Calendar

JAN. 22

Each year the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, Park Avenue Merchants Association and Winter Park/Maitland Observer celebrate exemplary local businesses and organizations through the Ovations Awards. Community members provide votes and input on the 'best of' dining, shopping, business services, arts, culture and health via an online poll. This year the awards will be presented on Jan. 22 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Winter Park Welcome Center at 151 W. Lyman Ave. in Winter Park. Call 407-644-8281 or visit winterpark.org

Swashbuckle for an evening to benefit USO Central Florida at 6 p.m. on Jan. 22, as USO Central Florida and Central Florida Rotarians invite us for drinks, dinner and a show. Pirate’s Town will host A Night Out at Treasure Tavern, with proceeds benefiting America's troops and their families through USO services here in Central Florida. For reservations call 407-206-5102 and use offer code USO or visit usocentralflorida.org

On Thursday, Jan. 22, the city will present energy-efficiency workshops. It will include tutorials on how to save money on your next utility bill and qualify for possible free home upgrades. The workshops will be held in the Winter Park Community Center from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Register by phone at 407-599-3364 or visit cityofwinterpark.org

JAN. 24

Pookie’s is proud to announce its seventh annual RescueFest, a fundraiser and adoption day to benefit local non-profit animal rescue groups! This year’s event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24, at Lake Lily Park in Maitland. This fun-filled annual event seeks to increase awareness and promote adoption of homeless pets, tens of thousands of which are abandoned and turned in to local shelters every year in Central Florida. In addition to adoptions, a wide variety of pet services including pet trainers, pet sitters, pet communicators, pet boarding and veterinary services will be on-site to provide information, giveaways and more. Natural foods and supplements companies will share educational information on pet nutrition and raffle off goodies. There will be music, food trucks and entertainment as well. And naturally, RescueFest is family- and pet-friendly! For more information, call 321-287-0390.

The third annual Orlando Chowder Festival runs from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Winter Park Civic Center, located at 1050 W. Morse Blvd. in Winter Park. A variety of area food vendors will be competing for the 2015 Chowder Cup, which was previously awarded to Boston Lobster Feast Restaurant in 2014 and Fleming's Steakhouse in 2013. The Chowder Festival is an amazing opportunity for local chefs to "step outside the box" and show off their culinary talents. This event is open to any restaurant or food vendor to present their best chowder for a $500 cash prize. The winner will also be included/featured in at least 5,000 to 10,000 post card/flyers as the 2016 champion (must defend title to be included). For more information, call 321-396-7790 or visit winterparkannual.com

Get a healthy start to the new year by participating in the Seasons 52 Park Avenue 5K at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24, starting at the Central Park Main Stage in Winter Park. Seasons 52 Fresh Grill and Wine Bar celebrates the enjoyment of living a fit and healthy lifestyle by sponsoring this race through beautiful Winter Park! Please plan to arrive 45 minutes early due to road closures and traffic congestion. For more information, visit trackshack.com

Hannibal Square’s monthly West End Craft Fair runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24 in Shady Park in Hannibal Square. It will include a large selection of one-of-a-kind items crafted by local artisans. Find that unique Valentine’s Day gift for your sweetheart! For more information, call 407-599-3364 or visit hannibalsquare.com

JAN. 28

Come out to the public input meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 28, regarding the Concours d’Elegance annual car show. This is the opportunity for residents to offer input to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board regarding the possibility of the annual car show being held on the city’s golf course in the future. The meeting will be from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Winter Park Community Center. For more information, call 407-599-3364 or visit cityofwinterpark.org

Venue on the Lake-Maitland Civic Center is hosting a new Food Truck Café on Wednesday, Jan. 28, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. There will be six food trucks with inside and outside seating areas, live entertainment and beer and wine. Entertainment will be provided from Performing Arts of Maitland. For more information, visit maitlandciviccenter.com

JAN. 29

Join the Gladdening Light for three days of art, music and inspired conversation at the annual symposium in Central Florida at 9 a.m. from Thursday, Jan. 29, to Sunday, Feb. 1. Keynote speaker Barbara Brown Taylor will flank artists Tobi Kahn and musicians Owen and Moley Ó Súilleabháin at All Saints Episcopal Church, the Cornell Fine Arts Museum at Rollins College and Casa Feliz. Tickets start at $25 and go up to $229. For more information, call 800-835-7212 or visit gladdeninglight.org

JAN. 31

Come join the run on Jan. 31 in The Lady Track Shack’s one-of-a-kind women’s only event set in the beautiful and lush surroundings of Mead Garden in Winter Park. For over 30 years, community leaders, mothers and daughters, sisters and friends have been taking part in this event to celebrate women’s health and fitness. The event will begin at 7:30 a.m. For more information, call 407-898-1313 or visit trackshack.com

Feb. 1

The Orlando Area Historical Rose Society will meet on Sunday, Feb. 1, in Harry P. Leu Gardens to present “Basics of Rose Growing in Central Florida” by Tom Burke, consulting rosarian. It will cover various aspects of roses and there will be a question and answer period following the presentation. The event and parking are free. Doors open at 2 p.m. and the program starts a 2:30 p.m. For more information, call 407-497-1639.

Feb. 5

Sip wine and stroll downtown Winter Park in an evening of wine and hors d’oeuvres with the first Winter Park Sip, Shop & Stroll of 2015 on Thursday, Feb. 5. The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce and Park Avenue Merchants Association are hosting this seasonal event. It will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Admission is $25 and includes a wine glass and passport at registration. For more information and reservations, call 407-644-8281 or visit experienceparkavenue.com

FEB. 6

Winter Park Chamber of Commerce’s annual Membership Awards Celebration presented by Century Link and HUB International Florida Kuykendall Gardner will be hosted on Friday, Feb. 6. The evening is a tribute to members and volunteers who make the organization and community so remarkable. The event will be held at The Alfond Inn and begin at 6 p.m. Reservations are required by Friday, Jan. 30. For additional information such as ticket prices or to reserve a seat, call 407-644-8281 or visit winterpark.org

FEB. 8

Come feel the love at “The Sweetest Sounds: A Valentine Concert in Central Park” from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 8. The Park Avenue Merchants Association is hosting this free event where attendees will be able to enjoy an afternoon of music and romance. Members of the Bach Festival Choir will join Michael Andrew and Swingerhead for a first-of-its-kind performance in honor of the 80th annual Bach Festival. For additional information, visit experienceparkavenue.com or call 407-644-8281.

FEB. 8

The Winter Park Bridal Stroll invites Central Florida brides and grooms to its fifth unique bridal showcase experience on Feb. 8. There will be three central locations in The Alfond Inn, Woman’s Club of Winter Park and 310 Park South Restaurant. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit winterparkbridalstroll.com