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Spring Events Showcase Orlando’s Diversity

Aquatica - SeaWorld's Waterpark
5800 Water Play Way
Orlando, FL 32821
www.seaworldaquatica.com
E-mail: swf.guestrelations@seaworld.com
407-363-2280

Visiting Orlando during the spring is truly a unique experience. Of course, the weather is warm and sunny, but the summer heat is still a few months away. It’s a great time to get away for a Family Spring Break® or for couples to simply chill out and spend some time together. The spring also presents you with a variety of special seasonal events to temp any traveler. From family friendly affairs and Easter Sunday activities to art, music and film festivals, Orlando has something for you to experience. Here’s a sampling of what’s on our spring calendar:
MARCH

Mardi Gras at Universal Studios (March 8, 15, 22, 29 and April 5, 12, 19)
On Saturday nights in March and April, the streets of Universal Studios theme park turn into the largest Mardi Gras celebration outside New Orleans. In addition to a fabulous concert series, a nightly parade features hundreds of costumed characters, stilt walkers, festively decorated Mardi Gras floats and throngs of beads tossed from float riders. Included in regular park admission. Admission: adult $71, children ages 3-9 $60, children ages 2 and under free. universalorlando.com; 407-363-8000

Disney’s Pirate and Princess Party (March 6, 11, 14)
Children become pirates and princesses as they embark on a quest through the Magic Kingdom for chocolate doubloons and royal beads. Families can enjoy the new Disney's Enchanted Adventures Parade and experience the Magic, Music and Mayhem fireworks spectacular. Admission: adults $45.95, children ages 3-9 $39.95. Children ages 2 and under free. disneyworld.com; 407-939-2469

Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard at Bay Hill (March 10-16)
One of the crown jewels of the PGA Tour, the event annually attracts one of the strongest international fields of the season. Past Bay Hill Invitational champions who regularly play in the tournament include Fred Couples, Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Tim Herron and Tiger Woods. Proceeds from the Bay Hill Invitational benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies. Admission: prices range from $35-3,500. arnoldpalmerinvitational.com; 407-876-2888

49th Annual Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival (March 14-16)
The festival is one of the nation’s most prestigious outdoor arts events, rated sixth best by Sunshine Artists. Some 1,400 artists from around the world apply for entry and an independent panel of judges selects approximately 275 to participate in the show. The three-day event also features show-stopping jazz, children’s activities and great eats. Admission: free. wpsaf.org;
407-672-6390

Epcot International Flower & Garden FestivalEpcot International Flower & Garden Festival (March 19-June 1)
Walt Disney World guests welcome spring with a full dose of beauty. From elaborate gardens and incredible topiaries to helpful seminars and nightly musical entertainment from the ’60s and ’70s, the festival offers an array of special activities for all green-thumb levels. Admission: included in regular park admission. Adults $71, children ages 3-9 $60, children ages 2 and under free. disneyworld.com; 407-824-4321

44th Annual Ron Jon Surf Shop Easter Surfing Festival (March 20-23)
Enjoy the sun, surf and sand along beautiful Cocoa Beach, just one hour east of Orlando, as you watch championship surfers from ages 12 to 80 from around the world compete in this annual surfing competition. An Easter egg hunt and food court, as well as surf clinics and demonstrations are part of the fun. Admission: free. eastersurffest.com; 321-799-8888

Easter Weekend Open House (March 21-23)
Visitors can browse The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, showcasing the largest collection of Tiffany glass in the world. Admission: free. morsemuseum.org; 407-645-5311

82nd Annual Easter Sunrise Service (March 23)
The Historic Bok Sanctuary in Lake Wales invites Easter morning worshippers to greet the dawn of this special day by watching the sun rise while listening to a 60-bell carillon and brass ensemble with the Lake Wales Chorale. Admission: adults $10, children ages 5-12 $3, children 5 and under free. Admission is free from 6-8 a.m. boksanctuary.org; 863-676-1408
APRIL

17th Annual Florida Film Festival (March 28-April 6)
The Florida Film Festival showcases the best in cutting-edge current cinema; indulgent experiences in food and wine; a mix of industry parties and special events; and a star-packed attendee list. Urban sophistication and avant-garde edge define this year's opening weekend Food & Wine festivities featuring celebrity chef, best-selling author, and No Reservations (The Travel Channel) host, Anthony Bourdain. Chosen from more than 1,500 submissions, the 150 films comprising this year’s Festival represent works from more than 30 countries. Admission: ranges from $10 (single show) to $800 (multi-show package). enzian.org; 407-629-1088 ext. 225

Spring Fiesta in the Park (April 5-6)
Enjoy a myriad of booths offering tasteful regional arts and crafts along the banks of Lake Eola in downtown Orlando. The 18th annual festival provides entertainment, goodies and homemade items for sale. Admission: free. cityoforlando.net; 407-649-3152

21st Annual Fiesta Medina (April 13)
As part of Orlando’s longest running Latin community festival, national and international performers take the stage to celebrate Latin culture and music at Festival Park in Orlando.
The festival also features streets lined with displays and food along with a children’s carnival area. Admission: adults $15, children ages 12 and under free. renesproductions.com; 407-381-5310

Ginn OPEN (April 14-20)
The LPGA Tour full-field event is played on a composite layout of the Legacy Course, designed by Arnold Palmer, and the Independence Course, the first Florida course designed by
Tom Watson. Admission: tickets range from $20-250. ginnopen.com; 407-662-1700

Viva La Musica at SeaWorld Orlando (April 19, 26 and May 3, 10)
SeaWorld Orlando hosts this celebration of Hispanic music, food and culture. The event features the sights, sounds and tastes of various Latin cultures through music, dance, crafts, food and concerts. Included in daily admission, Fun Card or Passport membership. Admission: adults $67.95, children ages 3-9 $57.95, children ages 2 and under free. SeaWorld.com; 407-363-2259

6th Annual Children’s Art Festival (April 26)
Held at the Maitland Art Center from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., the event exposes kids and families to the visual and performing arts. Presented in a fun and relaxed atmosphere, activities include hands-on art, open studio demonstrations, interactive puppet theater, children’s art exhibits, scavenger hunts and face painting. Admission: suggested donation of $3 for adults, children free. maitlandartcenter.org; 407-539-2181
MAY

6th Annual Cabaret Festival (May 1-18)
Life is indeed a cabaret, at least for a few weeks during the downtown Orlando Mad Cow Theatre’s celebration of musical theatre. Cabaret artists and acts are featured in more than
40 evening and lunchtime performances. Admission ranges from $12-20. orlandocabaret.com;
407-297-8788

18th Annual Concert Under the Stars (May 3)
Spend an enchanted evening under the stately, moss-covered oak trees at the Historic Bok Sanctuary, featuring the Imperial Symphony Orchestra. Admission: $20. boksanctuary.org;
863-676-1408

U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame Astronaut Induction (May 3)
Guests can share in a historical American event as space heroes gather to honor their own during the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame's 2008 Induction Ceremony at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Astronauts being inducted include John E. Blaha, Robert D. Cabana, Bryan D. O’Connor and Loren J. Shriver. Past inductees include Jim Lovell, John Glenn, Gene Cernan, John Young, Sally Ride and Norm Thagard. Admission: included in regular park admission. Adults $38, children ages 3-11 $28, children 2 and under free. kennedyspacecenter.com;
321-452-2121

Spring Jazz Stroll at Harry P. Leu Gardens (May 10)
Guests can enjoy an evening of live jazz music and candlelit walkways in a beautiful garden setting. Dinner picnic basket and blanket or chairs are recommended. Lawn seating only. Admission: $17. leugardens.org; 407-246-2620

Florida Music Festival (May 14-17)
Florida Music Festival is a four-day celebration of up-and-coming musicians held in downtown Orlando. The festival lets fans experience live music, film, visual arts and the cultural community. The event welcomes more than 250 performers from alternative, pop, country, urban, hip hop and acoustic formats, along with hundreds of filmmakers and dozens of visual artists. Admission: $10 per day, $25 for three days. floridamusicfestival.com

17th Annual Orlando International Fringe Festival (May 15-26)
The oldest, non-juried festival in the United States, the Orlando International Fringe Festival is a 12-day celebration of theater, art and music. Fringe encompasses hundreds of shows, the Visual Fringe, outdoor concerts and “The Kids Fringe Tour.” Events are held at various venues in and around downtown Orlando. True to Fringe roots, all acts remain uncensored, exposing patrons to performances from mild to wild. Admission: $5-10 per show. orlandofringe.org; 407-648-0077

35th Annual Zellwood Sweet Corn Festival (May 24-25)
You haven’t lived until you’ve tasted sweet corn served up hot and buttery from this family friendly festival in Zellwood. Come watch as “Big Bertha” cooks some 1,650 ears of corn every nine minutes in 350 gallons of boiling water. In all, more than 200,000 ears are consumed at this popular corn fest. Big-name entertainment, arts and crafts and amusement rides add to the fun. Admission: TBD. zellwoodcornfestival.com; 407-886-0014