Break away from below zero temperatures this winter and bask in the warmth of Florida’s holiday spirit. Visitors can melt away their winter chills in the festive sparkle.
Here is news of some festivals, exhibitions and shows.
The annual Sebastian Riverfront Fine Art and Music Festival, scheduled for January 23 – 24 features the juried art of 110 exhibitors in a wide range of media along Sebastian’s beautiful Indian River Lagoon. The festival will also feature live music, food, beer and wine. This art and music festival has become a gem on the southeast coast of Florida.
As one of the most prestigious juried exhibitions of traditional two-dimensional media, the 7th Biennial National Art Exhibition in Punta Gorda benefits the programs and artists of the non-profit Visual Arts Center. Starting February 6 to March 12 at the Visual Arts Center, only 125 of the best works are selected from thousands of entries from artists in all fifty states for display.
Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo honors love this Valentine’s Day with Wild at Heart on February 13 and 14. Singles, couples and groups of friends (ages 21 and up) are invited to the park for a lighthearted look at love in the animal kingdom. This fourth annual tour and progressive candlelight dinner will entertain guests with interesting stories about the pairing, partnering and mating habits of the zoo’s residents.
Fantasy of Flight in Orlando presents the Living History Symposium: “They Dared to Fly” February 19 – 20. This symposium features the Tuskegee Airmen in honor of Black History month. Several of the original Tuskegee Airmen will share their personal experiences of wartime military service during segregated America. This event features open-forum and question-and-answer sessions. Fantasy of Flight's permanent multi-media Tuskegee Airmen exhibit and vintage aircraft collection, including the P-51C Mustang, provides the perfect backdrop for this once in a lifetime opportunity to meet these brave men.
During February, Fort Myers celebrates the birthday of its most illustrious historical figure, Thomas A. Edison, with the Edison Festival of Light stadium show on February 20. Invention competitions, parties, craft shows and a 5K run are all part of the celebration. Entertainment begins at 5 p.m. climaxing with fireworks at 7 p.m. to kick off the grand lighted parade.
The newly created Amelia Island Film Festival from February 25 – 28 celebrates local and regional filmmakers in venues throughout historic Downtown Fernandina Beach. This quaint town is the perfect host – visitors can walk or take a horse drawn carriage to all of the events. Program includes a meet and greet with filmmakers, writers, artists, songwriters and other movers and shakers.
For more information about top events in Florida, take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Florida at http://www.topeventsusa.com/state-events-florida.html
Or, take a look at the official web site for Florida at www.VISITFLORIDA.org