Worth the drive 8/14/08

Less than 2 hours away

Various locations, Paducah, Ky.

The fourth annual River's Edge International Film Festival will be today through Sunday in Paducah. Films from directors in Africa, Europe and North America will be played at three venues in the city. The festival starts tonight with a free screening and kick-off event at the Maiden Alley Cinema where you can buy individual movie tickets for $5 or a weekend pass for $50. For more information, call 270-444-7200 or visit www.riversedgefilmfestival.com.

Queeny Park, St. Louis

The expressions of jazz music and art exhibitions will mix together for the last time this year with the Cool Art/Hot Jazz Fine Art Festival. The festival will feature art works of clay, water media, drawing/print and jewelry, along with other styles. Live jazz music will also be featured at the festival. The festival is from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free for anyone younger than 18 and $5 for 18 and older. For more information, call 314-899-0433 or visit www.gslaa.org.

Botanical Gardens, St. Louis

Tomato growers wanting to test their skills can enter in the Homegrown Tomato Challenge this weekend in St. Louis. Two grand prize winners will walk away with $2,500 and runners-up will receive a gift certificate of $250. Registration will be from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. with judging to follow. Admission is free for anybody who brings three small or six large tomatoes before noon to enter in the contest. For more information, call 314-577-0254 or visit www.mobot.org/events/tomatochallenge.