Mark your calender for Friday, December 6, at 5pm as we come together in downtown Winter Park for the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Stroll in Central Park, brought to you by the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce.

The festivities begin with carols sung by St. Margaret Mary Catholic School Choir, ParkMaitland Glee Club, New Warner Chapel, Winter Park High School’s Belle Chanson Choir and Orlando Harmony. Following will be the 2013 Holiday Card Competition winners and finally the tree lighting hosted by Bob Opshal of WFTV.

Central Park will come to life with the lighting of the tree, and our special guests Mr and Mrs Clause will be there to greet all the children and share refreshements.

Stick around Central Park after the tree is lit because there will be a special screening through Popcorn in the Park of White Christmas at 7pm.

Do not miss out on the great family fun!

Photo by

Keattikorn

Do you want to have a float in our annual Christmas Parade? If so you need to follow the link below to fill out an application and get it in before October 11, 2013.

Join the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce this holiday season as we host the 61st annual Winter Park “Ye Olde Hometown” Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 7.  Applications are now available and due by October 11.

Photo by

Idea go

Bring the kids out for a safe and fun Halloween treat to the Pumpkins and Munchkins in Shady Park from 6:30-8:30pm. There will be a costume contest, trick or treat trail, games, bouncy house and much more.

Shady Park is located in Hannibal Square. For more information call 407 599 3275.

Photo by

ammer

October 27, 2013 bring your furry friend in their costume to North Park Ave and Garfield Ave to show off their costume. The event runs from 10am-3pm.

Main Events

11am large dog contest

1pm small dog contest

12-3pm Pet ‘Trick or Treat’

For more information call 407 644 2969.

Photo by

Tina Phillips

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Media Contact: Craig M. O’Neil   407-599-3506 or cell 321-303-2653

CITY OF WINTER PARK’S 18TH ANNUAL
OLDE FASHIONED 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION

WINTER PARK, Fla., an internationally recognized ICMA Excellence Award winner with accredited fire, police and parks & recreation agencies (June 25, 2013) –

The City of Winter Park will present their 18th annual Olde Fashioned 4th of July Celebration on Thursday, July 4, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in Central Park. Mayor Ken Bradley will lead a special presentation at 9:15 a.m. from the main stage. Wear your red, white and blue, bring a blanket or beach chair, and gather with family and friends to enjoy this Winter Park tradition.

The annual celebration will feature live patriotic music performed by the Bach Festival Brass Band and Bach Festival Choir, horse-drawn wagon rides, Orlando Cloggers, Rockin’ Roadster Road Show and much more! Children’s activities will include the annual bicycle parade at 9 a.m. (lineup begins at 8:30 a.m.) from City Hall to Central Park, as well as fun games and inflatables. Free hot dogs, watermelon and water will available for all to enjoy, while supplies last. Families and friends are also invited to stroll along Park Avenue and Hannibal Square to shop and dine at the wide selection of shops and eateries.

In addition, The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art will present their Independence Day Open House. The museum, which is home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of work by American artist Louis Comfort Tiffany, will provide FREE admission to its galleries from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Please note that City Hall will be closed on Thursday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. City offices will re-open at 8 a.m. on Friday, July 5. The City of Winter Park wishes everyone a safe and happy Independence Day.

For more information regarding the 18th annual Olde Fashioned 4th of July Celebration, please call 407-599-3463.

For information regarding additional events in the City of Winter Park, please visit the city’s official website at cityofwinterpark.org.

WINTER PARK, Fla., an internationally recognized ICMA Excellence Award winner with accredited fire, police and parks & recreation agencies (December 19, 2012) – The City of Winter Park is proud to present the 11th annual Unity Heritage Festival on Sunday, January 20, and Monday, January 21, 2013. The annual community festival will promote family history and raise funds for the Educational Fulfillment Fund for local economically disadvantaged youth.
The festival begins on Sunday, January 20, in Shady Park in Hannibal Square located at the intersection of Pennsylvania and New England avenues, from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Special activities will include children’s games, career booths, food and retail vendors, special entertainment by various gospel artists, job training, job readiness and financial literacy by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Nu Iota Omega Chapter and the presentation of the annual Heritage Award. Patrons are also encouraged to visit the Hannibal Square Heritage Center just across the street from Shady Park to see “Sewn Together: Photographic Quilts Reflecting the Family Ties of Eatonville, Maitland and Winter Park” and “The Sage Project: Hannibal Square Elders Tell Their Stories.” The center pays tribute to the past, present and future contributions of Winter Park’s historic African American community.
Prior to the festival’s continuance on Monday, January 21, there will be a special Martin Luther King, Jr. Park Dedication Ceremony at 9:30 a.m. at the park located on corner of Morse Boulevard and Denning Drive. Following the ceremony, participants will then march to Shady Park to continue the celebration. After a series of public meetings and input, the city renamed Lake Island Park to Martin Luther King, Jr. Park in June 2012. The park will be officially dedicated on MLK Day in honor of the memory and accomplishments of one of the world’s most influential civil rights leaders.
The heritage festival continues in Shady Park on Martin Luther King, Jr., Day from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Join Mayor Ken Bradley and Winter Park city officials at 10 a.m. for a special Martin Luther King, Jr., symbolic program, including the Feature Family Presentation for the Perkins family. Exciting events and activities will continue throughout the day including food and music by Motown Entertainment.
Special thanks to event sponsors including the City of Winter Park Community Redevelopment Agency and Parks & Recreation Department, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Nu Iota Omega Chapter, Verizon Wireless, Crealdé School of Art, Davis Bakery, MetroPlan Orlando and Tim Webber, The Coordinator.
For more information regarding the 11th annual Unity Heritage Festival, please call 407-599-3275. For information regarding additional City of Winter Park events, please visit the city’s official website at cityofwinterpark.org.

Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

Kick off the holidays at the 23rd annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony in Central Park in downtown Winter Park.  Bring the entire family to this free event for an evening of holiday cheer as Park Avenue is transformed into a Winter Wonderland.

Enjoy performances by:

• St. Margaret Mary Catholic School Choir
• New Warner Chapel
• Colby Center for Dance and Performing Arts
• Park Maitland “Singing Eagles” Glee Club
• Orlando Harmony

The tree lighting will be broadcast live on WFTV – Channel 9 with anchor Bob Opsahl. Afterwards, families can enjoy refreshments provided by local businesses, plus face painting, caricatures and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Date: Friday, November 30
Time: 5 p.m.
Place: Central Park

Leadership Winter Park Pancake Breakfast

Presented by Fannie Hillman + Associates & Vanson Constructors

The Leadership Winter Park Pancake Breakfast has become a holiday tradition.  Help us turn pancake batter into a stack of dough! Proceeds from the breakfast benefit six Winter Park area elementary schools to assist teachers with the purchase of necessary school supplies.

Come early, enjoy a delicious breakfast and get a great seat for the Winter Park “Ye Olde Hometown” Christmas Parade.

Date: Saturday, December 1
Time: 7-10:30 a.m.
Place: Central Park stage

Cost: $6 Adults / $4 Children, includes pancakes, sausage and refreshments.

Order tickets in advance here or purchase at the event.

Winter Park “Ye Olde” Hometown Christmas Parade
Presented by Bright House Networks
Supported by Main Street Children’s Dentistry, Rollins College & Towncare Dental

The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce is proud to host the annual Winter Park “Ye Olde Hometown” Christmas Parade.  The event has been held on the first Saturday in December for 60 years, making it the longest-running holiday parade in Central Florida.

In 2012, the parade will be under the direction of honorary grand marshal, U.S. Congressman John Mica, and will travel down Park Avenue, starting at Cole Avenue and proceed south to Comstock Avenue.  More than 100 units will participate including marching bands, local police and fire departments, scouting groups, local dignitaries and, of course, Santa Claus.

WINTER PARK, Fla., an internationally recognized ICMA Excellence Award winner with accredited fire, police and parks & recreation agencies (November 2, 2012) – The City of Winter Park is once again preparing to welcome a string of festive events this holiday season. Gather with friends, family and loved ones to experience these annual holiday traditions in Winter Park, the “City of Culture and Heritage.”

The season begins with “Winter in the Park” holiday ice skating rink in Central Park West Meadow from Friday, November 16, 2012, through Sunday, January 6, 2013. “Winter in the Park” will include a full calendar of joyful events including holiday music, games, family nights, youth nights, carolers and so much more. The rink will be open Monday thru Thursday, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, from noon to 8 p.m. For more information, please call 407-599-3203.

A special Holiday Pops concert performed by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra will take place Sunday, November 25, at 4 p.m., in beautiful Central Park. Bring a blanket and a picnic for a concert program of holiday favorites that will be sure to put everyone in the spirit of the season. Guest conductor Albert George Schram will lead the Philharmonic and guest soloists Tiffany Colburn and Connie Brink. This free concert is made possible by the Charlotte Julia Hollander Trust. For more information, please call 407-770-0071.

On Friday, November 30, at 5 p.m., the festivities continue in Central Park with the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Stroll hosted by the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce and presented by the University of Central Florida. The night will begin with carols from several local ensembles, followed by the award ceremony for the 2012 Holiday Card Competition winners. Central Park will come to life with beautiful bright lights and Santa & Mrs. Claus will make a special appearance. For more information, please call 407-644-8281.

In conjunction with the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Stroll Friday, November 30, the City of Winter Park will present Popcorn Flicks in Central Park featuring “Elf” at 7 p.m. For more information, please call 407-629-0054.

On Saturday, December 1, Park Avenue comes to life at 9 a.m. with the 60^th annual Winter Park “Ye Olde Hometown” Christmas Parade, hosted by the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce and presented by Bright House^® Networks. This family-friendly occasion showcases holiday-themed floats, Santa Claus and well-known local figures as they make their way down the avenue. For more information, please call 407-644-8281.

Before and after the Christmas parade Saturday, December 1, Leadership Winter Park Class 23 will host the 14^th annual Leadership Winter Park Pancake Breakfast, presented by Fannie Hillman & Associates and Vanson Constructors, at the Central Park main stage from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Enjoy hot pancakes, sausage and beverages for just $6 per adult and $4 per child, with proceeds benefiting

Winter Park area elementary schools. For more information, please call 407-644-8281.

The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art continues their holiday tradition with the 34^th annual Christmas in the Park Celebration Thursday, December 6. Central Park creates the beautiful backdrop for the lighting of eight turn-of-the-century Tiffany windows as the Bach Festival Choir performs in concert on the main stage. The two-hour program begins at 6:15 p.m. For more information, please call 407-645-5311.

To complement the annual “Christmas in the Park Celebration,” Friends of Casa Feliz will present Christmas at the Casa, sponsored by Commerce National Bank and Trust, Thursday, December 6, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Casa Feliz located at 656 North Park Avenue. Santa Claus will be on hand to greet everyone, the house will be decorated for the season, and costumed carolers will lead attendees in holiday favorites. For more information, please call 407-628-8200.

On Saturday, December 8, the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens will become the official judging and viewing site for the 9^th annual Winter Park Boat Parade & Festival of Lights including a water ski show on Lake Virginia near Rollins College. This free event will begin at dusk and parking fees will apply. For more information, please call 407-647-6294.

Chabad of Greater Orlando will present Chanukah in the Park Sunday, December 9, at 5 p.m., in Central Park. The evening will include singing performances, live music, dancers, face painting, jugglers and food. For more information, please call 407-644-2500.

The city’s 125^th anniversary will be celebrated at the Winter Park Historical Association’s Holiday Open House Thursday, December 13, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Winter Park Country Club.

Enjoy the rich sounds of Christmas as tuba, euphonium, sousaphone and baritone players of all ages gather to perform a FREE concert from the main stage in Central Park beginning at 1 p.m., Saturday, December 15. Winter Park’s 17^th annual Merry Tuba Christmas has become a must-see on the holiday list of things to do. Registration for musicians begins at 9:30 a.m., with rehearsal running from 10:30 a.m. to noon. For more information, please call 407-599-3463.

The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art will hold a FREE Holiday Weekend Open House Saturday, December 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, December 23, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, please call 407-645-5311.

To wrap up the holiday season with a bright red bow on top, the City of Winter Park will proudly host the 6^th annual Russell Athletic Bowl^® Parade of Bands Friday, December 28, at 11 a.m. As a prelude to the Russell Athletic Bowl^® game on Friday evening at 5:30 p.m. at the Florida Citrus Bowl, school bands from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and Big East championship teams will march through downtown Winter Park and perform a “Bandastic Game Day Preview” in Central Park. For more information, please call 407-599-3463.

For information regarding additional events in the City of Winter Park, please visit the city’s official website at cityofwinterpark.org.

The City of Winter Park wishes everyone a very happy and safe holiday season!