Swing for the Cure
Dates: Friday, May 18 – Saturday, May 19
Venue: Southern Dunes Golf & Country Club – Lake Wales
-The 3rd Annual ‘Swing for the Cure’ tournament will benefit cancer patients at Winter Haven Hospital.
-This charity golf event – organized by the Lewis Family Cancer Fund – will feature PGA tour professional Fuzzy Zoeller and a guest appearance by Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd at the kickoff party on May 18.

FL ISA- Adult Memorial
Dates: Saturday, May 19 – Sunday, May 20
Venue: Loyce Harpe Park – Mulberry
-This is a Florida ISA qualifying tournament that is expected to bring in over 105 softball players to Loyce Harpe Park in Mulberry.

FYSA State Cup Finals & U19 State Cup Preliminaries
Dates: Saturday, May 19 – Sunday, May 20
Venue: Lake Myrtle Sports Park – Auburndale
-The Florida Youth Soccer Association will host the Florida State Cup Finals, an open competition for any U13-U19 (boys and girls) FYSA registered team meeting the requirements of eligibility for participation.

Operation Tiger Trot
Date: Saturday, May 19
Venue: Lakeland Flying Tigers Stadium
-This 5K Race and 1 Mile Fun Walk is an Armed Forces Day Celebration and the kick off to the entire day’s events that include a cadet games competition, Armed Forces Day Celebration, baseball game and fireworks.

Ironman 70.3 Florida
Date: Sunday, May 20
Venue: Lake Eva Park – Haines City
-The ninth annual Ironman 70.3 Florida triathlon moves from Orlando to Haines City this year.
-The one-loop bike route goes through Polk County and offers athletes the chance to enjoy views of citrus groves and cattle farms as they ride along the quiet country roads.
-The run course includes three loops around Lake Eva and finishes in a grassy park near the lake.
-The IronKids Florida triathlon will take place Saturday, May 19 at 7:00 a.m.

Upcoming Events:

Carillon Classic 5k Run/Walk – May 26 (Bok Tower Gardens-Lake Wales)

LEGOLAND Florida Water Park Grand Opening – May 26 (LEGOLAND® Florida-Winter Haven)

Legends & Legacies- Reflections of Vietnam – June 8-9 (Fantasy of Flight-Polk City)

Florida’s Sunshine State Games: Polk County Festival – June 15-17 & 23-24

Red, Brick & Boom – July 4 (LEGOLAND® Florida-Winter Haven)

Polk NatureFest – October 4-7 (locations across Polk County)

Brick-or-Treat – October- Saturdays & Sundays (LEGOLAND® Florida-Winter Haven)

Legends & Legacies- Letters Home: Love, Courage & Survival – October 12-13 (Fantasy of Flight-Polk City)

Go LEGOLAND – It’s Your Birthday – October 15 (LEGOLAND® Florida-Winter Haven)

Boktoberfest – October 20 (Bok Tower Gardens-Lake Wales)

Event Links

• MidFlorida Mayfaire By-The-Lake Festival
• Ironman 70.3 Haines City 
• Sport Source Academy 3rd Annual Camp R.O.C.

Interviews:

• Brenda Friedman, Mayfaire Coordinator
• Maya Beck, Mayfaire Coordinator
• Rich Humber, Source Sports Academy
• Patrick McGee, Ironman 70.3 Haines City

Show Packages:

• Bartow High School Stinger Shoot Out 
• Detroit Tigers Major League Scramble
• Arts & Culture Update with Jessica Roberts

Show Sponsors:

• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lakeland North I-4
• Abuelo’s
• Travelodge Lakeland North 
• Peebles Bar-B-Q
• Sunsplash Vacation Rental Homes
• Hampton Inn Lakeside Village
• Texas Cattle Company
• Holiday Inn Winter Haven

Original Air Date: May 4th, 2012

Next Show Date: May 18, 2012

Benefit for Bailee
Dates: Friday, May 11 – Sunday, May 13
Venue: Triple Canopy Ranch – Lake Wales
-Sky Powersports and Triple Canopy Ranch are holding an ATV weekend fundraiser to help with Bailee Kent’s medical expenses.
-The three-day event will feature live entertainment from several artists, a corn-hole tournament, activities, bonfires, raffles, prizes, and an auction along with swamp buggy rides, monster truck rides and ATV Demo rides.
-All proceeds will be donated to Bailee Kent, 18 year old Webber student who recently suffered a massive stroke.

Body Bar Women’s National Championship
Dates: Friday, May 11 – Sunday, May 13
Venue: The Lakeland Center
-The 2012 Body Bar Women’s National Championships features freestyle competition for five (5) separate age groups: Girls Division I, Girls Division II, Schoolgirls, FILA Cadet and FILA Junior.
-Winners become members of the USA Wrestling Team and go on to represent the United States in the World Championship. Over 400 wrestlers are expected to compete in this tournament.

Florida Orange Blossom Table Tennis Series Spring Classic
Dates: Friday, May 11 – Saturday, May 12
Venue: Lakeland
-Sanctioned by the United States Sandpaper Table Tennis Association and the Lakeland Table Tennis Association Table Tennis.

Florida Suncoast Sports – Florida State Championship
Dates: Friday, May 11 – Sunday, May 13
Venue: Lake Myrtle Sports Park – Auburndale
-Baseball teams from all over the state will be coming to the Lake Myrtle Sports Park in Auburndale to compete in the Florida State Championship.

Freestyle Greco State Championship
Dates: Friday, May 11 – Sunday, May 13
Venue: The Lakeland Center
-This state championship will consist of elite competitors from across the state of Florida coming to wrestle in two different styles: Freestyle & Greco.
-Wrestlers will compete for the chance to wrestle at Nationals.

Auburndale Hoops – Polk Pride Challenge
Dates: Saturday, May 12 – Sunday, May 13
Venues: Polk State College, Florida Southern College
-This boys basketball tournament is a YBOA sponsored event that will be played at basketball gyms across the county including Polk State College in Winter Haven and Florida Southern College in Lakeland.

Mayfaire by-the-Lake
Dates: Saturday, May 12 – Sunday, May 13; 6:30pm–8:30pm
Venue: Lakeland
-The 41st annual Polk Museum of Art MIDFLORIDA Mayfaire by-the-Lake 2012. Mayfaire is a free community weekend that features children’s art activities, musical performances and food, all centered around beautiful, award-winning art.

Mayfaire Saturday Night
Date: Saturday, May 12; 5pm–11pm
Venue: Lake Mirror Promenade – Lakeland
-A free street party at the Lake Mirror Promenade featuring live music and fireworks.

Youth Summer Slam
Dates: Saturday, May 12 – Sunday, May 13
Venue: Bartow Park
-This ISA qualifying tournament is expecting to bring in over 600 softball players to the Bartow Softball Complex.

Upcoming Events:

Ironman 70.3 Florida – May 19-May 20 (Lake Eva Park-Haines City)

Carillon Classic 5k Run/Walk – May 26 (Bok Tower Gardens-Lake Wales)

Legends & Legacies- Reflections of Vietnam – June 8-9 (Fantasy of Flight-Polk City)

Florida’s Sunshine State Games: Polk County Festival – June 15-17 & 23-24

Red, Brick & Boom – July 4 (LEGOLAND® Florida – Winter Haven)

Polk NatureFest – October 4-7 (locations across Polk County)

Brick-or-Treat – October- Saturdays & Sundays (LEGOLAND® Florida – Winter Haven)

Legends & Legacies- Letters Home: Love, Courage & Survival – October 12-13 (Fantasy of Flight-Polk City)

Go LEGOLAND – It’s Your Birthday – October 15 (LEGOLAND® Florida – Winter Haven)

2012 Homeschool World Series
Dates: Monday, April 30 – Sunday, May 6
Venue: Lake Myrtle Sports Park – Auburndale
-The Homeschool World Series will bring in 28 baseball teams and over 1,000 spectators to Polk County.
-The Homeschool World Series Association is a nonprofit corporation that endeavors to promote and coordinate high school (varsity level) baseball competition among homeschool students throughout North America in a distinctly Christian environment.

Top Gun
Dates: Wednesday, May 2 – Sunday, May 6
Venue: Lakeland Linder Airport
-Frank Tiano Enterprises Inc. presents World Championships for competition scale model aircraft.
-It is the World’s largest model aviation event covered by ESPN, Discovery Channel, the DYI Channel and many others.

USF Poly- First Lego League World Invitational Open 2012
Dates: Thursday, May 3 – Sunday, May 6
Venue: All Saints Academy, Lake Mirror Complex, LEGOLAND® Florida
-This “Robots In Paradise” Robotics Competition will bring in 64 teams from all around the world to compete by invitation only.  
-Participants will be judged on robot performance, core values, technical design and a research project based off of the food factor challenge.
-The event will span four days and will be hosted by three different Polk County venues.

21^st Annual Golf Tournament and Auction
Date: Thursday, May 3
Venue: Lone Palm Golf Club – Lakeland
-A golf tournament and auction presented by St. Joseph’s School Foundation with Honorary Chair Monsignor John P. Caulfiled.

Olympic Development Program State Trials
Date: Saturday, May 5
Venue: Lake Myrtle Sports Park – Auburndale
-The Florida Youth Soccer Association is looking for elite soccer players to participate in the Olympic Development Program’s State Trials within the 1995 -1997 year age range.
-The goal of the ODP State Trials is to identify and develop outstanding soccer players within the state of Florida for selection to State Teams and for advancement to the Region III Olympic Development Program and to National Youth Teams.

Sunshine Shootout
Dates: Saturday, May 5 – Sunday, May 6
Venues: Bartow Park & Loyce Harpe Park – Mulberry
-This Florida ISA adult and youth qualifying tournament is expected to bring in over 1,000 softball players to the Bartow “555” Complex and Loyce Harpe Park in Mulberry.

Upcoming Events:

Legends & Legacies- D-Day Invasion of Normandy – May 11-12 (Fantasy of Flight-Polk City)

Ironman 70.3 Florida – May 19-May 20 (Lake Eva Park-Haines City)

Carillon Classic 5k Run/Walk – May 26 (Bok Tower Gardens-Lake Wales)

Legends & Legacies- Reflections of Vietnam – June 8-9 (Fantasy of Flight-Polk City)

Florida’s Sunshine State Games: Polk County Festival – June 15-17 & 23-24

Red, Brick & Boom – July 4 (LEGOLAND® Florida – Winter Haven)

Polk NatureFest – October 4-7 (locations across Polk County)

Brick-or-Treat – October- Saturdays & Sundays (LEGOLAND® Florida – Winter Haven)

Legends & Legacies- Letters Home: Love, Courage & Survival – October 12-13 (Fantasy of Flight-Polk City)

Go LEGOLAND – It’s Your Birthday – October 15 (LEGOLAND® Florida – Winter Haven)

Lakeland Raiders vs. Rome Rampage
Date: Friday, April 27
Venue: The Lakeland Center
-The Raiders’ 2012 season consists of seven home games at The Lakeland Center.
-Kick-off for all home games will be 7:15pm.
-Single Game Ticket Prices:
Club Level: $25 Adult, $18 Child
Side Line: $18 Adult, $9 Child
Red Zone: $12 Adult, $7 Child

Eagle Lake BBQ Festival
Date: Saturday, April 28
Venue: Gazebo Park (off Hwy 17) – Eagle Lake
-Enjoy the best local barbeque at this pro-team /backyard BBQ competition along with all-day live music, children’s activities and free parking and admission.
-The Festival proceeds will benefit Lake Region High School Athletics.

Urban Mountain Bike Criterium & Street 2x/Speed Trials 
Date: Saturday, April 28
Venue: Downtown Lake Mirror
- Red Trail Racing Inc. brings the Urban MTB Crit & Street 2x/Speed Trials to Lakeland Saturday.
-Classes for the race are listed at CentralFloridaSports.com.
-There must be a minimum of four per class or both will combine for an open class.

Youth Flowers for Moms
Dates: Saturday, April 28 — Sunday, April 29
Venue: Bartow 555 Complex
-This is an Independent Softball Association qualifying tournament that is expected to bring in over 500 softball players.

2012 Home School World Series
Dates: Sunday, April 29 — Sunday, May 6
Venue: Lake Myrtle Sports Park – Auburndale
-The Series will bring in 28 baseball teams and over 1000 spectators to Polk County.
-The Homeschool World Series Association (HWSA) is a nonprofit corporation that endeavors to promote and coordinate high school (varsity level) baseball competition among homeschool students throughout North America in a distinctly Christian environment.

NSA Summer Slam
Dates: Sunday, April 29 — Monday, April 30
Venue: Auburndale Softball Complex
-This Adult Softball Tournament is expected to bring 25 teams to the area.

Upcoming Events:

Legends & Legacies- D-Day Invasion of Normandy – May 11-12 (Fantasy of Flight-Polk City)

Ironman 70.3 Florida – May 19-May 20 (Lake Eva Park-Haines City)

Carillon Classic 5k Run/Walk – May 26 (Bok Tower Gardens-Lake Wales)

Legends & Legacies- Reflections of Vietnam – June 8-9 (Fantasy of Flight-Polk City)

Florida’s Sunshine State Games: Polk County Festival – June 15-17 & 23-24

Red, Brick & Boom – July 4 (LEGOLAND® Florida – Winter Haven)

Polk NatureFest – October 4-7 (locations across Polk County)

Brick-or-Treat – October- Saturdays & Sundays (LEGOLAND® Florida – Winter Haven)

Legends & Legacies- Letters Home: Love, Courage & Survival – October 12-13 (Fantasy of Flight-Polk City)

Go LEGOLAND – It’s Your Birthday – October 15 (LEGOLAND® Florida – Winter Haven)

2012 SSC Men’s & Women’s Tennis Championship
Dates: April 18 — April 21
Venue: Beerman Family Tennis Center – Lakeland
-This Sunshine State Athletic Conference event brings together 16 collegiate tennis teams (9 women’s teams and 7 men’s teams) from throughout the state of Florida for three days of championship competition and one practice day.

Area 6 Championship
Dates: April 19 — April 22
Venue: Universal Shooting Academy – Frostproof
-This regional championship is for qualifying shooters from Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.
-The event tests practical and action-pistol shooting. Top winners will progress to the USPSA National Championship.

10th Annual Lady Fire Shootout
Dates: April 20 — April 22
Venue: Lakeland
-Fire Youth Sports, Inc. presents the 10th Annual Lady Fire Shootout Classic held in the Lakeland area.

Winter Haven Stingrays-The Rowdy Cup
Dates: April 20 — April 22
Venue: Rowdy Gaines Center – Winter Haven
-The USA Sanctioned Swim Meet will be held at the Rowdy Gaines Center in Winter Haven.

2012 President’s Cup
Dates: April 21 — April 22
Venue: Lake Myrtle Sports Park – Auburndale
-Champions from each of the Region’s Division 1 Region Cups will be traveling to Lake Myrtle Sports Park to compete in the 2012 President’s Cup presented by the Florida Youth Soccer Association.

Bike MS: The Citrus Tour
Dates: April 21 — April 22
Venue: Bok Tower Gardens – Lake Wales
-The Bike for MS Citrus Tour is a two-day fundraising cycling event benefitting the National MS Society.
-Funds received are allocated towards local programs and services for those affected by multiple sclerosis and to support critical research for a cure.

Chain of Lakes Golf Splash
Date: POSTPONED UNTIL AUGUST 25
Venue: Begins and ends at Old Man Franks – Winter Haven
-Ridge Art Association presents the second annual Chain of Lakes Golf Splash.
-Modeled after the Conch Life Scramble in the Florida Keys, the Chain of Lakes Golf Splash is a nine-hole golf competition with boats replacing golf carts and holes located at various points on Winter Haven’s Chain of Lakes.

Child of the Sun Jazz Festival and Urban Triathlon
Date: April 21
Venue: Lake Mirror Promenade – Lakeland
-This two-part event is both a Jazz festival and a triathlon sponsored by the Lakeland Rotary Club.
-The Jazz festival will have fireworks, food and legendary Jazz.
-The triathlon consists of a quarter mile swim, a twelve mile bike ride, and a three and half mile run.

Youth April Triple Slam
Dates: April 21 — April 22
Venue: Bartow 555 Complex
- This is an ISA qualifying tournament expected to bring in over 300 softball players.

Upcoming Events:

Legends & Legacies- D-Day Invasion of Normandy – May 11-12 (Fantasy of Flight-Polk City)

Ironman 70.3 Florida – May 19-May 20 (Lake Eva Park-Haines City)

Carillon Classic 5k Run/Walk – May 26 (Bok Tower Gardens-Lake Wales)

Legends & Legacies- Reflections of Vietnam – June 8-9 (Fantasy of Flight-Polk City)

Florida’s Sunshine State Games: Polk County Festival – June 15-17 & 23-24

Red, Brick & Boom – July 4 (LEGOLAND® Florida – Winter Haven)

Polk NatureFest – October 4-7 (locations across Polk County)

Brick-or-Treat – October- Saturdays & Sundays (LEGOLAND® Florida – Winter Haven)

Legends & Legacies- Letters Home: Love, Courage & Survival – October 12-13 (Fantasy of Flight-Polk City)

Go LEGOLAND – It’s Your Birthday – October 15 (LEGOLAND® Florida – Winter Haven)

Florida State Golf Association – Senior Amateur Championship
Dates: April 10 — April 12
Venue: Lake Wales Country Club
-The Florida State Golf Association presents the 51st Florida State Senior Amateur Championship.
-The field will consist of 144 players from throughout the state. Before they can reach the Championship, they must attempt to qualify at one of seven sites. The field will then be cut to low 60 players.

Auburndale Hoops Fest
Dates: April 13 — April 15
Venue: Polk State College – Winter Haven & Florida Southern College –  Lakeland
-This boys’ basketball tournament is sponsored by YBOA and is expected to bring in 50 teams.

Florida Suncoast Sports- World Series Qualifier
Dates: April 13 — April 15
Venue: Lake Myrtle Sports Park – Auburndale
-Baseball teams from all over the state will be coming to the Lake Myrtle Sports to compete for the World Series Qualifier.

National Collegiate Paintball Championship
Dates: April 13 — April 15
Venue: Central Florida Paintball – Lakeland
- 51 collegiate teams from across the U.S. have already registered to compete in 2 divisions (College XBall and College Race to 2).
-Fox College Sports will be broadcasting this event nationwide.

Lakeland Raiders vs. Florida Tarpons
Date: April 14
Venue: The Lakeland Center
-The Raiders’ 2012 season consists of seven home games at The Lakeland Center.
-Kick-off for all home games will be 7:15pm.
-Single Game Ticket Prices:
Club Level: $25 Adult, $18 Child
Side Line: $18 Adult, $9 Child
Red Zone: $12 Adult, $7 Child

Winter Haven Hospital Foundation- Citrus Classic
Date: April 14
Venue: LEGOLAND® Florida – Winter Haven
-The Winter Haven Hospital Foundation Citrus Classic is a community-wide health event designed for participants of all ages.
-Proceeds from the 2012 Citrus Classic will benefit the Winter Haven Hospital Foundation Fund for Women and Children.
-The event will include a 5K race/walk and will take place at LEGOLAND® Florida this year.

Youth April Classic
Dates: April 14 — April 15
Venue: Bartow 555 Complex
- This is an ISA qualifying tournament expected to bring in over 300 softball players.

Upcoming Events:

Legends & Legacies- D-Day Invasion of Normandy – May 11-12 (Fantasy of Flight-Polk City)

Ironman 70.3 Florida – May 19-May 20 (Lake Eva Park-Haines City)

Carillon Classic 5k Run/Walk – May 26 (Bok Tower Gardens-Lake Wales)

Legends & Legacies- Reflections of Vietnam – June 8-9 (Fantasy of Flight-Polk City)

Red, Brick & Boom – July 4 (LEGOLAND® Florida – Winter Haven)

Polk NatureFest – October 4-7 (locations across Polk County)

Brick-or-Treat – October- Saturdays & Sundays (LEGOLAND® Florida – Winter Haven)

Legends & Legacies- Letters Home: Love, Courage & Survival – October 12-13 (Fantasy of Flight-Polk City)

Go LEGOLAND – It’s Your Birthday – October 15 (LEGOLAND® Florida – Winter Haven)

Detroit Tigers Spring Training
Date: April 2
Venue: Joker Marchant Stadium – Lakeland
-The Tigers take on the Toronto Blue Jays at 1:05 p.m. in their last home game of 2012 Spring Training.

Lakeland Flying Tigers Exhibition Game
Date: April 4
Venue: Joker Marchant Stadium – Lakeland
-The Tigers kickoff their 2012 season at Joker Marchant in an exhibition game against Southeastern University Fire.
-The first pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., and gates open at 5:00 p.m.

Lakeland Flying Tigers Home-Opener
Date: April 7
Venue: Joker Marchant Stadium – Lakeland
-The Flying Tigers open their FSL season against the Tampa Yankees at 6 p.m.
-Gates will open at 4:30 p.m., and the first 1,500 fans receive a 2012 magnetic schedule.
-Publix will sponsor an Easter egg hunt after the game that will feature the Easter Bunny.
-A firework show will follow if weather permits.

32^nd Umpires Classic
Dates: April 7 — April 8
Venue: Bartow 555 Complex
-This is an ISA qualifying event that’s expected to bring in over 130 softball players.

Upcoming Events:

Legends & Legacies- Unspoken Valor: The Bomber Crews of World War II – April 13-14, 2012 (Fantasy of Flight-Polk City)

Winter Haven Hospital Foundation Citrus Classic 5K – April 14 (LEGOLAND® Florida -Winter Haven)

Ironman 70.3 Florida – May 19-May 20 (Lake Eva Park-Haines City)

Carillon Classic 5k Run/Walk – May 26 (Bok Tower Gardens-Lake Wales)

Red, Brick & Boom – July 4 (LEGOLAND® Florida – Winter Haven)

Polk NatureFest – October 4-7 (locations across Polk County)

Brick-or-Treat – October- Saturdays & Sundays (LEGOLAND® Florida – Winter Haven)

Go LEGOLAND – It’s Your Birthday – October 15 (LEGOLAND® Florida – Winter Haven)

This is definitely not the Flying Tigers’ first time taking on the Fire. In fact, this is the third consecutive season they have competed and the fourth time overall for an all-time record of 4-0 against Southeastern.

Tickets to the exhibition game will benefit the Detroit Tigers Foundation of Florida and only cost $2.00, while parking is free.

2012 is the 46th season of Lakeland’s Detroit Tigers affiliation, the longest affiliation in Minor League Baseball, and also marks the 62^nd season that Lakeland has been a member of the Florida State League.

The Flying Tigers open the FSL season in Tampa on April 5 and 6 against the Yankees. The FSL home opener for the Flying Tigers is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 7 also against the Yankees. Gates to this game will open at 4:30 p.m., and the first 1,500 fans to enter will receive a free 2012 magnetic schedule sponsored by the Imperial Swan Hotel & Suites.

Don’t rush out after the game because Publix will sponsor a massive Easter egg hunt where over 2,000 candy and toy-filled eggs will be scattered across the field of the stadium. Children 14 and under are encouraged to participate. The Easter Bunny is also set to make an appearance following the game, and as if that doesn’t sound like plenty of fun already, a spectacular firework show will take place (weather permitting) following the egg hunt.

Tickets for all home games can be purchased by calling the Flying Tigers at 863-686-8075. Box seats are $6 and reserved seats are $5. Seniors 55 and over along with children 14 and under receive a $1 discount. Saturday tickets are an additional $1. Wednesday All-You-Can-Eat tickets are $10. Parking is FREE.

The Flying Tigers are a Class A Affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. For more information visit the Flying Tigers online or call 863-686-8075.

RussMatt Central Florida Baseball Invitational (Week 6)
Dates: Now— March 30
Venue: Lake Myrtle Sports Park, Chain of Lakes Baseball Complex and other baseball fields around the county
-Over 200 colleges annually in all divisions (NCAA D I, II, III, NAIA & JUCO), that’s more college teams than all other Florida spring break tournaments combined come to Polk County area for this tournament.
-Follow @CentralFLSports on Twitter and “Like” CFSports on Facebook for daily game schedule, game results, and weather updates.
-Scores are posted on Twitter daily.

Detroit Tigers Spring Training
Dates: Now – April 3
Games start at 1:05 p.m.
Venue: Joker Marchant Stadium- Lakeland
-Spring Training for the Detroit Tigers is in action!  Check the schedule for daily home games.
This week’s home games:
Monday, March 26- Miami Marlins
Thursday, March 29- Washington Nationals at 6:05 p.m.
 Sunday, April 1- Houston Astros

38th Annual SUN ‘n FUN Fly In
Dates: March 27 — April 1
Venue: Florida Air Museum — Lakeland
-Offering over 250 open forums, hands-on-workshops, seminars, evening programs and industry dinners, plus four expo hangars and outside exhibits with over 500 aviation exhibitors, acres with over 4700 aircraft of all types & classes from vintage to war birds
-Also features a signature daily air show with the world premiere aerobatic stars and demonstration flights by military precision jet teams

Race for the Kids Foundation – Boat Racing
Dates: March 29 — April 1
Venue: Boys and Girls Club of Winter Haven
-Presented by the Race for the Kids Foundation, there will be over 80 teams from all over the U.S. competing in these hydroplane boat races; multiple classes running.
-This race benefits the Citrus Center Boys & Girls Clubs (Winter Haven, Lake Wales & Haines City).

SUN n’ FUN Splash-In at Fantasy of Flight
Date: March 29
Venue: Fantasy of Flight — Polk City
-Fantasy of Flight hosts the Splash-In on sparkling Lake Agnes as part of the 38th Annual SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In.
-Visitors will witness a variety of seaplanes and amphibious aircraft perform water landings and takeoffs as part of the competition.

2012 Hyperflite/Skyhoundz Southeast Regional Qualifier
Dates: March 30 — April 1
Venue: Lake Myrtle Sports Park —Auburndale
-Canine Frisbee® has been around since at least the mid -1970’s, and has just recently become popular in Florida within the last several years.
-This year’s Southeast Regional Qualifiers will be held at Lake Myrtle Sports Park in Auburndale.

Stock Outboard Winter Nationals
Dates: March 30 – April 1
Venue: Lake Hollingsworth – Lakeland
-American Power Boat Association’s Stock Outboard Winter Nationals will host boats from 10-12′ in length with motors that range from 15 cubic inch up to 44 cubic inch. They will range in speeds from 40 mph in the Junior classes, where nine-year-olds can begin to compete up to 85 mph in the big 44 cubic inch classes.
-Two different hull designs will race, Hydro’s and Runabout’s, in each class. 
-Competitors from Maine to Washington State and everywhere in between will attend the event along with several Canadian teams.

March Meltdown
Dates: March 31 — April 1
Venue: Bartow “555” Complex
-The March Meltdown is a Florida ISA qualifying event that will be held at the Bartow “555” Complex. It is expected to have over 400 softball players participating.

Mustangs & Mustangs at Fantasy of Flight
 Date: March 31
Venue: Fantasy of Flight —Polk City
-Fantasy of Flight and the Imperial Mustang Club of Polk County team up for this 15th annual event, the only Mustang event in Florida that features both beautifully restored P-51 Mustang war birds from World War II and Ford Mustang automobiles.

Patrick Patriots Twirling Corps – Florida State Championship
Dates: March 31 — April 1
Venue: Polk State College —Winter Haven
-The Baton Twirling State Championship is a qualifier for the National Baton Twirling Association’s “Nationals” held in July. The event host novice, beginners, intermediate and advanced twirlers from Florida. However, it also will be expecting several twirlers to attend from out of state as it also holds an open contest. There will also be several teams/corps that come and compete in the group competition section.

Sketches & Steel by Albert Paley
Dates: March 31 — June 27
Venue: Polk Museum of Art —Lakeland
-This exhibition will focus on both sides of Paley’s creative process: the plan and the end product.
-His sculptures will be on view alongside the initial sketches Paley produced to create the sculptures.
-A reception to celebrate the exhibition will take place at 7:00 p.m. and will feature a lecture by the artist.

Rowdies Rush
Date: March 31
Venue: Lake Myrtle Sports Park —Auburndale
-The Tampa Bay Rowdies wrap up the preseason campaign against the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers with an exhibition match hosted by Florida Youth Soccer Association.

15th Annual Fire Shootout Classic
Dates: April 1 — April 29
Venue: Gyms across Lakeland, Bartow and Mulberry
-Fire Youth Sports, Inc. presents this qualifier where over a hundred teams from across the state are expected to participate.

Upcoming:

Legends & Legacies- Unspoken Valor: The Bomber Crews of World War II – April 13-14, 2012 (Fantasy of Flight-Polk City)

Winter Haven Hospital Foundation Citrus Classic 5K –April 14 ( LEGOLAND® Florida-Winter Haven)

Ironman 70.3 Florida –May 19-May 20 (Lake Eva Park-Haines City)

Red, Brick & Boom – July 4 (LEGOLAND® Florida – Winter Haven)

Polk NatureFest – October 4-7 (locations across Polk County)