Heartland Happenings

Heartland Happenings is your guide to community events, local festivals, and so much more.

TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE FOR A CASINO NIGHT FUNDRAISER BENEFITING THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF THE HIGHLANDS. THE EVENT TAKES PLACE SATURDAY, JUNE 13TH AT THE SEBRING ELKS LODGE, FEATURING BLACKJACK, POKER, ROULETTE, AND CRAPS, PLUS FOOD, DRINKS, AND ENTERTAINMENT. DOORS OPEN AT 6:00 PM. TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED ONLINE AT WWW.CHILDRENSMUSEUMHIGHLANDS.COM OR IN PERSON AT THE MUSEUM. 

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR A SUMMER BASKETBALL CAMP HOSTED AT FIRST BAPTIST SEBRING DESIGNED FOR ATHLETES READY TO ELEVATE THEIR GAME THIS SUMMER. THE CAMP RUNS JUNE 1ST–5TH FOR CAMP ONE, WITH A SECOND SESSION JULY 13TH–17TH. THE COST IS $150 PER CAMP. FOR REGISTRATION OR MORE INFORMATION, REACH OUT DIRECTLY TO COACH NICK ON FACEBOOK. 

KIDS PARK AT AVON PARK LAKES BAPTIST CHURCH HAS THREE SUMMER CAMPS HAPPENING THIS SUMMER. WEEK ONE OF CAMP WILL BE JUNE 1ST THROUGH THE 5TH. WEEK TWO WILL BE JULY 27TH THROUGH JULY 31ST, AND WEEK THREE WILL BE AUGUST 3RD THROUGH THE 7TH. KIDS PARK CAMPS TRAVEL THREE DAYS OF THE WEEK TO FUN PLACES LIKE ZOOS, ICE SKATING, ROLLER SKATING, TRAMPOLINE PARKS, AQUARIUMS AND MORE. THE COST IS $125 PER WEEK. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER, VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT APLBC.INFO/CHILDREN. 

THE SEBRING HILLS ASSOCIATION HOLDS BRIDGE EVERY MONDAY AT 1:00PM. LOCATED AT THE SEBRING HILLS ASSOCIATION CLUBHOUSE AT 200 LARK AVENUE IN SEBRING.  MEMBERS AND GUESTS ARE WELCOME TO JOIN FOR AN AFTERNOON OF CARDS AND COMMUNITY. 

THE HUMANE SOCIETY IS REQUESTING COMMUNITY SUPPORT AS THEY PREPARE FOR THIS YEAR’S TERROR TRAIL, HAPPENING EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY IN OCTOBER. A BRAND-NEW SCENE IS BEING BUILT THIS YEAR AND THEY NEED YOUR HELP! THEY ARE CURRENTLY REQUESTING DONATIONS OF MEN’S LARGE AND EXTRA-LARGE SHIRTS AND PANTS, AS WELL AS ANY OLD OR BROKEN DOLLS TO HELP BRING THE NEW SCENE TO LIFE. ITEMS CAN BE DROPPED OFF ANY DAY.  

LAKESHORE MALL WILL BE HOSTING A VOLUNTEER FAIR ON SATURDAY, MAY 23RD, FROM 10:00AM-2:00PM. SEVERAL LOCAL NON-PROFIT GROUPS WILL BE THERE TO SHARE THEIR INFORMATION AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT BEING A VOLUNTEER. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING, TABLES ARE STILL AVAILABLE TO RESERVE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE MALL OFFICE AT 863-471-9500 EXT. 104.  

HEARTLAND HEARTS’ INAUGURAL SUNDRESSES & SIPS EVENT WILL BE SUNDAY, MAY 24TH, FROM 1:30PM TO 5:00PM AT TROPICAL WINERY IN LAKE PLACID. ATTENDEES WILL EXPERIENCE SIPPING, SHOPPING, SOCIALIZING, AND CELEBRATIONS AS WELL AS LIVE MUSIC BY SWEET BABY LUV AND SPECIAL SURPRISES! 

AMERICAN LEGION POST 69 IN AVON PARK WILL HOST A MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY AT 1:00 PM, MAY 25TH. THE EVENT INCLUDES A JROTC COLOR GUARD PRESENTATION, NATIONAL ANTHEM, SPEAKERS, AND A TRIBUTE HONORING 29 LOCAL VETERANS WHO PASSED THIS YEAR. FEATURED GUESTS INCLUDE STATE AND NATIONAL LEGION LEADERS. THE EVENT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, WITH FOOD SERVED AFTERWARD. A BLOOD DRIVE WILL ALSO RUN FROM 10 A.M. TO 3 P.M. ON SITE. 

THE HIGHLANDS COUNTY WIDE CEREMONY FOR MEMORIAL DAY WILL BE HELD AT 2:00 PM, MONDAY, MAY 25th AT THE MILITARY SEA SERVICES MUSEUM.   KEYNOTE SPEAKER IS COLONEL MIKE BORDERS, U.S. ARMY-RETIRED. SEATING WILL BE UNDER TENTS WITH WATER AND REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED. HONOR AMERICA’S TROOPS BY ATTENDING THIS SOLEMN REMEMBRANCE DAY.  LOCATED AT 1402 ROSELAND AVENUE IN SEBRING. 

SUN N’LAKE OF SEBRING WILL BE HOSTING A PATRIOTIC PANCAKE BREAKFAST, SATURDAY, MAY 30TH, FROM 8:00AM TO 11:00AM. THE COST IS $10 PER PLATE. ATTENDEES CAN ALSO ENJOY KID’S ACTIVITIES AND FUN. LOCATED AT 3500 EDGEWATER DRIVE IN SEBRING.  

REFUSE TO SINK INC. AND KIDS4FISHING WILL BE HOSTING A BASS TOURNAMENT, SATURDAY, MAY 30TH, FROM FIRST LIGHT TO 3:00PM AT LAKE ISTOKPOGA. THE ENTRY FEE IS $80 PER TEAM/BOAT AND THERE IS A GUARANTEED $1000 FIRST PLACE PRIZE. PROCEEDS WILL GO TO HELP LOCAL NON-PROFITS. PLEASE CALL GERRY AT 239-825-3139 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER.  

ADVENT HEALTH OF SEBRING AND THE GREATER SEBRING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WILL BE HOSTING A MINI GLAM JAM EVENT, JUNE 5TH, FROM 6:30PM-9:00PM. JOIN THEM FOR A SPECIAL GROWN-UP & ME NIGHT FILLED WITH CRAFTS, GAMES, KARAOKE, AND INTERACTIVE STATIONS INCLUDING HAT DECORATING, ICE CREAM BAR AND AN ETIQUETTE & TEA PARTY EXPERIENCE. TICKETS CAN BE FOUND ONLINE AT WWW.EVENTENY.COM 

THE PALM STUDIO- A FAITH BASED PILATES AND WELLNESS STUDIO WILL BE HOLDING THEIR GRAND OPENING, FRIDAY, JUNE 12TH, 11:00AM TO 1:00PM AT 62 TOWER STREET IN LAKE PLACID. THE COMMUNITY IS INVITED TO CHECK OUT THE NEW SPACE AND ENJOY LOCAL VENDORS, GIVEAWAYS, AND EXCLUSIVE OPENING OFFERS.  

THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL DOUBLE FEATURE OF THE ORIGINAL JURASSIC PARK AT THE CIRCLE THEATRE ON JUNE 19TH. CATCH THE ADVENTURE ON THE BIG SCREEN AT 3:00 PM OR 6:00 PM—PERFECT FOR AN AFTERNOON OR EVENING ESCAPE. TICKETS ARE JUST $7 AND INCLUDE A BAG OF POPCORN. LOCATED AT 202 CIRCLE PARK DRIVE IN SEBRING. 

THE ANNUAL HEELS THAT HEAL EVENT IS SET FOR FRIDAY, JULY 10TH, FROM 6:00PM TO 9:00PM AT ISLAND VIEW RESTAURANT. ATTENDEES WILL ENJOY AN EVENING OF FRIENDSHIP AND PHILANTHROPY FEATURING DYNAMIC LOCAL SPEAKERS & TALENT. TICKETS ARE $75 PER PERSON AND CAN BE PURCHASED ONLINE NOW UNTIL JULY 1ST, AT RIDGEAREAARC.ORG. ALL PROCEED BENEFIT THE WOMEN OF RIDGE AREA ARC.  

THE 35TH ANNUAL CALADIUM FESTIVAL WILL BE JULY 24TH THROUGH THE 26TH, IN DOWNTOWN LAKE PLACID. ENJOY HUNDREDS OF VARIETIES OF CALADIUM BULBS AND PLANTS, OVER 150 CRAFT VENDORS, FOOD, LIVE MUSIC AND THE CAR & BIKE SHOW ON SATURDAY THE 25TH. FRIDAY & SATURDAY THE FESTIVAL FUN IS 9:00AM TO 4:00PM AND ON SUNDAY 10:00AM TO 3:00PM. FOR ALL THE DETAILS, VISIT WWW.CALADIUMFESTIVAL.ORG 

BEAT THE SUMMER HEAT AND GET A HEAD START ON HOLIDAY SHOPPING AT THE CHRISTMAS IN JULY VENDOR FAIR, PRESENTED BY ADVENT HEALTH.  JOIN THEM ON JULY 25TH FROM 10:00AM TO 3:00 PM FOR AN INDOOR, FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENT—FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. BROWSE AND SHOP FROM 30+ LOCAL VENDORS ALL UNDER ONE ROOF! LOCATED AT THE HISTORIC CIRCLE THEATRE IN SEBRING.  

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (AA) IS HERE TO HELP THOSE IN HIGHLANDS, POLK, AND HARDEE COUNTIES ON THEIR JOURNEY TO RECOVERY. MEETINGS AND SUPPORT ARE AVAILABLE FOR ANYONE SEEKING HELP WITH ALCOHOL USE. FOR ASSISTANCE OR MORE INFORMATION, CALL THE 24-HOUR HOTLINE AT 863-687-9275. AA IS COMMITTED TO HELPING MEMBERS BUILD A SOBER, HEALTHY, AND SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY. 

THERE WILL BE A NEW BEGINNER AND UPPER BEGINNER LINE DANCE CLASSES AT THE HIGHLANDS COUNTY FAMILY YMCA EACH MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, AND FRIDAY FROM 10:30AM-11:30AM YEAR-ROUND. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL DEE AT 863-257-6543 OR THE YMCA AT 863-382-9622.  

CHAIR YOGA AND LINE DANCE CLASSES WILL BE OFFERED AT THE SEBRING RECREATION CENTER. CHAIR YOGA IS ON MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS FROM 10:00AM-11:00AM AND LINE DANCE CLASSES ARE ON MONDAYS FROM 11:30AM-12:30PM. COME AND CHECK IT OUT. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL MARY AT 863-273-4495. LOCATED AT 333 POMEGRANATE AVENUE IN DOWTOWN SEBRING.   

LAKE PLACID ELKS LODGE #2661 HOSTS BINGO EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT FROM 6PM-9PM AT 200 CR 621 IN LAKE PLACID. ALL PROCEEDS WILL BE GOING TO THE ELKS CHILDREN'S THERAPY SERVICE AND THE ELKS YOUTH CAMP FOR FLORIDA KIDS.   

HANDS FOR THE HOMELESS HOSTS THE FEEDING TAMPA BAY FOOD BANK IN AVON PARK EVERY FIRST AND THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH IN AVON PARK. FOOD DISTRIBUTION BEGINS AT 10AM AT THE UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AT 107 JIM ROGERS AVENUE AND GOES TILL NOON OR THE FOOD RUNS OUT.   

PLAY BINGO WITH THE SEBRING HILLS ASSOCIATION EVERY THURSDAY FOR THE MONTH OF MAY THE GAMES BEGIN AT 6PM AND THE DOORS OPEN AT 4:30PM FOR CONCESSIONS AND SNACKS. CARDS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT 5:00PM. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AT THE CLUBHOUSE LOCATED AT 200 LARK AVENUE IN SEBRING.   

PLAY BINGO FOR CHARITY AT THE SEBRING ELKS LODGE EVERY MONDAY NIGHT! DOORS OPEN AT 4:45PM, EARLY BIRDS START AT 6:00PM. PROCEEDS GO TO CHARITY AND A LOW, $6 MINIMUM TO PLAY.