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

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)

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)

As kickoff drew nearer the fans got more and more rowdy in their Raiders T’s and rowdy towels in hand. Surely enough the crowd was pleased as the Raiders wasted no time scoring their first touchdown of the game. And this wouldn’t be the only one, the Raiders continued to score touchdown after touchdown beating their competitors 63-24.

Fans were pleased with every aspect of the show as giveaways, on field games and prizes were nothing short of plentiful to get this season started. The Raiders dominated in every aspect of the game including their offense, defense, special teams and coaching. They will be a force to be reckoned with this season!

If you want to be a part of the Lakeland Raiders insanity, be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, or tune into Polk County Sports Marketing’s “Sports Central” radio show every Thursday from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Lakeland’s WLKF 1430 AM for a chance to win a pack of 4 tickets each home game week!

The Lakeland Raiders vs. Mississippi Hound Dogs game begins at 7:15 p.m. on Saturday, March 17th. We hope to see you there!

Detroit Tigers Spring Training
Dates: Now —April 3
Venue: Joker Marchant Stadium- Lakeland
-Spring Training for the Detroit Tigers has begun!  Check the schedule for daily home games at Joker Marchant Stadium.
-All games begin at 1:05 p.m.
-For more information, please visit Detroit Tigers or Central Florida Sports.
This week’s home schedule:
Wednesday, March 14- NY Mets, 1:05 p.m.
Thursday, March 15- BALT Orioles, 1:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 17- STL Cardinals, 1:05 p.m.

Florida ISA – March May Ham  
Dates: March 17 – March 18
Venue:  Bartow “555″ Softball Complex
-This is an ISA qualifying tournament that is expected to bring in about 130 adult participants and 300 youth participants.
-For more information, please visit ISA Florida or Central Florida Sports.

Florida Youth Soccer Association (FYSA) ODP Region Trials
Dates:  March 17 – March 18
Venue:  Lake Myrtle Sports Park
-The goal of the ODP Region 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 the National Youth Teams.
-The age group that will be scouted on this one day trial will be 1995 -1997 and will be accessed by gender.
-To register for the Olympic Development Program’s Region Trials, visit Florida Youth Soccer Association.
-For more information, please visit Florida Youth Soccer Association or Central Florida Sports.

Lakeland Raiders vs. Mississippi Hound Dogs
Date: March 17
Venue: The Lakeland Center, Jenkins Arena
-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
-Check out Lakeland Raiders or Central Florida Sports for more information.

Ridge Art Association, inc.– Central Park Art Festival
Dates: March 17 – March 18
Venue: Downtown Winter Haven
-The event is held in downtown Winter Haven annually and includes approximately 100 art vendors, 20 local music artist, 15 to 20 food vendors (International food court) and a children’s “hands on” art area where all ages can participate in creating art projects.
-The Polk County Schools present a 3,000 sq/ft tent with art from all Public and Private schools in Polk County.
-For more information please visit Ridge Art Association, Central Park Art Festival or Central Florida Sports.

Detroit Tigers Spring Training
Dates: Now —April 3
Venue: Joker Marchant Stadium- Lakeland
-Spring Training for the Detroit Tigers has begun!  Check the schedule for daily home games at Joker Marchant Stadium.
-All games begin at 1:05 p.m.
-For more information, please visit Detroit Tigers or Central Florida Sports.
This week’s home schedule:
Monday, March 5- TOR Blue Jays, 1:05 p.m.
Wednesday, March 7- ATL Braves, 1:05 p.m.
Friday, March 9- PHI Phillies, 1:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 10- WSH Nationals, 1:05 p.m.
Monday, March 12, NY Mets, 1:05 p.m.

Aspire Higher – Clash of the Titans Collegiate Sand Volleyball
Dates: March 8 – March 9
Venue: Aspire Higher – Winter Haven
-This is the first major event which will kick off the collegiate sand-volleyball season. 
-Sand Volleyball is an NCAA emerging sport, and 2012 is the first full year of collegiate participation. 
-Colleges from all over Florida and the continental US will be in attendance, and six to ten college volleyball teams will be participating.
-For more information please visit Aspire Higher Volleyball or Central Florida Sports.

 Florida ISA – March Madness
Dates: March 10 – March 11
Venue:  Bartow Softball Complex, Auburndale Softball Complex
-This is an ISA qualifying tournament that is expected to bring in about 600 participants.
-For more information, please visit Florida ISA Softball or Central Florida Sports.

 Lakeland Parks & Recreation – Ledger Jr. Super Series
Dates: March 10 – March 12
Venue: Beermen Family Tennis Complex, Kelly Rec Complex, & Wood Lake Complex – Lakeland
-This is a Super Series Tournament where State Players as well as International Players will participate, and it will bring about 150 tennis players from across the state and nation.
-It is a U.S.T.A Florida Sanctioned and sponsored tournament.
-Visit U.S.T.A. Florida or Central Florida Sports to find more information.

 Lakeland Raiders vs. Rome Rampage
Date: March 10
Venue: The Lakeland Center, Jenkins Arena
-The Raiders will play seven home games at The Lakeland Center.
-Kick-off for all home games will be 7:15pm.
-The Raiders will open their 2012 season with a home game on March 10th taking on The Rome Rampage, an expansion organization team from Georgia.
-Single Game Ticket Prices:
Club Level: $25 Adult, $18 Child
Side Line: $18 Adult, $9 Child
Red Zone: $12 Adult, $7 Child
-Check out Lakeland Raiders or Central Florida Sports for more information.

United Indoor Football League – Lakeland Raiders Fan Fest       
Dates: 2/11
Venue: The Lakeland Center
-Time: 10am – 5pm
-Come check out what all the excitement is about at the Lakeland Raiders Fan Fest.  The first 1,500 fans receive an inaugural season Raiders poster free!  There’s going to be a kids zone with games and face painting, giveaways all day long, fan contests, discounted ticket packages, drink and food specials, Raiders merchandise, meet and greet with Raiders players, drill demonstrations and much more.  

 Lakeland Parks and Recreation – Bayre Lay Memorial Jr. Championships
Dates: 2/11 – 2/12
Venue: Beerman Family Tennis Complex, Kelly Recreation Complex, & Woodlake Complex- Lakeland
-This is a U.S.T.A Florida sponsored and sanctioned Jr. Tournament. State and International players participate. 61 tennis players from out of county and 44 players from Polk County are expected to participate. 140 out of county spectators and 150 Polk County spectators are expected to attend. Estimated economic impact for this event is $65,000.
-For more information please visit USTA Florida or Central Florida Sports

 Florida ISA – Sweethearts Ball & Super Saturday
Dates: 2/11 – 2/12
Venue:  Bartow Softball Complex
-This is an ISA men’s and youth qualifying tournament that is expected to bring in 150 adult participants, 300 youth participants, and 210 spectators.  This event has an estimated economic impact of $200,000.
-For more information, please visit ISA Softball or Central Florida Sports

 CFDDC- AWI Qualifier – Dog & Disc Challenge
Dates: 2/11 – 2/12
Venue: Lake Myrtle Sports Park – Auburndale
-This Central Florida Dog and Disc Club event will bring in over 60 human participants, 120 canine participants and more than 100 spectators to Polk County.  Estimated economic impact for this event is $55,000.
-For more information please visit Central Florida Dog and Disc Club or Central Florida Sports

Events to look forward to throughout the day include:

• Free Raiders Inaugural Season Posters to first 1,500 Fans
• Coaches and Player pictures and autograph signings
• Fan Fest Season Ticket Specials
• Kids Zone, Games, Face Painting
• Giveaways All Day Long
• Fan Contests
• Meet and Greet with Coaches, Players and Dancers
• See Live Football Drills
• Raiders4Kids Youth Teams And Junior Dancer Sign Ups
• Drink and Food Specials
• Raiders 2012 Merchandise on Sale
• Try Out to Sing the National Anthem
• Try Out To Be The Voice of the Raiders
• 2012 Raiders Model Search Sign Ups

This event is completely free to everyone so come out and enjoy food, football, and get an inside look at the newest team in the United Indoor Football League. Don’t forget to check out the home game schedule and be the first to get your tickets at www.lakelandraiders.com.

Links:

• Southern Smokers BBQ
• Lake Wales Pioneer Days
• Bartow High School Girls Basketball
• Roar N’ Soar
• Red Trail Racing
• Lakeland Raiders

Interviews:

• Richard Murvin, Bartow High School Girls Head Basketball Coach
• Jeff Meeks, Red Trail Racing
• Feddy Azofeifa, Operations Manager, Lakeland Raiders
• Jeremy Burnett, Defensive End, Lakeland Raiders
• Ingrid Burch, Event Coordinator, Southern Smokers BBQ
• Lora Donley, BBQ Chair Southern Smokers BBQ Competition

Show Packages:

• Lake Wales Pioneer Days
• Roar N’ Soar
• Arts & Culture Update with Jessica Roberts

Show Sponsors:

• The Ledger
• Sunsplash Vacation Homes
• Days Inn Lakeland North
• Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille
• Holiday Inn Winter Haven
• Travelodge Lakeland North
• Ramada Inn Lakeland Hotel & Conference Center
• Peebles Bar-B-Q
• Hampton Inn Lakeside Village

Original Air Date: January 13th, 2012

Links:

• Detroit Tigers, Spring Training
• Independent Softball Association
• National Softball Association
• Home School World Series
• Florida Youth Soccer Association
• PSP Paintball World Cup
• Warrior Dash
• Lake Mirror Classic Auto Show
• Orange Cup Regatta
• Sun N’ Fun

Video Packages:

• Prospectwire Showcase
• Arts & Culture Update with Jessica Robers

Show Sponsors:

• Abuelos
• Holiday Inn Winter Haven
• Best Western Park View
• The Avenue Hotel
• Hollywood Window Tinting & Signs
• The Terrace Hotel
• Days Inn Lakeland North
• The Ledger

Original Air Date: December 2, 2011