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!

Don’t forget: Russell Athletic Bowl Parade of Bands

The City of Winter Park will proudly host the 6th annual Russell Athletic Bowl Parade of Bands, featuring school bands from Rutgers University and Virginia Tech on Friday, Dec. 28.

The parade will start at 11 a.m. at the intersection of Park and Lyman avenues, going 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.

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

City Hall closed

City Hall will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 1, in observance of New Year’s Day and will reopen for regular business on Wednesday, Jan. 2. There will be no Waste Pro services on New Year’s Day, however recycling will still be collected. Normal 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!

Last few days of ice skating!

The last day to skate at the city’s “Winter in the Park” ice skating rink is Sunday, Jan. 6. If you haven’t already taken a spin on the ice, there’s only a little over a week left. Bring your friends and family to experience some cool fun before it’s all over. The rink is open daily Monday through Thursday from noon to 9 p.m.; Friday from noon to 10 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday noon to 8 p.m. until Sunday, Jan 6.

For more freezing information, please call 407-599-3203 or skate onto our blustery website at cityofwinterpark.org/WITP

Save the date for the annual Winter Park Mayor/City Commission Luncheon

Save the date! The 2012 Winter Park Mayor/City Commission Luncheon is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 18, at 11:30 a.m. at the Winter Park Community Center located at 721 W. New England Ave.

Featuring Mayor Ken Bradley’s annual State of the City Address and the Winter Park City Commissioners, you won’t want to miss hearing your elected officials’ plans and visions for the new year!

For more information call the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce at 407-644-8281, or purchase tickets directly on their website at winterpark.org

Unity Heritage Festival & Martin Luther King Jr. Park dedication

The city of Winter Park is proud to present the 11th annual Unity Heritage Festival on Sunday, Jan. 20, and Monday, Jan. 21. The annual community festival will promote family history and raise funds for the Educational Fulfillment Fund for local economically disadvantaged youth.

The festival begins on Sunday, Jan. 20, in Shady Park in Hannibal Square located at the intersection of Pennsylvania and New England avenues, from 1 to 5:30 p.m. Special activities will include children’s games, career booths, food and retail vendors, special entertainment by various gospel artists, and job training, job readiness and financial literacy by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Nu Iota Omega Chapter. There will also be a presentation of the annual Heritage Award. Patrons are also encouraged to visit the Hannibal Square Heritage Center just across the street from Shady Park to see “Sewn Together: Photographic Quilts Reflecting the Family Ties of Eatonville, Maitland and Winter Park” and “The Sage Project: Hannibal Square Elders Tell Their Stories.” The center pays tribute to the past, present and future contributions of Winter Park’s historic African American community.

Prior to the festival’s continuance on Monday, Jan. 21, there will be a special Martin Luther King Jr. Park Dedication Ceremony at 9:30 a.m. at the park located on corner of Morse Boulevard and Denning Drive. Following the ceremony, participants will then march to Shady Park to continue the celebration. After a series of public meetings and input, the city renamed Lake Island Park to Martin Luther King Jr. Park in June 2012. The park will be officially dedicated on MLK Day in honor of the memory and accomplishments of one of the world’s most influential civil rights leaders.

The heritage festival continues in Shady Park on Martin Luther King Jr. Day from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Join Mayor Ken Bradley and Winter Park city officials at 10 a.m. for a special Martin Luther King Jr. symbolic program, including the Feature Family Presentation for the Perkins family. Exciting events and activities will continue throughout the day including food and music by Motown Entertainment.

Special thanks to event sponsors including the city of Winter Park’s Community Redevelopment Agency and Parks & Recreation Department, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Nu Iota Omega Chapter, Verizon Wireless, Crealdé School of Art, Davis Bakery, MetroPlan Orlando and Tim Webber, The Coordinator.

For more information regarding the 11th annual Unity Heritage Festival, please call 407-599-3275.

Walk more, bike more - stay safe on the road

As we all become more focused on our new year’s resolutions and look for ways to burn off those extra calories, here are some helpful tips for you as you hit the bicycle trails in Winter Park:

All trail users

• Show courtesy to other trail users at all times.

• Use the right side of the trail except when otherwise designated.

• Respect the rights of property owners.

• Keep dogs on leash and remove pet feces from the trail.

Bicyclists

• You are responsible for the safe operation of your vehicle.

• Yield to pedestrians.

• Give audible warning when passing pedestrians or other bicyclists.

• Ride at a safe speed. Slow down during congested conditions, reduced visibility and other hazardous conditions.

Pedestrians

• Stay to the right side of the trail except when otherwise designated.

• Watch for other trail users.

• Be especially alert when running.

• Listen for audible signals and allow faster trail users to pass safely.

For maps on the best trails in Winter Park, the city offers Cycling Guide Maps online that show bike lanes, shared use paths and streets commonly used by cyclists. Visit cityofwinterpark.org > Residents Tab > Walking.

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