Pictured above (l to r) Judd Dixon (father of Shirley Williams), unknown reveler and Ray Bice – 1927 Orange Festival Parade.

Download parade application form here. Parade applications accepted through March 16 at City Hall.

After consultation with the Lakes Region Lakes Management District (Canal Commission) we believe that the canals will be passable this year. We make two important suggestions:

1.  Boaters should be able to “trim” their outboard motors for the best range of water levels in the canals.

2. Boaters with fixed props should run the parade course just prior to December 4 to determine their ability to participate.

The Canal Commission had deepened the Howard-Cannon Canal and other work has been done to remove debris. Roger Griffiths has noted that his crews will inspect for potential obstructions in the canals.

Lake levels have prevented safe canal passage for the past two years.

Watch for complete information and decorating tips and contest information to be posted in the near future.

Parade will travel counter-clockwise in all lakes as follows:

The parade will form in Lake May and travel into and around Lake Shipp. When it returns to Lake May it will travel past the Winter Haven Nautical Club and on to Lake Howard where it will travel around Lake Howard to the Cannon canal. Proceeding into Lake Cannon it will complete its circuit returning to Lake Howard  traveling to the Lake May canal where it will disperse.

Good sports and even better dancers included: Gail McKinzie, superintendent of Polk Public Schools; Bonnie Parker, president of Winter Haven Sun Trust Bank; Jerry Miller, community affairs manager for Progress Energy; Tracy Porter, executive director of the Polk State College Foundation and Tim Harris, a School Board member and a representative of MIDFLORIDA Credit Union. All had accomplished partners to mentor them through the ten weeks of dance instruction and all brought applause from the audience as they performed twists, turns and lifts to waltzes, tangos, quick step and other ballroom standards.

At evening’s end Jerry Miller took the judges’ top honors (Miller scored a perfect 30 in his final dance routine) while Bonnie Parker received the People’s Choice Award and also raised the most money through $1 votes – more than $3,000. (Parker also scored a perfect 30 in her final routine.) In all the five candidates raised more than $7,000 in that voting alone. Sponsor dollars and attendee ticket purchases ensure that those Stepping Out truly “stepped up,” and the Polk Education Foundation was the true winner for what is sure to be a popular new annual event.

All the dancing stars were on their mark, and the judges gave each high marks for technique. We might add that Gail McKinzie does a mean jitterbug, and Tracy Porter’s waltz was spectacular as well. Bonnie Parker’s dress she wore for her “Last Tango in Lakeland” (right) will long be remembered.

Wow, it was truly a special evening. Congratulations to Susan Copeland and everyone at the Polk Education Foundation for a great new evening of fun.

Ghoul’s Night Out
Friday Night, October 30

The City of Winter Haven will present a great night for ghosts and goblins of all ages at Ghoul’s Night Out from 6 – 9 p.m. Downtown the fun starts in the parks.

Terror on the Ridge – Bedlam Asylum
Friday and Saturday Night, October 30 and 31

Ridge Art presents “Terror on the Ridge – Bedlam Asylum” recommended for ages 12 and up. Special “Lights On Tour” from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Friday only) for the faint at heart. ($3 per person) Then, from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. the Terror returns. Be the first to be “committed!” ($8 per person) Halloween Night they’ll be open the asylum from 7:30 p.m. to Midnight.  ($8 per person)

Saturday, October 31
Downtown Street Party for Adults (Central Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets

Arabella’s Ave. Bar and Tanner’s Pub present this first ever Halloween evening for Grown Ups! Dance in the street to music by the New Beginnings Band. 8:30 p.m. to Midnight. Costume Contest with CASH PRIZES at 11 p.m. DJ Bob in Tanner’s Courtyard and DJ Smooth on Tanner’s Main Stage inside. So much fun … it’ll scare the bejeebies out of you! Brought to you by the Boys and Ghouls of

Snow Central and all the fun it brings will be downtown, tonight from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

It’s been a bit warm so hurry on down … before it becomes a “block” party.

Celebrate a bit of icy Christmas magic courtesy of the City of Winter Haven. Happy Holidays!

Ask The People’s Governor About CSX At Politics In The Park 

In fact, chant it at him while he speaks. C-S-X. C-S-X. No politickin’ without accountability.

The people’s governor says he’s coming to Politics in the Park Thursday evening. It’s his first real public appearance in Lakeland since the CSX deal became controversial.

Many, many people should ask him why he supports spending $650 million or so of Florida taxpayer money to help a private company set up its business plan, trash our city, and set back commuter rail everywhere but Orlando for decades. Particularly at a time when everything else – schools, health care spending, etc. – is cuttable. Others should ask him why it’s so easy for CSX to get a meeting with the People’s Governor when he only realizes Lakeland exists when he needs votes for John McCain.

(Some of you will recall that Townsend was employed by the Tampa Tribune and did a series of articles critical of the CSX/Central Florida Commuter Rail plans at the same time his wife was employed by the Lakeland Downtown Partnership.)

So while Mr. Townsend calls for the Governor’s ambush regarding the CSX project, he would do well to keep the following facts in mind …

• While there has certainly been measurable tension with our neighbors to the west, a spirit of cooperation has emerged. Representatives of both Lakeland and Winter Haven Chambers as well as the Central Florida Development Council, East Polk Committee of 100, Lakeland Economic Development Council and Polk Vision (to name a few) have met with officials from both the Tampa Bay Partnership and Central Florida Partnership in an effort to develop a Super-Regional Strategy Team encompassing the I-4 corridor. This effort, while in its infancy, has found many areas of common interest. 
• In organizing the previously mentioned Super-Regional Strategy Team, it quickly became obvious that no one entity can speak for all of Polk. A county of vast size and diverse interests has many agendas. Even so, there is far more on which we agree than disagree. To this end, Polk Vision has facilitated a new independent initiative tentatively dubbed “One Polk.” It’s purpose is to develop enough consensus on priorities to represent Polk in discussions with our neighbors to the east and west (Tampa Bay Partnership and Central Florida Partnership). Co-chairs Tim Campbell and Wayne Watters are in the earliest organizational stages. More definitive plans will be announced soon.
• The CSX project has the potential for tremendous economic impact in a good economy. How much more valuable will the potential jobs and development be in a troubled economy? How many communities or regions across the country would trade places for this economic engine?
• Polk County’s unemployment rate shot up to 7.8% in August. There are those who predict it will hit double digits. While we do not propose any job at any cost, the Chamber’s evaluation of the potential jobs associated with the CSX project has convinced us these are not the jobs to turn away.
• Lakeland’s agenda includes rerouting freight traffic away from downtown. The Florida Department of Transportation is currently studying the feasibility for just such rerouting. We support Lakeland’s quest for the best solution possible.

The point here is that much good has come from confrontation. Calmer heads have prevailed and reasoned thought has emerged to find solutions and build consensus.

The solutions to the current economic turbulence, a variety of Polk infrastructure and construction agendas as well as striving to protect the quality of life we all have come to love and enjoy will take cooperation, rational thought as well as city, county and state resources.

Of one thing we are sure, ambushing the Governor in downtown Lakeland is no way to address any of the above.

Updated 6:55 p.m, October 16:  Friends in Lakeland intervened to diffuse this matter and Governor Crist spoke without incident. The efforts to extend cooperative hands across Polk County has proven effective and holds even greater potential for the future. 

In celebration of the reopening of Splash Island Water Park and Cypress Gardens’ first-ever Ski & Surf Weekend, the park will host a Corporate Beach Volleyball Tournament on Saturday, March 29. Cypress Gardens is looking for eight teams of four players who will compete for the title of Cypress Garden Beach Volleyball Champions. The winning team will also designate a charity of their choice to receive a portion of the money raised from the event. An entry fee of $100 per team will provide the four participants admission to the park for the day as well as entry into the tournament. Fun prizes will also be awarded to the “Masters of Sun and Sand.” To receive information on the tournament and an entry form, please contact Jennifer Mansfield by emailing jmansfield@cypressgardens.com.

The tournament will be held on the brand new beach volleyball court located in Splash Island and will begin at 11 a.m. Cheering fans from participating company’s are encouraged to come out and cheer on their team. Call 863-324-2111 ext. 3 for group ticket information.

Ski & Surf Weekend will also feature the All American Ski Tournament taking place in the Ski Show Circle, ride alongs sponsored by Huston Motors and Correct Craft, a Sunday tribute to Banana George Blair, Sammy Kershaw in concert Saturday, March 29 at 3 p.m. and the Beach Boys in concert Sunday, March 30 at 3 p.m.

It all begins immediately following the City’s Easter Egg hunt. Boats are built from 11 to Noon and then the races. There’s $200 in cash prizes. $25 registration fee. Rules and registration form here.

Register today!