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. http://lakelandraiders.com/

 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 www.ustaflorida.com or www.centralfloridasports.com

 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 www.isasoftball.com or www.centralfloridasports.com

 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 www.cfdiscdogs.com or www.centralfloridasports.com

NSA – Winter World Warm-Up
Dates: 2/4 – 2/5
Venue: Auburndale Softball Complex
-This NSA tournament is expecting over 30 teams (500 participants) and over 300 spectators to travel to the Polk County area.
-For more information please visit www.playnsa.com or www.centralfloridasports.com

Winter Haven Hospital Foundation – Heart Smart Days Festival
Dates: 2/2 – 2/27
Venue: Winter Haven Hospital
-The Heart Smart Days Festival is a series of events to promote heart awareness in conjunction with National Heart Month in February. The events include a Ladies Luncheon and lecture, a Heart Smart Days Health Fair, and ending the event is a Community Evening Lecture by one of the Winter Haven Hospital’s Heart Physicians. All proceeds raised will benefit the patients served by Winter Haven Hospital’s nationally recognized Bostick Heart Center.
-For more information, please visit www.winterhavenhospital.org  or www.centralfloridasports.com

Winter Haven Hospital Foundation – Big Bass Bash
Dates: 2/2 – 2/27
Venue: Winter Haven Hospital
-The Big Bass Bash Fishing tournament will go to support the care of premature and sick babies at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Winter Haven Hospital Regency Center for Woman and Infants. This great fishing event will allow anglers to enjoy a beautiful day out on the Chain of Lakes while supporting a worthy cause. Participants will be fishing to share a total purse valued at $4000.
-For more information, please visit www.winterhavenhospital.org  or www.centralfloridasports.com

Some of the top teams venturing out to our region will be Northwestern, Navy, Georgetown, Army, Yale and North Dakota State. This collegiate spring training is a time for major league scouting, practice, and preparation for what will be a tough season ahead. the Russmatt Baseball tournament is a great opportunity to grab family and friends, and scout out your favorite potential pros or just enjoy a great day of baseball.

Be on the lookout for game schedules, weather updates, and game results that will be updated daily through our Facebook and Twitter accounts. The finalized tournament schedule will be published in February at www.CentralFloridaSports.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

Independent Softball Association – Adult Winter Nationals
Dates: 1/20– 1/22
Venue: Diamondplex, Auburndale Softball Complex
-The ISA Winter Nationals takes place over three weekends in January, with open invitations to youth and adult teams from across the country.  This weekend’s competition features the Adult Class A, E, Women’s, and Masters divisions.
-For more information, please visit www.isasoftball.com or www.centralfloridasports.com 

 Dundee Area Chamber of Commerce – 1^st Annual BBQ Competition & Crafts Show
Dates: 1/21 – 1/22
Venue: Winn Dixie plaza off of US Hwy 27 in Dundee
-Come out for a fun filled day of BBQ competition. There will be an Arts & Craft show to go along with the  25 pros and 10 amateurs expected to cook off!! The venue is expected to house 10-15 vendors with about 4000 spectators. 
-Profession Division
            1st place prize $500
            2nd place prize $250
            3rd place prize $150

-Back yard division winners are awarded trophies and a $100.
-For more information, please visit http://dundeechamberflorida.org/main.php or www.centralfloridasports.com

2012 Warrior Dash
Dates: 1/21 – 1/22
Venue: Triple Canopy Ranch
-This fierce running series is held on the most challenging and rugged terrain across the globe. Warriors conquer extreme obstacles, push their limits and celebrate with music and warrior helmets. This is the wildest, muddiest; most fiery 5k run you will ever have the opportunity to participate in. With 12 seriously challenging obstacles ranging from mud-pits, to climbing walls, tight-rope walks and fire pits finishing competitors are deserving of the title Warrior! Over 1000 runners will tackle this task while over 2000 spectators watch!
-For more information please visit www.warriordash.com or www.centralfloridasports.com

• Entry Fees: $6.50 per bird (non NPA members)
• $5.50 per bird (NPA members)
• Entries Close: December 10,2011
• Banquet Tickets $35.00 per person
• Sale cages: $25.00 (4 standard holes or 18″x18″ holes
• Sale cages must be paid for in advance (no exceptions)
• You must be an exhibitor to get a sales cage (5 adult entries minimum 0
• For more information, please visit www.npausa.com or www.centralfloridasports.com

Florida State Soccer Association – Florida Classic
Dates:  1/13 – 1/16
Venue:  Lake Myrtle
-Divisions include Men’s Open, Men’s Division 2, O30, O40, O45, O50, O55, O60; Women’s Open; Coed. (Only teams playing in Div 2 or lower may enter Men’s Div 2)
-Tournament is a 3 game minimum round robin format with games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Semi-finals and Finals on Monday.
-Registration deadline is December 1, 2011
-For more information, please visit www.floridastatesoccer.com

Horses Unlimited Entertainment, Inc. – Lakeland Pro Rodeo Classic
Dates: 1/13 – 1/14
Venue: Lakeland Center
-The Lakeland Pro Rodeo Classic is a professional rodeo with 7 events sanctioned for World Championship points with the PRCA. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association is head quartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Cowboys and Cowgirls from across the United States, Canada, and Brazil compete in bareback bronco riding, saddle bronco riding, steer wrestling, tie down roping, team roping, bull riding, women’s barrel racing, along with comedy acts, dress acts and trick & fancing riding.
-For more information, please visit www.prca.com or www.lakelandprorodeo.com or www.centralfloridasports.com   

Independent Softball Association – Youth Winter Nationals
Dates: 1/14 – 1/15
Venue: Bartow Softball Complex, Diamondplex
-The ISA Winter Nationals takes place over three weekends in January, with open invitations to youth and adult teams from across the country.  This weekend’s competition features the youth division, which includes all fast pitch teams from 8U to 18U.
-For more information, please visit www.isasoftball.com or www.centralfloridasports.com 

North Ridge Bridge Run 5K Race

What: Join the Polk County Board of County Commissioners, the City Center Community Development District and the North Ridge Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board for the Grand Opening Celebration and Ribbon Cutting of Ernie Caldwell Boulevard.

When: Saturday, January 7, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

-The Inaugural North Ridge Bridge Run 5k Race begins at 8:30 a.m.
-Dedication of Ernie Caldwell Boulevard and Ribbon Cutting will be held at 9:30 a.m.
-Antique Car Parade begins at 10:00 a.m.
-Displays and Activities until 12:00 p.m.

Where: The event will take place at Posner Park in Davenport. Turn at Posner Boulevard entrance and follow signs to parking on Royals Way.

Registration Information:
Register online at www.imathlete.com or by mail. Online registration closes at 11:59 on January 2.

Register now by January 2: $15
Register January 3 or after: $25

You can print the registration form here.

 2012 Warrior Dash- Central Florida

What: This fierce running series is held on the most challenging and rugged terrain across the globe. Warriors conquer extreme obstacles, push their limits and celebrate with music and warrior helmets. This is the wildest, muddiest, most fiery 5k run you will ever have the opportunity to participate in. With 12 seriously challenging obstacles ranging from mud-pits, to climbing walls, tight-rope walks and fire pits, finishing competitors are deserving of the title Warrior! Every participant will go home with a Warrior helmet, Warrior Dash t-shirt and custom Warrior Dash medal.

When: Saturday, January 21-Sunday, January 22 at

Where: Triple Canopy Ranch, Lake Wales

Registration Information:
Register online at Warrior Dash. Registration will close January 9, 2012 at 11:59p.m. Central.

Register now through January 9: Saturday- $65, Sunday- $65

 Ironman 70.3 Florida

What: Ironman 70.3 Florida has moved to a new location for 2012 at Lake Eva Park near Haines City and features an exciting new course.

Just 30 minutes outside of Orlando, Lake Eva Park provides a great setting for the event. The one-loop swim starts and finishes on a white sand beach. The transition area will be set up in a large parking lot on the site. 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, while the run course includes three loops around Lake Eva and finishes in a grassy park near the lake.

When: Saturday, May 19-Sunday, May 20

 Where: Haines City, Lake Eva Park

Registration Information:
Register online at ironmanhainescity.com.

General Entry:  Open through January 10- $225

                               January 11-April 4- $250

                               April 5- through close- $275

Relay Entry:    Open through January 10- $300

                               January 11-April 4- $350

                               April 5 through close- $375

For more information on these three events, please visit: centralfloridasports.com

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

Polk County was filled with accuracy, athleticism, speed and triumph as the 20^th Anniversary Florida International Games and State Championships swept through Central Florida this past week.

For the first time since its two-year run in 2001 and 2002, this nine-day, Olympic-style competition returned to Polk County and featured 22 events in which 1,834 athletes, age 50 and over, participated.

Different from past years, the 2011 Games carried the International Senior Games designation as a way to offer more competitive opportunities for Floridians. Floridians who qualified at a Florida Local Senior Games event were eligible for dual-state championships and overall awards at the 2011 Games.

The Games kicked off a busy opening weekend on Saturday, December 3 with Archery, Bowling, Pickleball, 5k Road Race, Softball and Track & Field and were brought to a close on Sunday, December 11 with the final events that included: Billiards, Cycling, Powerlifting, Racquetball, Shuffleboard, Swimming and Volleyball.

History books were updated this year as new records were broken and perfection was achieved.

John Shultz of Inverness attained the most consecutive medal-winning streak of any Florida Senior Games athlete when he competed in the Men’s Singles competition at Table Tennis.

Other notable competitors and accomplishments included Peter Smith of The Villages who made all 30 of his free throws at the Basketball Shooting competition and Andy McGuffin of Umatilla who continued his winning streak with gold medals in all three Basketball Shooting events to bring his total to 44 overall medals since 1994.

Not to mention, 20 new Swimming records were attained at Gandy Pool in Lakeland, and 15 Cycling records were broken in the Time Trials competition along with numerous other achievements in various events throughout the Games.

To check for more results and awards, please visit: 2011 Results

Florida Sports Foundation – Senior State Games
Dates: 12/3 – 12/11
Venue: Facilities across Polk County.
-Every year, the Florida Sports Foundation sanctions Local Games in Florida, which serve as a qualifier for the State Championships.  Every Olympic year, the Florida Senior Games State Championships serves as a qualifier for the National Senior Games held every non-Olympic year. The Senior State Games encourages and promotes healthy lifestyles for Florida Seniors by combining 20 different sports into an affordable and quality multi-sport festival they can call their own Games.
-For more information, please visit www.flasports.com/ or www.centralfloridasports.com

Florida ISA – Toys for Tots
Dates: 12/3 – 12/4
Venue: Bartow “555” Complex
-This is an ISA qualifying tournament that is expected to bring in 130 adult participants, 390 youth participants, and 210 spectators.
-For more information, please visit www.isasoftball.com or www.centralfloridasports.com