Find a complete listing for March and April events taking place in Polk County at VisitCentralFlorida.org.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Historic Lake Mirror Tours • Lakeland
– The story starts during the horse and buggy days when people hitched their horses up at Munn Park to visit downtown. Learn how the Loggia came about and even how to say Loggia.
– Scheduled on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm (January, February, March, November, & December), 7:30pm (April & October), or 8:30pm (May, June, July, August and September).
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Michael Feinstein: The Sinatra Project • Lakeland
– Michael Feinstein, the multi-platinum-selling, two-time Emmy and five-time Grammy Award-nominated entertainer dubbed “The Ambassador of the Great American Songbook,” is considered one of the premier interpreters of American standards.
– Back by popular demand and performing selections from his hit PBS special, Michael will take a page from Ol’ Blue Eyes with a masterful concert dedicated to Sinatra and his legendary musical career.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Heritage Trail Hike and Tram Tour • Lakeland
– Join one of Circle B’s “heritage” volunteers on a tram tour with a short walk to the Cow Camp. Learn about the history of ranching and the citrus industry of Florida as you enjoy the scenic walk and explore the exhibit area. Then hop back on the tram and take a tour of the Banana Creek Marsh.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Tiger BBQ • Lakeland
– Join the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce in welcoming back our Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium. Enjoy a world famous menu of traditional southern BBQ along with a 2015 Souvenir Mug! This is a family-friendly event.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
FPC Performing Arts Series • Lakeland
– The Alma College Choir will perform at First Presbyterian Church. This college choir’s reputation for excellence, its many traditions, and its ambitious performing, touring and recording schedule attract a group of talented students for whom choral singing is an important part of their lives, a calling.
– The Alma College Choir will also welcome the Southeastern University Chamber Singers to perform with them in this concert.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Major League Scramble with Detroit Tigers • Lakeland
– This unique event offers you a rare opportunity to spend a day on the course with the Tiger legends of yesterday and the 2013 American League Central Division Championship team and coaches. The proceeds from this year’s event will benefit local youth organizations on behalf of The Detroit Tigers Foundation of Florida.
– Join us and your favorite Tigers in celebrating 78 years of Detroit Tiger Spring Training in Lakeland.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27 – SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28
Ribs on the Ridge • Haines City
– This growing event has been the Florida BBQ Association’s largest competition for the past three years; with approximately 100 teams competing. Don’t miss performances by Alex Christie and Chas Kincaid. Shop at craft and food vendor booths too.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27 – SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28
Bluegrass Blues & Brew • Bartow
– Festival will feature local celebrity entertainers that jam with the blues and bluegrass. Schedule Friday night will showcase the best of local blues entertainment, performing artists, and wine tasting.
– Saturday morning will kick-off with bluegrass gospel from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will lead into an afternoon of picking, singing, and dancing. The microbrewery competition will begin at 2 p.m. with headline entertainment and concert beginning at 7:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 – SUNDAY, MARCH 1
Chain of Lakes Cycling Classic • Winter Haven
– Chain of Lakes Cycling Classic features two days of cycling in Polk County. Saturday, February 28 Fort Meade Road Race and Time Trial Lake Buffum Road and Summers Road, Bartow Florida 7-mile TT will begin at 4:00 p.m.
– Sunday, March 1 Winter Haven Downtown Criterium 346 West Central Avenue, Winter Haven, Florida
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Lake Region Audubon Hike • Lakeland
– Lake Region Audubon Society will host a bird hike at Circle B Bar Reserve led by the Bird Club.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Bone Valley Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show • Lakeland
– Educational and family friendly event. Teachers Raffle, hourly door prizes, Spin & Win Mineral Wheel, Kids Treasure Dig, Gem Flume with mine bags from a genuine North Carolina gemstone mine, Earth Sciences educational demonstrations and displays, Silent and Chinese auctions and over 30 dealers of rocks, minerals, fossils, jewelry, gifts and hobby supplies.
– Craftsmen will be on hand to demonstrate and explain various lapidary arts, such as wire wrapping and cabochon making.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Discovery Cart Saturdays • Bok Tower Gardens
– Swamp Girl Adventures Learn about Florida’s wildlife through exploration of the animals that live here. Admire an armadillo or befriend a frog. Specific animals will vary, but will be sure to amaze.
– Swamp Girl Adventures is a non-profit 501©(3) organization striving to educate others about Florida’s wildlife and habitats, promote conservation and the great outdoors, and assist in the care and rehabilitation of animals in need.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 – SUNDAY, MARCH 1
Citizens Bank & Trust Lake Wales Arts Festival • Lake Wales
– Presented by the Lake Wales Art Council, the diversity of the critically acclaimed two-day Festival attracts thousands of art lovers each year who purchase original, one-of-a-kind works of art. Presented by the Lake Wales Art Council, the diversity of the critically acclaimed two-day Festival attracts thousands of art lovers each year who purchase original, one-of-a-kind works of art.
– More than 100 juried artists from around the United States will exhibit their works in eight categories: clay; drawing, graphics and digital; jewelry; mixed media and fiber; oil and acrylic; watercolor and pastel; photography; and sculpture, wood and glass.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Lake Wales Car Show • Lake Wales
– Stroll and admire the cool antique, custom and classic cars of yesteryear while enjoying music, enchanting shops, and the unique restaurants of charming downtown Lake Wales.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 – MONDAY, MARCH 16
Polk Senior Games • Various Locations
– Polk Senior Games attracts nearly 2,500 men and women, 50 and over, with a variety of skills – the serious competitor, the fun at heart, the seasoned athlete, the late bloomer, and the physically challenged. The purpose of the Games is to promote friendly competition, fellowship, health and wellness, an active lifestyle, and volunteerism.
– Competition, held at various locations throughout Polk County, is offered in Archery, Badminton, Bag Toss, Basketball Shooting, Basketball 3 on 3, Billiards, Bocce, Bowling, Bridge, Checkers, Chess, Cribbage, Ballroom and Social Dancing, Square Dancing, Darts, Euchre, Field Events, Fishing, Fly Casting, Golf 18 Singles, Mixed Doubles (NEW) and Putt & Chip, Horseshoes, Lawn Bowling, Pepper, Pickleball, Punt Pass Kick, Racquetball, Road Race 5K, Scrabble, Senior Smarts, Shooting – Rifle, Skeet, Sporting Clays (NEW) and Trap, Shuffleboard, Softball, Sudoku, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Track, and Walking.
MONDAY, MARCH 2 – FRIDAY, APRIL 3
Detroit Tigers Spring Training • Lakeland
– The 2015 spring season marks the club’s 50th consecutive season of exhibition play at Joker Marchant Stadium. The Tigers will begin the exhibition schedule on Monday, March 2 as the club plays host to Florida Southern College in the annual matchup against the Moccasins. The club opens the home portion of the Grapefruit League schedule against the Baltimore Orioles at Joker Marchant Stadium on Tuesday, March 3.
Source: SunnyCentralFL.com