OK savers, there's lots of free stuff to do this weekend. I hope you weren't planning to lie around and watch football. No, no. Not on Sweetest Day weekend! So chose one or two free things, get off the couch and have some fun! Friday, October 15 If you can't travel or afford a trip to D.C., head to Florence to see the Moving Wall, a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Wall. Built by Vietnam veterans to travel the country, the Moving Wall is in Florence for just one weekend. Until 3 p.m. Monday, October 18 when the Wall is dismantled, stop by this free exhibit and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Visitors are welcome to view the Wall 24 hours a day at the Florence Government Center at 8100 Ewing Blvd., 41042. For more information, check the Moving Wall's website or call 859-371-5491. Take the little ones to the Blue Manatee at 10 a.m. today for a story time and book signing by Melinda Long, author of How I Became a Pirate, Pirate's Don't Change Diapers and the new Pirate Activity Book. Sure, if you want a book signed, you'll have to pony up the cash for the book, but everyone's welcome to story time. Let those little ones meet an author and have someone else deal with their 20,000 questions for a change! Continuing last week's theme of "we'll throw a festival for nearly any reason," check out the Fall Festival of Leaves in Bainbridge, Ohio. About two hours from Cincinnati, this little town claims to be, "Leaf Country, U.S.A." Well, I'm not sure about that, but the festival is one of the most popular around. From Friday until Sunday there's plenty of live entertainment, karaoke contests, pet contests, a 5K run/walk, and of course, lots of leaves to look at. There's also a parade at 2:30 Sunday, because of course, we're always looking for reasons to throw parades around here, too. Like Patsy Cline? Well, who doesn't? Of course Patsy can't be here, but check out Theresa Dunn performing as Patsy at 7 p.m. at the Boone County Public Library's main branch on Burlington Pike as part of the Live at the Library series. Saturday, October 16 Start your morning off with Mana Tots, a fun story time for ages 4 and younger from 9:30 to 10 a.m. at the Blue Manatee. This fun story time also has a song or two thrown in for fun! At 10 a.m., take the kids aged 5-12 for a free cooking class at Whole Foods in Mason. The Sprouts in the Kitchen class has a new theme each Saturday, and the organizers promise to teach good nutrition at each class, and maybe have some fun, too. Today's theme is Jack-O-Lantern fruit cups. Doesn't sound like a whole lotta cooking would be involved here, but it's probably tasty and will give the kids something fun to do while you get some shopping done in peace. Registration required. Don't live near Mason? Check out Kids Can Cook, Too at Whole Foods in Oakley. This one also starts at 10 a.m., and the class is open for kids age 3-12. The theme? Popcorn balls. Sounds thrilling, right? Well, the kids will like it. Registration required. After all that cooking, or maybe instead of it, head to the cafeteria and gym at Madeira Middle School from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Commit to be Fit. This expo promises smoothie samples, free chair massages, children's ID kits, foot reflexology and a shot to register for prizes. New to gardening? From 10:30 to noon, check out this free class with tips for how to put your garden to bed this winter at H. J. Benken's in Silverton. Think you have the skills to be a writer, but don't have the first clue about how to get published or get an agent? Check out the Get Published writer's workshop at the Kenton County Public Library from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Kenton Lands Road. Stop on by my 'hood and have some fun at the Community Harvest Festival from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Dent on Harrison Avenue. Enjoy games, pumpkin decorating, crafts and free food with the family. I haven't been to this event, but my daughter went to vacation Bible school here and we both had a great time. Another author signing for the little ones! Meet Mary Kay Carson and Tom Uhlman, authors of Bat Scientists from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Blue Marble bookstore in Ft. Thomas. OK, enough with the kid stuff. It's Sweetest Day, and you've been running them around all day. Sure, it's a Hallmark holiday, but you'll still be in the doghouse if you don't come up with some plan. How about a show by the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Can't afford it, right? Come on, you know the theme of this post. EVERYTHING'S FREE. So check out Happy Worst Day Ever, a great play performed as part of the Playhouse's Off the Hill series. And it's at a fantastic location, the Baker-Hunt Art and Cultural Center in Covington. And while tickets are free to this 7 p.m. show, you'll want to make sure you reserve your tickets by calling 859-431-0020. Sunday, October 17 Ever wanted to get up close and personal with a reptile? Me either. But you know, some people like that kind of stuff. Meet a herpetologist and the creatures they study from 10 a.m.  to 5 p.m. at Krohn Conservatory. From noon until 5 p.m., head to the Fall Festival at Devou Park for free carriage rides, a petting zoo, live entertainment and plenty of other activities. If you're not up for watching the game, this could make for a fun afternoon. Up for a strenuous uphill hike? Sure, why not. And if you're not up for the exercise, you can at least learn about plants and participate in the family scavenger hunt at Go Native from 12:30 until 4 p.m. at the Bender Mountain Preserve. OK, this parade thing has gone to the dogs. Literally. Head to Voice of America Park from 2 to 4 p.m. for the Howl-O-Ween costume pet parade. They'll even give out prizes for the best costumed person and animal. Know of anything else going on this weekend that's free? Leave a comment and share your tips!