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

Starting at 11am on December 29, 2011, the City of Winter Park will proudly host the 5th annual Champs Sports Bowl ® Parade of Bands featuring school bands from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and Big East. As a prelude to the Champs Sports Bowl® game, at the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium, school bands and mascots will march through downtown Winter Park and perform a “Bandastic Game Day Preview” in Central Park. The parade will start at 11 a.m. at the intersection of Park and Lyman avenues. School bands will march north along Park Avenue through downtown Winter Park. After turning west on Garfield Avenue, they will proceed to Central Park where they will perform for all fans to enjoy. For specific information regarding the Champs Sports Bowl® Parade of Bands in Winter Park, please call 407-599-3203.

Visit Whole Foods Market in Winter Park on December 2nd, 2011 for their Great Gifts Fashion Show from 6-8pm. Good stuff worth sharing! Our inaugural holiday fashion show will feature the hottest gifts available at Whole Foods Market Winter Park, including Threads for Thoughts hoodies and shirts, TOMS shoes, Global Girlfriends accessories and more.

Pick up the 2011 Holiday Gift Guide for other great gift ideas. Your entrance fee gets you two tickets for two chances to win a holiday gift basket. Additional tickets will be available for $1 each. The evening will also feature wine samples. Tickets are $5 and online payments are available.

The following day, December 3rd, 2011 will be the Kids Club: Green Holiday Decorations. Kids, ages 6 – 12, are invited to join us as we create green decorations for the holiday season. We’ll be using recycled and reusable materials for environmentally friendly crafts. This event is free however online registration is required.

For more events or to register visit: www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/winterpark/ or call 407-671-5850.

Whole Foods Market in Winter Park is located at 1989 Aloma Ave., Winter Park, FL 32792.

On Thursday November 17, 2011 from 2-8pm stop by LaBella Intimates for prizes and cocktails.

Enjoy 20% off Entire Store. Register for your holiday wish list and you will enter drawing for fabulous prizes from LaBella Intimates, Dexter’s of Winter Park and LaBelle Furs.

The Evening continues at Dexter’s of Winter Park with Free Live Music. $2 off all drinks and $1 Champagne.

Please RSVP to LaBella Intimates at 407-790-7820. LaBella Intimates is located at 411 W New England Ave, Winter Park, FL.

Florida Frame House is having a pre holiday party this Thursday (Nov 17, 2011) from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the Florida Frame House & Gallery. Many artists will be attending and showing some new pieces of their art. There will be some beverages and snacks.

Please stop by and get a jump on the Holiday’s. By American and support your local artist.

Florida Frame House is located at 444 W. New England Ave. Suite 118, Winter Park, FL 32789