Winter Park City Talk

On behalf of the city of Winter Park, I’d like to wish you a very safe and happy New Year!

Parade of Bands featuring Oklahoma Sooners and Clemson Tigers

The city of Winter Park will proudly host the eighth Annual Russell Athletic Bowl Parade of Bands, featuring school bands from the University of Oklahoma and Clemson University Monday, Dec. 29, at 11 a.m. As a prelude to the Russell Athletic Bowl game at 5:30 p.m. at the Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium, school bands, cheerleaders and mascots will march through downtown Winter Park and perform a bandtastic game day preview.

From 9:30 to 11 a.m., Interlachen Avenue will be closed to through traffic between Fairbanks and New England avenues, and Lyman Avenue will be closed between Knowles and Interlachen avenues for the band staging area. The parade will start at 11 a.m. at the intersection of Park and Lyman avenues, heading north on Park Avenue through downtown Winter Park. After turning west onto Garfield Avenue, they will proceed to Central Park where they will perform for all fans to enjoy.

In order to minimize disruption to traffic flow, street closures along the parade route will occur in a rolling fashion (see map on cityofwinterpark.org). Street closures will reopen immediately after the parade has safely passed. However, a portion of Park Avenue between Morse Boulevard and Canton Avenue will remain closed for the duration of the parade. Side street entrances on to Park Avenue will also be closed as the parade approaches each intersection.

The Russell Athletic Bowl is operated by Florida Citrus Sports, a non-profit group which also manages the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl and the Florida Blue Florida Classic. For information regarding Florida Citrus Sports and to purchase tickets for upcoming events, including the Russell Athletic Bowl and Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl, please visit fcsports.com

For specific information regarding the Russell Athletic Bowl Parade of Bands in Winter Park, please call 407-599-3463.

Qualifying begins Dec. 29

■ Mayoral and City Commissioner Seat 1 qualifying will begin Monday, Dec. 29, at noon, and end Tuesday, Jan. 6, at noon.

■ Primary election (if necessary) will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 10.

■ General election will be held Tuesday, March 10.

■ For more information, please contact the city clerk’s office at 407-599-3277, [email protected], visit cityofwinterpark.org/elections or click the 2015 Election Button featured on the homepage.

City Hall closed

City Hall will be closed Thursday, Jan. 1, in observance of New Year’s Day and reopen for regular business Friday, Jan. 2. There will be no Waste Pro services on New Year’s Day, however, recycling will still be collected. Normal collection services will resume on the next regularly scheduled collection day.

New Year’s Eve and fireworks

With New Year’s Eve just around the corner, remember to leave fireworks up to the professionals. In Florida, virtually all fireworks, except sparklers, are considered illegal and can turn any amateur fireworks festivity into a tragedy. Keep your friends and family safe this year by letting professionals do the show. Have a safe and Happy New Year!

Recycle: gift wrap and Christmas trees

Holiday wrapping paper and gift boxes can be recycled with the exception of foil and flocked papers. Please, however, pitch any packing materials such as plastic bubbles and Styrofoam peanuts into your regular garbage cart. Be sure to bag first, especially those flyaway Styrofoam peanuts.

Cut your real Christmas tree in 4-foot lengths the place curbside for yard waste pickup on your regular yard waste pick-up day. Be sure to remove all lights and decorations first!

Dinner on the Avenue tables on sale Jan. 5

The city of Winter Park is proud to announce the 14th annual Dinner on the Avenue will be held Saturday, April 11, from 6 to 10 p.m. Tables will go on sale Monday, Jan. 5, at 8 a.m., at the Winter Park Community Center located at 721 W. New England Ave. Hosted by the city, this unique, fun-filled dining experience has become the social event of the year.

Gather a table of friends, family, co-workers or neighbors to dine under the stars on beautiful Park Avenue. Tables of eight are available for just $125 each. Only the table, white linen tablecloth and chairs are provided - everything else is up to you. Get creative with table set-up and let your appetites decide whether you bring your own potluck dinner or hire a local caterer to satisfy your palate.

Creativity is encouraged and each group is challenged to develop its own unique look and individual décor. Awards will be presented to winners in various categories including most colorful, most elegant, most original, best TV/movie-themed and honorable mentions. The judging will begin at 7 p.m. sharp, and awards will be presented once the judges have decided on the winners.

For more information regarding this unique dining experience, please visit cityofwinterpark.org/dinner or call 407-643-1613.

For more information regarding the City of Winter Park, please visit the city’s official website at cityofwinterpark.org. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and watch us on both Vimeo and YouTube.