On The Town: March 2016
46 special events happening in the month of March.
WEKIVA PAINTOUT
Through Mar. 5 One of the nation’s premier “plein air” art events featuring artists from across the state and along the East Coast painting in the open surroundings of Wekiva Island. Wekiva Springs State Park, 1014 Miami Springs Drive, Longwood. 407-463-3363. wekivapaintout.com
CENTRAL FLORIDA FAIR
Through Mar. 13 Rides, games, livestock and culinary competitions make for a traditional, family-favorite event. 4603 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. centralfloridafair.com
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS MARDI GRAS
Through Apr. 16 On select nights “The Big Easy” comes to Orlando, with Cajun and Creole cuisine, street performers, Zydeco music, and beads by the handful. Included with regular admission. universalorlando.com
EPCOT’S INTERNATIONAL FLOWER & GARDEN FESTIVAL
Mar. 2-May 30 Take in enchanting topiaries and gather gardening tips while sampling seasonal foods from the Outdoor Kitchens at World Showcase. Pick up outdoor tips and techniques that you can use at home while enjoying live music. epcotinspring.com
FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
Mar. 3-13 It’s not all about the strawberry shortcake; there are arts and crafts, a car show, and live entertainment featuring Charley Pride, Donnie and Marie Osmond, and many others. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. 303 N. Lemon St., Plant City. 813-752-9194. flstrawberryfestival.com
OKEECHOBEE MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL
Mar. 4-6 This three-day event features nearly 100 musical acts, including Mumford & Sons, Kendrick Lamar, Skrillex, Robert Plant, Daryl Hall & John Oates, the Avett Brothers, Booker T. Jones, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Sunshine Grove, Okeechobee. okeechobeefest.com
MICKEY & MINNIE’S DOORWAY TO MAGIC
Mickey and Minnie Mouse, plus a host of their Disney friends, combine with world-class illusionists to perform magic from legendary Disney movies.
Mar. 4 King Center for the Performing Arts, 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne. 321-242-2219. 4 and 7 p.m. kingcenter.com
Mar. 6 CFE Arena, 12777 Gemini Blvd., Orlando, 800-745-3000. 4 p.m. cfearena.com
SMILE MILE RUN
Mar. 5 A one-mile run open to children ages 5-11 years. Orlando Fashion Square, 3201 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando. trackshack.com
GASPARILLA FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
Mar. 5-6 Hundreds of artists working in all sorts of media are on hand for this annual fine-art and craft show. Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Tampa. gasparillaarts.com
ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE
Mar. 6 Central Florida’s only St. Patrick’s parade. Get your green on and get there early to find a spot along Park Avenue for viewing the bands and plenty of green. 2 p.m. Downtown Winter Park. cityofwinterpark.org
SANFORD’S ALIVE AFTER FIVE STREET PARTY
Mar. 10 Central Florida’s largest recurring street party, a monthly gathering with live music, local artists, and food and beverage samples. 5 p.m. 230 E. First St., Sanford. sanfordwelcomecenter.com
THORNTON PARK 2ND THURSDAY WINE + ART WALK
Mar. 10 Artists display works for sale along the streets and inside local businesses. Free, but $15 gets you a glass and a map of more than 25 businesses that will be offering tastings. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Summerlin Avenue at Washington Street. thorntonparkdistrict.com
MIGHTY ST. PATRICK’S FESTIVAL
Mar. 11-17 If you’re a bit Irish or want to be for a day, head for the Irish food, music, dancing, beer and bits of Blarney at Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant, Disney Springs, Lake Buena Vista. 407-938-0300. raglanroad.com
ZIMMERMAN KISER SUTCLIFFE WINTER PARK ROAD RACE
Mar. 12 The grand finale of the Track Shack Running Series offers several race lengths for every age and ability. 251 S. Park Ave., Winter Park. trackshack.com
TASTE OF MOUNT DORA
Mar. 12 Culinary delights prepared by Mount Dora restaurants, plus Texas Hold ‘Em, blackjack and other games. 6-11 p.m. Sunset Park at 4th and Alexander, Mount Dora. 352-383-2165. mountdora.com
TASTE OF OVIEDO
Mar. 12 This 22nd annual event features restaurants in the Oviedo area offering their best fare. Test your culinary skills in the Citrus & Celery Cook-off, while the kids enjoy rides and activities. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 1700 Oviedo Mall Blvd., Oviedo. tasteofoviedo.org
LEU GARDENS SPRING PLANT SALE
Mar. 12-13 More than 50 growers and vendors offer a variety of plants and outdoor accessories for sale to enhance your landscape and home. Experts on hand can help solve your landscape problems. Free. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. leugardens.org
SUNDAY IN THE PARK
Mar. 13 An old-fashioned neighborhood celebration, with petting zoo, bounce houses and other games. Local performers, vendors selling home décor to jewelry to children’s items, plus the “Best Brownies in College Park” contest. Noon-5 p.m. Dartmouth Park, 822 Dartmouth St., Orlando. mycpna.org
PEKING ACROBATS 30TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR
Mar. 15 The acrobats perform amid special effects as musicians play traditional Chinese instruments. 7 p.m. King Center for the Performing Arts, 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne. 321-242-2219. kingcenter.com
3RD THURSDAY GALLERY HOP & ART WALK
Mar. 17 Converge with others on Orlando’s Downtown Arts District to celebrate art. 6 p.m. CityArts Factory, 29 S. Orange Ave., Orlando. orlandoslice.com
WINTER PARK SIDEWALK ART FESTIVAL
Mar. 18-20 One of the biggest and best juried art shows in the Southeast; booths are spread throughout Central Park, along Park Avenue between New England and Garfield avenues in downtown Winter Park. wpsaf.org
WINE AND SEAFOOD FESTIVAL
Mar. 18-20 Celebrate springtime with seafood, wine, live music, and arts and crafts. Lakeridge wine, beer, soft drinks and a variety of other foods are available; complimentary winery tours and tastings are offered. Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards, 19239 U.S. Highway 27 North, Clermont. lakeridgewinery.com
FIESTA MEXICO-AMERICANA
Mar. 19 Celebrate Mexican-American heritage with Los Lobos and Ballet Folklorico Mexicano. 7:30 p.m. King Center for the Performing Arts. 321-242-2219. kingcenter.com
MOUNT DORA SPRING COLLECTIBLES AND CRAFTS SHOW
Mar. 19-20 More than 200 vendors display various treasures along the downtown streets of Mount Dora during this annual event. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. mountdoraspringshow.com
STOMP
Mar. 23-24 Household and industrial objects find new life as musical instruments in the hands of “body percussionists” who celebrate the everyday as they wordlessly communicate through dance and sound. 8 p.m. Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 844-513-2014. drphillipscenter.org
SANFORD ART WALK
Mar. 25 Explore galleries and art spaces along historic downtown Sanford’s First Street between Magnolia and Sanford avenues. Discover this river town’s culture and nightlife, food and art. 6-9 p.m. sanfordartwalk.com, sanfordwelcomecenter.com
PINTS AND PAWS CRAFT BREW FESTIVAL
Mar. 19 Bring your friends and your pets as you enjoy craft beers, food and live music, with vendors offering goods for animals and their humans. 3-7 p.m. Downtown Sanford, between Sanford and Palmetto avenues. pintsandpaws.com
EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA
Mar. 26 Bring your Easter basket to hunt for eggs and other surprises, meet the Easter Bunny, and get your face painted. Free. 10 a.m. Fort Mellon Park, 600 E. 1st St., Sanford. 407-688-5120. sanfordfl.gov
FLORIDA STORYTELLING ASSOCIATION FESTIVAL
Mar. 31-Apr. 3 Storytelling, concerts, workshops and more, plus a story cruise on Lake Dora. Lakeside Inn, 100 N. Alexander St., Mount Dora. flstory.com
WORLD OF GOOD
March Fundraisers
3/2 WHAT’S YOUR STORY?, benefits a local philanthropic organization. Participants are chosen to tell a 5-minute story based on the evening’s theme. The Abbey, Orlando. orlandostoryclub.com
3/4 A PAIR TO REMEMBER, benefits Easter Seals Florida. Luncheon and designer-shoe auction, The Mall at Millenia, Orlando. mallatmillenia.com
ORANGE BLOSSOM JUBILEE, benefits Winter Park Day Nursery. Orlando Science Center, Loch Haven Park, Orlando. 407-647-0505. winterparkdaynursery.org
3/5 APPETITE FOR THE ARCHES, benefits Ronald McDonald House. Orlando World Center Marriott, Orlando. 407-206-0957, ext. 110. ronaldmcdonaldhouseorlando.org
COCKTAIL FUNDRAISER, benefits Emotions Dance Company. The Venue, Orlando. emotionsdance.org
DOGGIE DERBY, benefits Brightside Events’ Stock the Pantry Program, to feed homeless students over extended school breaks. Baldwin Park, Orlando. doggiederby.com
GARDEN ENCORE, benefits the Garden Theatre in downtown Winter Garden. 407-877-4736. gardentheatre.org/encore
GIVE KIDS THE WORLD 30TH BIRTHDAY, benefits Give Kids the World Village. Disney Springs, Walt Disney World Resort. 727-386-5202. nightcourtafterdark.com
ORLANDO HEART BALL, benefits the American Heart Association. Hard Rock Cafe, Universal Studios, Orlando. 407-481-6314. heart.org/orlando
SIGHT & SOLE WALKFEST, benefits Lighthouse Central Florida. Harbor Park at Lake Baldwin, Orlando. lighthousecentralflorida.org
3/6 ORLANDO CHILI COOK-OFF, benefits Camaraderie Foundation and Alex’s Lemonade Stand. Festival Park, Orlando (near Orlando Executive Airport). 407-777- 8309. orlandochilicookoff.com
3/10 J BALL, benefits Jewish Community Center programs. Orlando Museum of Art, Loch Haven Park, Orlando. 407-645-5933. orlandojcc.org
3/12 AN EVENING AT THE PALACE GALA, benefits children with special needs through UCP of Central Florida’s charter school. Buena Vista Palace Hotel, Lake Buena Vista. ucpcfl.org
3/13 TOUR DE CURE, bicycling event benefits the American Diabetes Association. Lake Nona Town Center, Orlando. cyclingacrossamerica.com/event/tour-de-cure-lake-nona
WALK TO DEFEAT ALS, benefits the Florida chapter of ALS Association. Lake Eola Park, Orlando. 813-637-9000, ext. 111. alsa.org
3/17 WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP LUNCHEON, benefits Heart of Florida United Way. Keynote speaker is endurance swimmer and author Diana Nyad. Rosen Centre Hotel, Orlando. 407-429-2111. hfuw.org
3/19 MG WALK, benefits Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America. Blue Jacket Park in Baldwin Park, Orlando. mgwalk.org/orlando
3/30 NPR’S ASK ME ANOTHER, benefits WMFE 90.7 FM. Recorded live at the Bob Carr Theater, Orlando. wmfe.org/support/events
For more events check out our Calendar
