Erika Spence: Business in the Park

All things fall

The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce completed its whirlwind Chamber Week on Sept. 18 and is already gearing up for fall. We’ve got pink flamingos, artwork and high heels all heading your way!

The Pink Out Winter Park flamingos are back! The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce is proud to support the Winter Park Memorial Hospital Mammography Scholarship Fund with the sale of pink flamingos at the Winter Park Welcome Center ($10). You can also shop and dine locally to support the cause. Nearly two dozen merchants are showing support by turning their store windows pink, hosting educational events or donating proceeds from select items. Learn more at pinkoutwinterpark.com

In addition to Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October is also Cyber Security Awareness Month. The Winter Park Executive Women will host local author Casey Swann on Oct. 5, to discuss a personal cyber-stalking experience and offer tips to other women on how to protect themselves. Register for this luncheon by Oct. 2 at winterpark.org or by calling 407-644-8281.

Art in the park

As the city of culture and heritage, we have a trio of arts activities for you this fall. First up is the Art Festival Kick Off on Oct. 8, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The evening is co-hosted by WUCF-FM and Mead Botanical Gardens and will feature hors d’oeuvres by Mitchell’s Fish Market, beverages from Rogue Pub and live jazz by Just Three Guys and a Girl at Mead Botanical Garden.

Rise and shine the next morning, Oct. 9, for Good Morning Winter Park. The Chamber’s monthly gathering will include a complimentary breakfast, networking and presentation on Art on the Green beginning at 7:45 a.m. at the Winter Park Welcome Center. Attendees will be among the first to hear about this major exhibition of large-scale sculptures that will grace Central Park from Nov. 1, 2015 through March 1, 2016.

And for the grand finale, the 42nd annual Winter Park Autumn Art Festival presented by Florida Distributing and Subaru will be held Oct. 10 and 11 in Central Park and, for the first time, along Park Avenue. The festival is known as the only juried fine art festival to feature Florida artists exclusively. Because of the expanded space, an additional 36 artists will be showcased this year! In addition, enjoy live entertainment on the Northwestern Mutual stage, children’s art workshops led by Crealdé School of Art instructors, a beer garden and sidewalk sale at local merchants. Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Plan your weekend at autumnartfestival.org

Fall fashion

On the heels of the art festival, Park Avenue Fashion Week presented by Harriett Lake begins Oct. 11 with a brunch at The Alfond Inn. This will commence the week-long celebration of fashion and design, culminating in the Runway Show on Oct. 17 in Winter Park’s West Meadow. Information on trunk shows, VIP parties and runway show tickets can be found at parkavenuefashionweek.com

Erika Spence is the senior director of marketing and communications at the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce.