Posted in General Florida Information

2006 SPRINGTIME SPECIAL EVENTS
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A visit during Orlando's Family Spring Break® wouldn't be complete without
taking part in fun-filled indoor and outdoor festivals and events.  Browse
the events below or visit our Calendar of Events for more details about
Central Florida's 2006 springtime happenings.


Pinocchio's Marionette Theater, Peter Pan and Wendy
Jan. 7-March 12
Pinocchio's Marionette Theatre is a non-profit, professional marionette
company that introduces children to the joys of live theatre using classic
children's stories and the ancient art of marionette puppetry. The intimate,
75-seat theatre ensures that all the little ones get a great view of the
stage. Pinocchio's presents its in-house adaptation of the classic, Peter
Pan.
pinocchios.net; 407-677-8831


Mardi Gras at Universal Studios
Feb. 11-April 22
On Saturday nights in February, March and April, the streets of Universal
Studios theme park turn into the largest Mardi Gras celebration outside New
Orleans.  In addition to a fabulous concert series, a nightly parade
features hundreds of costumed characters, stilt walkers, festively decorated
Mardi Gras floats and throngs of beads tossed from float riders
universalorlando.com; 407-363-8000


Atlanta Braves Spring Training at Disney's Wide World of Sports
Feb. 16-March 29
The Atlanta Braves, champions of the National League East for 14 straight
years, will battle several key rivals during the 2006 Major League Baseball
Spring Training season at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. After two
weeks of February workouts, the Braves will play a 17-game home schedule
that includes marquee clashes with the Mets, Astros, Cardinals and Yankees,
making this one of the club's fiercest spring training schedules ever at The
Ballpark at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.
disneyworldsports.com; 407-839-3900


Space Shuttle 25th Anniversary Celebration at Kennedy Space Center Visitor
Complex
March 1-April 12
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will host a celebration to commemorate
the 25th Anniversary of STS-1, the first ever Space Shuttle launch.  Space
Shuttle Columbia launched from Kennedy Space Center on April 12, 1981 from
Pad 39A with Commander John Young and Pilot Robert Crippen at the helm.
Festivities will include weekly briefings with former Space Shuttle
Astronauts Story Musgrave, John Blaha and Tom Jones, IMAX® encore
presentations of Hail Columbia, and in-depth, behind-the-scenes tours of
Kennedy Space Center .  Astronauts Young and Crippen will make a special
public appearance at the Visitor Complex on April 7 and participate in a
special Dine With the Astronauts program.  The Space Shuttle 25th
Anniversary Celebration activities are included as part of regular admission
to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.  For more information, call
321-449-4400 or visit kennedyspacecenter.com.


Florida Strawberry Festival
March 2-12
Celebrate the fabric of American life through ethnic traditions, social
events, competitive contests, youth developmental programs, top-name
entertainment, parades with scores of glorious floats, and high-stepping
marching bands.  Enjoy exhibits of agriculture, commerce, industry,
livestock, fine arts, horticulture, and crafts. The Florida Strawberry
Festival takes place in Plant City, Florida, off I-4, between Orlando and
Tampa.
flstrawberryfestival.com; 813-752-9194


MoscowChamber Orchestra-Children's Series, Bach Festival Fred Rogers Family
Series
March 11
Take a lyrical journey through tradition and history with one of the world's
finest ensembles.
bachfestivalflorida.org; 407-646-2182


Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival, Jungle Book
March 4-April 1
Journey to 19th century India in Kipling's classic tale of friendship,
family and the law of the jungle. This world premiere production uses
traditional Indian costume, music and dance for an engaging experience that
embraces the native beauty of India.
shakespearefest.org; 407-441-1700


Viva La Musica
March 4, 11, 18, 25
SeaWorld Orlando hosts this celebration of Hispanic music, food and culture.
Viva La Musica features the sights, sounds and tastes of various Latin
cultures through music, dance, crafts, food and concerts.
seaworld.com; 407-363-2259


Orlando Repertory Theatre, Sideways Stories from Wayside School
March 17-April 9
Adapted from the "Wayside" novels by Louis Sachar, Sideways Stories from
Wayside School is a delightful comedy about zany classroom fun in an unusual
school accidentally built 30 stories tall.
orlandorep.com; 407-896-7365


Valiant Air Command Warbird Air Show
March 10-12
See vintage C-47s and sophisticated 440 mph F-86 Saber Jets at one of the
biggest air spectacles of the year. Located at the Space Coast Regional
Airport, just south of Titusville.
vacwarbirds.org; 321-255-5800


Bay Hill Invitational Presented by MasterCard
March 13-19
One of the crown jewels of the PGA Tour, the event annually attracts one of
the strongest international fields of the season. Past Bay Hill Invitational
champions who regularly play in the tournament include Fred Couples, Phil
Mickelson, Ernie Els, Tim Herron and Tiger Woods. Proceeds from the Bay Hill
Invitational benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children & Women.
bayhillinvitational.com; 407-876-2888


47th Annual Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival
March 17-19
The festival is one of the nation's most prestigious outdoor arts events,
rated third best by Sunshine Artists.  Some 1,400 artists from around the
world apply for entry and an independent panel of judges selects
approximately 285 to participate in the show in a variety of mediums. The
three-day event also features show-stopping jazz, children's activities and
great eats.
wpsaf.org; 407-672-6390


Pinocchio's Marionette Theater, Cinderella
March 18-May 28
Pinocchio's Marionette Theatre is a non-profit, professional marionette
company that introduces children to the joys of live theatre using classic
children's stories and the ancient art of marionette puppetry. The intimate,
75-seat theatre ensures that all the little ones get a great view of the
stage. Pinocchio's presents its in-house adaptation of the classic,
Cinderella.
pinocchios.net; 407-677-8831


Central Florida Home & Garden Show
March 24-26
The largest consumer home and garden show in Central Florida features local,
regional and national experts in remodeling, building, decorating and
landscaping, instructional how-to seminars, giveaways, and more than 600
exhibits with the industry's hottest home and garden products.
orlandohomeshow.com


15th Annual Florida Film Festival
March 24-April 2
Rated as one of the top 10 film festivals in the world by the Ultimate Film
Festival Survivor Guide,  2nd edition, this 10-day cinema extravaganza
features more than 125 films, documentaries and shorts from around the
globe. Seminars, tributes, an American Independent Film competition,
midnight movies, digital media, parties and a closing weekend awards gala
round out the activities. Many of the events take place at the intimate
Enzian Theater in Maitland.
floridafilmfestival.com; 407-629-1088


Spring Fiesta in the Park
April 1-2
Enjoy a myriad of booths offering tasteful regional arts and crafts along
the banks of Lake Eola in downtown Orlando. The festival provides
entertainment, goodies and homemade items for sale.
cityoforlando.net; 407-246-2827


Maitland Spring Festival of the Arts
April 1-2
More than 220 skilled artisans display and sell their impressive wares at
this popular juried art show held on Lake Lily in Maitland. Children's
activities and tasty culinary offerings add to the fun.
ci.maitland.fl.us; 407-644-0741


23rd Annual Land & SeaFest
April 7-9
Enjoy local seafood, a barbecue cook-off, live entertainment on two stages
and a craft market. The event is held at the Space Coast Stadium in Viera.
seafest.com; 321-459-2200


4th Annual Children's Art Festival
April 8
Held at the Maitland Arts Center, the event exposes kids and families to the
visual and performing arts in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Activities
include hands-on art, open studios and demonstrations, interactive puppet
theater, children's art exhibit, scavenger hunt and face painting.
407-539-2181


19th Annual Fiesta Medina
April 9
Considered Orlando's longest running Latin community festival. National and
international performers take the stage throughout the day to celebrate the
Latin culture and music. The festival also features streets lined with
displays, food and a children's carnival area.
renesproductions.com; 407-381-5310


42nd Annual Ron Jon Easter Surfing Festival
April 13-16
Enjoy the sun, surf and sand along beautiful Cocoa Beach, just one hour east
of Orlando, as you watch championship surfers ages 12-80 from all over the
globe compete in this annual surfing competition. Guests also enjoy an
Easter egg hunt, surf clinics and demonstrations, and a food court.
ronjons.com; 321-783-7549


Annual Easter Open House at The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art
April 14-16
Admission is free for all visitors at the museum housing the world's most
comprehensive collection of the world of Louis Comfort Tiffany.
morsemuseum.org; 407-645-5311


Live Music in the Galleries at The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American
Art
April 21
Visitors may stroll the galleries while listening to a performance by
renowned classical guitarist, Scott Sanchez.
morsemuseum.org; 407-645-5311


80th Annual Easter Sunrise Service
April 16
The Historic Bok Sanctuary in Lake Wales invites Easter morning worshippers
to greet the dawn of this special day by watching the sun rise and listening
to a 60-bell carillon, brass ensemble and the Lake Wales Chorale.
boksanctuary.org; 863-676-1408


Central Florida Fair
April 20-30
From improv comedy and safari acrobats to equestrian shows and foot-stomping
music, the 94th Annual Central Florida Fair offers something for everyone.
And, the carnival-like midway is packed with zany games and thrilling rides.
centralfloridafair.com; 407-295-3247


13th Annual EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
April 21-June 11
Walt Disney World guests welcome spring with a full dose of beauty. From
elaborate gardens and incredible topiaries to helpful seminars and nightly
musical entertainment from the '60s and '70s, the festival offers an array
of special activities for all green-thumb levels.
disneyworld.com; 407-824-4321


3rd Annual Cocoa Beach Jazz Fest
April 22-23
Guests can enjoy an impressive lineup of national and international jazz
musicians at the DoubleTree Oceanfront Hotel. Past performers include
Jacqueline Jones, Simone Kopmajer and Bonnie Bramlett.
cocoabeachjazzfest.com; 321-783-4559


22nd Annual Melbourne Art Festival
April 22-23
Experience the creativity of more than 250 Florida and regional artists
displaying a myriad of hand-crafted wonders from sterling silver bracelets
and maple wood dollhouses to jeweled sculptures and oil paintings. Kids will
enjoy the hands-on crafts area and children's presentations. Held on the
quaint streets of Historic Downtown Melbourne.
melbournearts.org; 321-722-1964


Ginn Clubs & Resorts Open
April 24-30
An LPGA Tour full-field event. The Ginn Clubs & Resorts Open will be played
on a composite layout of the Legacy Course, designed by Arnold Palmer, and
the Independence Course, the first Florida course designed by Tom Watson.
ginnopen.com; 407-662-1700


KissimmeeJazz Fest
April 30
This popular jazz concert and festival include entertainment from local high
school performers and top jazz artists, plus loads of cool crafts and food.
Held at Lakefront Park in Kissimmee.
kissimmeeparksandrec.com; 407-847-2388