Find a complete listing of April and May events taking place in Polk County at VisitCentralFlorida.org.
Badcock Permanent Exhibit Opening and Dedication
Date: Tuesday, April 29
Venue: Polk County History Center, Bartow
- The permanent exhibit, W.S. Badcock Corporation – a Century Strong and Still Growing, will provide a historical look at the evolution of the Mulberry-based company through family artifacts.
Top Gun
Date: Wednesday, April 30 – Sunday, May 4
Venue: Paradise Field, Lakeland
- Frank Tiano Enterprises presents Top Gun where teams and individuals from across the world will compete in five days of endless radio control airplane competition.
Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition
Date: Thursday, May 1
Venue: Central Park, Winter Haven; Lemon Street, 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.
Free Community Gardening Workshop
Date: Thursday, May 1
Venue: Mackay Gardens, 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 at Mackay Gardens.
- Presented by Dan Chase, the May 1 workshop will feature tips, tricks, and know-how’s of great garden photography.
Polk Museum of Art: Central Park Stroll
Date: Thursday, May 1
Venue: Central Park, Winter Haven
- The Central Park Stroll is a celebration of the 14th Annual Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition, a joint project of Polk Museum of Art and the Cities of Winter Haven, Lakeland and Sebring.
“A Celebration of Women”
Date: Friday, May 2
Venue: Streamsong Resort
- Join the Women’s Leadership Council of the United Way of Central Florida, as they share a new tribute book, “A Celebration of Women” that promotes early literacy and celebrates women.
Aaron Corbitt at The Loft Art Gallery
Date: Friday, May 2
Venue: The Loft Art Gallery, Lakeland
- Aaron Corbitt is May’s featured artist, and the exhibit will make its debut during downtown Lakeland’s First Friday with a free reception with live music, wine and hors d’oeuvres.
First Friday
Date: Friday, May 2
Venue: Downtown Lakeland
- Stroll through Downtown Lakeland for an evening of free family-friendly entertainment, activities, live music, art receptions, a car show, and the chance to check out a locally-owned establishment on the first Friday of each month.
Pickin’ in the Park
Date: Friday, May 2
Venue: Central Park, Winter Haven
- Join this free community sing-along with music by local musicians held in Downtown Winter Haven’s Central Park on the first Friday of each month.
Spring Dance Concert
Date: Friday, May 2 –Saturday, May 3
Venue: Harrison School for the Arts, Lakeland
- This exciting evening will feature choreographic works by Shelley Bourgeois and Susan Olson and talented young artists performing jazz, modern, contemporary ballet and classical ballet.
7 Rivers Water Festival
Date: Saturday, May 3
Venue: Simmers Young Park, Winter Haven
- Find fun games, great prizes, food and drinks as well as the opportunity to see the 2014 Water Conservation art contest and meet a variety of conservation organizations at Simmers-Young Park in Winter Haven.
2014 Carillon Classic 5K Run and Walk
Date: Saturday, May 3
Venue: Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales
- Runners and walkers will be able to experience what may be Florida’s most challenging and picturesque 5K course at the 2014 Carillon Classic 5K Run & Walk on the grounds of historic Bok Tower Gardens.
Obstacles for Opportunity
Date: Saturday, May 3
Venue: Polk State College, Winter Haven
- The Polk State College women’s volleyball team presents the wacky Obstacles for Opportunity, a first-time partner event where competitors will participate in a timed competition while meeting 18 objectives across the college campus.
2014 USA Cycling Florida Cup
Date: Sunday, May 4
Venue: Loyce E. Harpe Park, Mulberry
- This one-day mountain bike championship will be held at Loyce E. Harpe Trails and is presented by GoneRiding.com and is a USAC National Qualifying race featuring several race categories.
Harmonious Fare “Cinco de Mayo”
Date: Sunday, May 4
Venue: Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales
- This second annual event is a Mexican fiesta as Latin-themed music plays on the Singing Tower carillon at sunset atop Iron Mountain.
Bluegrass Chorus Concert
Date: Monday, May 5
Venue: Harrison School for the Arts, Lakeland
- Harrison School for Arts’ Spring Chorus Concert will feature special guest star “Monroe Crossing” on in the Main Theatre.
RECURRING EVENTS:
Lorraine Potocki at The Loft Art Gallery – Through April 30 (The Loft Art Gallery, Lakeland)
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)
All Decked Out – Through July 20 (Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland)
Lakeland Flying Tigers – Through August 31 (Joker Marchant Stadium, 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.