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

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.

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.

It’s that time of year again for this year’s 66th Annual Tiger BBQ! Welcome back our very own Detroit Tigers with a delicious menu, fabulous entertainment and most of all the Detroit Tigers Baseball team.

Be sure to act fast and get your tickets for Tuesday, February 28, 2012 because the deadline for ordering is Monday February 20, 2012. The gates open at 6:00 p.m. at Joker Marchant Stadium. Tickets prices for adults will be $50 and children (12 and under) $25. The menu will consist of: Roasted Corn, Shrimp, BBQ Ribs, Char-broiled Steak, Italian Sausage, Baked Beans and Cole Slaw.

The 2012 spring season marks the club’s 47th consecutive season of exhibition play at Joker Marchant Stadium.

Tickets can be purchased online from Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce.

Tickets can also be purchased by mail:
Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce/ 66th Annual Tiger BBQ
P.O. Box 3607 Lakeland, FL 33802-3607
(863) 688-8551 ext. 224 or 223

The fantasy camp participants have been in town since Sunday, participating in clinics, batting practices and games. After spending the week training alongside Tigers greats, the campers will have the opportunity to showcase their talent and passion for the game on the field. Participants scheduled to appear include: Willie Horton, Alan Trammell, Mickey Lolich, Frank Tanana, Larry Herndon, Jon Warden, Jim Price and more.

The Tigers will begin their exhibition schedule on Friday, March 2nd as the club plays host to Florida Southern College in the annual matchup against the Moccasins. Detroit Tigers Spring Training games are currently on sale. Tickets can be purchased at the Joker Marchant Stadium Box office, online through the Detroit Tigers website at www.Tigers.com, or by phone at (866) 66-TIGER (84437).

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

Wednesday, June 1 vs. Ft. Myers Miracle (Twins) @ 7:00 p.m. (Gates open at 6:00 p.m.)
All-You-Can-Eat Night
Wednesday is All-You-Can-Eat Night sponsored by Outback Steakhouse – North Lakeland. Tickets are just $10 and includes admission to the game and all-you-can-eat hamburgers, hot dogs, sausages, cracker jacks, popcorn, pretzels and chips as well as food from Outback from 6:00-9:00 p.m. or while supplies last.

Emergency Preparedness Night
Members of Polk County’s Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) will be at the game distributing ready materials and will be available to answer any questions from fans.  There will be PSA audio and video messages, trivia questions, games and contests throughout the game to educate fans.  The Red Cross, National Weather Service, United Way as well as a blood mobile are expected to participate.  There will also be information regarding hurricane preparedness as the beginning of June also marks the beginning of hurricane season.  
WFLA News Channel 8 weekend anchor and Polk County reporter Jennifer Leigh will also throw out the game’s ceremonial first pitch.  The Sleepy Hill Middle School Chorus will sing the National Anthem; the Civil Air Patrol Cadets will present the colors, and the Sleepy Hill Middle School Drum Line will perform throughout the game.

Thursday, June 2 vs. Ft. Myers Miracle (Twins) @ 7:00 p.m. (Gates open at 5:30 p.m.)
2^nd Annual Flying Tigers Wing Ding (5:30 -7:00 p.m.)
Area Polk County restaurants will be competing for the Flying Tigers Wing Ding Champion.  Competitors will be judged by best overall wing and the people’s choice award which will be judged by the fans.  Winners will receive trophies and prizes from the Flying Tigers.  Restaurants scheduled to participate include Natalie’s Sports Bar & Grill, Hooters, Buffalo Wild Wings, Gators at Dockside, Tiger Town Cafe, Smokey Bones, Beef O’ Brady’s and Mojo’s.  Entrance to the Wing Ding is $5 (ticket to the game is required) and includes wings, live music and beer samples from Budweiser.  Part of the proceeds benefit Camp Fire USA.

Thirsty Thursday
Fans can enjoy $1 beer and soda every Thursday home game.  Beer sales begin at 5:30 p.m. and end at the conclusion of the 7^th inning.

Friday, June 3 vs. Ft. Myers Miracle (Twins) @ 7:00 p.m. (Gates open at 6:00 p.m.)
Flying Tigers Youth Cap Giveaway
The Flying Tigers will be giving baseball caps to the first 300 paid kids ages 14 and younger.

Saturday, June 4 vs. Tampa Yankees @ 6:00 p.m. (Gates open at 4:30 p.m.)
Fireworks Extravaganza following the game (weather permitting).

Bright House Customer Appreciation Night
Bright House Networks customers receive free tickets for their entire household.  Customers can bring their Bright House statement to the game for free tickets.  There will be special prize giveaways throughout the game.

The Flying Tigers are a Class A Affiliate of the Detroit Tigers.  For more information please visit the Flying Tigers online at www.LakelandFlyingTigers.com or call (863) 686-8075.

The only thing not included is the sunshine and hot dogs!