Orange County Convention Center Archives

2014 Orlando Home Show Returns October 24-26

GET INSPIRED. GET STARTED AT THE ORLANDO HOME SHOW

Featuring HGTV’s Chip & Joanna, Top Secret Recipes® Author Todd Wilbur, DIY Experts, and More

The Orlando Home Show, one of the region’s most anticipated fall events, returns October 24-26 to the Orange County Convention Center in West Concourse, Hall C facing International Drive. The three-day home improvement extravaganza is the premier place to find fresh inspiration, helpful tips, innovative products and fantastic deals in remodeling, home improvement, design and fall outdoor projects with hundreds of experts all under one roof.

Show highlights include appearances by Chip and Joanna Gaines, hosts of HGTV’s Fixer Upper, and Todd Wilbur, author of Top Secret Recipes; demonstrations by top local chefs and Elaine and David of TLC’s The Next Great Baker on the Edible Orlando Cooking Stage; and daily how-to presentations by DIY expert, Chris Tice. Plus designer rooms, a Sunday food truck rally, featured products that are new to the market or making their Orlando Home Show debut, and much more!

“Show guests will find some of the best prices and deals of the year they can’t find elsewhere,” said Cristian Moore, show manager for Marketplace Events, which produces some of the most successful and longest-running shows in North America. “There is simply no better place to shop, compare, save, and gather valuable tips from hundreds of experts in one day,” Moore added. “Whether planning a specific project or simply seeking a fun day out, inspiration starts here, and not just for homeowners. Renters will find products to make them feel right at home in their current residence. From stylish furniture and decorative accessories to an array of cash and carry items, all at excellent show pricing.”

Chief Inspiration Ambassadors at the show include Chip and Joanna Gaines, who are passionate about every aspect of the construction and design process and helping turn dreams into realities. They’ll share tips and behind-the-scenes insights from their HGTV show during appearances on the Fresh Ideas Home Stage on Friday at 6:00 p.m. and on Saturday at 12 noon and 2:00 p.m.

Todd Wilbur has made a career out of reverse-engineering famous foods. The author of Top Secret Recipes® will disclose the secret ingredients to famous fast food restaurant items during his demonstrations on the Edible Orlando Cooking Stage on Friday, October 24 at 4:30 p.m. andSaturday, October 25 at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Elaine and David will share cake decorating tips and backstage tidbits from their TLC show on Friday at 6:30 p.m., Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3:30 p.m.

Guest can savor mouth-watering demonstrations and tasty samples prepared by some of the area’s favorite chefs and culinary pros throughout the weekend on the Edible Orlando Cooking Stage. Scheduled to demonstrate their signature recipes and dispense advice are chefs from Hamilton’s Kitchen; Highball & Harvest; Cress Restaurant; The Wine Barn; Barnie’s CoffeeKitchen; The Oceanaire Seafood Room; and The Boheme. Real Radio 104.1’s Dirty Jim appears on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. whipping up his favorite brunch recipe, while Edible Orlando Publisher Kendra Lott will also be on hand overseeing the culinary festivities. (All stage presentations are subject to change without notice.)

Speaking of food, the Orlando Home Show will bring back its popular food truck rally on Sunday only from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Some of Central Florida’s favorite mobile food purveyors, including Treehouse Truck, The Yum Yum Cupcake Truck, The Crepe Company, APP’S Wings, Tostones & Burgers, and Renaissance Catering of Orlando will be serving up delicious fare for purchase at the Westwood Lobby Entrance.

After fueling up at the stage or truck rally, “Stay Calm and DIY.” Do-it-yourself projects can be daunting, especially for first-timers. Enter Chris Tice. The Central Florida-based military veteran and DIY expert will demystify the process while demonstrating useful and decorative items in the show’s DIY feature area, Booth 119 (all projects will be repeated each day).

DIY is storming the nation. Who will be named the nation’s top home and gardening trendsetter? Will it be DIY Diva Leanne Lee of Parkville, Missouri? Revolutionary gardening guru David Marciniak of Culpepper, Virginia? Or will Painesville, Ohio, design innovator Ursula Carmona take home the prize? Guests, along with celebrity experts, can help select the winner of Marketplace Event’s Home + Garden Trendsetter of the Year, a search to find the nation’s most dynamic home and garden blogger. Launched last July, the online contest is culminating at the Orlando Home Showon the Fresh Ideas Stage on Sunday starting at 1:00 p.m. with the winner crowned at 3:00 p.m.

Guests can also get valuable answers to important questions about remodeling, home improvement, design and fall outdoor project from hundreds of experts around the show floor and on the main stage throughout the weekend. Learn how to save 90% on groceries without spending 90% of the time clipping coupons from savings guru Mary Edwards of Couponers United. Create favorite home improvement ideas on Pinterest with tips from Jana from XL106.7. Visit www.OrlandoHomeShow.com for a complete listing of stage presentations and times.

Other not-to-be-missed features and opportunities include Hero Day on Friday, Oct. 24 (current and former military qualify for one FREE ticket on Friday, and are invited to purchase discounted tickets at 50% off any day during show with pre-verified status at www.OrlandoHomeShow.com; and three designer rooms created by Moore Design & Interiors Group using custom and affordable pieces and specializing in pet-friendly and child-friendly materials. New and interesting products making their debut at the Orlando Home Show will be noted by a “featured product” floor tile, making it easy for guests to find them. Giveaways, enter-to-win contests and prize drawings round out the winning line-up for guests.

Show hours are Friday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m, and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the door, and are $10 for adults 13+, $5 for seniors (60+, at the box office only), $5 for children ages 6-12 (at the box office only), and free for children ages five and under. Advance tickets can be purchased online for a $3 discount off full-price $10 admission at www.OrlandoHomeShow.com. Parking is available in the West Concourse and is $9 per car, per day. The Orange County Convention Center/West Concourse is located at 9800 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819. Directions here: http://www.occc.net/global/directions.asp.

For more information, visit www.OrlandoHomeshow.com , or call 877-871-SHOW (7469). Connect on Facebook, Twitter (@FloridaHomeShow), and Pinterest (pinterest.com/homeshows/) for up-to-the-minute show details, discounts and fabulous home improvement tips. Visit the show’s blog at www.HomeAndGardenBlog.com.

Give Kids The World O-Town MacDown

Give Kids The World

Give Kids the World is joining the O-Town MacDown as a presenting sponsor and invite the public to come and sample the cheesiest mac-n-cheese in our area!

The O-Town MacDown is a delicious “food fight” cooking competition that features professional chefs and restaurants as well as home cooks and non-profit organizations who will duke it out to the very end to be named Orlando’s Mac-n-Cheese Champion. A no-holds-barred competition where chefs face off and throw down their finest skills to see who will be the last chef standing.

Prizes will be awarded in various categories, and the event will include live entertainment, celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, a performance by Tony Brent from the Outta Control Dinner Show, a kids’ fun zone including face painting, bounce houses and macaroni art station, theme park character meet-and-greets and vendor booths.

Attendance and participation benefits Give Kids The World Village, a 70-acre, nonprofit resort in Central Florida that provides weeklong, cost-free vacations to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

This year’s O-Town MacDown is going to be held at the Orange County Convention Center Hall D2, West Concourse on Saturday, August 23, 2014 from 11a.m. – 4p.m.

Tickets are on sale now, and here is the pricing:

$10 for Adults (includes all the mac-n-cheese you can eat!)
$5 for Kids (includes all the mac-n-cheese you can eat and the Kids Zone is free!)
$35 for VIP tickets (includes unlimited mac-n-cheese, premium seating in the VIP area, free O-Town MacDown t-shirt and a free beverage)
$15 for Adults and $10 for Kids at the door

For more information visit their official site.

Central Florida Home & Garden Show Returns to Orlando

The Central Florida Home & Garden Show

Springs Into Action In Orlando April 4-6, 2014

Featuring Celebrity Landscaper Ahmed Hassan, DIY Experts, Top Local Chefs and

Home + Garden Solutions

Every year the Central Florida Home & Garden Show brings new trends, project ideas for any budget, and fun to the Orange Country Convention Center in Orlando!

Along with a hall full of great products, there are celebrity and expert presentations and demonstrations offered to help spark your imagination for indoor and outdoor projects.

Read more about what you can find at this year’s Central Florida Home!

With springtime’s arrival to Florida, there’s no better time for homeowners to get started on projects to maintain their number one investment. Luckily, inspiration is just around the corner: the 2014 Central Florida Home & Garden Show, returning April 4-6 to Hall North B in the Orange County Convention Center’s North Concourse facing Universal Blvd. The home improvement extravaganza is the premier place to find innovative products, new ideas, practical advice and great deals in remodeling, home improvement and gardening with hundreds of experts all under one roof. From windows and flooring to cabinets and landscaping, consumers can shop, compare and save on a wide variety of products and services to renew, refresh and restore their homes.

Show highlights include appearances by celebrity landscaper and green expert Ahmed Hassan of DIY Network’s Yard Crashers; demonstrations by some of the area’s favorite chefs on the Edible Orlando Cooking Stage; daily how-to presentations by Chris Tice, the DIY Guy; a Pet Pavilion with cash and carry items; designer rooms with instant ideas to refresh and restyle; a food truck rally on Sunday; and hundreds of DIY, landscaping and home improvement experts offering a range of new products and services, including exhibitors new to the market or making their Central Florida Home + Garden Show debut.

“There’s something for everyone at our shows,” said Cristian Moore, show manager for Marketplace Events, North America’s largest producer of home shows, including the Central Florida Home + Garden Show and fall Orlando Home Show. “Whether they have a specific project in mind or simply want to enjoy a fun day out, local residents and visitors will find inspiration to refresh their space, reinvent their décor and restyle their lives, plus competitive pricing and promotions that even the savviest shopper might not find elsewhere.”

Ahmed Hassan of DIY Network’s Yard Crashers shares his passion for “getting down and dirty in the garden,” along with tips, advice and behind-the-scenes stories during his appearances on the Fresh Ideas Stage on Saturday at 12 noon and 4 p.m., and Sunday at 12 noon and 3 p.m. (Subject to change without notice).

The popular Edible Orlando Cooking Stage will heat up with mouth-watering cooking demos by Central Florida’s top chefs throughout the weekend. The best part? Samples! Scheduled to appear are Chef Larry Eels of Hyatt Regency Orlando; Orlando Sentinel Food Editor Heather McPherson; Katie Farmand and Pam Brandon of Edible Orlando; Andres Montoya of The Wine Barn; Chef Camilo Velasco of Barnie’s CoffeeKitchen; Chef Jose Gonzalez of Cuba Libre Restaurant; Chef Jerry Helminski of ‘Kesh; Chef Laurent Hollaender of Grand Bohemian Hotel; Shantell Williams of Shantell’s Café; and chefs and experts from Whole Foods Market and Feeding Children Everywhere. Gloria B, the bi-lingual host of KQ103 FM’s afternoon drive show, spices up the stage on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

The show will also host a food truck rally on Sunday only from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Some of Central Florida’s favorite mobile food purveyors, including The Yum Yum Cupcake Truck, The Crepe Company, Sweet City Gelato and Gourmet Desserts, London Fish and Chippy and Magic4urPalate will serve delicious fare for purchase at the entrance to the Convention Center.

After fueling up at the stage or truck rally, “Stay Calm and DIY” with Chris Tice, our DIY Guy. Tice will demonstrate four projects each day in Booth #844: a wine bottle chandelier; a silverware wall clock; a handy space saving knife/spice/iPad stand; and especially for tailgaters, a cooler converted into a portable a/c unit!

Get answers to important DIY and home improvement, landscaping, home décor and lifestyle questions from hundreds of experts around the show floor and on the Fresh Ideas Stage throughout the weekend. Learn how to save 90 percent on your groceries without spending 90 percent of your time clipping coupons from savings guru Mary Edwards of Couponers United. Manage your clutter and master the sacred art of de-accumulation from Sue Marie Bowling of ThatOrganizer.com. Ditch the frustrating search for photos and other content and make life easier in Digital Organizing 101 by Diana Uricchio of OXO Digital. Create a beautiful home with design secrets from Jacqui Hutchinson of Jacqui’s Elegant Interiors. Nate, the Garden Guru, seen weekly on FOX 35 “Good Day Sunday,” appears at 2:00 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m. with irrigation tips to make your garden grow. (Visit www.CentralFloridaHomeAndGardenShow.com for a complete listing of presentations and times.)

Other experts can help show-goers make their gardens a beautiful retreat. Pondtastic Water Gardens, Lanai Hardscape, Hoffner Nursery and Landscape Supply, Infinity Landscape, Artistic Stone, JLC Outdoors Lawn Maintenance, The Rose Gardener, GS Plant Foods, Under The Coconuts and Garden Marketplace will be on site with ideas, tips and cash-and-carry items.

Speaking of items for sale, don’t bark up the wrong tree and miss the Pet Pavilion sponsored by Urban Pet Magazine and Greenbrier. This “woof-worthy” pavilion features training, boarding, treats, food, emergency services, fashion and much more for furry friends. Stop by Harbor House’s booth and save $5 off registration fees to the 4th Annual Paws for Peace Walk on April 26. Meet some of Central Florida’s top dogs and cool cats and their celebrity owners appearing throughout the weekend on the Pet Pavilion Stage, courtesy of Harbor House, including WKMG Local 6 Anchor Jessica Sanchez, Orlando Sentinel Senior Sports Columnist George Diaz, and OPD Officer Tim Stanley with K9 Dog CB.

Another can’t-miss feature at the show are a cluster of four designer rooms created by students from The International Academy of Design and Technology featuring repurposed and recycled items styled into shabby chic, urban upcycle, tropical and modern spaces. New and interesting products making their debut at the show will be noted by a “featured product” floor tile, making it easy for guests to find them. Giveaways, enter-to-win contests and prize drawings round out the winning line-up for guests.

Show hours are Friday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m, and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the door, and are $10 for adults 13+, $5 for seniors (60+, at the box office only), $5 for children ages 6-12, and free for children ages five and under. Advance tickets can be purchased online for a $3 discount off full-price $10 admission at www.CentralFloridaHomeAndGardenShow.com. Convenient on-site parking is available in the adjacent lot and is $9 per car per day.

For more information, visit www.CentralFloridaHomeAndGardenShow.com , or call 877-871-SHOW (7469). Connect on Facebook, Twitter(@FloridaHomeShow), Pinterest (pinterest.com/homeshows/) for up-to-the-minute show details, discounts and fabulous home improvement tips. Visit the show’s blog at www.HomeAndGardenBlog.com.

The Central Florida Home + Garden Show and its fall sister show, the Orlando Home Show (October 24-26, 2014) are both produced by Marketplace Events.

HUGE Orlando Home Show Giveaway!

{Sponsored Post}

The Orlando Home Show returns with even more inspiration, fun, and demonstrations to help you fall into your dream home!

Orlando Home Show Featuring Bravo’s Josh Flagg, Food Network’s Emily Ellyn,

DIY Experts, and Top Local Chefs

The Orlando Home Show will be returning October 4-6 to a new location in the Orange County Convention Center, West Concourse, Hall C facing International Drive, and I am excited to go!

The Orlando Home Show is loaded with a fresh lineup of experts ready to rock this three-day home improvement extravaganza to help you find fresh inspiration, helpful tips, innovative products, and fantastic deals in remodeling, home improvement, design and fall outdoor projects.

Orlando Home Show highlights include appearances by Josh Flagg of Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles and Emily Ellyn of Food Network’s Next Food Network Star and Cupcake Wars; demonstrations by some of the area’s top chefs on the Edible Orlando Cooking Stage; daily how-to presentations by the DIY Guy; a display of two “Tiny Houses,” one just 96-square-feet in size; designer rooms showcasing repurposed, restored or recycled items; a food truck rally on Sunday, only; and much, much more!

There will also be tons of great demonstrations and tasty samples prepared by some of the area’s favorite chefs and culinary pros will be abundant throughout the weekend on the Edible Orlando Cooking Stage. Scheduled to demonstrate their signature recipes and dispense advice are Anthony Hull of Crimson Tavern; Chris De Sormoux of Marlow’s Tavern; chefs from White Wolf Café/Wolfie’s PizzaMia; as well as Edible Orlando Publisher Kendra Lott; Orlando Sentinel Food Editor Heather McPherson; Real Radio 104.1’s Dirty Jim; and KQ103 FM’s Gloria B.

Other not-to-be-missed features and opportunities at the Florida Home Show include:

EDU (Educators) Day on Friday only, offering free admission to any teacher or employee of a local public or private school, day care, college or university when showing a valid school ID or business card at the box office
The Orlando Home Show will host its first-ever food truck rally on Sunday only from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Some of Central Florida’s favorite mobile food purveyors, including Curbside Chef, The Pastrami Project, Saigon Sizzle, Mayan Grill, Magic4urPalate and Wako Taco, will be serving up delicious fare for purchase at the Westwood Lobby Entrance of the Convention Center.
four designer rooms created by students from the International Academy of Design & Technology showcasing repurposed, restored or recycled items.
New and interesting products making their debut at the Orlando Home Show will be noted by a “featured product” floor tile, making it easy for guests to find them.
Giveaways, enter-to-win contests and prize drawings round out the winning line-up for guests.
“Stay Calm and DIY.” Do-it-yourself projects can be daunting, especially for first-timers. Enter Chris Tice. The Central Florida-based military veteran and DIY expert will demystify the process while demonstrating projects four times daily in his booth as well as on the main stage.
Living tiny is simply better for the environment, says Dan Louche, owner of Tiny Home Builders and one of the pioneers of the Tiny Home movement. The Atlanta-based designer/builder will talk more about the trend during his stage presentations and at his booth which will display two examples of tiny houses — one just 96-square-feet in size.
Guests can also get valuable answers to important questions about remodeling, home improvement, design and fall outdoor project from hundreds of experts around the show floor and on the main stage throughout the weekend. (Visit www.OrlandoHomeShow.com for a complete listing of stage presentations and times).

Show hours are Friday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m, and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the door, and are $10 for adults 13+, $5 for seniors (60+, at the box office only), $5 for children ages 6-12, and free for children ages five and under. Advance tickets can be purchased online for a $3 discount off full-price $10 admission at www.OrlandoHomeShow.com, courtesy of Florida Blue. Parking is available in the West Concourse and is $9 per car, per day. The Orange County Convention Center/West Concourse is located at 9800 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819. Directions here: http://www.occc.net/global/directions.asp.

But here is your chance to win an awesome Orlando Home Show Prize Pack!!!

Orlando Home Show Prize Pack Includes…

* 4 tickets to the Orlando Home Show*

*Meet and Greet with Emily Ellyn after her Sat., Oct. 3, 2:30 p.m. presentation*

*Complimentary Marlow’s Tavern appetizer*

*Complimentary one-year subscription to Edible Orlando magazine*

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please make sure you read the fine print about entering and claiming your Orlando Home Show Prize Pack!

For more information, visit www.CentralFloridaHomeAndGardenShow.com , or call 877-871-SHOW (7469). Connect on Facebook, Twitter (@FloridaHomeShow), Pinterest (pinterest.com/homeshows/) for up-to-the-minute show details, discounts and fabulous home improvement tips. Visit the show’s blog at www.HomeAndGardenBlog.com.

Good luck with our giveaway and I hope to see you there!!!

Disclaimer: Through a partnership with the Orlando Home Show, I received tickets to attend the Orlando Home Show for my time and efforts in creating this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Central Florida Home & Garden Show Giveaway

Central Florida Home & Garden Show Springs Into Action March 22-24

Featuring Jason Cameron, DIY Experts, Top Local Chefs and Home and Garden Solutions

One of the region’s most anticipated spring events will be here in no time: the 2013 Central Florida Home & Garden Show, returning March 22-24 to the Orange County Convention Center in Hall South B in the Center’s South Concourse facing International Drive. The home improvement extravaganza is the premier place to find innovative products, new ideas, practical advice and great deals in remodeling, home improvement and gardening with hundreds of experts all under one roof. From windows and flooring to cabinets and landscaping, consumers can shop, compare and save on a wide variety of products and services to renew, refresh and restore their homes.

Show highlights include appearances by Jason Cameron of DIY Network’s Man Caves and Desperate Landscapes; tips and advice from local and national home improvement experts appearing on the IKEA Home Stage throughout the weekend; demonstrations by some of the area’s favorite chefs on the Edible Orlando Cooking Stage; Hero Day on Friday only, offering free admission to retired or current members of the military and first responders; designer rooms with instant ideas to refresh and restyle; and a “fun-raiser” for Children’s Home Society of Florida; and more than 250 DIY, landscaping and home improvement experts offering a range of new products and services, including more than 100 exhibitors new to the market or making their Central Florida Home & Garden Show debut.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoxpfNLfVfM&feature=share&list=UUXVc9UOnBIQpe-WLbNWHUzQ

Marketplace Events, North America’s largest producer of home shows, including the Central Florida Home & Garden Show and fall Orlando Home Show, announced earlier this year that attendance at the first four home shows in the company’s annual portfolio realized an average attendance increase of 17 percent over the prior year, and that exhibit space and online advance ticket sales were also trending upward. “Our results so far this year, coupled with low interest rates and improving home sales, lead us to believe that more and more people are taking on home improvement projects that they have previously postponed,” said Tom Baugh, CEO of Marketplace Events. “Now more than ever, home shows are relevant to bring people with projects together with local businesses offering competitive pricing and promotions that even savvy shoppers might not find elsewhere.”

“Our shows offer something for everyone,” added Cristian Moore, show manager for Marketplace Events. “Whether they have a specific project in mind or simply want to enjoy a fun day out, local residents and visitors can refresh their space, reinvent their décor and restyle their lives at our show.”

Jason Cameron of DIY Network’s Man Caves and Desperate Landscapes shares his passion for architecture and the wood shop, along with tips, advice and behind-the-scenes stories during his appearances on the IKEA Home Stage on Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 12 noon and 5 p.m., and Sunday at 4 p.m. (subject to change without notice).

Guests can enjoy mouth-watering demonstrations and tasty samples prepared by some of the area’s favorite chefs and culinary pros on the Edible Orlando Cooking Stage. Scheduled to demonstrate their signature recipes and dispense advice throughout the weekend are James and Julie Petrakis of the The Ravenous Pig; Kevin Spencer of Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops at Hilton Orlando; Greg Picard, executive chef for Orlando World Center Marriott; Dun Chau of Sushi House Orlando; Danny Otera of Teak Neighborhood Grill, and chefs and experts from Whole Foods Market, New York Dinger and World of Beer. Gloria B, the bi-lingual host of KQ103 FM’s afternoon drive show, spices up the stage on Saturday at 3:30 p.m., Latino style!

Get answers to important DIY and home improvement, landscaping and home décor questions from more than 250 experts around the show floor and on the main stage throughout the weekend. Local favorites Harry P. Leu Gardens Director Robert Bowden and popular green thumb and Orlando Sentinel columnist Tom MacCubbin are among the presenters (visit www.CentralFloridaHomeAndGardenShow.com for a complete listing of presentations and times).

Other experts can help show-goers make their gardens a beautiful retreat. Belgard Hardscapes, Hoffner Landscape, Jan Clay Flowers, Lanai Hardscape Company, Pebble Junction, Pondtastic Water Gardens and Smithwell will be on site with ideas, tips and cash-and-carry items.

Speaking of items for cash-and-carry, guests can “raise the woof!” and show their furry housemates some love at the Pet Pavilion sponsored by Urban Pet Magazine and Stanley Steemer. Exhibitors range from emergency vet, boarding, training and pet rescue services to purveyors of fashion, treats and grooming for cats, dogs and other critters.

Other not-to-be-missed features and opportunities at the show include Hero Day on Friday only, offering free admission to retired or current members of the military and first responders with proper ID or in uniform; Friday Family Day, offering free admission to children ages 12 and under and family-fun activities on the show floor; Children’s Home Society of Florida’s Champions for Children™ Corner, where guests can spin the prize wheel, putt for prizes and bid on celebrity painted bird houses to support Florida’s most vulnerable kids; fantastic ice and fruit carving displays throughout the weekend by Laz of Wizard Connection; and designer rooms with instant ideas to refresh and restyle. Plus enter-to-win contests, prize drawings, and much more!

For more information, visit www.CentralFloridaHomeAndGardenShow.com , or call 877-871-SHOW (7469). Connect on Facebook, Twitter (@FloridaHomeShow), Pinterest (pinterest.com/homeshows/) for up-to-the-minute show details, discounts and fabulous home improvement tips. Visit the show’s blog at www.HomeAndGardenBlog.com.

We are also offering you the chance to win 4 tickets to the Central Florida Home & Garden Show!

But wait, there’s more! Your winner (and you) will be entered into a random drawing for a chance to win a meet and greet with our special celebrity guest, Jason Cameron of DIY Network’s Man Caves and Desperate Landscapes and VIP front row seats to his Saturday stage appearance.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Opening Day of the Central Florida Home & Garden Show Friday, March 22 is FAMILY DAY, a celebration of all things home and family. In the midst of spring and Spring Break, now’s the time to bring the kid out in all of us. Join in special activities and gather tips for a family-friendly home. Kids ages and 12 and under are FREE on Friday!

The Central Florida Home & Garden Show and its fall sister show, the Orlando Home Show (October 4-6, 2013) are both produced by Marketplace Events.

Coming Soon: MegaCon 2013

In a bit more than a week from now I’ll be attending MegaCon – one of the more popular Science Fiction and Fantasy conventions to regularly visit the Orlando, Florida area – will start. It will be held in Hall D of the Orange County Convention Center (directions). It will be held on March 15th through 17th and the hours are as follows:

Fri Mar 15th : 1pm – 7pm
Sat Mar 16th : 10am – 6pm
Sun Mar 17th : 10am – 5pm

Adult ticket prices at the door will be $30 for a single day or $60 for all three days, and children 10 and under get in for free with an adult. Advance tickets can be purchased online or over the phone. Parking will be $9 per day ($15 for oversized vehicles).

There are numerous Media Guests attending this years convention, but the big draw this year is a special Star Trek: The Next Generation reunion event. There is an additional cost for this event, but there is still seating available. Additionally there will be numerous chances to get signatures from various celebrity attendees. To guarantee a signature you can pre-buy tickets.

This isn’t just a convention about Star Trek, television, or movie guests. It’s also a comic book convention, and as a result many comic book guests will be available to meet as well. The most famous of which is the renowned Neal Adams. The convention will also have Anime Guests, Video Gaming, other Gaming, and numerous panels to choose from throughout the day. And don’t forget the ever popular convention exclusives and the showroom floor exhibitors.

I’m excited to attend. My favorite part of conventions is always the showroom floor. Checking out the myriad items of memorabilia, and trinkets you can find while wandering around. I find it fun to see them, and very often unique one of a kind items can be found. It’s like hunting for treasure. Not to mention the costumes. There are some very creative people in this world who are capable of amazing costumes and conventions are their only outlet for showing them off. If you see me there don’t hesitate to say, “Hi.”

AKC Celebrate Dogs! Ticket Giveaway

Win 2 Tickets to the AKC Celebrate Dogs!

Congratulations to Jill! The winner of the two tickets to the AKC Celebrate Dogs!

Win two tickets to AKC Celebrate Dogs! which will be held at the Orange County Convention Center Dec. 15 and 16, offering dog lovers two days packed full of exciting, canine-centric, family-friendly, dog-gone fun.Presented by The American Kennel Club and Eukanuba, the AKC Celebrate Dogs! is open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and features events that guarantee fun for the whole family.

The American Kennel Club & Eukanuba Present Family Fun Celebration Featuring Over 140 AKC Meet the Breeds® Booths, Eukanuba Super Dogs, Holiday Shopping & More!

AKC Celebrate Dogs! Family Fun for Dog Lovers

AKC Meet the Breeds® – where more than 140 different dog breeds and breed experts will be on hand to meet the public. Meet the Breeds is the perfect venue to learn about the different breeds so that prospective dog owners can find the right breed for their lifestyle. Don’t miss out – this fun and educational AKC event is only held twice a year: in October in New York City and at Celebrate Dogs! in Orlando this December.
Dock Dogs demonstrating their amazing and extreme dock diving talents
Eukanuba Extreme Soccer Dogs playing soccer with children in attendance
Eukanuba Super Dogs, a delightful, family-fun show featuring talented canines displaying a variety of skills such as the world’s highest jumper and the quickest disc catching dog in the land.

The AKC Celebrate Dogs! Competition Heats Up

The 12th Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, the only dog show hosted by the American Kennel Club, features thousands of the world’s top canine competitors from across the country and around the globe as they vie for Best in Show honors, the title of National Champion and a total of $225,000 in prize money.

Watch canine athletes race against the clock over challenging obstacles in the AKC Agility Invitational.
See dogs put their best paw forward for the AKC National Obedience Invitational.
Skilled youngsters and their dogs compete in their own age divisions in conformation, agility and obedience.
Top dogs from more than 40 countries around the world competing in the Eukanuba World Challenge.

Additionally, the Canine Celebration vendor mall will offer holiday shoppers more than 140 different doggie boutiques to pick out gifts for dog-loving family and friends. Shoppers can show off their breed loyalties with a dog breed shirt, pick up a new dog bed for the Beagle, and find exquisite, hand-crafted pet-oriented jewelry.

Celebrate Dogs! features a variety of exciting demonstrations and competitions including: the AKC Agility Invitational, the AKC National Obedience Invitational, AKC Meet the Breeds®, Dock Dogs, and the daytime dog show judging of the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. For more information, please visit http://www.akc.org/aenc/

Make sure you ‘Like’ AKC Celebrate Dogs! on Facebook and Follow Celebrate Dogs! on Twitter for great updates and information about this great event for dog lovers!!!

And now for your chance to win the two tickets to AKC Celebrate Dogs…

a Rafflecopter giveaway

AKC Celebrate Dogs! Tickets Go On Sale October 19th

AKC Celebrate Dogs Tickets Go On Sale October 19th!!!

AKC Celebrate Dogs! Tickets Go on Sale October 19 for Nation’s Largest Dog Event

December 15 & 16 at Orange County Convention Center

The American Kennel Club & Eukanuba Present Family Fun Celebration Featuring Over 140 AKC Meet the Breeds® Booths, Eukanuba Super Dogs, Holiday Shopping & More!

Tickets for AKC Celebrate Dogs!, the largest celebration of man’s best friend in the United States, go on sale Friday, Oct. 19. Celebrate Dogs! will arrive at the Orange County Convention Center Dec. 15 and 16, offering dog lovers two days packed full of exciting, canine-centric, family-friendly, dog-gone fun.Presented by The American Kennel Club and Eukanuba, the AKC Celebrate Dogs! is open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and features events that guarantee fun for the whole family.Celebrate Dogs! tickets will be available through the AKC Website. Celebrate Dogs! tickets also can be purchased in person at the Orange County Convention Center Box Office on the days of the event.Day Ticket for Saturday OR Sunday (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Adult	$20
Senior (65+) & 13-18 Yrs	$15
Children 2-12 Yrs	$5
Children Under 2 Yrs	FREE
Active Military	FREE w/ ID

Family Fun for Dog Lovers!

· AKC Meet the Breeds® – where more than 140 different dog breeds and breed experts will be on hand to meet the public. Meet the Breeds is the perfect venue to learn about the different breeds so that prospective dog owners can find the right breed for their lifestyle. Don’t miss out – this fun and educational AKC event is only held twice a year: in October in New York City and at Celebrate Dogs! in Orlando this December.
· Dock Dogs demonstrating their amazing and extreme dock diving talents
· Eukanuba Extreme Soccer Dogs playing soccer with children in attendance
· Eukanuba Super Dogs, a delightful, family-fun show featuring talented canines displaying a variety of skills such as the world’s highest jumper and the quickest disc catching dog in the land.

The Competition Heats Up!

· The 12th Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, the only dog show hosted by the American Kennel Club, features thousands of the world’s top canine competitors from across the country and around the globe as they vie for Best in Show honors, the title of National Champion and a total of $225,000 in prize money.
· Watch canine athletes race against the clock over challenging obstacles in the AKC Agility Invitational.
· See dogs put their best paw forward for the AKC National Obedience Invitational.
· Skilled youngsters and their dogs compete in their own age divisions in conformation, agility and obedience.
· Top dogs from more than 40 countries around the world competing in the Eukanuba World Challenge.

Celebrate Dogs! will comprise 800,000 square feet of event space in the West Building of the Orange County Convention Center. Convenient parking and free shuttle transportation will be available.

Make sure you ‘Like’ AKC Celebrate Dogs! on Facebook and Follow Celebrate Dogs! on Twitter for great updates and information about this great event for dog lovers!!!

Weekly Review – Our Week On The Go October 1-5, 2012

Weekly Review – Our Week On The Go October 1-5, 2012

Weekly Review time!!! This past week here at On the Go has been crazy busy, but a total blast!!!

Now it’s time to look back at all that happened October 1^st – 5^th!!!

Let’s Go!

Happy 30^th Birthday EPCOT!!! I took a look back at my first visit to EPCOT Center in 1986 with some quality Fisher Price Camera Pictures of some of my favorite rides!

EPCOT30 Weekly Review — I think everyone who rode Horizons has this memory planted in their minds.

It’s after midnight, and Cinderella Diamond Edition is out on BluRay! I review this stunning and chocked full of Extras DVD Release. Even if you already own Cinderella, I would run out and get Cinderella Diamond Edition!!!

Cinderella Diamond Edition Weekly Review — Cinderella Diamond Edition Available on October 2, 2012

The Orlando Home Show was this weekend, and it was full of great ideas for your home and the fabulous Mark Brunetz was there, too!!!

Orlando Home Show Weekly Review — Orlando Home Show – October 5-7, 2012

Disney Interactive has launched a Daily Shot with Ali Wentworth App! Fans of Popular Newsy Web Series Daily Shot with Ali Wentworth Can Now Get Their Daily Cup of News and Laughter to Go with the Daily Shot App!

Daily Shot Now Available in the App Store!

Wordless Wednesday took us to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the Lobby of the Tower Hotel.

Wordless Wednesday Weekly Review — Wordless Wednesday – Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Tower of Terror

LEGOLAND Florida is Celebrating their First Birthday with tons of great savings and prizes for Florida Residents on October 15^th!

LEGOLAND Florida Birthday Celebration Weekly Review — LEGOLAND Florida Birthday Celebration Will Be Full Of Prizes, Savings, and Fun!

Aurora and I had the unique opportunity to see another side of Titanic: The Experience, and it was a ghostly good time!

Titanic the Experience Weekly Review — Titanic: The Experience

Betsy took us along for another look at the Art of Animation Resort, because since all of the sections of the Resort have opened she has some new favorite details!

Art of Animation Resort Weekly Review — Loyal Order of the Lugnuts

Heather Thomson, from the hit Bravo show the Real Housewives of New York, will be speaking on October 21^st during the Women for Israel Breakfast at the Hilton Orlando to benefit the Jewish National Fund.

And we ended the week with some news that made this WWE FanGirl get excited, WWE NXT is going to be at Full Sail Live! On October 11^th!

WWE NXT Weekly Review — WWE NXT is taping at Full Sail Live! on October 11th! Photo Courtesy of Central FL Top 5!!!

Thanks for joining us this week at On the Go, and we can’t wait to bring you even more posts next week!!! We’ll be looking at some fun activities at SeaWorld Orlando, the Richard Petty Experience, some Food and Wine Festival Fun, and more!

And now for the shameless plugs…

Don’t forget to like us on Facebook!!!

If you love pinning as much as we do, please make sure that you also follow us on Pinterest!

Want to know when we upload new videos? Subscribe to our Page on YouTube.

And if you don’t already, follow us on Twitter!

Orlando Home Show Giveaway!

Save $3 off to Orlando Home Show AND Win free tickets and VIP seats to see Mark Brunetz, Emmy® award-winning co-host of Style Network’s Clean House

The Orlando Home Show will be here soon, returning to the Orange County Convention Center October 5-7, in the North Concourse, Hall North B facing I-Drive. From the front door to the back yard, you’ll find the area’s largest selection of the latest products and services for the home, all under one roof.

Inspiration will start the minute guests step into the 2012 Orlando Home Show, the only place to find smart ideas and fresh advice for gardening, home improvement, decorating and more from hundreds of experts, all under one roof. Orlando’s original and largest consumer home show returns October 5-7 to Hall North B in the Orange County Convention Center’s North/South complex off Universal Boulevard, and features local, regional and national experts, instructional how-to seminars, contests, giveaways and much more. The home improvement extravaganza will spotlight Featured Products and Services and exhibitors who are participating in the fall show for the very first time.

Special features include appearances by Mark Brunetz of Style Network’s Clean House; a Design Showcase and free design consultations by AP Interiors; a tech gadget-filled Smart House constructed by Universal Contracting; and daily seminars by home improvement experts on the Fresh Ideas Home Stage.

Orlando Home Show Mark Brunetz — Orlando Home Show Presenter Mark Brunetz

Consumers can also find answers to their DIY and home improvement, landscaping and home décor questions from more than 300 experts around the show floor and on the main stage throughout the weekend. Popular green thumb and Orlando Sentinel columnist Tom MacCubbin and nationally-syndicated home design columnist Marni Jameson are among the presenters (visitwww.OrlandoHomeShow.com for a complete listing of presentation times).

Show hours are Friday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m, and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the door, and are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors (60+; this discount is ONLY valid at the door and no other discounts apply), $5 for students 13-18 (ID required, only valid at the door), and free for children 12 years and younger. Advance tickets can be purchased online for a $3 discount off full-price $10 admission at www.OrlandoHomeShow.com. Convenient on-site parking is available adjacent to the Orange County Convention Center off Universal Boulevard, and is $8 per car with valid Florida ID.

You can also Save $3 off full-price adult admission when purchasing online at www.OrlandoHomeShow.com.

But wait, there’s more! Here’s your chance to win a four-pack of tickets to the show, good for admission any time during show hours!

All you need to do is leave a comment about your favorite clutter busting tip on this post by midnight on October 3^rd!!!! Winners of the four-pack of tickets will also be entered to win a grand prize – VIP front row seats to see Mark Brunetz!

Reclaim your living space and get organized with valuable tips from Mark Brunetz, co-host of Style Network’s Clean House, Mark Brunetz. Tackling the emotional reasons why people unnecessarily hang on to possessions, Mark will offer valuable tips to help you to clear the clutter, get organized, and make way for a more efficient, nicer place in which to live. He will be presenting at the Orlando Home Show on Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at noon, and 5p.m.; and Sunday at 3 p.m.

For more information, visit www.OrlandoHomeShow.com, or call 1-877-871-SHOW (7469). The Central Florida Home & Garden Show, and its springtime sister show, the Central Florida Home & Garden Show (March 22-24, 2013) are both produced by Marketplace Events.

Get celebrity tips, home trends, exhibitor discounts, opportunities to win tickets and more by connecting with the show on Facebookand Twitter @FloridaHomeShow.

I was compensated with tickets to the Orlando Home Show in exchange for posting this contest and discount ticket opportunity.

Weekly Review September 17-21, 2012 – Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Week And More

Weekly Review September 17-21, 2012 – Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Week And More

Weekly Review time!!! This past week here at On the Go has been full of great stuff, and it has been a little different since we double posted with Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party information about week!!!

Also, we added a new contributor, Beth, to the site! Welcome Aboard!!!

Now it’s time to look back at all that happened September 17-21!!!

Let’s Go!

The Winter Park Sip and Stroll is coming up on September 27^th, and it will celebrate the city’s 125^th Anniversary of Incorporation!

Winter Park - Weekly Review — The Winter Park Sip and Stroll – September 27, 2012

We started our Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party coverage with Tip, Tricks, and Information. There is so much to do and see at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party!!!

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Merchandise - Weekly Review — Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Map – Weekly Review

Tuesday we looked at how LEGOLAND Florida is now partnering with the Dream Village to help make other’s dreams come true!

Legoland Florida and Dream Village Ground Breaking - Weekly Review — Legoland Florida and Dream Village Ground Breaking

Then we looked at the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Merchandise with prices. These tend to go quickly, so if you are attending a Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party you will want to definitely go in search of these items early!

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party Merchandise - Framed Pin Set - $200.00 - - Weekly Review — Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Merchandise – Framed Pin Set – $200.00

Wordless Wednesday took us to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for a Warning!

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Wordless Wednesday was of my new favorite MNSSHP sign!

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party - Weekly Review — Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Ghost Relations

The P!nk Truth About Love Tour is coming to the Amway Center in February 2013! I am soooo excited!!!

P!nk The Truth About Love Tour - Weekly Review — P!nk The Truth About Love Tour 2013

Thursday we shared our Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Videos of Boo-To-You, Happy HalloWishes, and the Villains’ Dance Mix & Mingle .

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPlW0LHKIs0

Friday, Cheryl shared her experience at the Star Wars Celebration VI Star Wars: The Clone Wars Panel.

Star Wars Celebration VI - weekly review — Star Wars: The Clone Wars

And our final Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party post for the week is our Roundtable where we discuss our favorite parts of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party!

Thanks for joining us this week at On the Go, and we can’t wait to bring you even more posts next week!!!

And now for the shameless plugs…

Don’t forget to like us on Facebook!!!

If you love pinning as much as we do, please make sure that you also follow us on Pinterest!

Want to know when we upload new videos? Subscribe to our Page on YouTube.

And if you don’t already, follow us on Twitter!

Star Wars Celebration VI – The Clone Wars Panel

Star Wars Celebration VI was full of great panels, and our first one of the convention was The Clone Wars Panel. The scheduled panelists were Supervising Director Dave Filoni and Visual Special Effects Supervisor Joel Aron. After Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, I was very excited for this panel. Arriving early we managed to find seats near the front of the hall. While waiting, Todd made friends with the hosts of a Star Wars Podcast.

Dave and Joel dove right in showing us drawings of Onderon, a planet that is well known by fans of the Dark Empire Series of Star Wars books. They discussed tribal influences, and how with this season the Jedi will begin to shift their goals from saving the universe to teaching the universe to save itself. They then showed us a clip of a battle on Onderon.

Map of Anakin's Room — Map of Anakin’s Room

Discussion turned to the Jedi and their possessions. Reminding us that while most Jedi are trained from birth, Anakin had a life before the order, and as such his bedroom had more to offer than other rooms. Showing us some designs for a new set for his bedroom we learned some of what they planned would be in there. They finally showed us a clip of Anakin and Obi Wan talking in Anakin’s bedroom about his relationship with Padmé. In the scene was a nod to the movies in the form of a pod-racing poster featuring Sebulba and Ben Quadinaros in his room.

The next part concentrated on droids, and Dave commented about how children could go interact with droids in the Expo Hall and how you should spend some time watching them do this if you had a chance.The next clip shown was of droids on a ship being led by R2-D2 on some sort of unknown mission, and we got to see them get caught in a field of comets. We then shifted to drawings of a Republic Hover Commando. We learned from Dave that he used one of the first painted hockey goalie masks as a reference for the Commando’s mask. They then showed a clip of the Republic Commando in action as he provided backup for the droids.

Next we got to see a series of scenes and images including Darth Maul and Savage Opress working with Pre Vizsla, Leader of the Death Watch. Some images were presented of members of the Black Sun, a criminal syndicate from Star Wars novels. The big crowd pleasing scene was when we got to see the Bo Katan lead a team to rescue Obi Wan. After she takes out his captors, Bo Katan does this hair flip at the end of the scene that was both intricate and made it seem like her fight was effortless. Dave brought up a convention guest who was dressed like Bo Katan to demonstrate how popular she had become and why we were getting to see more of her.

After a few more scenes, the lights came back on, and sitting on stage was George Lucas. It was unexpected and unscheduled. George discussed that he and the writers had to figure out how to bring Darth Maul back, and why he was in the Clone Wars television series among other things. Then they showed us the Clone Wars season 5 trailer. Both of which you can see in the following video (The trailer is at 5:24 and runs until 8:50).

The Clone Wars Panel was definitely a highlight of our time at Star Wars Celebration VI!

Weekly Review – Our Week On The Go September 10-14

Weekly Review – Our Week On The Go September 10-14

Weekly Review time!!! This past week here at On the Go has been full of great stuff, and now it’s time to look back at all that happened September 10-14!!!

Let’s Go!

Monday started with a review of Walt Disney Pocahontas and Pocahontas II: Journey into a New World action-packed animated musical adventure Pocahontas and Pocahontas II: Journey into a New World debut for the first time ever in vivid High Definition on August 21, 2012.

walt disney pocahontas - Weekly Review — Walt Disney Pocahontas and Pocahontas II is available on Blu-Ray on August 21, 2012.

Aurora shares some of her highlights from Nights of Joy with Shalon at the Magic Kingdom. Included are links to our many performance videos on YouTube and Facebook Albums of pictures!

Night of Joy - Lecrae - - Weekly Review — Lecrae putting on an AMAZING Show in front of Cinderella’s Castle!

Wordless Wednesday took us to the roofs of Hogsmeade at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

It’s almost time for Oktoberfest in Celebration, and if you are in the area you will want to swing by because it is a lot of fun for the whole family!

Celebration, FL

Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orlando City Soccer’s President are visiting other parks in the Kansas City area, including Livestrong Sporting Park, to explore stadium options for the Citrus Bowl.

Orlando City Soccer

Betsy had the chance to attend a Lunch and Learn for Joe’s Crab Shack, and their new menu additions look delicious!!!

Joe's Crab Shack - Weekly Review — Joe’s Crab Shack entrance

The Orlando Solar Bears announced today that they have agreed to terms with defenseman Derick Martin.

Orlando Solar Bears

Star Wars Celebration VI was held at the Orange County Convention Center, and Cheryl shares some of her preparations and pictures!

The Orlando Solar Bears announced that single game tickets for the 2012-13 season will go on sale beginning Wednesday, September 19.

Orlando Solar Bears Opening Night Logo

Thanks for joining us this week at On the Go, and we can’t wait to bring you even more posts next week!!! We are going to be dedicating a lot of our posts to one of our favorite events at the Magic Kingdom…Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party!!!

And now for the shameless plugs…

Don’t forget to like us on Facebook!!!

If you love pinning as much as we do, please make sure that you also follow us on Pinterest!

Want to know when we upload new videos? Subscribe to our Page on YouTube.

And if you don’t already, follow us on Twitter!

Star Wars Celebration VI – The Beginning

Star Wars Celebration VI – The Beginning

Star Wars CelebrationVI was coming to Orlando, and as soon as he heard my husband, Todd, and I planned to attend. The question that we first faced was when to attend? Fortunately, we know a Jedi Master who had been to many Celebrations in the past. And after talking with him about what we could expect and things that we wouldn’t want to miss, we decided that Saturday would be the best day for us to attend Star Wars Celebration VI. We chose Saturday since it had two panels we definitely wanted to attend: “The Clone Wars”, and the “Super-Secret Star Wars Panel”. And then we also discussed and listed a few other panels we might want to attend as well as some other things we wanted to see. Then, after letting Todd do the rest of the event planning for Celebration VI, I looked at the Orange County Convention Center parking map and found a garage nearby so we wouldn’t need to shuttle.

When Saturday finally arrived, we left the house early knowing that the panels we didn’t want to miss would be really crowded. After following the highway signs directing which exit to take, we tried unsuccessfully to find the parking garage. So we ended up parking at the Orange County Convention Center parking and shuttling over to the West Building. I found it ironic that the shuttles were run by Empire, and it was cool that they were showing Star Wars movies. Once we got to Star Wars Celebration VI there we saw plenty of Star Wars decorations and people dressed up as their favorite characters. We then went off to go get our passes, review our plan for the day, and walk by the Expo Hall to see if it was open. It wasn’t, but a line had formed of those waiting to get into the Hall. Instead of getting in line there, we took some pictures of some of our favorite costumes and decorations, and then decided to head to the other hall where we needed to get in line for our first panel.

In my next post about Star Wars Celebration VI, I will talk more about the panels and share some of the great details we got from attending them!

The Force Is Strong In Orlando – Star Wars Celebration Returns

Star Wars Celebration VI is returning to Orlando!!!

The event will be August 23 – 26, 2012 at the Orange County Convention Center in the West Concourse located inside the West Building, Halls WA – WD1. The West Building faces International Drive. The street address for the West Concourse is 9800 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819. map

The event will run from 10am – 7pm Thurs/Fri/Sat and 10am – 5pm on Sun.

All tickets are available for order online along with T-Shirts and Souvenir Programs. Tickets ordered before July 21, 2012 will have their tickets mailed out to them by USPS. There is no cost for this mailing – the ticket you receive is all that’s required to get into Celebration. No waiting in lines. If you’d like a faster delivery you can pay $9.95 for UPS delivery. For orders of 5 or more tickets, UPS shipping is automatically added to your order. Any tickets ordered after July 20, 2012 will not be mailed. Instead, bring your order confirmation to a registration desk. International tickets will not be mailed.

For Adults, one day tickets are $55 for Thurs/Fri or $60 for Sat/Sun, and $135 for a 4-day pass.

For Children, one day tickets are $27 for Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun, and $54 for a 4-day pass.

There are also 4-day and Weekend-only Family packages available with various Adult/Child combinations ranging from $211.85 to $388.80 – equaling a 5% to 10% discount over the above prices.

At this time all VIP Packages have sold out.

Tickets can be purchased at the door, but will be more expensive, so ordering online is definitely the way to go.

Not sure what Star Wars Celebration 6 is they have an Online FAQ, and there is also a YouTube Advertisement.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9qWrgqfUGI

At the final Star Wars Weekend 2012 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Star Wars: The Clone Wars Director Dave Filoni not only showed a clip of Embo, the bounty hunter he voices in the series, chasing Anakin and Ahsoka while snowboarding down a mountain using his hat (also a weapon and shield), but also told us that he’s planning to bring a preview episode from season 5 of The Clone Wars to Celebration.

Hosts for the event are:

James Arnold Taylor – Voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Pablo Hidalgo – Author & Lucasfilm Resident Star Wars Expert

David Collins – Voice Actor/Director, Musician & Designer

Chris Hardwick – Nerdist Founder

In addition, there are may other guests coming from cast, crew, and artists to pop culture personalities and celebrities. Many of whom will be available for autographs, while others will be giving talks and interviews. The complete list and updates on who is coming can be found here.