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)

This exhibit will be nothing short of exciting and event-filled, featuring over 250 open forums, hands-on workshops, seminars, industry dinners and so much more! If that’s not your style, acres upon acres of over 4,700 aircraft of all types and classes, from vintage to warbirds, will be on display as well as a signature daily airshow featuring the world premiere aerobatic stars along with military precision jet teams.

On Thursday, March 29, beginning at 8 p.m., Aaron Tippin will be performing his Red, White & Loud concert as part of the evening program line-up. A first come, first serve seating availability will be given to all weekly or Thursday ticket (wristband) wearers, and a special $10.00 after 5:00 p.m. admission rate to the concert will be available for those interested in attending the concert itself.

There truly is something for every aviation fanatic at SUN ‘n FUN. Get your tickets early to guarantee your week of aviation fun. Ticket prices are as follows:

Weekly
Adult: $150.00
Youth (11-17): $50.00
10 and Under: FREE

Daily
Adult: $35.00
Youth (11-17): $15.00
10 and Under: FREE

Museum visitors who present the official Smithsonian pass gain free admission for two people. Free tickets are limited to two persons per pass with one pass per valid email address.  Tickets are valid at one location only and must be surrendered at the time of their visit.  Museum and cultural institution staff are unable to print out free passes on site.

Regular admission prices per person apply for those not presenting  the official free pass from smithsonian.com.

Visit www.smithsonian.com/museumday for additional information and to learn about other participating Museum Day locations.

The 2009 inductees include: LeRoy Brown, a native Floridian, had a 29-year career as a National Airlines pilot. He was also past President of the U.S. Airline Industry Museum Foundation and a valued SUN ‘n FUN volunteer. Amelia Earhartwas a legendary aviation pioneer & advocate, captivated the public’s fascination with the drama & promise of aviation. David McCampbell, an Annapolis graduate, revered, decorated WW II Navy Ace, Medal of Honor recipient, and past resident West Palm Beach, FL.

Inductees were identified and confirmed by the Florida Aviation Hall of Fame Selection Committee, comprised of members of the Florida Aviation Historical Society in cooperation with the Florida Air Museum. The Florida Aviation Historical Society (F.A.H.S.) is a not-for-profit organization of aviation enthusiasts joined together to record, honor, and perpetuate Florida’s rich aviation heritage. Photographs of these distinguished aviators will be placed among past inductees highlighted in a permanent Florida Air Museum display.
 
Tickets for the event are $25 per person and RSVP’s must be made by December 9, for what promises to be a great luncheon celebrating legends in aviation. For more information, visit the Sun ‘n Fun website.

The Florida Air Museum, located at 4175 Medulla Road, Lakeland, FL 33811, will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Museum Day and visitors are invited to experience a unique display of aircraft and learn about the significant role Florida has played in the history and development of aviation. The Museum also offers a unique collection of artifacts from the Howard Hughes Aviation Collection. Throughout Museum Day, the Florida Air Museum will extend a 20% discount on its one-year membership to all new or lapsed members that visit the Museum and sign up during Museum Day hours. Member benefits include discounts on tickets and merchandise plus free or reduced admissions to more than 300 other museums and science centers. For more information about the value of membership in the Florida Air Museum call (863) 644-2431 or e-mail Museum@sun-n-fun.org
 
Museum Day attendees must present Smithsonian magazine’s Museum Day Admission Card to gain free entry to participating institutions. You can participate by visiting www.smithsonian.com/museumday and downloading a Museum Day Admission Card or it can also be found in the September 2009 issue of Smithsonian magazine. Each card provides free museum access for two people. Only one admission card is permitted per household. Listings and links to participating museums and sponsors can be found at www.smithsonianmagazine.com/museumday.
 
Smithsonian’s Museum Day is a celebration of culture, learning and the dissemination of knowledge. It reflects the spirit of Smithsonian magazine and emulates the free-admission policy of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, DC-based properties. Doors of more than 1000 museums will be open free of charge to Smithsonian magazine readers and Smithsonian.com visitors at museums and cultural institutions nationwide. Last year, upwards of 200,000 people attended Museum Day with over 50 states plus Puerto Rico represented by more than 900 participating museums, including 84 Smithsonian affiliate museums. CITGO is the supporting sponsor of Museum Day.