It’s going to be a very busy weekend on Whidbey Island with thousands of visitors expected to attend four different major events in Oak Harbor and Coupeville.

This weekend offers a great opportunity to come out and support groups that are putting a great deal of time and effort into creating fun events that not only help boost the local economy, but raise money for outstanding causes.

Hydros for Heroes will run both Saturday and Sunday in Oak Harbor Bay. Proceeds from the event will go to the Rotary Club of Oak Harbor’s charitable projects.

Among the Rotary Club’s charitable ventures is Backpacks for Kids, which provides food for identified students over weekends when they might not otherwise eat. All students helped by the program remain anonymous.

Rotary Club of Oak Harbor also contributes to SPIN Cafe, an organzation that provides meal and laundry services, education, vocational training, support groups and community capacity building services.

Oak Harbor Lions Club, another service organization, is holding its annual car show at Windjammer Park Saturday. Visitors can stroll through the park to see neat vintage cars and watch the hydro races happening at the same time.

Proceeds from the car show go toward the Lions’ charitable projects in the community.

Lions clubs offer all kinds of programs and assistance to the community and those in need. Some areas of focus include sight and hearing testing and treatment, blood drives and other service projects.

On Sunday, Pigfest will be held on Pioneer Way. The event offers music, games and, of course, free food. Barbecue masters will fire up their grills for the annual competition.

Proceeds from Pigfest also go back into the community to buoy community projects and programs.

Just a bit south on the island, Coupeville is holding its annual Arts and Crafts Festival all weekend. Roughly 180 vendors with their artist wares will line the streets of downtown Coupeville.

The event offers food, live music, children’s activities and a wine and beer garden.

One of the island’s longest running events, the festival requires more than 200 volunteers to put on including many community partners.

The event has raised hundred of thousands of dollars over the years for arts programs, the chamber, scholarships and many other community projects.

Take some time this weekend and support one, two or all of these great events. You are, in turn, helping to give back to your community.