Detroit Tigers Spring Training
Date: April 2
Venue: Joker Marchant Stadium – Lakeland
-The Tigers take on the Toronto Blue Jays at 1:05 p.m. in their last home game of 2012 Spring Training.

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific
Date: Monday, April 2
Venue: The Lakeland Center
-A musical based on the 2008 Tony Award winning Lincoln Center Theater production, directed by Bartlett Sher.
-Group discounts are available.

2012 State Science Fair & Engineering Fair of Florida
Dates: Tuesday, April 3 – Thursday, April 5
Venue: The Lakeland Center
-A three-day display of science project exhibits prepared by aspiring scientists and engineers in grades 6-12.
-Nearly 950 Finalists will display their projects and illustrate their research in competition for awards.

Moonlight Carillon Concert at Bok Tower Gardens
Date: Tuesday, April 3
Venue: Bok Tower Gardens – Lake Wales
-Enjoy an hour-long carillon concert under the light of a full moon with the scent of citrus blossoms in the air.

Lakeland Flying Tigers Exhibition Game
Date: Tuesday, April 4
Venue: Joker Marchant Stadium – Lakeland
-The Tigers kickoff their 2012 season at Joker Marchant in an exhibition game against Southeastern University Fire.
-The first pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., and gates open at 5:00 p.m.

Night Hike at Bok Tower Gardens
Date: Thursday, April 5
Venue: Bok Tower Gardens – Lake Wales
-Unravel the mysteries of nighttime sights and sounds in the Gardens after the sun goes down.

First Friday
Date: Friday, April 6
Venue: Downtown Lakeland
-Every month people gather to Downtown Lakeland for an evening of FREE family-friendly entertainment, activities, live music, art receptions, car shows and the chance to check out locally-owned restaurants or retail establishments.
-April’s theme: Get the Message Media Night- Area students try their hands at casting the marketing spell through videos and radio ads promoting Downtown Lakeland.

Cruisin’ Winter Haven
Date: Saturday, April 7
Venue: Central Park – Winter Haven
-Free monthly car show and cruise event featuring family activities, entertainment and vendors.

Easter Egg Hunt
Date: Saturday, April 7
Venue: Larry Parrish Baseball Complex – Haines City
-The Easter Bunny will be present for pictures at this free egg hunt full of prizes and candy.

Lakeland Flying Tigers Home-Opener
Date: Saturday, April 7
Venue: Joker Marchant Stadium – Lakeland
-The Flying Tigers open their FSL season against the Tampa Yankees at 6 p.m.
-Gates will open at 4:30 p.m., and the first 1,500 fans receive a 2012 magnetic schedule.
-Publix will sponsor an Easter egg hunt after the game that will feature the Easter Bunny.
-A firework show will follow if weather permits.

85^th Easter Sunrise Service at Bok Tower Gardens
Date: Sunday, April 8
Venue: Bok Tower Gardens – Lake Wales
-Easter morning worshippers will be offered free admission from 6 to 8 a.m. to experience the majesty of the sun rising.

Easter Sunday Carillon Concerts at Bok Tower Gardens
Date: Sunday, April 8
Venue: Bok Tower Gardens – Lake Wales
-Enjoy the sacred day while listening to beloved music performed on the 60-bell Singing Tower carillon.

Upcoming Events:

Legends & Legacies- Unspoken Valor: The Bomber Crews of World War II – April 13-14, 2012 (Fantasy of Flight-Polk City)

Winter Haven Hospital Foundation Citrus Classic 5K – April 14 (LEGOLAND® Florida -Winter Haven)

Ironman 70.3 Florida – May 19-May 20 (Lake Eva Park-Haines City)

Carillon Classic 5k Run/Walk – May 26 (Bok Tower Gardens-Lake Wales)

Red, Brick & Boom – July 4 (LEGOLAND® Florida – Winter Haven)

Polk NatureFest – October 4-7 (locations across Polk County)

Brick-or-Treat – October- Saturdays & Sundays (LEGOLAND® Florida – Winter Haven)

Go LEGOLAND – It’s Your Birthday – October 15 (LEGOLAND® Florida – Winter Haven) 

Detroit Tigers Spring Training
Dates: Now – April 3
Games start at 1:05 p.m.
Venue: Joker Marchant Stadium- Lakeland
-Spring Training for the Detroit Tigers has begun!  Check the schedule for daily home games.
This week’s home games:
Monday, March 26- Miami Marlins
Thursday, March 29- Washington Nationals at 6:05 p.m.
 Sunday, April 1- Houston Astros

Historic Lake Morton Tours
Dates: Tuesday, March 27; 6:30pm
Venue: Lake Morton – Lakeland
-The story starts during the horse and buggy days when people hitched their horses up at Munn Park to visit downtown.
-Learn how the Loggia came about and even how to say Loggia.
-Scheduled on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. (March, November, & December), 7:30pm (April & October) or 8:30pm (May, June, July, August & September).

2012 SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Expo
Date: Tuesday, March 27 – Sunday, April 1
Venue: Florida Air Museum at SUN ‘n FUN – Lakeland
-Offering over 250 open forums, hands-on-workshops, seminars, evening programs and industry dinners, plus four expo hangars and outside exhibits with over 500 aviation exhibitors, acres with over 4700 aircraft of all types & classes from vintage to war birds
-Also features a signature daily air show with the world premiere aerobatic stars and demonstration flights by military precision jet teams

SUN ‘n FUN 2012 Evening Programs
Dates: Tuesday, March 27 – Saturday, March 31
Venue: Florida Air Museum at SUN ‘n FUN – Lakeland
- Evening Programs are held in the Florida Air Museum’s AOPA Pavilion each night of the event.
Tuesday, March 27- Celebration of the Centennial of Marine Aviation
Wednesday, March 28- Commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of Apollo 17 and the Apollo “Lunar” Program-
Thursday, March 29- Aaron Tippin: “Red, White & Loud” Concert
Friday, March 30- Night Airshow & Fireworks-
Saturday, March 31- Comedy & Music of the WWII Era: A Nostalgic night of wonderful music, laughs, and romantic memories!

The Taming of the Shrew
Dates: Tuesday, March 27 – Sunday, April 1
Venue: Polk State College – Winter Haven
- This is a theater performance by Polk State College’s Fine Arts Department.
-The Taming of the Shrew is a comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1590 and 1591.

Kevin Costner & Modern West Live in Concert
Dates: Wednesday, March 28; 8:00pm–10:00pm
Venue: The Lakeland Center
-Kevin Costner and his band, Modern West, perform live in concert at The Lakeland Center.
-Michael Ray will open the show.

Jack Hartmann’s Hop 2 It Music
Date: Thursday, March 29; 10:30am–11:30am
Venue: Polk Theatre – Lakeland
- Jack Hartmann M.A., BMI, is a nationally recognized children’s singer, songwriter, author, keynote presenter and workshop leader.
-This is an educational children’s music concert at Polk Theatre.

Patti Page & Connie Stevens
Date: Thursday, March 29
Venue:  The Lakeland Center
-These legendary ladies will perform in concert at The Lakeland Center with two different showings on Thursday.

Race for the Kids 2012 US Title Series Boat Races
Date: Thursday, March 29 – Sunday, April 1
Venue: Boys & Girls Club of Winter Haven
-Presented by the Race for the Kids Foundation, there will be over 80 teams from all over the U.S. competing in these hydroplane boat races; multiple classes running.
-This race benefits the Citrus Center Boys & Girls Clubs (Winter Haven, Lake Wales & Haines City).

SUN n’ FUN Splash In at Fantasy of Flight
Dates: Thursday, March 29; 10am–5pm
Venue: Fantasy of Flight – Polk City
-Fantasy of Flight hosts the Splash-In on sparkling Lake Agnes as part of the 38th Annual SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In.
-Visitors will witness a variety of seaplanes and amphibious aircraft perform water landings and takeoffs as part of the competition.

Jerry Finnegan’s Sister
Date: Friday, March 30 – Saturday, Mar. 31; 7:30pm– 9:30pm
                & Sunday, April 1; 2:00pm–4:00pm
Venue: Lake Wales Little Theatre
-A theater Performance at Lake Wales Little Theatre.

Polk Museum of Art: Sketches & Steel
Date: Friday, March 30 – Saturday, June 23
Venue: Polk Museum of Art – Lakeland
-This exhibition will focus on both sides of Paley’s creative process: the plan and the end product.
-His sculptures will be on view alongside the initial sketches Paley produced to create the sculptures.
-A reception to celebrate the exhibition will take place at 7:00 p.m. and will feature a lecture by the artist.

Seinfeld LIVE!
Date: Friday, March 30; 7:00pm–9:00pm
Venue: The Lakeland Center
-Due to popular demand, America’s premiere comedian is hitting the road in a return to his first love – stand-up comedy.
-Popular comedian, Jerry Seinfeld, performs at The Lakeland Center.

Bark in the Park
Date: Saturday, March 31; 2:00pm–8:00pm
Venue: Downtown Winter Haven
-This fun, furry event will transform Downtown Winter Haven into a Pooch’s Paradise, complete with “doggie” vendors, live music, great food & drinks and lots more.

Mustangs & Mustangs
Date: Saturday, March 31; 10:00am–4:00pm
Venue: Fantasy of Flight – Polk City
-Fantasy of Flight and the Imperial Mustang Club of Polk County team up for this 15th annual event, the only Mustang event in Florida that features both beautifully restored P-51 Mustang war birds from World War II and Ford Mustang automobiles.

The Log & Timber Home Show
Date: Saturday, March 31 – Sunday, April 1
Venue: The Lakeland Center
-See traditional log and timber homes and more at The Lakeland Center.
-Everything you need to plan, design, build and decorate your dream home.

Saturday Night Rodeo at Westgate River Ranch Resort
Date: Saturday, March 30; 7:30pm–9:30 pm
Venue: Westgate River Ranch Resort – Lake Wales
-Cowpokes and bronco busters descend upon Westgate River Ranch every Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. for an evening of fun for the whole family at the 1,200-seat rodeo arena.
- Features trick riding, bull riding, calf roping, barrel racing, rodeo clown antics and a patriotic tribute to our armed forces

Glorious
Date: Sunday, April 1; 3:00pm–5:00pm
Venue: Lakeland
-The Lakeland Choral Society will perform the “Gloria,” together with other noteworthy choral works, with brass and organ in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, Lakeland.

Polk County Bridal Exhibit & Marketplace
Date: Sunday, April 1; 1:00pm–5:00pm
Venue: The Lakeland Center
-PC Bridal Exhibit Presents “Celebrations”, a Bridal Show featuring vendors and more.

Upcoming Events:

Legends & Legacies- Unspoken Valor: The Bomber Crews of World War II – April 13-14, 2012 (Fantasy of Flight-Polk City)

Winter Haven Hospital Foundation Citrus Classic 5K – April 14 (LEGOLAND® Florida -Winter Haven)

Ironman 70.3 Florida – May 19-May 20 (Lake Eva Park-Haines City)

Red, Brick & Boom – July 4 (LEGOLAND® Florida – Winter Haven)

Polk NatureFest – October 4-7 (locations across Polk County)

Detroit Tigers Spring Training
Dates: Now-April 3
Games start at 1:05 p.m.
Venue: Joker Marchant Stadium- Lakeland
-Spring Training for the Detroit Tigers has begun!  Check the schedule for daily home games at Joker Marchant Stadium.
This week’s home games:
Tuesday, March 20- Atlanta Braves
Wednesday, March 21- Minnesota Twins
 Saturday, March 24- New York Yankees
 Sunday, March 25- Philadelphia Phillies

Gardena Garden Club 2012 Spring Pilgrimage
Date: Wednesday, March 21; 10:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Venue: Lake Eloise- Winter Haven
- A Garden and Home Tour on Lake Eloise in Winter Haven
- This is the primary fund-raising event for the Gardenia Garden Club to fund the beautification of Winter Haven Hospital and the Junior Gardeners program.
-The event is open to the public.

Young Frankenstein
Date: Wednesday, March 21; 7:30pm
Venue: The Lakeland Center
-The classic Mel Brooks movie is ALIVE…and headed to the Lakeland Center as a musical.
- This new production is winner of the 2008 Outer Critics Circle Award and the Broadway.com Audience Award for BEST MUSICAL!

Jerry Finnegan’s Sister
Dates: Friday, March 23- Saturday, March 24
Venue: Lake Wales Little Theatre
- Theater Performance at Lake Wales Little Theatre

Star Systems
Dates: Friday, March 23- Sunday, March 25
Venue: The Lakeland Center
- 2012 Regional Dance Competition at The Lakeland Center
-This National Talent Competition is open to the public.

WWE RAW presents Road to Wrestlemania Tour
Dates: Friday, March 23; 7:30pm-9:30pm
Venue: The Lakeland Center
-WWE Returns to Lakeland for the first time in five Years.
- Scheduled to to Appear: John Cena; CM Punk; The Miz; Kane; The Divas & more!

Buckler’s Arts & Craft Show
Date: Saturday, March 24
Venue: The Lakeland Center
- For over 20 years Buckler Promotions has held exceptional indoor craft shows and extravaganzas throughout Florida.
- There will be hundreds of award winning exhibitors and thousands of enthusiastic craft loving shoppers.

Family Fit Fest
Date: Saturday, March 24; 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
Venue: Downtown Winter Haven
-The Junior League of Greater Winter Haven presents the 4th Annual Family Fit Fest, a day of fun for families with activities focusing on fitness, nutrition and overall health awareness.
-This is a FREE event that caters to children of all ages.

It Was a Very Good Year
Date: Saturday, March 24
Venue: Theatre Winter Haven
- A never before seen musical journey about the life and times of the late Frank Sinatra starring Tony Sands as “The Voice”, singing all his best loved songs.

LEGO® Friends Weekend
Dates: Saturday, March 24 – Sunday, March 25
Venue:  LEGOLAND® Florida- Winter Haven
- LEGO® Friends Weekend is a daytime party for girls that includes a LEGO® Friends building event, entertainment, games, activities and much more.

Nature Faire for Kids
Date: Saturday, March 24; 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Venue: Nature Center on Lake Ned – Winter Haven
- Lake Region Audubon Society hosts the annual Nature Faire for Kids including crafts, games, prizes, a fossil hunt, nature exhibits, animals and food.

Purple Day- Walk for Epilepsy
Date: Saturday, March 24
Venue: Lake Hollingsworth – Lakeland
-Celebrate PURPLE DAY, and walk with people from all over the world for epilepsy awareness.
-The walk is held to increase awareness and support for epilepsy in West Central Florida, and The Epilepsy Services Foundation benefits from this event.

Saturday Night Rodeo at Westgate River Ranch Resort
Date: Saturday, March 24; 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Venue: Westgate River Ranch Resort-Lake Wales
-Cowpokes and bronco busters descend upon Westgate River Ranch every Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. for an evening of fun for the whole family at the 1,200-seat rodeo arena.
- Features trick riding, bull riding, calf roping, barrel racing, rodeo clown antics and a patriotic tribute to our armed forces

Presents: Live at Gardens Concert Series with Braun & Wolf
Date: Sunday, March 25; 5:00pm-7:00pm
Venue: Bok Tower Gardens
-Performing on the historic Steinway in the intimate setting at Pinewood Estate, pianist Gary Wolf and violinist-violist Matitiahu Braun return after playing to a standing ovation at Pinewood.
-Reservations required, limited seating

Upcoming Events:

SUN ‘n FUN –March 27-April 1 (Lakeland)

SUN ‘n FUN Splash-In at Fantasy of Flight–March 29 (Fantasy of Flight-Polk City)

Legends & Legacies- Unspoken Valor: The Bomber Crews of World War II –April 13-14, 2012 (Fantasy of Flight-Polk City)

Winter Haven Hospital Foundation Citrus Classic 5K –April 14 ( LEGOLAND® Florida-Winter Haven)

Ironman 70.3 Florida –May 19-May 20 (Lake Eva Park-Haines City)

Red, Brick & Boom –July 4 ( LEGOLAND® Florida-Winter Haven)

Polk NatureFest –October 4-7 (locations across Polk County)

Baseball fans that can’t get enough of the national pastime on February 18 can enjoy baseball themed exhibits and memorabilia from February 11-19 at Polk Outpost 27. While at Polk Outpost 27, visitors will also be able to get all the latest information on the 2012 Spring Training season including schedules, Spring Training guides and other baseball information including complete schedules for the 2012 RussMatt Baseball Central Florida Collegiate Invitational that features more than 200 college baseball teams competing in Polk County from mid-February through the end of March.

All of the events and displays are free of charge and will be open to the public during normal hours. Polk Outpost 27 is open seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and is located on Highway 27 a half-mile South of I-4 at Exit 55. For more information call Polk Outpost 27 at 863-420-2586.

Enter the Spring Training Getaway to Sunny Central Florida for your chance to win:

• Two round trip airline tickets on Delta Airlines flying out of Detroit Metro Airport
• Seven night stay at the Hampton Inn Lakeside Village in Lakeland, FL
• Two tickets to the Tigers BBQ event February 28th
• Two box seat tickets to the Detroit Tigers vs. Florida Southern College game on March 2nd at Joker Merchant Stadium
• Two box seat tickets to the Detroit Tigers vs. Atlanta Braves game on March 4th at Joker Merchant Stadium
• $50 in gift certificates to Harry’s Seafood Bar and Grill in Lakeland, FL
• Two tickets to LEGOLAND® Florida
• Two tickets to Bok Tower Gardens
• Two tickets to Fantasy of Flight

For more information about Central Florida Vacations, check out www.visitcentralflorida.org.

The Tigers will begin the exhibition schedule on Tuesday, March 2 as the club battles Florida Southern College in the annual matchup against the Moccasins. The club opens the home portion of the Grapefruit League schedule against the Toronto Blue Jays at Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, March 4. The schedule is highlighted by visits from the World Series Champion New York Yankees on March 10, March 13 and March 27. The schedule also features two visits from the National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies on March 12 and March 20. Tickets for the 2010 spring exhibition season will be priced at two separate levels. The first set is for premium games, which include all games against the Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees and all Friday, Saturday and Sunday games. The second price level is for the remainder of the schedule. Premium game ticket prices range from $11-22, while the ticket prices for the remainder of games range from $8-19.

Full season ticket packages for the 2010 Tigers Spring Training exhibition season are on sale now at the Joker Marchant Stadium ticket office, via phone at (863) 686-8075 or by visiting www.tigers.com. Fans may also now purchase partial season ticket plans of five-or-more games by calling (863) 686-8075. Individual game tickets go on sale beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 9th, and can be ordered by visiting the ticket office at Joker Marchant Stadium, calling 866-66-TIGER or visiting www.tigers.com. For additional ticket information and special group pricing, call the Lakeland office at 863-686-8075.

Tues. March 2 vs. Florida Southern College – Lakeland 1:05
Wed. March 3 at Toronto – Dunedin 1:05
Thur. March 4 vs. Toronto – Lakeland 1:05
Fri. March 5  vs. Houston – Lakeland 1:05
Sat. March 6 vs. Baltimore – Lakeland 1:05
Sun. March 7 at Toronto – Dunedin 1:05
Mon. March 8 vs. Atlanta – Lakeland 1:05
Tues. March 9 at Washington – Viera 1:05
Wed. March 10 vs. New York Yankees – Lakeland 1:05
Thur. March 11 at Philadelphia – Clearwater 1:05
Fri. March 12 vs. Philadelphia (SS) – Lakeland 1:05
Sat. March 13 vs. New York Yankees (SS) – Lakeland 1:05
at New York Mets (SS) – Port St. Lucie 1:10
Sun. March 14 vs. Tampa Bay – Lakeland 1:05*
Mon. March 15 vs. Toronto – Lakeland 1:05
Tues. March 16 at Philadelphia - Clearwater 1:05
Wed. March 17 at Pittsburgh – Bradenton 1:05
Thur. March 18 vs. Houston – Lakeland 1:05
Fri. March 19 at New York Yankees (SS)-  Tampa TBD
at Atlanta (SS) – Disney World 6:05
Sat. March 20 vs. Philadelphia – Lakeland 1:05
Sun. March 21 at New York Yankees-  Tampa TBD
Mon. March 22 at Toronto – Dunedin 1:05
Tue. March 23 vs. Washington – Lakeland 6:05
Wed. March 24 – - – - – - – - – - – - – — – - O p e n D a t e – - – - – - – - – - -
Thur. March 25 vs. Toronto (SS) – Lakeland 1:05
at Washington (SS) – Viera 7:05
Fri. March 26 at Atlanta – Disney World 1:05
Sat. March 27 vs. New York Yankees – Lakeland 1:05
Sun. March 28 at New York Yankees – Tampa TBD
Mon. March 29 at Toronto – Dunedin 1:05
Tue. March 30 at Baltimore – Sarasota 1:05
Wed. March 31 vs. Pittsburgh – Lakeland 1:05
Thur. April 1 vs. Atlanta (SS) – Lakeland 1:05
at Houston (SS) Kissimmee 1:05
Fri. April 2 at Milwaukee-  Milwaukee 8:10
Sat. April 3 at Milwaukee – Milwaukee 2:10

All time is Eastern (Detroit) Time * Daylight Savings Time begins