The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce is proud to host the 27th Annual Taste of Winter Park presented by CenturyLink on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 from 5 – 8 pm.

Taste of Winter Park is an epicurean indulgence featuring popular Winter Park dining destinations, top bakers and caterers, delectible desserts and new eateries destined to become your favorite. Enjoy an evening of unlimited food and beverage samples and live entertainment by Johnny Mag Sax at the Winter Park Farmers’ Market in beautiful downtown Winter Park. (200 W. New England Ave., Winter Park, FL 32789)

The Costs Are:
$40 Members (in advance)
$45 Non-Members
$350 Ten Ticket Package
$45 Everyone at the Door

To register for this event click here.

The City of Winter Park will proudly host the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra as they present Spring Pops “Masters of the Movies” on Sunday, March 11, at 7 p.m., in charming Central Park in downtown Winter Park.

Bring your blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy an evening of heart-warming music under the stars. This wonderful performance is made possible by a generous grant from the Charlotte Julia Hollander Trust. The event is free and open to the public.

Conductor Dirk Meyer will lead the Orlando Philharmonic in a program of music from movies on the big screen including Apocalypse Now, The Godfather, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Grease and Star Wars.

The Orlando Philharmonic is Central Florida’s resident professional orchestra, appearing in over 125 performances each year. The Philharmonic is currently in its 19th Anniversary season, led by Music Director Christopher Wilkins. To learn more please visit www.orlandophil.org or call the Philharmonic Box Office at 407-770-0071.

Dirk Meyer was appointed Associate Conductor of the Sarasota Orchestra in 2011, after five successful seasons as Assistant Conductor, during which he earned an outstanding reputation with musicians, audiences and critics alike. He also served as music director of the Sarasota Youth Orchestras, whose first season under his baton culminated in a 2008 Carnegie Hall performance in New York City.

In addition to his duties with the Sarasota Orchestra, Meyer’s current season includes a debut with the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, as well as return engagements with the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra and Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, leading thirteen “Young People’s Concerts” as well as their Pops programs.

The Orlando Philharmonic is Central Florida’s resident professional orchestra, appearing in over 125 performances each year. The Philharmonic is currently in its 19th Anniversary season, led by Music Director Christopher Wilkins. To learn more please visit www.orlandophil.org or call the Philharmonic Box Office at 407-770-0071.

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

In honor of National Arbor Day, the Parks & Recreation Department of the City of Winter Park will proudly host the 20th annual Jeannette Genius McKean 5K Memorial Run for the Trees. Event takes place April 28, 2012. This exciting 5K (3.1 miles) run/walk will begin at Showalter Field, located at 2525 Cady Way, and finish on beautiful Genius Drive which is open to the public only once a year for this magnificent event.

Funds raised from the event will support the Winter Park Tree Replacement Fund. Each “Run for the Trees” race participant will receive a commemorative T-shirt as well as a young tree to plant at a location of their choice. For specific race details and registration information, please visit www.trackshack.com.

The City of Winter Park and the Winter Park Public Art Advisory Board announce a “call to artists” for Art on the Green 2012, a juried exhibition of eight sculptures in downtown Winter Park. The exhibition presented by the City of Winter Park and Massey Services®, Inc., will run from Saturday, September 1, 2012, through Friday, March 1, 2013.

Olga Viso, Rollins College graduate and executive director of the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, one of the most important contemporary art museums in the United States, will serve as guest curator for Art on the Green 2012.

Artists nationwide who have participated in at least three previous juried shows are encouraged to submit entries for the competitive selection process between Thursday, February 23, 2012, and Friday, April 20, 2012. Complete details regarding artist entries may be found by visiting the home page of the city’s official website at www.cityofwinterpark.org and clicking on the Art on the Green button.

Winning entries to be included in the exhibition will be announced on Friday, May 18, 2012. Each selected artist will receive a $1,000 honorarium. There will also be a $500 “People’s Choice” award presented to the artist with most the votes from the public during the exhibition.

For more information regarding “Art on the Green,” a project of the Winter Park Public Art Advisory Board, please call 407-599-3498.

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.