Sponsored by the Pedestrian & Bicycle Advisory Board and Winter Park Parks and Recreation. Celebrate “Florida Bike Month” and “Bike to Work Day” with a bicycle ride through downtown Winter Park including historic Hannibal Square. Free snacks and coffee will be provided. Please RSVP by Tuesday, March 20.

Events takes place Friday, March 23, 2012 at 8:00 am in Central Park West Meadow (150 North New York Avenue). The cost is free. For more information call 407-599-3217.

The Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival is one of the nation’s most prestigious outdoor art festivals, consistently rated among the top shows by Sunshine Artist and American Style magazines. Each year more than 350,000 visitors enjoy the show. Join us for this annual tradition in Winter Park, the City of Culture and Heritage. Festival hours are as follows: Friday, March 16, from 9am to 6pm; Saturday, March 17, from 9am to 6pm and Sunday, March 18, from 9am to 5pm.

Festival takes place in Central Park in Downtown Winter Park. For more information visit the festival’s official website at www.wpsaf.org.

Try to stop by Hannibal Square for a little cheer and visit your favorite store or restaurant this Thursday February 9th. Most stores will stay open late and we will have a little music on the sidewalk.

The City of Winter Park and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade committee are proud to present the 33rd annual Winter Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This is the only St. Patrick’s Day parade in Central Florida so wear some green and gather your family and friends to enjoy the annual Irish festivities. The parade will begin at the Winter Park Country Club and proceed south down Park Avenue to City Hall. More than 75 units will participate. The celebration will also feature Irish music and step-dancing at the main stage in Central Park. This is one event you won’t want to miss!

This year’s parade takes place March 4, 2012 at 2pm.

The Rotary Club of Winter Park is proud to present a new Winter Park tradition, Chili for Charity. Unlike traditional chili cook-offs, this event features creative chili presentations with a “Winter Park attitude.”

Local restaurants and caterers will compete for the coveted Peoples’ Choice award and have their dishes evaluated by a select panel of judges. Live entertainment by Papa Jack Express, drinks, dessert and a live auction led by American Fundraising Auctions round out the evening at the Winter Park Farmers’ Market.

Net proceeds will benefit the Rotary Club of Winter Park Foundation, which provides grants to more than 30 local charities each year. Over the last 20 years the club has donated more than $640,000 to charities serving the Winter Park community.

Event take place Thursday, February 23, 2012 from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM EST at the Winter Park Farmers’ Market (200 W. New England Avenue Winter Park, FL 32789). Cost is $25 in advance, $225 10-pack of tickets (+$1 online service fee) or $30 at the door. Click Here to order tickets.

Chili Participants
Arthur’s Catering
Barnie’s CoffeeKitchen
Classic Creations Catering
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Hillstone
John & Shirley’s Catering
Mi Tomatina, Paella Bar
Mitchell’s Fish Market
Sodexo at Rollins College
The Bistro on Park
The Meat House
Tolla’s Italian Deli & Cafe
Whole Foods Market
Winter Park Fish Company

Tickets Now Available! Tickets may be purchased in advance from Rotary Club of Winter Park members, through a ticket order form or through PayPal. Online orders will be subject to a $1 service fee.

ArtsFest is a celebration of Central Florida arts and culture that takes place for the entire month of February 2012. Presented by Bank of America, ArtsFest includes 302 FREE arts and culture events held in 87 locations throughout Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. ArtsFest provides you with a taste of everything the arts community has to offer in your own backyard!

To view which events are taking place in Winter Park visit www.artsfestfl.com.

Come out during January 20 to April 21 at the Hannibal Square Heritage Center Gallery for the The Art of Missionary Mary Proctor.

Tallahassee-based Mary Proctor is a self-taught African-American artist and has exhibited her highly distinctive work nationally. Her artwork incorporates found objects into paintings and three dimensional works, largely inspired by Bible scripture and other life lessons. Curated by executive director Peter Schreyer, the exhibition includes work from Mary’s personal collection as well as from that of the Mennello Museum of American Art.

Gallery talk at 7 p.m. at adjacent Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church; opening reception 8 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, January 20.

For more info visit www.hannibalsquareheritagecenter.org

This is the Grand Finale of the Track Shack Running Series. The fitness enthusiasts at Zimmerman, Kiser & Sutcliffe, P.A., invite you to celebrate 35 years of running right where it all began on Park Avenue in beautiful Winter Park.

The team of law professionals at Zimmerman, Kiser & Sutcliffe, P.A., are runners, walkers and fitness enthusiasts who are proud to sponsor the 35th Annual Zimmerman, Kiser & Sutcliffe Winter Park Road Race presented by Florida Hospital.

Event Schedule:
Saturday, March 24, 2012
7:00 am: 2 Mile
7:30 am: 10k (6.2 mi.)
8:15 am: 2 Mile Awards
9:00 am: 10k Awards
9:15 am: Healthy 100 Kids’ Run
10:00 am: Track Shack Running Series Awards Ceremony

Click Here to register or for more information.

Races are always a great way to fundraise for local community projects and a healthy sport to enjoy. For the upcoming races in Winter Park Florida in January and February read through the below information.

Seasons 52 Park Avenue 5.2k presented by Florida Hospital
Location: Central Park on Park Avenue, Winter Park 32789
Saturday, January 21, 2012
7:30 a.m. 5.2k mile run/walk
8:45 a.m. Free Healthy 100 Kids’ Run
Proceeds benefit Florida Hospital will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida and the Track Shack Foundation.
Contact: 407-896-1160 or www.trackshack.com
Registration required.
Entry fee: Thru Jan 14 $24
Jan 15-Jan 20 $28
Race day $35

Florida Hospital Lady Track Shack 5k
Location: Mead Garden in Winter Park
Saturday, February 4, 2012
7:30 a.m. 3.1 mile run/walk
8:45 a.m. Free kids’ run
Benefiting Florida Hospital Track Shack Cancer Screening Program
Contact: 407-896-1160 or www.trackshack.com
Registration required. Entry fee:
Thru Jan 28 $24
Jan 29-Feb 3 $28
Race day $35

House of Hope Run Around the Pines 5k presented by Florida Hospital
Location: Showalter Field, 2535 Cady Way, Winter Park, 32792
Saturday, February 18, 2012
7:30 a.m. 3.1 mile run/walk
8:45 a.m. Free Healthy 100 Kids’ Run
Benefiting The House of Hope
Contact: 407-896-1160 or www.trackshack.com
Registration required. Entry fee:
Thru Feb 11 $24
Feb 12-17 $28
Race day $35

The City of Winter Park will host a ceremony to unveil their latest green initiative as six electric car charging stations are made available to the public on Tuesday, January 10, 2012, at 11 am. Several electric cars currently on the market will be on display and residents and visitors will be invited to charge their car for FREE at any of the following six new locations.

Check out more photos from the event at the City of Winter Park’s Facebook Page

1) Winter Park Public Safety Facility- 325 West Canton Avenue
2) North of Central Park- 120 Garfield Avenue
3) Municipal Parking Lot A – 110 North New York Avenue
4) Winter Park City Hall – 401 Park Avenue South
5) Azalea Lane Tennis Complex – 1045 Azalea Lane
6) Hannibal Square Heritage Center – 642 New England Avenue

The new electric car charging stations support the city’s commitment to being a Green Local Government. In 2008, the City Commission passed a resolution to “Pursue Measures to Become a Florida Green Local Government,” using criteria and standards developed by the Florida Green Building Coalition. The Green Local Government concept focuses on local government taking actions to reduce energy consumption, waste and pollution, along with increasing recycling in our community.