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Living local campaign
The City of Winter Garden launched a “Living Local” campaign to build awareness of the area’s attributes and special events as well as the importance of supporting small businesses. The Living Local campaign supports local businesses and community organizations to assist with recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The intent of the “Living Local” campaign is to encourage exploring the community’s cultural and recreational facilities; patronizing locally owned and operated businesses; buying locally produced goods; taking part in classes, programs, and/or sports leagues offered by the City Parks & Recreation Department; supporting local charitable organizations, attending city government meetings and volunteering to serve on its committees and boards; and, of course, partaking in special events that provide a sense a community and create memorable moments.
For up-to-date event schedules, classes, programs, and Living Local opportunities, visit the Official Downtown Winter Garden website, and follow the City’s official Instagram and Facebook platforms.
A number of events and initiatives are planned to provide “Living Local” opportunities, including the following:
SPRING & SUMMER EVENTS
NATIONAL MOM & POP BUSINESS OWNERS DAY EVENTS
The small, locally owned businesses are a unique attribute to Winter Garden so come celebrate and support them with two events for National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day:
DOWNTOWN BOUTIQUE WALK
Thursday, March 24 │ 5:00 – 8:00 pm
Historic Downtown Winter Garden
Join the downtown boutiques for a splendid evening of shopping, sips, and snacks. Participating shops will provide light refreshments, in-store raffles, special sales, as well as new merchandise to kick off the spring season.
SHOP, DINE & STROLL
Saturday, March 26 │ All Day
Historic Downtown Winter Garden
A daylong outdoor shopping and dining experience with outdoor sales, in-store promotions, seasonal merchandise and menu items. Spring weather is ideal for dining al fresco at the expansive outdoor patios, shopping outdoors, and strolling through the flowering brick-lined streets. In the evening, take a seat or bring your own to enjoy a live music performance at Centennial Plaza.
SPRING FEVER IN THE GARDEN
Celebrates 20 Years while Bloom & Grow Garden Society Celebrates 25th Founding Anniversary
SPRING FEVER in the GARDEN
Historic Downtown Winter Garden │ Free
Saturday, April 2 │ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday, April 3 │ 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
The Bloom & Grow Garden Society of West Orange County, in conjunction with the City of Winter Garden, presents one of Florida's best two-day plant, flower, and garden festivals!
Celebrating its 20th Anniversary, Spring Fever in the Garden will include the following:
- Chalkin’ It Up Sidewalk Art Contest
- Live entertainment
- KIDZONE
- Nature-related arts and crafts
- Vendor booths selling thousands of a wide array of flowers and foliage
- And more!
Free Shuttle Service will be available both festival days from the lot at the corner of Ninth Street and Plant Street.
While attending the event, be sure to visit downtown’s new Monarch Butterfly Sculpture Park at 240 W. Plant Street to meet Flora, the 10-foot copper butterfly sculpture, gifted by the Bloom & Grow Garden Society to mark its 20th anniversary partnership with Winter Garden for hosting the festival.
For event schedule and more information, visit springfeveringarden.org.
All proceeds from Spring Fever in the Garden go toward providing financial support to West Orange County organizations, projects, scholarships, and schools to spread the love of gardening and nature.
ARTS IN APRIL
In celebration of World Art Day, the Winter Garden Arts Association will host a series of events throughout the month of April for the community to celebrate, explore, and create art.
Free community events include a Projection Art Show on City Hall, kids’ art sessions at the Winter Garden Farmers Market, downtown art scavenger hunt, en plein air competition, art exhibitions for all ages, live music on Friday nights at Centennial Plaza, and more!
In addition, there is a ticketed Art Night VIP Immersive Experience to conclude the month-long celebration. To purchase tickets to the Art Night VIP fundraiser, visit https://wgart.org/vip/.
For Arts in April Event Guide and complete schedule, visit www.downtownwg.com/arts-in-april-2022.
MAY IS OUTDOOR DINING MONTH
The spring weather is ideal for outdoor dining! Fittingly, the City of Winter Garden proclaims the month of May as “Outdoor Dining Month” with an invitation to dine al fresco at neighboring and downtown restaurants to support local.
RED, WHITE AND BLUE AMERICANA │ May - July
Downtown will be adorned in patriotic decorations from Memorial Day through Independence Day. The red, white, and blue displays make the perfect backdrop for celebrating America’s holidays and taking photographs.
RED, WHITE & BLUES ON THE PLAZA
Friday, July 1 │ 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Centennial Plaza - Historic Downtown Winter Garden │ Free
Local blues band will usher in the holiday weekend with a mix of blues and popular tunes.
WINTER GARDEN FARMERS MARKET INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
Saturday, July 2 │ 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Downtown Pavilion, 104 S. Lakeview Avenue
Visit the patriotic-decorated market for some good old-fashioned fun including complimentary family games on the lawn, live music, and one-stop shopping for your holiday barbecue.
ANNUAL ALL AMERICAN KIDS PARADE
Monday, July 4
Pancake Breakfast (Kids eat free!) 8:00 – 10:00 am
Parade at 10:00 am │ Free
Winter Garden Masonic Lodge, 230 W. Bay Street
Come out and celebrate! This fun-filled parade is a great way to start Independence Day! Decorate your bike, scooter, or your walking shoes and join us for a red, white, and blue stroll through Downtown Winter Garden!
PARTY IN THE PARK
Monday, July 4
Festivities start at 6:00 pm
Fireworks at 9:15 pm
Newton Park, 29 W. Garden Avenue │ Free
Bring a chair, blanket, or have a seat in the grass for this annual Winter Garden tradition! Keep your eyes on the sky for one of the best firework displays in West Orange County. Live music, family activities, food, and more keep the evening fun for all ages! Festivities begin at 6:00 pm. Fireworks show is at 9:15 pm. Parking is available at Health Central Park and Dillard Street Elementary.
WEEKLY EVENTS
FRIDAYS on the PLAZA
Fridays │ 7:00-9:00 pm
Centennial Plaza, 101 W. Plant Street
Start your weekend with live music at Fridays on the Plaza in the center of Downtown Winter Garden. Grab a nearby swing or bench or bring your own chair for front row seats to weekly performers at picturesque Centennial Plaza. Expansive outdoor table and chairs at the Plaza and nearby restaurants are perfect for a serenade under the stars while dining. Click here to view entertainment schedule.
WINTER GARDEN FARMERS MARKET IS IN FULL BLOOM
Saturdays │ 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Downtown Pavilion, 104 S. Lakeview Avenue
Over 20 local farmers bring their local produce, dairy, honey, meat, and poultry to the market every Saturday. The spring season is ripe and ready to harvest from now through the beginning of June. The summer months will bring fresh produce perfect for outdoor barbecues. In addition to our 100+ vendors, you will find live music, a KidZone, family-friendly games on the lawn, and special programming on select Saturdays.
March 5 │ Farm Day at the Market
April 9, 16, & 23 │ Arts in April Kids Art Session
May 14 │ Miniature Golf Day
June 4 │ Farmers Market 14th Birthday Celebration
July 2 │ Independence Day Celebration
August 13 │ National Farmers Market Week Celebration
SNAP and Fresh Access Bucks Accepted
The Winter Garden Farmers Market accepts EBT/SNAP helping to provide nutrition benefits to supplement the food budgets of those in need. Visit the EBT/SNAP Tent located by the Pavilion. In addition, select produce vendors accept Fresh Access Bucks.
Events may be postponed or cancelled due to public health and safety concerns.
OUTDOOR DINING PROGRAM
The City of Winter Garden implemented a Curbside and Outdoor Dining Program for Downtown Winter Garden in May 2020 that continues to be popular and convenient. Since implementing the Downtown Outdoor Dining Program, the City of Winter Garden has worked with restaurants outside of Downtown to establish outdoor dining areas.
Each year, the months of May and October are declared Outdoor Dining Month and are promoted as a safe way for our community to support local restaurants.
DOWNTOWN AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
The City of Winter Garden implemented the Downtown Ambassador Program in April of 2020 to assist with the Curbside and Outdoor Dining Program for Downtown Winter Garden. The role of Downtown Ambassador is to serve as the face of the City with property and business owners, residents and visitors within the Downtown District. This program has been very well received. The ambassadors have provided much needed business support and helped with a variety of downtown duties that keeps downtown working and looking its best.
BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Whatever the issue, we are here to assist you. If we can help, please call 407.947.1720.
Please visit Downtown Winter Garden to learn more about what is happening Downtown. Your official source for everything Downtown.