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

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)

Besides a daily air show, you can also enjoy static display aircraft, over 500 commercial exhibits, Ladies Pavilion, Sunset Grill and even a Parts Exchange! On Saturday morning, man’s first earliest form of flight will be honored, as there will be a hot air balloon launch from 6:30-8:30 a.m. Kids ages 10 & under receive free admission so make it a family day and head over to the Fly-In!

For more information on Sun N Fun, visit the links below:

Sun N Fun Accommodations

The Official Sun N Fun Mobile App

Sun N Fun Tickets

Sun N Fun Live Radio Streaming

Directions to Sun N Fun

10:00am – I just spent the last two hours with a crew from CNN who was here filming a segment on the “Roadable Airplane” that is creating a lot of buzz around here (and throughout the country). The Terrafugia Transition is on display here, fresh off its first test flight. It is a pretty cool concept and they say they are only a couple years from it being available on the market. Here are some photos from their exhibit and from the day so far.

1:15pm – The air show starts at 2pm today and the Golden Knights will be doing media jumps, so I will get my first look at their performance today. They will also be doing a night jump tonight at 8pm. Check back later for all the photos.

4:40pm – The Golden Knights have landed. Here are the photos from the afternoon air show and the Golden Knights jump today. They will also be jumping tonight as part of the night air show and throughout the weekend. As today wraps up, don’t forget to be here tomorrow morning bright and early, or at least look to the sky between 6am and 8am to see the balloon launch. It is always quite a sight to see.

9:23am -The sun is up after an overcast day yesterday. Things are definitely happening here now and the media center has been very busy all morning. The biggest news to come out of Sun n Fun so far this morning is the big announcement by Polk County Public Schools that they received a $1.4 million grant from NASA to enhance Kathleen High School’s Central Florida Aerospace Academy, an aviation-oriented high school and career academy located on the Sun n Fun campus.

10:30am -There is a lot on tap today out here. The first airshow of the week will start at 3pm and will feature the Aero Shell Team, among many others. There are also several lectures and FAA Forums throughout the day. For an entire list, check out Sun n Fun’s website.

1:10pm -The big “news” story so far this afternoon is the video that has surfaced on You Tube of the two pilots landing their experimental aircraft on Havendale Blvd. in Auburndale Sunday while on their way here to Sun n Fun. The Ledger did a story about it and you can see the video there.  All the talk has been whether or not it was set up by the pilots to get attention for their website that is on the top of the video. What do you think?

4:45pm - The first airshow of the week just wrapped up. Here are the photos from today.

As we told you earlier, the 2009 Sun ‘n Fun Fly In is ready to get underway tomorrow. We will be here all week and here is your first set of photos from “Move In Day” Monday. The real fun (and sun) starts tomorrow. Keep checking back as photos and events will be updated on a regular basis.

It has been a little quiet around here so far today. The calm before the storm, I guess you could say. The air show officially starts tomorrow, but there is activity all over the Sun ‘n Fun grounds. Airplanes are constantly coming in and media members have started showing up.