Winter Park City Talk

On behalf of the City of Winter Park, I would like to extend the happiest of holidays to you and yours. This time of year gives us the opportunity to focus on what is really important in our lives and reflect on the things and people that mean the most to us.

As your city manager, we do everything we can to pursue the city’s vision “to be the best place to live, work and play in Florida for today’s residents and future generations,” and we will continue to provide the highest quality of services to our residents.

We thank you for your continued support of our city and wish you happy holidays this season and all year long.

City Hall closed

City Hall will be closed at noon on Friday, Dec. 23, through Monday, Dec. 26, in observance of the Christmas holiday. Normal business hours will resume on Tuesday, Dec. 27.

City Hall will also be closed on Monday, Jan. 2, in observance of New Year’s Day.

Dec. 26 City Commission meeting canceled

In observance of the Christmas holiday, the Monday, Dec. 26, City Commission meeting has been canceled. The next regularly scheduled City Commission meeting will be held Monday, Jan. 9, at 3:30 p.m. at the Rachel D. Murrah Civic Center located at 1050 W. Morse Blvd.

It’s a great time to skate on Christmas break!

Don’t forget the city’s “Winter in the Park” holiday ice-skating rink in Central Park West Meadow is waiting for you. Yes, we are open on Christmas Eve from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Christmas Day from 3 p.m.-8 p.m.

Here are the regular hours also on all those other days off:

• Monday thru Thursday, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• Friday, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.

• Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Sunday, Noon to 8 p.m.

• See website for extended school holiday hours.

Only $10 per skater all day! For more information, please call 407-599-3203 or visit our website at www.cityofwinterpark.org.

Champs Sports Bowl® Parade of Bands featuring Florida State University and Notre Dame

The City of Winter Park will proudly host the fifth annual Champs Sports Bowl Parade of Bands featuring school bands from Florida State University and University of Notre Dame on Thursday, Dec. 29, at 11 a.m. As a prelude to the Champs Sports Bowl game on the same day at the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium, school bands and mascots will march through downtown Winter Park and perform a “Bandastic Game Day Preview” in Central Park.

The parade will start at 11 a.m. at the intersection of Park and Lyman avenues. The bands will march north along Park Avenue through downtown Winter Park. After turning west on Garfield Avenue, they will proceed to Central Park where they will perform for all fans to enjoy.

New York Avenue between Fairbanks and Lyman avenues will be closed to through traffic from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for the band staging area. In order to minimize disruption to traffic flow, street closures along the parade route will occur in a rolling fashion. 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 onto Park Avenue will also be closed as the parade approaches each intersection.

The Champs Sports Bowl is operated by Florida Citrus Sports, a non-profit group which also manages the Capital One Bowl® and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Classic. The Champs Sports Bowl game is officially sold out. For information regarding Florida Citrus Sports and to purchase tickets for upcoming events, including the Capital One Bowl, please visit www.fcsports.com.

For specific information regarding the Champs Sports Bowl Parade of Bands in Winter Park, please call 407-599-3203.

Recycling during the holidays

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.

You can place your leftover Christmas tree curbside for your regular yard waste pick-up day. Please cut the tree into four-foot lengths, and be sure to remove all lights and decorations.

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!

Visit the city’s official website at www.cityofwinterpark.org, find us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.