THIS WEEK IN CENTRAL FLORIDA FEBRUARY 3-11, 2015

Find a complete listing February and March events taking place in Polk County at VisitCentralFlorida.org.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM

Book Club at Polk County History Center • Bartow
– The book club meets on the first and second Tuesdays of each month, from 12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Bring our lunch.
– Joshua Zeitz February 3 and 10 – “Summer of ‘68”

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Turtle Travels Exhibit Opening • Lakeland
– Turtle Travels, designed for family audiences, offers museum visitors the opportunity to learn more about the life of turtles and the challenges they face through 15 interactive stations including a life-sized board game, a turtle tunnel and a Crittercam view of a sea turtle’s life.
– The exhibit was developed by the Environmental Exhibit Collaborative with major support from Jane’s Trust and additional support from the Institute for Museum and Library Sciences.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Million Dollar Quartet • Lakeland
– MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is the Tony® award-winning Broadway musical, inspired by the electrifying true story of the famed recording session that brought together rock ‘n’ roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for the first and only time
– MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET brings that legendary night to life with an irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, friendships and celebrations featuring timeless hits including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “That’s All Right,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “I Walk the Line,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “See Ya Later, Alligator,” “Fever,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Hound Dog” and more.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6 10:00 AM – SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7 5:30 PM
Budweiser’s Smoke on the Water BBQ Competition • Winter Haven
– Funds raised benefit the Citrus Center Boys & Girls Clubs of Winter Haven, Lake Wales and Haines City. More than 80 teams from across the country will compete for the Florida State Grand Champion title.
– Unique entertainment includes a Cypress Water Sports Ski Show on beautiful Lake Cannon.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
First Friday • Lakeland
– First Friday is one of the most popular recurring events at Historic Munn Park in Downtown Lakeland. Join us for an evening of FREE family friendly entertainment, activities, live music, art receptions, a car show, and, of course, the chance to check out a great, locally-owned restaurant or retail establishment.
– February 2015 – Celebrate Sports

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Pickin’ in the Park • Winter Haven
– Join in a fun time of music in Central Park at this free community sing-along with music by local musicians. The event is held in Downtown Winter Haven’s Central Park on the first Friday of each month, September through May with the exception of December.
– Arrive half an hour early to enjoy music provided by children from local public schools.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
PSC Voices of the People Performing Arts Series • Lakeland
– Voices of the People, a joint effort by the College’s Philosophy Club and SALO (Student Activities and Leadership Office) includes performances throughout the county that combined classical music and philosophical readings.
– February 6, 2015, 6:30 p.m. Location: Polk State Lakeland LTB Atrium Performance: “History of Bebop” ($5 donation suggested).

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6 – SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7
Jeepin With Judd • Bartow
– The Jeepin’ With Judd at Clear Springs Ranch is an event designed to create a safe, family oriented Jeep festival where memories can be created that will last a lifetime. Enjoy challenging and enjoyable obstacles and trail rides featuring the best that Jeeping in Florida has to offer.
– All proceeds will be donated to Polk Sheriff’s Charities, Inc.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Holloway Park Half & 5K • Lakeland
– Holloway Park, a private 450 acre urban park, is conveniently located in Central Florida. Half marathon runners will follow the new 10k trail that meanders around the park thru shaded oak trees and grass meadows. Twice running the 10k loop, runners will have opportunity to spot wildlife that inhabits the park.
– 5k runners will tackle the high school course that is home to many cross country meets in the fall. Half Marathon Finishers will receive medals.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Lake Kissimmee State Park Special Events • Lake Wales
– Lake Kissimmee State Park features 15 miles of hiking and biking trails, 60 campsites, canoe and kayak rentals, segway tours, boat ramp and observation tower.
– Join a park ranger at the concession building that overlooks the beautiful marina for a fresh cup of FREE coffee the first Saturday of each month at 8:00 a.m. It will give Campers and visitors a chance to meet a ranger and ask any questions you may have about the park or wildlife.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7
Yellow Jacket Stomp Adventure Run • Bartow
– This event will benefit an outdoor arts project in downtown Bartow. This is a project of the Bartow Rotary Club with the assistance of Bartow High School Art Club.
– This is a 2.7 mile run through Mosaic Park and Mary Holland Park in South Bartow, on grass, paved streets and walking paths. Various obstacles will be arranged to challenge the runners on their way through the course.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Artisan’s Alley • Lakeland
– Hundreds of Artists throughout the community desire to sell their work and Artisan’s Alley is the perfect “one stop shop” to do just that.
– Every first Saturday of the Month, artists can exhibit fine art such as paintings, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media and more!

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Cemetery Tour at Polk County History Center • Bartow
– Join the Polk County History Center on a walking tour of the Historic Oak Hill Cemetery in Bartow where many pioneer families are laid to rest including Civil War veterans Jacob Summerlin and General Evander M. Law.
– The Historic Oak Hill Cemetery tour occurs the first Saturday of every month. Meet your tour guide at 11:00 a.m. at the History Center, 100 E Main St., Bartow.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
“Greatest Hits Live” Las Vegas Style Concert • Winter Haven
– Ritz on Central presents, “Ron Seggi The Greatest Hits Live.” The Ultimate Las Vegas Concert will feature not only Ron’s hits, but those of Bobby Darin, Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Roy Orbison, Frankie Valli, Gene Pitney, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra along with a trip down Rock N’ Roll memory lane.
– Backed by a “LIVE” 15 piece orchestra and back-up singers, this LAS VEGAS style Concert, will prove to be a great evening of fun and entertainment.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7 – MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9 
Bayre Lay Memorial Jr. Championship • Lakeland
– The City of Lakeland hosts the Bayre Lay Memorial Jr. Championship, a USTA Florida sponsored and sanctioned tennis tournament featuring top ranked players across the state and world.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Florida Marine Raiders Fan Fest • Lakeland
– Come out to The Lakeland Center for our Florida Marine Raiders X-League Football Fan Fest! There will be fun for the whole family. Meet players, get autographs, take pictures, and get ready for the 2015 season.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM
Book Club at Polk County History Center • Bartow
– The book club meets on the first and second Tuesdays of each month, from 12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Bring our lunch.
– Joshua Zeitz February 3 and 10 – “Summer of ‘68”

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
ISO Masterworks Series • Lakeland
– The Imperial Symphony Orchestra, a community orchestra is comprised of 80 volunteer musicians, who have made it their mission to entertain, educate and inspire audiences through enlightening performances of symphonic music.
– Tuesday, February 10, 7:30pm A Salute to African American Composers

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Lunch & Learn at Bok Tower Gardens • Lake Wales
– Plan and Prep Your Garden Learn how to plan and prep your garden for our unique Florida climate.
– Bring your lunch or purchase one from the Blue Palmetto Cafe. Session takes place in the Magnolia Room inside the Visitor Center.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Under the Streetlamp • Lakeland
– The PBS Sensation comes to The Lakeland Center! With the mantra “Retro never sounded so now!”, the dreamy voices of the four lead singers of Under The Streetlamp are poised to bring the repertoire of The American Radio Songbook of the ‘50’s, ‘60’s and 70’s to a whole new audience!
– Specializing in doo-wop derived hits, along with old-time rock ‘n’ roll, Motown-era soul classics and exquisite harmonies.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7 – FRIDAY, MARCH 20 
Peak Bloom at Bok Tower Gardens • Lake Wales
– During Peak Bloom, an annual rite of spring, visitors can observe more than 150 varieties of camellias and hundreds of azaleas along with nun’s orchids, irises, coral bean, Mexican flame vine, and other flowering plants as they create an explosion of color throughout the Gardens.
– Guests are encouraged to return throughout the bloom season to experience Mother Nature’s ever-changing palette of colors— and to take plenty of pictures. Peak Bloom Tours Visitors can learn about the flora, fauna and history of the Gardens during hour-long guided garden walking tours through April 15, included with general admission.

 

RECURRING EVENTS:

Gabrielle Wu Lee Exhibition – Through March 14 (Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland)

Her Ethereal Self: Portraits by Kathy Sosa – Through March 14 (Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland)

Peak Bloom – Through the end of March (Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales)

Special Events at the Grove House – Wednesdays and Saturdays through May 2015 (Florida’s Natural Growers Grove House, Lake Wales)

Haines City Farmers Market – Wednesdays weekly

Davenport Farmers Market at Polk Outpost 27 – Thursdays weekly

Winter Haven Farmers Market – Thursdays weekly

Downtown Lakeland Farmers Curb Market – Saturdays weekly

1st and 3rd Saturday Market in South Lakeland – First and third Saturdays monthly

Lake Wales Farmers Market – Second and fourth Saturdays 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)

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