Sunny Central Florida » Bartow

Arts are in Bloom This Weekend in Bartow

kris — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 19:56:12 +0000

Dogwoods, azaleas and art are blooming in Bartow this weekend. It is time for the Bloomin’ Arts Festival, a two day celebration of entertainment, a wide variety of food, a children’s section, quilt show, flower show, car show (Saturday only), and festival party that will provide an exciting atmosphere for all visitors. This is the 34th Annual festival, so it must be pretty good because large crowds keep coming back for more year after year! Make sure you get out there this weekend and enjoy the great weather and good fun in Bartow. The festival will run Saturday and Sunday from 10am-5pm.

Who is L.B. Brown? Find Out Next Weekend

kris — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:58:52 +0000

I have to start this post with a confession. I have lived in Polk County my whole life and I did not know who L.B. Brown was until recently. Now that I do know, I wish I would have found out more about him earlier in my life because he was a fascinating person and a great American. His house still stands in Bartow and is the centerpiece of the festival that bares his name. If you are like me and don’t know Brown’s great story, you should definitely check out the 9th Annual L.B. Brown Festival in Bartow February 13-15. It is a weekend full of music, speakers and history that you won’t want to miss. This year’s theme is “Our Caribbean Connection” and there will be a a Buffalo Soldier presentation by re-enactor Lee Coffee Jr., a presentation on the history of the Caribbean Islands, a fashion show that includes hair fashions and elephant rides for the kids.

The Ledger has a great article today detailing all that will go on next weekend and you can also visit the official website for all the information and photos of past events. If you get the chance to experience the festival next weekend, be sure to let us know what you thought.

New Exhibit Set to Open at Polk Historical Museum

kris — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:34:52 +0000

Are you ready for some football? The Polk County Historical Museum is as they prepare to open a new exhibit highlighting “Polk’s Pigskin Past”. Sure, we all know about the recent successes of Polk County athletes on the college and NFL level, but this exhibit will stretch back into the past and highlight all the football stars from Polk County’s past. Here is some information about the event straight from the Historical Museum:

Join us for the grand opening of the new exhibit, Polk’s Pigskin Past!

This Saturday, January 24, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the museum welcomes the Super Bowl with this look into Polk’s football history. A tailgate party, with free hot dogs and hamburgers, kicks off from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The entire museum will be open to the public during usual business hours (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.). Come enjoy this peek into Central Florida’s past, along with kid’s activities and football-themed movies. For more information, please contact the Historical Museum at (863) 534 – 4386.

It certainly sounds like a good time. Plus, who can pass up a FREE tailgate party?

“Git R Done” This Weekend And More

kris — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:02:47 +0000

By the clever headline, I am sure that you guessed Larry the Cable Guy is in town this weekend. You are correct! The comedian will be performing two shows only on Friday night at The Lakeland Center’s Youkey Theater, one at 7pm and the other at 9:30pm. Believe it or not, there are some tickets ($42.50)still available, so if you want to go, get them now. Larry the Cable Guy’s Friday night appearance will kick off a great weekend around Central Florida.

Here are some other events throughout the weekend:

Friday

Larry the Cable Guy 7pm and 9:30pm Youkey Theater, The Lakeland Center
Live Music: Florida Southern College Band 6:30pm Branscomb Auditorium FSC, Lakeland
Bluegrass and BBQ Festival 6pm-10pm IMC-Agrico Park Bartow
Quilts and Teas Festival 9am-3pm Historic District Davenport
Theater: “Barefoot in the Park” 8pm Clay Cut Centre Haines City
Theater: “Cotton Patch Gospel” 7:30pm Polk Theater Lakeland

Saturday

Bluegrass and BBQ Festival Noon-5pm IMC-Agrico Park Bartow
Theater: “Barefoot in the Park” 8pm Clay Cut Centre Haines City
Theater: “Cotton Patch Gospel” 7:30pm Polk Theater Lakeland
Quilts and Teas Festival 9am-3pm Historic District Davenport
Downtown Farmers Curb Market 8am-2pm Peterson Plaza, Downtown Lakeland
Suncoast Gun Show 9am-5pm The Lakeland Center
Kids: Ancestors and Heroes Day 10am Explorations V Children’s Museum Lakeland
Farmers Market 8am-2pm North Blount Park Bartow
Auto Racing: 6pm Auburndale Motor Speedway Auburndale

Sunday

Theater: “Barefoot in the Park” 2:30pm Clay Cut Centre Haines City
Theater: “Cotton Patch Gospel” 2:30pm Polk Theater Lakeland
Suncoast Gun Show 9am-4pm The Lakeland Center
Concert: The Coasters and The Drifters 1pm Cypress Gardens Winter Haven

Out and About: Caution! BUSY Weekend Ahead

kris — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:57:01 +0000

There will be no shortage of things to do around Central Florida this weekend, that is for sure. With Halloween falling on a Friday this year, that certainly adds some events to the calendar, but there is a lot more going on than just Halloween events (we will list those events in a separate post later). The big event this weekend is happening at Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland. Water, Wings & Wild Things: Polk Naturefest 2008will celebrate nature AND the Grand Opening of the new educational center at Circle B. It is a free event and will feature lots of activities for kids and adults. There will be free air boat rides on Lake Hancock, Birdhouse Building, Kite Making and native Florida wildlife among many other workshops and activities. It will be from 10am-2pm, so get there early so you can experience it all!

Here is the rest of the long list of things to do this weekend:

Friday

Live Music: Snafu Band 9pm Holiday Inn Lakeland South Lakeland
Florida International Jet Rally 9am-4:30pm Lake Wales Airport Lake Wales
Imperial Symphony Orchestra Pops Concert 8pm Lake Mirror Promenade Lakeland
Florida Home Show 11am-8pm The Lakeland Center Lakeland
Theater: “Pirates of Penzance” 7:30pm Harrison Arts Center Lakeland
Fall Festival (Open Normal Park Hours) Cypress Gardens Winter Haven

Saturday

Water, Wings & Wild Things 10am-2pm Circle B Bar Reserve Lakeland
Florida International Jet Rally 9am-4:30pm Lake Wales Airport Lake Wales
Florida Home Show 10am-8pm The Lakeland Center Lakeland
Theater: “Pirates of Penzance” 7:30pm Harrison Arts Center Lakeland
“A Night at the Opera” 7:30pm Bush Chapel Southeastern University Lakeland
“Rockabilly US Music Show” 7pm Youkey Theater The Lakeland Center
Death by Chocolate 7pm-9pm Polk Museum of Art Lakeland
Pioneer Day 8am Fort Meade Historical Museum Ft. Meade
Downtown Farmers Curb Market 8am-2pm Peterson Plaza Downtown Lakeland
Farmers Market 8am-2pm North Blount Park Bartow
Auto Racing: Auburndale Motor Speedway 6pm Auburndale
Fall Festival (Open Normal Park Hours) Cypress Gardens Winter Haven

Sunday

Florida International Jet Rally 9am-4:30pm Lake Wales Airport Lake Wales
Florida Home Show 10am-6pm The Lakeland Center Lakeland
Theater: “Pirates of Penzance” 2pm Harrison Arts Center Lakeland
Live Music: Bartow Adult Concert Band 2:30pm Bartow Civic Center Bartow

Out and About: A Lot Going on this Weekend

kris — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:07:25 +0000

You may have noticed a little hiatus for our regular “Out and About” post of things for you to do around Central Florida on the weekend. Well, I really don’t have a good excuse except that it has been pretty hectic around here. So, now that the apology is aside, we had to get this week’s post of “Out and About” up because there is a lot you would miss if we didn’t.

The main event you should have on your calendar for the weekend is happening in Lakeland. The 11th Annual Hispanic Festival of Polk County will take place from Noon until 8pm on Saturday at the Lake Mirror Promenade in Downtown Lakeland. Last year this event brought more than 20,000 people to the Lake Mirror Promenade and it promises to be just as exciting this year. The event, put on by the Hispanic Club of Lakeland, will feature music, dancing, great Hispanic foods like empanadas and Cuban sandwiches and there will be Lakeland Police Department K-9 demonstrations, martial arts demonstrations, games and performances all day long (too many to list here). Make sure you get out there at some point on Saturday because it is a unique event that you don’t want to miss and the best part is, it is FREE!

Here are some other options for you around Central Florida this weekend:

Friday

Comedy: Unpland Improv 7pm and 9pm Mi Casa Cafe, Southeastern University Lakeland
Comedy: Comedy Buffet 8pm 254 W. Central Ave., Winter Haven
Monster Truck Thunderslam Motorsport Spectacular 7:30pm Lakeland Center, Jenkins Arena
Cracker Storytelling Festival 9am-3pm Homeland Heritage Park Ft. Meade
Ghost Stories 7pm-9pm Polk County Historical Museum Bartow

Saturday

Dowtown Farmers Curb Market 8am-2pm Peterson Building Plaza, Downtown Lakeland
Hispanic Festival Noon-8pm Lake Mirror Promenade Lakeland
Antique Fair 8am-3pm Main Street Bartow
Cracker Storytelling Festival 9am-3pm Homeland Heritage Park Ft. Meade
Farmers Market 8am-2pm North Blount Park Bartow
Auto Racing: 6pm Auburndale Speedway
Monster Truck Thunderslam Motorsport Spectacular 7:30pm Lakeland Center, Jenkins Arena

Sunday

Ballroom Dancing: Fellowship of Ballroom Dancers 3pm-6pm First Presbyterian Church Lakeland

Out and About:Disney on Ice Comes to The Lakeland Center This Weekend

kris — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:51:14 +0000

Many people don’t know this, but Disney on Ice often has their World Premiere debut show at The Lakeland Center every year. This year, Disney’s “Worlds of Fantasy” debuts this weekend in Lakeland. The show will feature Disney favorites from big screen hits “Cars,” “The Little Mermaid,” “The Lion King” and Tinkerbell, all on ice! Don’t ask me how they are going to pull that off, but leave it to Disney to make it happen. Shows will be at 3:30pm and 7:30pm Friday and Saturday at The Lakeland Center’s Jenkins Arena. Tickets for the show are $27 and $19. Seeing how Disney pulls off the magic of making “Cars” character Lightning McQueen speed around the ice will be worth the price of admission alone!

Here are some more fun things to keep you busy this weekend:

Friday

Lakeland Flying Tigers vs. Clearwater Threshers 7pm Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland
Disney on Ice Presents: “Worlds of Fantasy” 3:30pm and 7:30pm The Lakeland Center

Saturday

Lakeland Flying Tigers vs. Clearwater Threshers 6pm Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland
Winter Haven Fireman Association’s Belles, Blues & BBQ Competition 10am Cypress Gardens
Sportscard Show 9am-4pm Howard Johnson Hotel Lakeland
Farmers Market 8am-2pm North Blount Park, Bartow
Disney on IcePresents: “Worlds of Fantasy” 3:30pm and 7:30pm The Lakeland Center

Sunday

Lakeland Flying Tigers vs. Clearwater Threshers 1pm Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland

Out and About: Art and Theater in Haines City this Weekend

kris — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:11:19 +0000

Haines City is the place to be in Sunny Central Florida this weekend if you like Arts & Culture, that’s for sure. A childhood favorite of many, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” takes to the stage throughout the weekend. The play will be on stage at the Clay Cut Centre Friday at 7pm, Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 3pm. Also taking place in Haines City this weekend (on Saturday) is “Midsummer Night’s Dream…A Timeless Art Gala” Saturday from 6pm-9pm.

Also on the calendar for this weekend:

Friday

Friday Fest – Street Party – 6pm-9pm – Along Main St. and Central Ave., Bartow
Classic Car Show – 6pm-9pm – Downtown Lakeland
Lakeland Flying Tigers vs. St. Lucie Mets – 7pm – Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland
Theater: “Snow White” – 7pm – Clay Cut Centre, Haines City
Theater: “All Shook Up” – 7:30pm – Chain of Lakes Complex, Winter Haven

Saturday

Lakeland Flying Tigers vs. St. Lucie Mets – 6pm- Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland
Live Music:Doggie Bag Summer Concert Series - 5:30pm – Dogs Invited for free concert at The Doggie Bag Boutique in Lakeland – Monica Mannn performs
Theater:“Snow White” – 7pm – Clay Cut Centre, Haines City
Theater: “All Shook Up” – 7:30pm – Chain of Lakes Complex, Winter Haven
Downtown Farmers Curb Market – 8am-2pm – Peterson Plaza, Downtown Lakeland
Art: “Midsummer Nights Dream…A Timeless Art Gala” – 6pm-9pm – Haines City
Splash Island Nights - 7pm – Cypress Gardens

Sunday

Theater:“Snow White” – 3pm- Clay Cut Centre, Haines City
Theater: “All Shook Up” – 2:30pm- Chain of Lakes Complex, Winter Haven

Out and About: “All Shook Up” in Winter Haven This Weekend

kris — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:16:12 +0000

Elvis will be in the building this weekend as “All Shook Up” debuts at the Chain of Lakes Complex in Winter Haven. The musical spotlights Elvis music and has a rock ‘n’ roll story to it. Showtimes are: Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 2:30pm. Tickets are available by calling 863.294.7469. If you can’t make it this weekend, don’t worry, “All Shook Up” is running for the next three weekends in Winter Haven.

Here are some more options to keep you entertained this weekend:

Friday

Theater: “All Shook Up” – 7:30pm – Chain of Lakes Complex, Winter Haven
Big Buck Expo - 4pm-9pm – The Lakeland Center (Sikes Hall and Exhibit Hall)
Theater: “Godspell” – 7:30pm – Lake Mirror Theater, Lakeland

Saturday

Theater: “All Shook Up” – 7:30pm – Chain of Lakes Complex, Winter Haven
Downtown Farmers Curb Market - 8am-2pm – Peterson Building, Downtown Lakeland
Big Buck Expo - 10am-7pm – The Lakeland Center (Sikes Hall and Exhibit Hall)
Theater: “Godspell” – 7:30pm – Lake Mirror Theater, Lakeland
Antique Fair – 10am-3pm – Downtown Bartow (Along Main Street)
Umbrella Art Stroll - 5pm-9pm – Downtown Bartow
Airboat Display - Captain Fred’s Airboat Tours - Polk Outpost 27, Davenport

Sunday

Theater: “All Shook Up” – 2:30pm – Chain of Lakes Complex, Winter Haven
Big Buck Expo - 11am-5pm – The Lakeland Center (Sikes Hall and Exhibit Hall)
Theater: “Godspell” – 2pm- Lake Mirror Theater, Lakeland

4th of July Event Guide

kris — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:18:16 +0000

With the Fourth of July just a few days away, it is time for you to decide where you will go to watch fireworks light up the sky. There are several places in Sunny Central Florida with Fourth of July celebrations, so we decided to make it easy for you. Here is a list of places to celebrate:

Cypress Gardens: (All Weekend) Fireworks, night ski show and live music on the lakeside.

Bartow: July 4th Extravaganza – At Bartow’s IMC Park; Thursday, July 3: Community bbq with special guest US Congressman Adam Putnam – 5:30pm-7pm; Friday, July 4: 2:30pm-9:30pm – Patriotic music, Police K-9 demonstrations, Military tributes, gospel music and fireworks.

Lakeland: Thursday, July 3 – Central Florida Eurocars presents: Red, White & Kaboom! – Free fireworks and live music for the whole family. 6-9:30pm at Lake Mirror Promenade. Live music by Lee Sabler and CitiHeat.

Lakeland: Friday, July 4: Lakeland Flying Tigers vs. Fort Myers Miracle – 5pm – Fireworks following the game.

Haines City: Friday, July 4 – Noon-10pm at Lake Eva Park: “Thunder on the Ridge” – One of Polk County’s largest fireworks displays and a concert by Aaron Tippin starting at 7:30pm. Also: Watermelon eating contests, shopping, food vendors and more.

Winter Haven: Thursday, July 3 – 7pm at Lake Silver: “Rock N’ Freedom Fest” – live bands, fun and games for children and fireworks at 9:30pm.

Lake Alfred: Friday, July 4 – Lions Park in Lake Alfred – The day includes a fishing tournament, live performances, activities for children, food and fireworks.

Bok Tower:Friday, July 4 – Bok Tower Gardens hosts “Independence Day Carillon Concerts” with shows at 1pm and 3pm. The concerts are included in park admission; all military (active and retired) admitted free with military ID.

Lake Wales: Saturday, July 5 – “Fourth of July on the Fifth!” – Lake Wales Park: 10am-9pm – The event features a DJ, food and fireworks that begin at 9pm.

Frostproof: Friday, July 4 – “Wall Street Park Celebration” – All day event includes a parade, live entertainment, food and fireworks at 9pm.

Auburndale: Friday, July 4 – Fireworks at 9:15 over Lake Ariana

Dundee: Friday, July 4 – “Light up the Shores of Lake Marie” – 5:30pm – Fireworks at 9:30pm – Also includes food vendors, and children’s activities.

No matter where you go or how you celebrate, have a safe and fun Fourth of July.