out to the park at 871 Riverland Drive from 8-11 p.m. for a night of rockin’ reggae. Bring a blanket or chair but be prepared to abandon it to take to the dance floor as you enjoy “traditional old school roots reggae with a new school attitude” from the Columbia-based band. Caribbean-style dishes, pizza and other festival foods will be available for purchase, as well as beverages. Crafters and other vendors will be displaying and selling handmade good and souvenirs. Tickets are $8, kids 12 and under get in free. For more information, go to ccprc.com/reggae or call 795-4386.

Cupcakes vs. Cancer

This inaugural cupcake competition hosted by the American Cancer Society will include professional, amateur and youth bakers of Charleston cooking-off to fight cancer. From 2-5 p.m. Sunday, check out what folks baked up in categories such as best special occasion, most creative for “What says Charleston?,” best local foods, best healthy and best cocktail or beer inspired. Live entertainment will be provided by Mad Crow, and kids can create their own edible masterpieces. Tickets are $15 and include five cupcake coupons to try some of the offerings, decorate your own cupcake and more. To-go boxes will be available. Proceeds from the event will benefit the American Cancer Society. The bake-off will be at The Courtyard Marriott, 125 Calhoun St. Find out more at www.CupcakesVsCancerCharleston.org.

Big Kahuna Fishing Tournament

The summer’s largest fishing tournament is coming at you Saturday. Starting at 6 a.m. and running until 4 p.m., head to the Folly Beach Fishing Pier, 101 E. Arctic Ave., and see how you stack up in the following categories: adult angler, lady angler, youth angler (12 and under), senior angler (60-plus), total weight of five fish and king mackerel. Participants have a chance to win a boat, motor and trailer with a state record catch of whiting, spot or croaker. The event will be held rain or shine. An adult chaperon is required for participants ages 15 and under. The price to participate is $12, $9 for Charleston County residents; for king mackerel, the price is $14, $12 for Charleston County residents. For more info, call 588-3474 or go to ccprc.com.

Master & Apprentice: A Louie’s Kids Benefit Dinner

Circa 1886, 149 Wentworth St., hosts this third annual evening of food and wine. This year, chef Marc Collins will team up with executive chef Santiago “Jimmy” De La Cruz of The Club at Cimmaron to dish out a five-course dinner paired with wines. The menu will include an appetizer, salad, seafood course, meat course and dessert. In addition to the dinner, there will be a live auction, which will include goodies from Croghan’s Jewel Box, a paddleboard, an apprentice cooking class at Circa 1886 with Collins and more. The event will be at 6:30 p.m. today. Tickets are $80 and proceeds will benefit Louie’s Kids, a local nonprofit that aims to end childhood obesity. For more info, call 853-7828 or go tocirca1886.com.

Gospel concert

Charleston vocalist Quiana Parler will be performing a special gospel concert as the opening to the seventh annual Women of Excellence Conference. Held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at St. James Presbyterian Church, 1314 Secessionville Road on James Island, the noted jazz and R&B singer will perform “The Word in Song,” which will include arrangements of popular old hymns, some of Parler’s favorite traditional and contemporary gospel tunes, and a tribute to the many “women of excellence” in the gospel music industry. The concert is open to the public and is $10 at the door. For those attending the five-day conference (Wednesday-Aug. 26), the concert is included in registration. For more information on the concert and the conference, call 795-3959, go to www.stjamespc-usa.orgor email the Rev. Carolyn Heyward at ckheyward0@gmail.com.

Children’s Museum Night at The Battery

The Charleston Battery is hosting a soccer clinic and pizza party with Battery soccer players before Saturday night’s game. From 5-8:30 p.m., learn tips from the pros and even get your own mini Battery soccer ball, then enjoy a pizza party. Kick-off will be at 7:30 p.m. and fireworks will follow the game. Held at Blackbaud Stadium, 1990 Daniel Island Drive, on Daniel Island, the event is free for child members of the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry and $8 for adult members; nonmembers can attend for $3 for children and $10 for adults. Find out more at www.explorecml.org.

Todd Barry and Neil Hamburger

The Pour House, 1977 Maybank Highway, will be hosting a stand-up comedy tour at 9:30 p.m. today. Catch Todd Barry, known for his role as the bongo-playing “Third Conchord” on HBO’s “Flight of the Conchords” and as Mickey Rourke’s deli boss in the 2008 Oscar-nominated movie “The Wrestler.” Also performing will be Neil Hamburger, the opening act for Tenacious D. Tickets are $20; a limited amount of seats will be available, the rest will be standing room only. Find out more at www.charlestonpourhouse.com.