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.

FHSAA Girl’s Basketball Finals
Dates: February 22, 2012 — February 25, 2012
Venue: The Lakeland Center
-The FHSAA Girl’s Basketball Final is a four day tournament featuring semi-finals and final rounds involving eight classes and 32 teams.
-For more information, please visit The Lakeland Center, FHSAA or Central Florida Sports.

LTTA Inc. – Florida Orange Blossom Table Tennis Series Winter Classic
Dates: February 24 – February 25
Venue: Simpson Park Community Center – Lakeland
-This is a USATT (United States Association of Table Tennis) sanctioned tournament. It is also sanctioned by the USSTTA (United States Sandpaper Table Tennis Association) and by the LTTA (Lakeland Table Tennis Association).
-The tournament begins on Friday night with Doubles and Sandpaper events. On Saturday, a colossal round robin singles event is held.
-A maximum limit of 110 players in place for the Saturday session. Players from all over Florida and the southwest USA travel to participate in this tournament. We also have several international players who enter the tournament.
-Trophies and cash prizes are awarded to the winners in the various events on Friday and Saturday.
-This tournament is classified as a two-star tournament by the USATT.
-For more information, please visit Florida Table Tennis or Central Florida Sports

Ribs on the Ridge
Dates: February 24–February 25
Venue: Lake Eva Park in Haines City
-This growing event has been the Florida BBQ Association’s largest competition for the past two years; with approximately 100 teams competing.
-Don’t miss performances by The Pork Chop Review featuring “Oink” the singing pig! Live entertainment including local bands and Confederate Railroad begin at noon on Saturday.
-FREE of cost
-To find out more about Ribs on the Ridge, Haines City, FL or Central Florida Sports.

Florida ISA – Youth February Blast
Dates: February 25 –February 26
Venue: Bartow Softball Complex
-This is an ISA qualifying tournament that is expected to bring in over 400 softball players.
-For more information, please visit Florida ISA or Central Florida Sports

FYSA Region C Cup Round 1 – Soccer
Dates: February 25– February 26
Venue: Lake Myrtle Sports Park
-The Auburndale Soccer Club will host this weekend of competition that will feature U11 and U13 girls division 2 teams from across the state.
-Twenty-six teams are registered/qualified with a total number of approximately 420 participants.
-For more information, log on to Central Florida Sports or FYSA

Independent Softball Association – Youth Flowers for Mom – Youth Fast Pitch Softball
Dates: 4/30 – 5/1
Venue: Bartow 555 Complex – Bartow
- This event will bring in over 600 participants and over 240 spectators to Polk County.
- For more information please visit www.isasoftball.com or www.centralfloridasports.com

USA Rugby South Men’s Club DII & DIII Finals
Dates: 4/30 – 5/1
Venue: Lake Parker Soccer Complex – Lakeland
- This event will bring in over 240 participants and over 420 spectators to Polk County.
- For more information please visit www.usarugbysouth.com or http://krewerugby.com/usasouth.html or www.centralfloridasports.com

Florida Youth Soccer Association (FYSA) State Cup Round of 16 – Soccer
Dates: 4/30 – 5/1
Venue: Lake Myrtle Sports Park – Auburndale
- This FYSA event will bring in over 80 teams ages 14 – 18.  An anticipated 1,200 girls will participate with and over 2,100 spectators coming to Polk County.
- For more information visit www.fysa.com or www.centralfloridasports.com 

Homeschool World Series – Baseball
Dates: 5/2 – 5/7
Venue: Lake Myrtle Sports Park – Auburndale
- The Homeschool World 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.
- For more information check out www.centralfloridasports.com or www.hwsa.com

Child of the Sun Jazz Festival & Urban Triathlon
Dates: 4/15 – 4/16
Venue: Lake Mirror Park – Lakeland
- This event will bring in over 500 participants and over 1,500 spectators to Polk County.
- For more information please visit www.cotslakeland.com or www.centralfloridasports.com

Winter Haven Stingrays – Rowdy Cup Long Course Swim Meet – Swimming
Dates: 4/15 – 4/17
Venue: Rowdy Gaines Olympic Pool – Winter Haven
- This event will bring in over 400 participants and over 700 spectators to Polk County.
- For more information please visit www.winterhavenstingrays.com or www.centralfloridasports.com

Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) – Spring Slug-a-Rama – Baseball
Dates: 4/15 – 4/17
Venue: Lake Myrtle Sports Park – Auburndale, Auburndale Softball Complex – Auburndale, Chain of Lakes Complex – Winter Haven, Diamondplex – Winter Haven
- This AAU event will bring in over 70 teams of ages ranging from 8 to 18 to Polk County.
- For more information visit www.sunshinesports.net or www.centralfloridasports.com

NCAA National Championship Qualifier – Beach Volleyball Tournament
Dates: 4/15 – 4/17
Venue: Aspire Higher Volleyball – Winter Haven
- For more information visit www.centralfloridasports.com

Fire Youth Sports, INC. – 14th Annual Fire Shootout Classic – Basketball
Dates: 4/15 – 4/17
Venue: High school Basketball Gyms across Lakeland, Mulberry, and Bartow
- This event will bring in over 1,000 participants and over 725 spectators to Polk County.
- For more information visit www.fireyouthsports.org or www.centralfloridasports.com 

Florida Youth Soccer Association (FYSA) Olympic Development Program (ODP) – Soccer
Dates: 4/16 – 4/17
Venue: Lake Myrtle Sports Park – Auburndale
- This FYSA event will host 60 youth soccer teams and bring in over 1,200 spectators to Polk County
- For more information on this FYSA event please visit www.fysa.com  and for local sporting events and news check out www.centralfloridasports.com

52nd National Road Runners Club of America Convention
Dates: Apr. 21-24
Venue: The Lakeland Center
- The 52nd National RRCA Convention will be a 4 day event which will bring over 100 participants to Polk County
- For more information on this event please visit www.rrcaconvention.org or www.centralfloridasports.com

Senior Softball Spring Nationals
Dates: April 21-25
Venue: Diamondplex and Auburndale Softball Complex
- The Senior Softball Spring Nationals will bring into Polk County over 45 teams
- For more information on this event please visit www.centralfloridasports.com

Florida Youth Soccer Association (FYSA) ODP State Trials
Dates: 4/23 – 4/25
Venue: Lake Myrtle
- This FYSA event will host 60 teams and bring in over 1200 spectators to Polk County
- For more information on this event please visit www.centralfloridasports.com www.fysa.com

Home School World Series
Dates: 4/23 – 5/2
Venue: Lake Myrtle
- The Home School World Series will bring in over 50 baseball teams and over 1000 spectators to Polk County
- For more information check out www.centralfloridasports.com www.hwsa.com

USBC Men’s State Championships – Bowling
Dates: 4/24/2010 – 6/20/2010
Venue: Lakeland Orange Bowl and Lakeland AMF Lanes
- The USBC Men’s State Championships will be held in Lakeland for 8 weeks and will bring in over 4,000 participants to Polk County
- For more information please visit www.usbcfsba.org or check out www.centralfloridasports.com