The Buzz: Best bets for the weekend of Jan. 18-20, 2020 | Lifestyle

Citrus County Parks and Recreation will host a Neil Diamond tribute concert on Friday, Jan. 17, at the Citrus Springs Community Center, 1570 W. Citrus Springs Blvd. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person.

Concertgoers will be amazed Keith Allynn’s looks and his talent. Recently, Allynn was selected to be one of only a handful of Neil Diamond tribute artists in the world to be featured in a documentary, “Diamond Mountain,” actually being voted No. 1 by his peers.

Snacks and sandwiches along with bar services will be available at the concert, provided by The Loft Bar and Grill. Tickets are available for purchase at the Parks and Recreation administration office at 2804 W. Marc Knighton Court, Lecanto. Call 352-527-7540 for more information.

Friday Night Thunder will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, at 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness. Attendees can enjoy live entertainment from country band Palomino Blonde.

The Valerie Theatre will host the Flashback Four from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, at 207 Courthouse Square Inverness. The show is a mix of vocals and interactive comedy, featuring the music of Billy Joel, the Beach Boys, the BeeGees, the Temptations and Huey Lewis. Cost will start at $25.

The 33rd annual Florida Manatee Festival returns Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 18 and 19, to downtown Crystal River.

The Florida Manatee Festival is consistently rated year-after-year by attendees as one of the best outdoor events in Citrus County, according to the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce. Event organizers say the 2020 festival will continue that tradition with the return of many favorite attractions, along with a host of exciting new ones.

New this year, take a stroll through the Heritage House Hippie Village. This fun and quirky addition features vendor, food, music and a VW car display reminiscent of the ’60s and ’70s. The new Adventure Zone will be ready for exploration at the corner of Citrus Avenue and Northwest Fifth Street. From rock climbing, to virtual reality racing, even a butterfly encounter, the Adventure Zone is jam packed with activities to excite all ages. There will be live music all weekend.

Featuring a wide selection of international and inventive cuisine choices, the Florida Manatee Festival will offer a tasty selection of fine food artists as part of “International Alley” that will be set up next to Little Springs Park on the north side of U.S. 19. Free shuttles and entry to Three Sisters Springs from the festival will be available.

Additionally, more than 300 fine art, craft, commercial and nonprofit vendors will line the streets on both the north and south sides of downtown. “Art in the Park” will be in King’s Bay Park, offering the perfect setting to browse and purchase an original piece of art for your home, business or as a wearable piece of jewelry that will be a treasure of special meaning forever.

For the kiddos, a Kids Zone will reside in King’s Bay Park with fabulous rides, inflatables, costumed characters with Celestial Fantasy Entertainment, face painting, carnival food and games.