Soaking Up the Local Culture

THIS WEEK IN CENTRAL FLORIDA
NOVEMBER 10-18, 2014

Find a complete listing November and December events taking place in Polk County at VisitCentralFlorida.org.

Book Club
Date: Tuesday, November 11
Venue: Polk County History Center, Bartow
– The Polk County History Center book club meets on the first and second Tuesdays of each month.
– The upcoming book discussion will be on “March” by Geraldine Brooks.

Veteran’s Day Service in Haines City
Date: Tuesday, November 11
Venue: Haines City
– This event is Haines City’s way of saying “Thank you!” to all of our service personnel and their families.
– If you are a Veteran or active Military, the City of Haines City would like to honor you with a Heroes Ceremonial Police and Fire escort to Railroad Park.

Granny’s Corner Nature Reading
Date: Wednesday, November 12
Venue: Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland
– Join Ms. Charlene at the Polk’s Nature Discovery Center for nature readings followed by a hand on activity.

Downtown Lakeland Food Truck Rally
Date: Thursday, November 13
Venue: Munn Park, Lakeland
– Head out to Downtown Lakeland to enjoy a variety of Florida food trucks and their delicious cuisine on the second Thursday of each month.

Fall for Art Festival
Date: Thursday, November 13 – Saturday, November 15
Venue: Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland
– Polk Museum of Art is hosting a series of events highlighting local and emerging artists and encouraging art collecting.
– The events include an Artists’ Market, Art2 Sale, Soiree, Art+Music and Art Crawl.

Manheim Steamroller Christmas
Date: Friday, November 14
Venue: The Lakeland Center
– MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS by Chip Davis has been America’s favorite holiday tradition, and this year marks the 30th Anniversary of the group’s annual tour.

Quilts and Tea Festival
Date: Friday, November 14-Saturday, November 15
Venue: Davenport
– This is a festival of quilts, tea, antique vehicles, bed turning, quilting bee displays, vendors, demonstrations and food.

St. Joseph’s Carnival
Date: Friday, November 14-Sunday, November 16
Venue: Lakeland
– There will be games (kids and adult midway), rides, food, entertainment and a chance to win $5000 cash at this carnival.

Architectural Tour
Date: Saturday, November 15
Venue: Polk County History Center, Bartow
– Explore the courthouse and learn more about Neo-Classical architecture with Polk County History Center’s new architectural tour.

Astronomy Night
Date: Saturday, November 15
Venue: Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland
- The subject of this night will be nebulae, and they are the most colorful objects out there and no two are the same.
– Join the group at Circle B Bar Reserve to observe nebulae, along with star clusters, galaxies and more.

Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team Show
Date: Saturday, November 15
Venue: Lake Silver, Winter Haven
- The Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team (reestablished in 2012 by former theme park employees) performs free monthly shows on Lake Silver in Winter Haven every third Saturday monthly.

SWAMPFEST BBQ & Firetower Run-A-Muck
Date: Saturday, November 15
Venue: Florida FFA Leadership Training Center, Haines City
– Firetower Run-A-Muck & Swamp Fest BBQ are annual events that benefit the Florida FFA Foundation & Farmers Feeding Florida.
– a 5K walk/run, obstacle race, kids mini obstacle run, barbeque festival, paintball, canoe & kayaking and a kid zone will make up the event.

Tram Nature Tour
Date: Saturday, November 15
Venue: Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland
- Take a personalized tour of the Banana Creek Marsh with a volunteer guide who will point out plants, birds and the history of the property.

FPC Performing Arts Series- Ringing His Praises
Date: Sunday, November 16
Venue: Lakeland’s First Presbyterian Church
- Lakeland’s First Presbyterian Church hosts its Performing Arts Series for the 2014-2015 season.
– This fun-filled event features the Festival Ringers (adult musicians) and the Joyful Ringers (student musicians). In addition to traditional sacred music in the English Handbell tradition, this year’s concert will include a few Broadway selections.

Lunch & Learn Lecture Series
Date: Tuesday, November 18
Venue: Polk County History Center, Bartow
– The museum invites guests to bring lunch and listen to a guest speaker on the third Tuesday every month.
– The upcoming lecture will be “Florida’s Holiday Foods” presented by Heather McPherson, Pam Brandon and Katie Farmand, the authors of “Field to Feast: Recipes Celebrating Florida Farmers, Chefs and Artisans.”