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

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)

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
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.

66th Annual Tiger BBQ
Dates: February 28
Venue: Joker Marchant Stadium -Lakeland
-Welcome back our Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium, Florida’s most magnificent spring training facility!
-Enjoy the famous menu of roasted corn, shrimp, BBQ ribs, Italian sausage and char-broiled steaks from 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. (Steaks served 7:00-7:30 p.m.).
-Visit Central Florida Sports for more information or purchase tickets online at Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce.

FHSAA Boys Basketball Finals
Dates: February 29 —March 3
Venue: The Lakeland Center
-The FHSAA Boys Basketball Final is a four day tournament featuring semi-final and final rounds involving eight classes and 32 teams.
- For more information, please visit The Lakeland Center, FHSAA or Central Florida Sports.

Florida Jets
Dates: March 1 —March 4
Venue: Paradise Field in Lakeland
-Food, fun and non-stop action for the entire family! Come see for yourself, and check out over 300 RC jets.
-There will be eight flight lanes daily, RC jet manufacturer exhibits, and daily demos.
-Cost: $10.00 (Admission includes parking & pit passes)
-Please visit Florida Jets or Central Florida Sports for more information.

Major League Scramble with Detroit Tigers
Date: March 1
Venue: Cleveland Heights Golf Course in Lakeland
-The 17th Annual Major League Scramble brings both golf and baseball together in an effort to raise money for local youth programs in Polk County.
-This event allows sports enthusiasts the opportunity to spend a day on the course with The Detriot Tigers.
-Grab your golf buddies or join a foursome and hit the links at Cleveland Heights golf course for this annual scramble tournament.
-Each foursome will be joined by a member of The Detroit Tigers organization.
-Submit your Major League Scramble Registration Form promptly due to the heavy demand for this event.
-For questions or more information, visit Central Florida Sports.

Detroit Tigers Spring Training
Dates: March 2 —April 3
Venue: Joker Marchant Stadium- Lakeland
-The Tigers will begin the exhibition schedule on Friday, 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 Atlanta Braves at Joker Marchant Stadium on Sunday, March 4th.
-For more information, please visit Detroit Tigers or Central Florida Sports.
This week’s home schedule:
March 2- Florida Southern, 1:05 p.m.
March 4- Atlanta Braves, 1:05 p.m.
March 5- Toronto Blue Jays, 1:05 p.m.

Orange Cup Regatta – Central Florida Racing Club – Boat Racing
Dates: March 2 – March 4
Venue: Lake Hollingsworth – Lakeland
-The 75^th Annual Orange Cup Regatta will take place on the “Lake of Records”. 
-The event brings around 540 racers, boat owners, crews and family members to compete in 12 different classes’ daily. 
-The race is sanctioned by the APBA through the Central Florida Racing Club Region #5 and racers come from across the United States and in the past it brought teams all the way from Puerto Rico. 
-It is estimated that 75% of competitors travel more than 500 mile distance to race.  The 1 mile race that attracts 7,000 spectators scattered around the lake is estimated to bring $3 million into the community. 
-For more information please visit Central Florida Sports.

The City of Davenport – Highwaymen Weekend Extravaganza
Dates: March 2 – March 3
Venue: City of Davenport
-This event celebrates Florida’s Highwaymen Artists and continues the City’s focus on cultural events to build and market our community to the region. During the early 1950’s and through the 1980’s a group of 26 African American artists known as the “Florida Highwaymen” used vivid and bright colors to display the beautiful untouched Florida landscape. The creativity and talent of these artists has made them famous for their idyllic landscapes of rural Florida and they were inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in 2004.
-The weekend not only gives the opportunity for art lovers to view this fantastic art, but the chance to have a one-on-one conversation with the Artists. Activities will start on Friday with a dinner with the artists and a live art auction. It continues to Saturday for an art show where visitors can visit, admire and purchase beautiful art work.
-For more information, please visit Davenport or Central Florida Sports .

 FYSA Region Cup – Soccer
Dates: March 3 – March 4
Venue: Lake Myrtle Sports Park, Simmers-Young Park, Lake Parker Park
-The Auburndale Soccer Club will host U14 (division 1 & 2) and U16 boys teams from FYSA Region C at Lake Myrtle. 
-Forty-nine teams will participate with an estimated 1,060 participants and 1,750 spectators for an economic impact of $720,400.
-The Winter Haven Soccer Club will host twenty-six teams, ages U17 girls and U19 boys and girls.  Participants are expected to number 630 and spectators 1,000 for an estimated economic impact of $416,850.
-The Lakeland Futbol Club will host 24 teams (U15 Boys Division 1 and U14 Girls Division 2) for a total of 480 participants and 800 spectators totaling an estimated economic impact of $329,000.
-For more information please visit Florida Youth Soccer Association.

Southeastern University – Southeastern Baseball Classic
Dates: March 3 – March 10
Venue: Southeastern University
-This is a week-long, national spring break tournament.
-Twelve baseball teams are expected to participate. 250 participants and 300 spectators from out of county are expected to travel to Polk County for this event.
-For more information please visit Southeastern University Athletics or Central Florida Sports.

 Florida ISA – Youth March Madness 
Dates: March 3 – March 4
Venue:  Bartow Softball Complex
-This is an ISA qualifying tournament that is expected to bring in 130 adult participants, 300 youth participants, and 210 spectators.
-For more information, please visit ISA Florida or Central Florida Sports.

Bartow Art Guild “Bartow’s Bloomin’ Arts Festival” – Festival
Dates: March 3 – March 4
Venue: Downtown Bartow
-Bloomin’ Arts is a two-day art festival which also includes a Classic Car Show, Children’s Tent, Flower Show, entertainment and other family activities which bring large crowds to Bartow over the weekend.
-For more information please visit Bartow Art Guild  or Bartow Chamber.

 Bok Tower Gardens Foundation, Inc – International Carillon Festival
Dates: March 3 – March 11
Venue: Bok Tower Gardens
-Showcasing one of the country’s finest carillons, the 21^st annual International Carillon Festival at Bok Tower Gardens, a National Historic Landmark, will draw international performing superstars and fans to Polk County for nine days in March 2012.
-The International Festival is one of only two of its kind in North America, and has been highly regarded in the music world for over 25 years.
-A previous recipient of funding from the Tourist Development Council, the International Carillon Festival is returning with a full schedule of concerts, exhibits, films, receptions, lectures, and ticketed events designed to attract and keep visitors in the area.
-For more information, please visit Bok Tower Gardens or Central Florida Sports.

 Race for the Arts
Date: March 3
Venue: Downtown Bartow
-Join us for the 6th Annual Race for the Arts 5K run and fun walk at Ft. Blount Park in Historic Downtown Bartow.
-This event is held in collaboration with Bartow’s Bloomin’ Arts Festival
-For more information, please visit Central Florida Sports.

This is your opportunity to spend a day on the course with sports superstars of yesterday and today. This celebrity event not only features your favorite stars and world-class golf, but it also includes contests such as the longest drive, closest to the pin and the traditional putting contest along with multiple raffle drawings and prizes.

To register, submit your Major League Scramble Registration Form. Be sure to send your entry promptly due to the heavy demand of this event.

The event begins with registration at 10:30 a.m. and is followed by lunch at 11:30 a.m. The tournament officially kicks off with a shotgun start at 1:00 p.m. and later wraps up with a reception, awards presentation and raffle ticket drawings at 6:00 p.m.

The Major League Scramble is just one of the week-long set of events leading up to the Tigers’ 76^th Opening Day of spring training in Lakeland.

The Detroit Tigers open their 2012 Spring Training season with a home game against Florida Southern at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 2 at Joker Marchant Stadium. For more information about the 17^th Major League Scramble, please contact the Tournament Director, Brock Whitmyer at 863-834-2379 or Bill Tinsley at 863-860-2176.

Guests:

• Paul Bellingham, President of Spring Break Sports
• Kera Reber, Head Womens Lacrosse Coach, Florida Southern University
• Stephen Rodriguez, Vice President, Florida Sports Foundation
• Nick Gandy, Director Communications, Florida Sports Foudantion
• Stella Heath, Execitve Director, The Ritz Theatre Winter Haven

Links:

• Florida Sports Foundation Senior State Games
• Spring Break Sports
• Jim Stafford, “Home for Christmas” at The Ritz

Video Packages:

• Southeastern University Fire Soccer
• Triple Canopy Ranch Roots N’ Boots
• Arts & Culture Update with Jessica Robers

Original Air Date: December 2, 2011

Lakeland Flying Tigers vs Brevard County Manatees
Dates: 8/6
Venue: Joker Merchant Stadium
-First Pitch: 6:00pm
-For more information visit www.lakelandflyingtigers.com