Find a complete listing of March and April events taking place in Polk County at VisitCentralFlorida.org.
SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In and Expo Presented by FRLA
Date: Tuesday, April 1 – Sunday, April 6
Venue: SUN ‘n FUN, Lakeland
- Stop by the SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In and Expo presented by the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association to celebrate the 40th anniversary, see daily airshows, visit 500 exhibits, earn education credits at workshops and forums, introduce children to the world of aviation and view more than 4,500 aircraft from homebuilts to warbirds on 2,200 acres.
“American Chillers” Author in Lake Alfred
Date: Wednesday, April 2
Venue: Lake Alfred Public Library
- Author Johnathan Rand is coming to give a presentation about how he became interested in writing his books and to talk about his book series “American Chillers”.
Dinner With Legends
Date: Wednesday, April 2
Venue: SUN ‘n FUN, Lakeland
- Dinner with Legends featuring guest Emcee Rob Reider will highlight the careers of WWII Aces, Tuskegee Airmen, WASPs, Aviation Designers, and Astronauts.
- A silent auction will augment the funds being raised as guests have a seat at the table with history makers.
Free Community Gardening Workshop
Date: Thursday, April 3
Venue: Mackay Gardens & Lakeside Preserve, Lake Alfred
- Enjoy Florida-friendly gardening workshops, sponsored by Florida Master Gardeners and University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences on the first Thursday monthly.
- Presented by Juliet Rynear, the April 3 workshop will include discussion on the partnership between the Rare Plant Conservation Program at Bok Tower Gardens, the City of Lake Alfred, and Mackay Gardens and Lakeside Preserve.
SUN ‘n FUN Splash In at Fantasy of Flight
Date: Thursday, April 3
Venue: Fantasy of Flight, Polk City
- Visitors will witness a variety of seaplanes and amphibious aircraft perform water landings and takeoffs with the entire afternoon devoted to competitive flying at Fantasy of Flight as as part of the 40th Annual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In and Expo Presented by the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.
Lakeland Flying Tigers
Date: Thursday, April 3 – Sunday, August 31
Venue: Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland
- 2014 marks the 48th season Lakeland has been a Detroit Tigers affiliate, the longest affiliation in Minor League Baseball.
- Home games for the Lakeland Flying Tigers are held at Joker Marchant Stadium, and spectators will find daily specials and promotions at each Flying Tigers home game.
First Friday
Date: Friday, April 4
Venue: Downtown Lakeland
- On the first Friday of each month, people from all over converge in Downtown Lakeland for an evening of free family-friendly entertainment, activities, live music, art receptions, a car show, and the opportunity to experience a locally-owned establishment.
Flicks in the Garden
Date: Friday, April 4
Venue: Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales
- Enjoy family-friendly movie classics on the great lawn at Bok Tower Gardens.
- The April 4 movie is Sleepless in Seattle.
Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition
Date: Friday, April 4
Venue: Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland
- Polk Museum of Art and the Cities of Winter Haven, Lakeland and Sebring are pleased to announce the selection of 26 new sculptures that will be displayed in downtown parks as part of the 14th Annual Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition.
Lorraine Potocki at The Loft Art Gallery
Date: Friday, April 4
Venue: The Loft Art Gallery, Lakeland
- Lorraine Potocki gets her inspiration from Florida’s winding rivers and quiet lakes lined with tall pines and overgrown palms and ferns. Her pastel, acrylic and oil paintings in styles from realistic to abstract will grace the walls of The Loft Art Gallery through the end of April.
- The show debuts during downtown Lakeland’s First Friday festivities with a free reception featuring live music, wine and hors d’oeuvres.
Pickin’ in the Park
Date: Friday, April 4
Venue: Central Park, Winter Haven
- Join in a fun time of music in Downtown Winter Haven’s Central Park at this free community sing-along with music by local musicians on the first Friday monthly.
Sylvia
Date: Friday, April 4 – Sunday, April 13
Venue: Lakeland Community Theatre
- Sylvia is a play about a dog, the couple who adopts her, and the drama that results.
Looking Fabulous on a Budget: Spring CHIC
Date: Saturday, April 5
Venue: Winter Haven
- Looking Fabulous on a Budget is a free Workshop by Sooo Chic Accessories and Beautique.
- This event will include appetizers, giveaways, discounts, spring bags, shopping resources, and socializing.
Mustangs & Mustangs
Date: Saturday, April 5
Venue: Fantasy of Flight, Polk City
- This annual spring car and vintage airplane show, now in its 16th year, is the only Mustang event that showcases both restored P-51 Mustang aircraft and Ford Mustang autos of all eras, ages and styles.
Live at the Gardens! Music at Pinewood Series
Date: Sunday, April 6
Venue: Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales
- Enjoy a special performance by Bok Tower Gardens’ award-winning carillonneur Geert D’hollander and a special guest performer at this intimate evening of piano music at Pinewood Estate.
Spring Piano Concert
Date: Tuesday, April 8
Venue: Harrison School for the Arts, Lakeland
- The students of Harrison Schools for the Arts will be performing repertoire from their favorite composers for the piano, such as; Chopin, Debussy, and Rachmaninoff.
RECURRING EVENTS:
Ellen Spivey at The Loft Art Gallery – Through March 31 (The Loft Art Gallery, Lakeland)
La Florida: 500 Years In the Place of Flowers – Through April 10 (Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales)
Lorraine Potocki at The Loft Art Gallery – Through April 30 (The Loft Art Gallery, Lakeland)
RussMatt Central Florida Baseball Invitational – Through April 1 (Polk County)
Installations by Dan Gunderson & Barbara Sorensen – Through June 14 (Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland)
Chagall for Children – Through July 12 (Explorations V Children’s Museum, Lakeland)
Haines City Farmers Market – Wednesdays weekly
Winter Haven Farmers Market – Thursdays weekly
Downtown Lakeland Farmers Curb Market – Saturdays weekly
Lake Wales Farmers Market – Second and fourth Saturdays monthly
3rd Saturday Market Bartow – Third Saturday monthly
Highland City Community Market – Third Saturday monthly
Mulberry Farmers Market – Third Saturday monthly
4th Saturday Market Winter Haven – Fourth Saturday monthly
Saturday Night Rodeo – Saturdays weekly (Westgate River Ranch Resort, River Ranch)
Children’s Programming: – Monday through Friday weekly (Explorations V Children’s Museum, Lakeland)
For this week’s sporting events, check out “What’s Happening in Central Florida Sports” on CatchCentralFlorida.com.