Heartland Happenings

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

TERROR TRAIL 2023 IS HAPPENING THANKS TO DR. DANIEL PARNASSA! AND ANOTHER BIG THANK YOU GOES OUT TO ALL THE PAINT DONORS-THEY RECIEVED ALL THEY NEEDED! THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF HIGHLANDS COUNTY IS NOW IN SEARCH OF VOLUNTEERS FOR SCARE CHARACTERS, SECURITY, MAKE-UP ARTISTS, AND PARKING LOT ATTENDANTS. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BEING PART OF TERROR TRAIL 2023, PLEASE TEXT 863-214-6508.

BAREWOOD MARKET IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE IT'S MAY ARTIST- HOLLY KUSCHKE (CUSH-KEY)! SHE IS A LOCAL SELF-TAUGHT ARTIST SPECIALIZING IN PAINTING WITH ACRYLICS AND OILS. HER WORK CONSISTS OF PORTRAITS, FAUVISM, AND EXPRESSIONISM AND SHE PAINTS WHAT INSPIRES HER. STOP BY 130 N. RIDGEWOOD DRIVE IN DOWNTOWN SEBRING TO SEE HOLLY'S WORK.

IN-GAUGE OF POLK COUNTY IS PARTICIPATING IN THE 6TH ANNUAL NATIONAL STOP THE BLEED MONTH BY OFFERING ONE MORE FREE STOP THE BLEED TRAINING CLINIC, MAY 25TH. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED AND FREE TICKETS CAN BE OBTAINED THROUGH EVENTBRITE OR BY VISITING WWW.INGAUGEOFPOLKCOUNTY.COM.

SPRING LAKE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH INVITES THE PUBLIC TO COME ENJOY A FREE MEAL WITH THEM WHILE VIEWING THE CHRISTIAN MOVIE SERIES, “THE CHOSEN.” A FREE, NEW EPISODE OF “THE CHOSEN,” WILL BE SHOWN EACH THURSDAY EVENING, STARTING THIS THURSDAY, MAY 25TH, AT 6:00PM. LOCATED AT 5887 US HWY 98 IN SEBRING. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 863-655-0713.

SAMARITAN'S TOUCH IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FREEDOM CHURCH WILL BE HOLDING THEIR NEXT DRIVE-THRU FOOD DISTRIBUTION EVENT, THIS THURSDAY, MAY 25TH STARTING AT 9:30AM. LOCATED AT 3015 HERRING AVENUE IN SEBRING. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 863-471-1870.

THE RED CANE SUPPORT GROUP MAY MEETING WILL BE THIS THURSDAY, MAY 25TH, FROM 10:00AM-12:00PM. LOCATED AT THE VIETNAM VETERAN'S BUILDING AT 33565 GRAND PRIX DRIVE IN SEBRING. THEY WILL HAVE A GUEST SPEAKER FROM THE AVON PARK PUBLIC LIBRARY THAT WILL INTRODUCE THE GROUP TO NEW TECHNOLOGY NOW AVAILABLE AT THE LIBRARY. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL MARIE AT 863-273-2654.

CARLIE LYNNE'S IS HAVING DOGGIE DOG DAY THIS FRIDAY, MAY 26TH FROM 3:00PM-6:00PM. BRING YOUR LEASHED DOG TO THE BAR TO ENJOY GOOD MUSIC, FOOD BY SUE PIGS BBQ, AND CONTESTS FOR YOUR PET! LOCATED AT 9119 US HWY 27 S IN SEBRING.

NEW BEGINNINGS FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH IS HOSTING A FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT, FRIDAY, MAY 26TH AT 5:30PM. ENJOY POPCORN AND DRINKS WHILE WATCHING THE MOVIE, “A DOG'S WAY HOME.” EVERYONE IS WELCOME. LOCATED AT 3413 SEBRING PARKWAY IN SEBRING.

THE DESOTO COUNTY WATERMELON FESTIVAL WILL BE SATURDAY, MAY 27TH, FROM 8:00AM-8:00PM, AT THE DESOTO COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS. ENJOY FOOD TRUCKS, CRAFTS, GAMES, MONSTER TRUCK RIDES, MUSIC, BOUNCE HOUSES AND MORE!

LAKEVIEW MEMORIAL GARDENS WILL BE HAVING THEIR 11TH ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY EVENT, MONDAY, MAY 29TH STARTING AT 9:00AM. ENJOY GUEST SPEAKERS, MUSIC, AN ECHO TAPS PERFORMANCE, AND A COOKOUT AFTER THE PROGRAM. THE FIRST 250 GUESTS WILL RECIEVE A FREE GIFT AND ALL REGISTERED GUESTS HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN A $100 GAS CRAD OR A GRAND PRIZE OF $500. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 863-385-4942.

IGLESIA JESUS REY SOBRERANO (THE JRS) WILL BE HOLDING A FOOD PANTRY, TUESDAY, MAY 30TH, FROM 9:00AM-11:00AM AT 1178 LAKEVIEW DRIVE IN SEBRING. THIS WILL BE EVERY FIRST AND LAST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 863-991-2790.

NEW BEGINNINGS FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH WILL BE HOLDING A SPAGHETTI DINNER FUNDRAISER, SATURDAY, JUNE 3RD! IT'S $5 PER PLATE WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS. AVAILABLE FOR DINE IN OR TAKE OUT. ALL PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT LOCAL OUTREACH PROGRAMS FOR OUR COMMUNITY. LOCATED AT 3413 SEBRING PARKWAY IN SEBRING.

STEWART CONSTRUCTION PRESENTS THE ROTARY CLUB OF SEBRING 32ND ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT, SATURDAY JUNE 3RD, AT SUN-N-LAKE GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB. IT'S A FOUR PERSON SCRAMBLE WITH AN 8:00AM SHOTGUN START. $75 PER GOLFER AND $300 PER TEAM. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER PLEASE CALL KELLY AT 863-381-6481.

THE LAKE COUNTRY CRUISERS WILL BE HAVING A CAR & BIKE SHOW, SATURDAY, JUNE 10TH, AT THE LAKE PLACID AMERICAN LEGION POST #25 FROM 9:00AM-12:00PM. REGISTRATION FOR THE CAR & BIKE SHOW IS $5. SHOWS ARE FAMILY-CENTERED FUN! REMEMBER THE CRUISER SHOWS ARE “DOG FRIENDLY,” SO BRING YOUR DOGGIE TOO. JUST MAKE SURE TO KEEP THEM LEASHED AND CLEAN UP AFTER THEM.

THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SCIENCES, HIGHLANDS COUNTY IS OFFERING A CLASS ON GROWING FRUIT TREES, SATURDAY, JUNE 17TH. LOCATED AT THE BERT J. HARRIS AGRICULTURAL CENTER IN THE SAM POLSTON AUDITORIUM. THIS EDIBLE TREESCAPING CLASS FEATURES INFORMATION ON GROWING FRUIT TREES IN YOUR CENTRAL FLORIDA YARD TAUGHT BY LOCAL MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER ROB MAULELLA. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TICKETS, PLEASE CALL 863-402-6540.

THE AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS CHAPTER 69 PRESENTS A POKER RUN, SATURDAY JUNE 24TH, STARTING AND ENDING AT THE AMERICAN LEGION POST 69. LOCATED AT 1318 W. BELL STREET IN AVON PARK. COST IS $15 PER RIDER AND $5 PER PASSENGER. ENJOY LIVE MUSIC, FOOD AND DRINKS, GAMES, AND CASH PRIZES FOR BEST HANDS. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL DAVID AT 513-508-0710.

ENJOY AN EVENING OF FRIENDSHIP AND PHILANTHROPY TO BENEFIT THE WOMEN OF RIDGE AREA ARC, FRIDAY, JULY 14TH FROM 6:00PM-9:00PM. THE ANNUAL HEELS THAT HEAL EVENT IS A WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT EVENT FEATURING LOCAL SPEAKERS, A DELICIOUS MEAL, WINE, DOOR PRIZES AND MORE! TICKETS ARE $65 PER PERSON AND CAN BE PURCHASED ONLINE UNTIL JULY 10TH AT WWW.RIDGEAREAARC.ORG.

THE VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA CHAPTER #1097 PRESENTS A GOLF TOURNAMENT, SATURDAY, JULY 22ND, AT THE COUNTRY CLUB OF SEBRING. ENTRY FEE INCLUDES 18 HOLES OF GOLF, A GOLF CART, REFRESHMENTS AND LUNCH AT THE ALBATROSS. ITS A FOUR PERSON SCRAMBLE WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO WIN SOME GREAT PRIZES! TO REGISTER OR FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL JAMES AT 863-382-3500.

THE 32ND ANNUAL CALADIUM FESTIVAL WILL BE JULY 28TH-29TH, IN BEAUTIFUL STUART PARK IN LAKE PLACID! ENJOY A CAR & BIKE SHOW, A FLORAL ARRANGEMENT COMPETITION SPONSORED BY THE LAKE PLACID GARDEN CLUB, ARTS & CRAFTS VENDORS, FOOD, ENTERTAINMENT, A WINE DISPLAY, FLORIDA FRIENDLY LANDSCAPE AND ORNAMENTAL PLANTS, THE CALADIUM FESTIVAL ART COMPETITION, CALADIUM FIELD BUS TOURS, AND MORE! THE EVENT WILL BE FROM 9:00AM-4:00PM EACH DAY. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT WWW.CALADIUMFESTIVAL.ORG.

THE SEBRING RECREATION CLUB HAS A LINE DANCE CLASS FOR NEW BEGINNERS ON MONDAYS AT 11:30AM. THIS ONE HOUR CLASS IS $3.00 PER CLASS. MEMBERSHIP IN CLUB EVENTS IS $40.00 PER YEAR. IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL MARY AT 863-273-4495.

THE LAKE PLACID HALLOWEEN BLOCK PARTY WILL BE TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31ST FROM 6:00PM-9:00PM! ENJOY TRICK OR TREATING, A COSTUME CONTEST, A PUMPKIN DECORATING CONTEST AND MORE!

THERE WILL BE LINE DANCING CLASSES EVERY TUESDAY AT THE AMVETS LODGE IN SEBRING, FROM 1PM-3PM. THE INSTRUCTION FEE IS $5 AND ITS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT DEE GREVAN AT 863-214-6226.

ATTENTION BINGO PLAYERS! THE LAKE PLACID ELKS LODGE #2661 IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE NEW BINGO PAYOUT INCREASES SOON TO BE EFFECTIVE. TRY YOUR LUCK 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.

FRIDAY NIGHT ON MAIN AVENUE IS BACK IN DOWNTOWN LAKE PLACID EVERY FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH. FOOD, FUN, MUSIC – AND THE STORES WILL BE OPEN TO WELCOME YOU ON NORTH MAIN.

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 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 APRIL! 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.

BIKE WITH YOUR FRIENDS! HIGHLANDS PEDALERS HOSTS RIDES FROM THE DON JOSE’S PARKING LOT ON LAKEVIEW DRIVE EACH SATURDAY MORNING. THE RIDES DEPART AT 7:15 A.M. SHARP YEAR-ROUND. THE “A” GROUP RIDES AT OVER 19 MILES AN HOUR, THE “B” GROUP RIDES AT BETWEEN 17 ½ AND 19 MILES AN HOUR … SATURDAY RIDES RANGE FROM 33-45 MILES.