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.

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 13, 2012) – The City of Winter Park and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra invite you to celebrate the spirit of the holiday season at their annual Holiday Pops concert Sunday, November 25, at 4 p.m., in charming Central Park. This free public concert is made possible by the Charlotte Julia Hollander Trust. Bring a blanket and picnic for a concert program that has become a family tradition in central Florida.

Conductor Albert-George Schram will lead the Philharmonic in a beautiful program of holiday favorites for all ages. Highlights will include instrumentals such as “Chanukah Suite,” “Sleigh Ride” and “Deck the Halls,” and vocal selections including “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” featuring Holiday Singer Connie Brink; “O Holy Night” featuring Tiffany Coburn; “The Twelve Days of Christmas” featuring the Holiday Singers; and “Christmas Memories,” featuring the children’s choir.

In the spirit of the season, audience members are encouraged to bring non-perishable, canned or dry food items to help restock the pantries at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. Over the past 11 years, the orchestra has helped collect over 4,000 pounds of food for families in central Florida.

For more information regarding the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra or this special performance, please call 407-896-6700, ext. 223, or visit orlandophil.org.

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

Wednesday, 10/17 

WINTER PARK HIGH SCHOOL PARADE & PEP RALLY
5 p.m., Park Avenue and Central Park

Thursday, 10/18

COFFEETALK featuring Commissioner Carolyn Cooper
8 a.m. to 9 a.m., Winter Park Welcome Center

Saturday, 10/20

HARRIET’S PARK AVENUE FASHION WEEK RUNWAY SHOW
7 p.m., Central Park West Meadow

Monday, 10/22   

CITY BLOOD DRIVE
9 a.m. to 2 p.m., City Hall

10/23 – 12/11 

BALLROOM DANCE LESSONS – BEGINNER
7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Winter Park Farmers’ Market

BALLROOM DANCE LESSONS – INTERMEDIATE
8:45 p.m. to 9:45 p.m., Winter Park Farmers’ Market

Saturday, 10/27

KID’S TRICK OR TREAT ON PARK AVENUE
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Park Avenue

Wednesday, 10/31

PUMPKINS & MUNCHKINS IN SHADY PARK
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Shady Park

Thursday, 11/1 

POPCORN FLICKS IN CENTRAL PARK featuring “Chicken Run”
8 p.m. to 10 p.m., Central Park

Friday, 11/9

2nd ANNUAL VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION “HONORING  WINTER PARK HEROES”
10 a.m., Winter Park Community Center

November 10 – 11

11^TH ANNUAL WINTER PARK CONCOURS D’ ELEGANCE
Hannibal Square, Saturday; Park Avenue, Sunday

Wednesday, 11/14

“WHAT WAS FLORIDA LIKE IN THE 1800s”
11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Casa Feliz

Thursday, 11/15

COFFEETALK featuring Commissioner Tom McMacken
8 a.m. to 9 a.m., Winter Park Welcome Center

Thursday, 11/15

“SIP & STROLL” ON PARK AVENUE
5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Park Avenue

Just for you! Here’s a list of events in Winter Park for the month of September.

September 11
Fallen Heroes Memorial Dedication Ceremony – 2:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Facility.

September 11 – October 16
Memory/Brain Class – 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. at the Winter Park Presbyterian Church located at 400 S. Lakemont Avenue. To register for this free six week class please call 407-647-1467 ext. 101.

September 12
“Work Well” Winter Park Health Education Series – 11:45 a.m. Lunch and learn featuring health and wellness tips at the Winter Park Welcome Center. The event is free to participating companies and $5 for non-participants. For more information please call 407-644-8281.

September 13
Enzian’s Popcorn Flicks – 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. featuring the showing of “Viva Las Vegas” in Central Park.

September 14
“Good Morning Winter Park” – 7:45 a.m. at the Winter Park Welcome Center. For more information please on this free event please call 407-644-8281.

September 15
Inventory Sale – Noon to 7:00 p.m. at Winter Park Tech located at 901 Webster Avenue. All retail proceeds benefit Dress For Success of Greater Orlando. For more information please call 407-628-0506.

September 15
6th Annual “True Love Ball” – 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. at the Rachel D. Murrah Civic Center located at 1050 West Morse Boulevard. Proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center (ADRC). For more information and tickets please call 407-843-1910 ext. 301.

September 19
Art in Chambers Reception – 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. featuring the works of Rose Thome Casterline in the City Hall Commission Chambers.

September 19
“Plants for Every Pot” – 10:00 a.m. at the Winter Park Garden Club. For more information on this free event please call 407-644-5770.

September 20
“Business After Hours” – 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Edwards Financial Services located at 5494 Lake Howell Road. Cost for chamber members is $5 and $15 for non-members. For more information please call 407-644-8281.

September 26
“Fun with Flowers” – 10:00 a.m. at the Winter Park Garden Club. For more information on this free event please call 407-644-5770.

September 26
Fairbanks Avenue Informational Meeting – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Winter Park Community Center.

September 27
“Winter Park Sip & Stroll” – 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. at participating merchants and restaurants along Park Avenue. Cost is $25 and for advance tickets please call 407-644-8281.

September 27
“Notable Structures In Winter Park” – 10:30 a.m. in conjunction of celebrating the city’s 125th anniversary at the Winter Park Library.

September 29
Museum Day at the Albin Polasek Museum – Free admission from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This event includes hands-on art activities and sculpture-related demonstrations. The museum is located at 633 Osceola Avenue. For more information please visit www.polasek.org.

The City of Winter Park and the Public Art Advisory Board are pleased to announce the return of Art on the Green, a prestigious exhibition of large-scale sculptures magnificently displayed in Central Park and on the lawn of City Hall in downtown Winter Park.

Art on the Green 2012 will feature the unique and creative works of eight noted sculptors on display from September 1, 2012, through March 1, 2013, concurrent with park hours. Visitors can begin their outdoor sculpture tour at Winter Park City Hall, located at 401 S. Park Ave., or from anywhere in Central Park. Exhibition catalogs will be available at City Hall and the Winter Park Welcome Center, located at 151 W. Lyman Ave., during regular business hours.

Selected by curator Olga Viso, Rollins College graduate and executive director of the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, the Art on the Green 2012 collection includes a range of sculptures from elaborate bronze pieces to those fashioned from stainless steel and reclaimed materials. “Besides improving the quality of public spaces, art in the public realm can generate healthy civic dialogue, foster social exchange, and lead to the expression of a unique and nuanced community identity,” says Viso.

On display at Art on the Green 2012 will be Russell Bellamy’s “St. Prego,” Doug Makemson’s “Ain’t Gonna Work on Maggie’s Farm No More,” Allie Pohl’s “Ideal Woman: Caryatid (Fuchsia),”  Dale Rogers’ “Think and Be Free,” Carolina Sardi’s “Three Double Nests,” Chris Scala’s “Airbourne,” Barbara Sorensen’s “Muse I” and Bill Woods “Doorways and Roadways.” The Art on the Green 2012 exhibition can be viewed FREE of admission seven days a week. A fun, family-friendly opening event celebration will also be held Saturday, September 15, from 10 a.m. to noon, in front of Winter Park City Hall.

For more information about the Art on the Green 2012 exhibition, please visit the city’s official website at cityofwinterpark.org and click on the
Art on the Green logo.

This year our city of Winter Park celebrates the 125th anniversary of its incorporation as a town (1887- 2012).

In honor of this momentous, once in a lifetime occasion, we have the exclusive opportunity to host celebrity floral artist, author, and TV personality, Jeff Leatham, brought to our city by Purple Label Events who is donating its services.

Jeff Leatham is known world-wide for his floral installations that are often compared to contemporary art.  Leatham’s floral design clientele is as impressive as his work, including Oprah Winfrey, Madonna, and His Holiness, the Dalai Lama.  Mr. Leatham would create a large scale uniquely Winter Park floral display in Central Park December 27- 28 for all to enjoy.

If you have an interest in sponsoring or being a patron of this exciting event, please contact Patrick Chapin, President/CEO of the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, at 407-644-8281 orpchapin@winterpark.org to receive more information.

Come out to Central Park April 7, 2012 for the 58th Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Presented by the City of Winter Park, this fun-filled event will provide as much excitement and laughs for adults as it will for youngsters. Children up to 10 years of age can begin lining up at 9:30 a.m. The hunt will begin promptly at 10 a.m. Children with special needs are also encouraged to join in the fun. Over 10,000 eggs will be placed throughout Central Park. As always, children who come up empty handed will still be able to enjoy special treats at the designated candy area.

Cost: FREE
Contact: 407-599-3463

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.