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)

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

 Florida ISA – Halloween Scream
Dates: 10/22 – 10/23
Venue: Bartow “555” Complex & Loyce Harpe Park-Lakeland
-This will be an ISA qualifying tournament and is expected to bring in 105 participants & 170 spectators.
-For more information, please visit www.isasoftball.com or www.centralfloidasports.com

 Florida Youth Soccer Association – Region 3 Premiere League
Dates:  10/22 – 10/23
Venue:  Lake Myrtle Sports Park
-This event will bring in 8 elite boys soccer teams to Polk County from around the Eastern United States.  Age ranges from U15 – U16.
-More than 160 participants and 100 spectators are expected to attend.
-For more information, visit www.fysa.com

 Lakeland Table Tennis Association – Florida Orange Blossom Series – Fall Classic
Dates: 10/21 – 10/23
Venue: Simpson Park Community Center – Lakeland, Fl
-This Table Tennis Event will be bringing in 100 out of county players to Lakeland.
-For more information, please visit www.floridatt.com/lakelandtt or www.centralfloridasports.com

 Paintball Sports Promotions – PSP 2011 World Cup
Dates: 10/20 – 10/23
Venue: Fantasy of Flight
-This paintball event will bring in about 275 teams into Polk County for the weekend
-For more information, please visit www.pspevents.com or www.centralfloridasports.com

Lake Region “Woodbat” Veterans Day Tournament – Baseball
Date: 11/6/-11/8
Venue: Lake Region High School  Winter Haven, Fl
- The Lake Region Woodbat Tournament will bring in over 300 top athletes to Polk County. This event is unique to high school and collegiate baseball because of the use of professional wood bats not used in everyday play for high school and collegiate baseball
- For more information on this event check out www.centralfloridasports.com

Roar ‘n Soar – Land, Sea, and Air Show/Festival
Dates: 11/7 – 11/8
Venue: Fantasy of Flight 1400 Broadway Blvd. S.E. Polk City, FL. 33868
- Fantasy of Flight will play host to this Land, Sea, and Air Festival. The two day event brings participants and spectators from all over the United States. Come experience every aspect of racing whether it is Planes, Boats, or Race Cars bring the whole family for the weekend to enjoy the Roars and the Soars.
- For more detail about this event please check out www.fantasyofflight.com/roar-n-soar/

Independent Softball Association (ISA) Youth Double Delight
Dates: 11/7 – 11/8
Venue:555 Bartow Softball complex CR 555, Bartow, FL  33830
- ISA hosts the Youth Double Delight bringing 32 teams from across the state of Florida, these 18 and under girls teams will compete in this two day fast pitch softball tournament.
- For more information on ISA softball events visit www.floridaisa.org and for other local sporting events check out www.centralfloridasports.com 

Florida Half Century Tournament – Softball
Dates: 11/7 – 11/8
Venues:Westside & Southwest softball complex 1800 W Oakhill, Lakeland, FL
- The Florida Half Century Tournament will bring in 50 teams, 600 participants, and an estimated 500 spectators to Polk County
- For event information on the Florida Half Century Tournament check out http://fhcsoftball.org for local sporting information check out www.centralflorida.com

The busy week for sports in Polk County started on Wednesday when the PSP Paintball World Cup started at Fantasy of Flight. The event  is the world’s largest paintball event and is taking place at the attraction in Polk City October 7-11 and will bring more than 5,000 competitors and an additional 5,000 spectators to the area. The event is projected to generate more than 11,000 room nights and a significant amount of daily visitation from paintball enthusiasts in Central Florida with the paintball tradeshow that accompanies the competition. Competition will take place each day from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and admission is free to most fields, with the pro field admission being $10. Other events that were assisted or recruited by PCTSM that will be coming to Polk County this weekend include the Sixth Annual Fine Swine at the Pit barbeque competition in Mulberry, the Go Green 5K Race at Circle B Bar Reserve, the Publix Family Fitness Weekend in Winter Haven, an Independent Softball Association tournament in Winter Haven and a United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) Fall National baseball event at the new Lake Myrtle Sports Complex in Auburndale.  The USSSA event is one of the many baseball events that has utilized the new Lake Myrtle Sports Complex, which is already 71% booked for calendar year 2010.

This is the only event in Florida that showcases both the restored P-51 Mustang aircraft used during World War II and Ford Mustang automobiles of all eras, ages and styles. The restored P-51 fighters will perform aerial demonstrations throughout the day, while show cars will compete for a “People’s Choice” award. As well as watching the hot rods and fighter planes in action, guests also can take advantage of children’s activities, enjoy live entertainment and snap photos with the classic cars and vintage airplanes.

Admission to the 12th Annual Mustangs & Mustangs event is included with Fantasy of Flight general admission, which is $28.95 for adults and $14.95 for youth ages 6-15. Children five and younger are free and the event is free for Annual Passholders to Fantasy of Flight. Parking is $5.

The best part about this event is that it is for a great cause. A portion of the proceeds from car show registration will go to VISTE of Lakeland, an organization that provides services enabling the elderly to live independently in their own homes.

All Ford vehicles are welcome to participate in the car show. To register a Ford or Ford Mustang, call 863.984.3500 or visit Fantasy of Flight’s website.