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Innaugural Princesses in the Park

All of your favorite princess characters are coming to Downtown Orlando’s natural refuge, the Carl T Langford Park, on Saturday, May 14th, 2022 from 11 AM – 12:30 PM.

Give your child a wonderful experience full of playing games, telling stories, fairy makeovers, singing, dancing, and more! Enjoy a beautiful day out with the family, and take as many photos and videos as you want with your child’s favorite characters.

While you are visiting this dog-friendly park, you can indulge in sweet treats provided separately by Repicci’s Italian Ice and explore a maze of paved trails, an observation deck, and a lovely playground set amongst ancient shady oak trees.

Professional princesses are provided by Vaudeville Entertainment LLC, who specializes in live entertainment for private events and is excited to be hosting its first-ever public Princesses in the Park!

“I want to create an opportunity for kids to have an engaging and immersive experience playing games and telling stories with their favorite princesses, without having to stand in hot hour-long lines for just 30 seconds of general cookie-cutter interactions. Plus, on a personal note, nothing feels better than when you are all dressed up and a kid sees you for the first time. They light up like it’s Christmas morning, and you’re instantly best friends,” said Roxanne LeBlanc, a founding performer at Vaudeville Entertainment LLC

Tickets are $25 per child and are available via Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/princesses-in-the-park-tickets-295291082577.

Adult admission is free.

Mayor Carl T. Langford Park is located at 1808 East Central Boulevard Orlando, FL 32803.

On the Go in MCO: Earth Day

Don’t forget that you can catch these great events and more on the Obie & Ashley Unfiltered Podcast!

Earth Day is just around the corner, and if you are looking for fun ways to celebrate our awesome planet On the Go in MCO I’ve got you covered!

On the Go in MCO: Earth Day 2022

Central Florida Earth Day

April 23, 2022 | 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Head to Lake Eola Park to enjoy presentations, food preparation demonstrations, environmental education, an Earth Kids Zone, an Artist Corner, animal haven, music, Mind Body Spirit, activities, vegan food, and many Earth-friendly sponsors and vendors.

There are so many fun and interesting things happening on Central Florida Earth Day, that you will want to stay all day!

There is no cost to attend this event.

Planet Nona

April 22, 2022 | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Celebrate Planet Earth in Lake Nona! Lake Nona Town Center and Boxi park will be filled with vendors, live music, food trucks, pop-up bars, activities, and lots of love for our planet!

There is no cost to attend this event and parking is free.

Party for the Planet

April 23, 2022 | 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Celebrate Earth Day at the Zoo and spring into action to save our planet! Special activities will celebrate our planet’s amazing and diverse wildlife through interactive environmental education activities, fun activities, games, and crafts. Perfect for the entire family, Party for the Planet gives guests the opportunity to connect to nature and conservation in the community and be inspired to become conservation heroes to help protect our beautiful planet.

This event is included in general Zoo admission.

St. Cloud Earth Day 2022

April 23, 2022 | 11:00 am

Head to St. Cloud’s Peghorn Nature Park (2101 Peghorn Way, St Cloud, FL 34769) for an Earth Day 2022 Celebration that will include environmental exhibitors, up-cycling crafts, live music, five-a-ways, clean up project, food trucks, a nature trail, and more.

There is no cost to attend this event.

Animal Kingdom

All week | Park open to close

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park shines the spotlight on our beautiful, bountiful planet with its annual Earth Week Celebration, set for April 18-24, 2022.

During this popular event, guests are steeped in the wonders of the natural world through family-friendly experiences and special offerings. They become part of the park’s conservation story and connect with many of the animal species the Disney Conservation Fund is working hard to protect.

To celebrate the third planet from the sun, the park is pulling out all the stops! Guests will be treated to unique character sightings, fun learning opportunities, specialty merchandise, themed food and beverages, a limited-time Wilderness Explorer badge, and more.

This event is included with theme park admission.

Don’t forget you can keep up with us as we are On the Go in MCO and beyond by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!

Teen Driver Challenge at the Promenade

Teen Driver Challenge Promeade at Sunset Walk

Get your engines ready for the Teen Driver Challenge Car and Truck show at the Promenade at Sunset Walk Orlando on Saturday, May 14!

It will be a Saturday filled with cars, trucks, family fun, and fundraising benefiting the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office Teen Driver Education Program.

From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., fun and educational activities, friendly for all ages, will be offered, containing information promoting safe driving:

Watch the “Seat Belt Convincer” Demonstration
View a “Vehicle Roll Over” Simulator
Learn about a Driver Instruction Course
Browse the Sheriff’s Office Helicopter & SWAT Vehicles on display
Check out the Drug & Street Racing Seized Vehicles presented by Osceola County Sheriff’s Office
Enjoy K-9 Demonstrations throughout the event

Participation in the car show is $20 for VIP Parking, and $10 for Show Car Lot Parking, with all proceeds going to help fund the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office Teen Driver Challenge Education Program.

Spectators can attend this event for FREE.

Vehicles will be awarded top 10 Car & Truck trophies, and attendees will be able to participate in 50/50 raffles.

The Teen Driver Challenge is an advanced driving course designed to provide young drivers with the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to reduce the chances of being involved in a crash. The 10-hour program is offered free of charge to all teens between the ages of 15 and 19 who have had at least a learner’s permit for six months.

For additional information regarding the Teen Driver Challenge, please visit the Florida Sheriff’s Association website here.

2022 DoD Warrior Games at Walt Disney World

The U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command has announced that the 2022 DoD Warrior Games will take place at the Walt Disney World Resort this August!

Disney shares a deep appreciation for the Armed Forces, their families and veterans. It’s an appreciation that started with Walt and Roy and has continued throughout our nearly 100-year history. We’re honored to continue that proud tradition by welcoming these heroic wounded warriors and their families to the Most Magical Place on Earth for this inspiring competition.

What are the DoD Warrior Games coming to Walt Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex?

The Department of Defense Warrior Games is an annual event, first held in 2010, that celebrates the resiliency and dedication of wounded, ill, and injured active duty and veteran U.S. military service members.

Hundreds of elite athletes, including those from international allied nations, compete in adaptive sporting events such as wheelchair basketball, cycling, indoor rowing, and wheelchair rugby, among others.

The DoD Warrior Games serve as a way to enhance the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded warriors by providing them exposure to adaptive sports. Participation in the Warrior Games represents the culmination of a service member’s involvement in an adaptive sports program and demonstrates the incredible potential of wounded warriors through competitive sports.

The games are open to the public, welcoming the community and the world to be a part of the excitement and support of these heroes.

The Walt Disney World has a long history of supporting our country’s military service and will continue this legacy by hosting the 2022 Veterans Institute Summit presented by Disney Institute on August 19-20 also at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex.

The summit is designed to empower companies to build effective veteran hiring, training, and support of their own.

The two-day forum will include speakers from Disney’s Heroes Work Here initiative, U.S. government officials, veterans, and military spouses, among many others.

Museum of Illusions Orlando Hosts Puppy Paw-ty

Get the most bark for your buck at Puppy Paw-ty hosted by the Museum of Illusions Orlando at ICON Park on I-Drive.

On April 23, the Museum of Illusions Orlando will once again open their doors to man’s best friend at its fan-favorite event, Puppy Paw-ty. From 8 to 10 a.m. guests can experience the interactive and immerse museum with their furry friends.

What could be better???

Admission to the party is $29.99 per owner, per dog. Tickets are limited, and advance reservations are required to book a time slot. All guests will receive a free return ticket to come back and visit without their four-legged friend.

“Calling all Dogs of Instagram (and their owners) you won’t want to miss this event,” said Marc Gregory Tipton, sales and marketing manager. “We are excited for our 3rd Puppy Paw-ty at the museum. It’s a fun and different experience for dog owners and we love seeing the adorable pups in our illusions!”

In addition to the Puppy Paw-ty, for the entire month of April, the Museum of Illusions Orlando is offering guests the chance to round up their ticket price to donate to Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando for Animal Cruelty Prevention Month. Donations will go towards the charity’s wish lists.

The Museum of Illusions Orlando isn’t your average museum. You won’t find “do not touch” signs, get shushed by curators, or have to follow around tour guides – Instead, it encourages guests to get a hands-on experience and explore all the wonders of the mind throughout more than 50 engaging exhibits.

To learn more about the Museum of Illusions Orlando or to book tickets, visit https://moiorlando.com/.

Don’t forget you can keep up with us as we are On the Go in the Parks and beyond by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!

Easter Bunny Garden Experience at ICON Park

ICON Park Easter Bunny Garden Eperience — Photos and cap tions The Easter Bunny Garden Experience is returning to ICON Park

Gather up your carrots and decorative eggs, then hop on over to ICON Park – The Easter Bunny Garden Experience is returning this year!

The Easter Bunny Garden Experience will be offering its award-winning Easter Bunny and candid spring photo packages at ICON Park until April 16 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

In addition to their beautiful photos, every child that visits the Easter Bunny will receive a special souvenir button they can display for a complimentary ride on The Wheel. Additional tickets can be purchased with a 50 percent discount for all of the Easter Bunny’s guests.

With the whole family dressed up in their Easter best, why not make a whole day of the experience? After the Easter Bunny visit and photo session, experience Orlando’s breathtaking views from 400 feet up on The Wheel. Ride around ICON Park in style in The Pearl Express Train. Let your mind roam as you explore SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, Madame Tussauds Orlando, Museum of Illusions Orlando, In The Game ICON Park and Build-A-Bear.

Finally, finish your trip with a delicious meal from one of the entertainment center’s popular eateries like Sloppy Joe’s, Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips, Blake Shelton’s Ole Red, or The Wheelhouse Market Food Hall.

The Easter Bunny Garden Experience is from the same group that presents The Santa Workshop Experience. Both of these long-standing experiences formerly hosted at a popular Orlando mall have been expanded and moved to ICON Park.

Reservations are now open for The Easter Bunny Garden Experience. Click here to view photo packages and save your spot now.

ICON Park is at the center of the new Orlando Entertainment District. Conveniently located near I-4, Universal Boulevard, and the Beachline, this premier entertainment destination offers easy access and free parking for any Central Florida resident or Orlando tourist.

Don’t forget you can keep up with us as we are On the Go in the Parks and beyond by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!

Morse Museum Easter Weekend Celebration

Morse Museum Story of the Cross — Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Story of the Cross leaded-glass window, c. 1892, from his famed 1893 chapel interior.

As is traditional each spring, The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art will offer free admission throughout the three-day Easter weekend.

The Morse Museum’s Easter Weekend Celebration begins on Friday, April 15, with free admission from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. as well as music by classical guitarist Joshua Englert from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is also free Saturday, April 16, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, April 17, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The Morse Museum is home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by American artist and designer Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933). Tiffany is renowned for his innovations in glass. In the galleries, visitors may walk among Tiffany creations featuring the flowers of spring: tall white lilies, sunny yellow daffodils, and showy pink tulips. The Chapel designed by Tiffany for the 1893 world’s fair in Chicago is always a highlight of a visit to the Morse and the Easter holiday.

The free Easter weekend is also a chance to see the Museum’s newest exhibition The Stebbins Collection: A Gift for the Morse Museum. Seventy paintings, works on paper, and sculptures from the once private Stebbins collection are on view for the first time.

Jeannette Genius McKean (1909–89), Charles Hosmer Morse’s granddaughter, founded the Museum in 1942. She and her husband, Hugh F. McKean (1908–95), the Museum’s director until his death, built the Morse collection over a period of fifty years. The Easter Weekend Celebration continues a tradition they established more than thirty years ago.

The Museum is owned and operated by the Charles Hosmer Morse Foundation and receives additional support from the Elizabeth Morse Genius Foundation. It receives no public funds.

Don’t forget you can keep up with us as we are On the Go in the Parks and beyond by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!

Brews Around the Zoo 2022

Brews Around the Zoo, the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens fundraiser, will put the FUN in fundraiser on April 9, 2022.

Brews Around the Zoo is one of the Zoo’s biggest benefits, offering attendees the chance to sample more than 30 different craft beers as well as soak up the fun atmosphere. The 2022 event will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. on April 9 at the Zoo in Sanford.

Early Access and VIP ticket holders will get in an hour early at 4 p.m. Brews Around the Zoo is presented by Wayne Densch.

“Events like Brews Around the Zoo allow us to do what we do,” said Stephanie Williams, Zoo director. “It’s a win-win. We get to connect with the community through something fun, and we get to raise money to continue our mission of educating people and empowering them to act on behalf of wildlife by sharing these awesome animals.”

In addition to great beer from breweries near and far, Brews Around the Zoo will feature live music, a seltzer station, and wine tastings. Delicious food selections will be available for purchase.

General Admission tickets are $50. For $70, guests can take advantage of exclusive early admission at 4 p.m. Or, for $150, guests can gain VIP status, with access to exclusive cocktails, food offerings, and more.

Tickets are available now at www.centralfloridazoo.org/event/brews/.

Only those 21+ are permitted to attend, and guests must show a valid ID upon entry.

The Zoo will be closed all day April 9 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm for event set up. Brews Around the Zoo takes place rain or shine.

For more information about the Central Florida Zoo, visit www.centralfloridazoo.org.

Don’t forget you can keep up with us as we are On the Go in the Parks and beyond by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!

Halloween Horror Nights 2022: Tickets On Sale

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando

For a record-breaking 43 nights from September 2 through October 31, Universal Orlando Resort presents Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida. Starting today, guests can purchase select offers and plan an unforgettable fall getaway with friends to scream together as they brave terrifying haunted houses, menacing creatures, and more at the world’s premier Halloween event.

Hailed by fans as “nonstop scary awesomeness,” “absolutely terrifying” and “downright chilling,” Halloween Horror Nights is the pinnacle of immersive Halloween entertainment and has transformed fall travel into a “must do” for people around the globe. Season after season, the terror has no bounds as Universal Orlando pulls out all of the sinister stops to celebrate Halloween with a fearsome slate of festivities that not only come to life at the award-winning event – but also across the entire destination, from dining to hotel experiences and more.

Halloween Horror Nights 2022 will boast 10 new, movie-quality haunted houses inspired by everything from cinematic greats to unfathomable original abominations, five scare zones filled with hordes of gruesome creatures lunging from the shadows, and two outrageous live shows that will showcase compelling performances.

And when they need a break from the scares, guests can satiate their appetite with sinfully delicious food and beverage inspired by the event’s haunts, shop the latest merchandise at highly themed retail locations that are attractions in and of themselves, and enjoy Universal Studios Florida’s most exciting rides.

Single-night event tickets for Halloween Horror Nights are available now. Guests can also stay, scream and save up to $200 (based on a seven-night stay) with a special vacation package that includes one-night admission to the event and accommodations at a Universal hotel located just minutes from the fun.

This package also includes the popular “Get 2 Days Free with a 3-Day Ticket” offer that gives guests five days of admission to all three Universal Orlando theme parks to explore thrills like Jurassic World VelociCoaster during the day before facing the chills of Halloween Horror Nights at night.

Plus, hotel guests get access to a dedicated Halloween Horror Nights gate for faster entry into the event, and can enjoy other benefits like Early Park Admission and more. Savings vary based on length of stay and this package is available for purchase through May 5 for use from September 2 to October 31.

Halloween Horror Nights upgrades are also available for purchase now, including the guided, nighttime R.I.P. Tour experience where guests receive priority V.I.P. access to the haunted houses; and the Behind the Screams: Unmasking the Horror Tour that offers a glimpse into how the scares are brought to life via a daytime, lights-on journey through select haunted houses.

Additional details about Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood will be revealed soon. For more information about the event and additional Universal Orlando offers guests can book for their fall visit – including incredibly-low hotel rates starting at $91 per night (based on a four-night stay) – visit www.universalorlando.com/halloween.

H2O Glow After Hours Returns

Just in time for the summer season, a new H2O Glow After Hours is coming to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park.

The luminous after-hours event returns to the tropical oasis Memorial Day Weekend, with new elements that are sure to “glow-up” your Walt Disney World vacation this summer.

2019 H2O Glow Nights Typhoon Lagoon Walt Disney World — Walt Disney World

Guests of Disney Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan, and Dolphin Hotels as well as Shades of Green at Walt Disney World Resort can purchase tickets to H2O Glow After Hours on the Walt Disney World Resort website beginning March 29, with tickets on sale for the general public April 1. The popular nighttime experience has limited capacity, so be sure to secure your tickets soon!

The after-hours party will offer unique, vibrant décor, high-energy DJ dance parties, exclusive glow-themed menu offerings and so much more.

Imagine your favorite watery attractions glowing under the stars, with shorter wait times and more time to enjoy.

Whether you’re shooting down Crush N’ Gusher, making a splash in the Surf Pool, or showing off those groovy moves on the dance floor, you’ll experience this storm-strewn paradise in a whole new light.

You’ll even receive a glowing wristband and tasty snacks like popcorn and select ice-cream treats to enjoy throughout the evening!

Disney H2O Glow After Hours takes place between 8-11 p.m. every Saturday night from May 28 to Aug. 27, giving you three glowing hours in the water park after gates close. Guests with tickets for the exclusive party can even enter Typhoon Lagoon as early as 6 p.m.

Get a “splash” of the magic from The World’s Most Magical Celebration and add Disney H2O Glow After Hours to your summer bucket list at Walt Disney World. Book your tickets for the after-hours event on the Walt Disney World website and get ready to glow up your summer like never before!

Epcot Flower & Garden Festival: Topiaries

The highlight of any visit to the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival is definitely the Disney and Pixar character topiaries.

These iconic and towering topiaries can be found throughout the park, and are sure to brighten up the rainiest Spring day!

2022 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival: Topiary Locations

2022 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Topiary

Goofy Topiary and Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration Cake – Main Entrance

Epcot Flower & Garden Festival Topiaries Disney Topiary

Sorcerer Mickey Mouse, Brooms, Ostriches, Hippo and Gator – Entrance to World Showcase

Woody, Bo Peep, and Her Sheep – near The Land Pavilion

Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Huey, Dewey, and Louie – Bridge to World Showcase

Pluto and Chip ‘n’ Dale – The American Adventure Pavilion

Buzz Lightyear – near Mission: SPACE

Figment – near Imagination!

The Three Caballeros (Jose, Donald, and Panchito) – Mexico Pavilion

Anna and Elsa – Norway Pavilion

Troll – Norway Pavilion

Dragon – Japan Pavilion near Torii Gate

Pandas – China Pavilion

Simba and Friends (Rafiki, Simba, Mufasa, and Sarabi) – Between Imagination! and The Land Pavilion

Pumbaa and Timon – Between Imagination! and The Land Pavilion

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – Germany Pavilion

Lady and the Tramp – Italy Pavilion

Beauty and the Beast – France Pavilion

Lumiere and Cogsworth – France Pavilion

Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy – Germany Pavilion

Peter Pan, Captain Hook, and Tick Tock Croc  – Between the United Kingdom and Canada Pavilions

Winnie the Pooh and Friends (Rabbit, Eeyore, Piglet, and Tigger) – United Kingdom Pavilion

Tinker Bell’s Fairy House Garden – United Kingdom Pavilion

Bambi and Friends – near Imagination!

Want to find out more information about the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival? Check out our Foodie Guide, Garden Rocks Schedule, Garden Rocks Dining, Merchandise, and more!

Art in Bloom: Festival of Fine Arts & Flowers

Celebrate the return of spring with Art in Bloom: Festival of Fine Arts and Flowers, a museum-wide showcase of floral interpretations, antique dealers, and lifestyle designs to inspire everyone, at the Orlando Museum of Art, March 24-27, 2022, with show hours Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Presented by the Council of 101, this annual springtime fundraiser advances the many educational programs and exhibits of the Museum. The event will feature special events, art auctions, curated antiques and an outdoor farmers market, and daily entertainment.

“From garden enthusiasts to art interpreters, Art in Bloom has a little something for everyone,” said Joan Kennedy, President of Council of 101. “We’re very excited to host this festival and kickoff spring, bringing a mixture of art and nature’s beauty to Orlando.”

Art in Bloom Daily Show Features

Antique Dealers
Appraisal Days
Art Auction
Blooming Orchids
Café 101
Floral Interpretations
Outdoor Farmers Market
Tables in Bloom

The Council of 101 has raised over 12 million dollars for the Orlando Museum of Art’s educational programs and operational expenses over the years.

Art in Bloom General Admission Tickets:

$20 Adults / $12 Children (Ages 3-12) / $12 Seniors (60+), Military, First Responders
Tickets for general admission and all events will be sold on Eventbrite beginning February 24^th.
Admission includes access to the Museum’s current exhibitions, Art in Bloom, and Cafe 101.
Parking is available on-site for $5.
Advanced, online ticket purchase is encouraged. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Art in Bloom Show Hours

Thursday, March 24

Opening Night Preview party
6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
$ 130 per person / Includes show admission
Celebrate Art in Bloom at the Opening Night Preview Party benefiting the Orlando Museum of Art with an evening of elegance. Guests will enjoy exquisite culinary creations, beverages, delightful entertainment and complimentary valet parking.

Friday, March 25

VIP Event + Lecture + Book Signing with Guest Speaker Danielle Rollins
Be one of the lucky guests to mix and mingle with Danielle Rollins – tastemaker, trendsetter and author! Enjoy lite bites and libations before her Gracious Living and Stylish Entertaining lecture and have the opportunity to purchase A Home for All Seasons and have it signed by Danielle. Reserved seating for VIP ticket holders.
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
$ 125 per person / Includes show admission

Lecture + Book Signing with Guest Speaker Danielle Rollins
Please join us to hear Danielle Rollins speak about Gracious Living and Stylish Entertaining. Following the lecture you will have the opportunity to purchase her book A Home for All Seasons and have it signed.
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
$ 50 per person / Includes show admission

Saturday, March 26

Mystery Home Tour, 11 a.m.; 12 p.m.; 1 p.m.; 2 p.m.
$ 45 per person / Includes show admission / Limited capacity
Hop on Board! You will be transported by bus from the Orlando Museum of Art to the undisclosed mystery home. Once you arrive you will hear about the beautiful antiques and special features of this awe-inspiring home. This event is has very limited availability and will sell out quickly.

Saturday, March 26 and Sunday, March 27

What it’s Worth? Appraisal Days
12:00 – 2:00pm
$10 Per Item / Verbal appraisal only / General admission ticket required
Reservations begin at 11:00am each day
Do you have a family heirloom or interesting “find?” Antiques expert and Show Manager, Charlie Miller, will give you a professional appraisal of your treasure.

Sunday, March 27

Family Fun Activities: Engage in a museum scavenger hunt, shop the Outdoor Farmers Market, or escape to the fresh air in Loch Haven Cultural Park for a family picnic. Before you head home, the Orlando Science Center welcomes you to step inside for a visit!
Sunday Jazz Sounds: Be swept away by the sounds of Jazz while enjoying a leisurely Sunday at the Museum. Sunny smiles and Southern hospitality are the order of the day in Café 101!

For more information, please visit the website or call 407-896-4231 ext. 254.

Don’t forget you can keep up with us as we are On the Go in the Parks and beyond by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!

2022 Gatorland Photography Program

Gatorland is the”Alligator Capital of the World,” but the annual Gatorland Photography Program allows unique access for a limited time.

Gatorland’s Bird Rookery, created in 1991 as an alligator breeding marsh, attracts hundreds of wild birds every Spring.

The unique habitat has grown into one of the largest and most accessible wading bird rookeries in Florida, providing a protected area for nesting, foraging, and roosting for over 20 different species of wild birds, many of which are listed as Endangered or Species of Special Concern.

Gatorland has created a special photographer’s pass program offered on 10 select dates in March, April, and May, allowing early morning entry at 7 am before the park opens to the general public at 10 a.m.

Gatorland’s boardwalks provide birders and photographers with close access to incredible birds to capture stunning photographs.

The 2022 Gatorland Photography Program dates are:

March 19
March 27
April 2
April 10
April 17
April 22
April 30
May 8
May 13
May 21

Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance, and availability is limited so booking right away is recommended.

Reservations can be made online at a cost of $25 plus tax per person per date, and a Birding Seasonal Pass is also available for $125 plus tax per person.

All tickets are date specific and non-transferable. No late stay is offered.

For more information on the Gatorland Photography Pass for the birding season, call the Bird Line at (407) 855-5496, ext. 233 or send a message to Gatorland at dannyperich@gatorland.com.

Sanford St. Paddy’s Day Truck Pull and Street Festival

Do you think you and nine other friends have what it takes to pull a truck?

The Sanford St. Paddy’s Day Truck Pull will include live music, food trucks, artisans, and craft beer in a family-friendly environment on March 19, 2022.

The truck pull begins at 5 p.m. and ends at 7 p.m. Teams of 10 will go head-to-head pulling a fire truck a block down Palmetto Ave. in “The Famous L” for the coveted trophy and ultimate bragging rights. Participants include the Sanford Fire Department, Sanford Police Department, and many locally-owned businesses.

The St. Paddy’s Day Truck Pull is featuring live music from 4 to 5 p.m. performed by Rosie O’Grady’s Highlanders to get everyone into the St. Patrick’s Day spirit and then afterward Papa Wheelie ends with a hardcore bang from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

“We are so excited to be doing the St. Paddy’s truck pull again” said Paul Williams, owner of West End Trading Company. “In most St. Paddy’s Day celebrations people are lifting beers but in true Sanford Style, we’re taking it a step further and pulling a truck.”

The event welcomes a new fire station-themed bar, The Station Bar & Grub—making the perfect backdrop for the Fire Truck Pull. In addition, there will be a DJ leading the fun from their classic fire truck stationed right out front.

“We love being a part of the Sanford community,” said Alex Sirica, owner of The Station Bar & Grub. “Participating in this fantastic event is right up our alley. We’re excited to see the teams compete and celebrate giving back.”

All sign-up fees from the truck pull will go towards SNAP (Special Needs Ability Program, Inc.)Special Needs Advocacy Program, Inc. serves families in Sanford who support children with disabilities. SNAP provides children with disabilities a platform to understand and retain positive social skills to successfully enter the workforce, social events, and other public areas. Plus, proceeds from the truck pull to benefit the Special Needs Advocacy Program, Inc.

The fourth annual Sanford t. Paddy’s Day Truck Pull and Street Festival is sponsored by the newly formed ‘Famous L Collective.’

Don’t forget you can keep up with us as we are On the Go in the Parks and beyond Sanford by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!

Orlando Boat Show 2022 at the OCCC

The Marine Industry Association of Central Florida (MIACF) presents the Orlando Boat Show for a three-day event March 25-27, 2022 at the Orange County Convention Center, North Hall B. The highly anticipated show features 19 of Central Florida’s top boat dealers representing more than 70 manufacturers.

The Orlando Boat show features a wide variety of boats including bowriders, center consoles, deck boats, flats boats, freshwater fishing boats, jet boats, pontoon boats, and surf boats to fit any lifestyle and occasion.

Extra incentives are available only during the show from dealers and manufacturers such as extended warranties, service packages, waived dockage, enhanced electronics, and accessory packages.

Tickets on Sale Now

Ticket prices are $10 per person and are available for purchase online at https://orlandoboatshow.com/tickets or at the gate. Kids under the age of 12 are free!

Please note Orange County Convention Center parking is $10.

In appreciation of the hard work and dedication to the health and safety of our community, FREE admission is available at the gate for active healthcare workers and first responders with proper ID (up to four passes for immediate family).

Orlando Boat Show Special Events and Seminars

The Fishing Zone

Capt. Mike Bard will be discussing inshore fishing techniques using light tackle, Florida-based Bull Bay Rods and Florida Fishing Products reels. He will give away a Bull Bay Banshee rod and an Osprey 2500CE rod valued at $391 at each of his seminars.
Capt. Captain Gino Losi is a second-generation angler and guide and shares his 30 years of experience and knowledge of Florida’s lakes and reservoirs. Attendees will have a chance to win a half day excursion valued at $350 at each seminar.
Capt. Jim Ross presents, ‘How to fish the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon.”

Go Boating

Bill Porter is the founder and owner of Performance Ski and Surf and shares his extensive knowledge in all towed watersports including wakeboarding, waterskiing, wakesurfing and more.
Sea Tow’s Capt. Kerry Kline will tell you all about Central Florida’s waters through teaching safe boating and advanced boating education courses throughout the area. Capt. Kerry will give away a one-year Sea Tow membership at each of his seminars.

Twiggy, the waterskiing squirrel, and Roxie Show

A fan favorite with shows daily.

Queen of the Show

The Queen of the Show is the 2022 HCB 53′ Suenos, a large center console yacht with the sophisticated design to perfectly balance speed, ride, comfort, and all of the luxury of your “dream” yacht. The bow area is dual purpose with seating to accommodate guests on the forward-facing lounger or around bow seats and table that convert to a large sun pad for lazy days catching rays; or remove the cushions for a fully functional fishing platform. The luxuriously functional cabin with queen-sized berth, storage galore, galley kitchen, and separate head/shower compartment is the perfect place for air-conditioned comfort on hot days as well as longer trips with overnight stays.

An automotive-inspired helm station allows the captain to be fully aware of the surroundings while staying in tune with the endless functionality on-board including charts and navigation, Sea Keeper®, generator, ample stereo system, the quintet engine package, and more.

“The Orlando Boat Show is designed for new and avid boaters to explore the latest in boating trends, vessels, water activities and fishing,” said Joe Lewis of Mt. Dora Boating Center and the president of MIACF. “We are committed to raising the professionalism of the boating industry in a safe and enjoyable atmosphere.”

Recreational Boating Boom Continues

According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), boating is attracting more participants as people of all ages and walks of life seek quality time on the water.

An estimated 100 million Americans go boating each year.
61% of boat owners have an annual household income of $100,000 or less.
95% of boats on the water in the U.S. are less than 26 feet—boats that can be trailered by a vehicle to local waterways.
95% of boats sold in the U.S. are American made.
The recreational boating industry supports 691,149 American jobs (511,117 direct jobs and 180,032 indirect jobs) and 35,277 American businesses.
Boating and fishing are the largest outdoor recreation activities in the U.S., totaling $23.6 billion in current-dollar value added. Source – U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)

All events and seminars are included in show admission and can be viewed at https://orlandoboatshow.com/events