Heartland Happenings

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

DO YOU HAVE A CHILI RECIPE YOUR PROUD OF? MAKE SURE TO PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS, AND REGISTER NOW FOR THE 12TH ANNUAL CRAZY PEPPER CHILI COOKOFF! IT WILL BE JANUARY 20TH ON THE CIRCLE IN DOWNTOWN SEBRING, FROM THE ROTARY CLUB OF HIGHLANDS COUNTY. THE COOKING STARTS AT 9:00AM AND THE TASTING STARTS AT 11:00AM. REGISTER YOUR CHILI TEAM NOW AT ROTARYCHILI.COM.

THE SEBRING SCRIBES AND SCRIBBLERS WILL BE MEETING THE FIRST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH AT 1:00PM. THE MEETINGS WILL BE HELD AT THE SEBRING LIBRARY. OCTOBER'S MEETING WILL BE THIS WEDNESDAY, THE 4TH, AND THE TOPIC WILL BE “HOW TO PUBLISH YOUR BOOK AT NO COST TO YOU.” ADMISSION IS FREE. TO RSVP FOR YOUR HANDOUT, PLEASE CALL LARRY AT 828-254-0904.

ST. AGNES EPISCOPAL CHURCH REMINDS YOU- THE LORD LOVES YOUR CRITTERS TOO! THEIR ANNUAL BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS IS BACK, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5TH, AT 5:30PM AT THE CHURCH. BRING YOUR PET AND GET A BLESSING. LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT K-9 UNITS WILL BE THERE- AND SO SHOULD YOUR K-9, FELINE OR OTHER SAFELY RESTRAINED PET! LOCATED ON LAKEVIEW DRIVE, JUST SOUTH OF BAYVIEW ON THE NORTH SIDE OF LAKE JACKSON IN SEBRING.

BARKTOBER FEST PRESENTED BY PAWSITIVE EFFECTS, WILL BE THIS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7TH FROM 10:00AM-3:00PM. IT WILL BE AT STUART PARK IN DOWNTOWN LAKE PLACID. ENJOY PET ADOPTIONS, COSTUME CONTESTS, MUSIC, FOOD, VENDORS AND MORE! YOU CAN ALSO GRAB A FREE RAFFLE TIC KET WITH A DONATION OF DOG OR CAT FOOD MADE IN THE USA. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.PAWSITIVEEFFECTS.ORG.

THE HOUSE OF HOPE WILL BE HAVING A SPAGHETTI DINNER AND CONCERT TO HELP RAISE FUNDS FOR THE NEEDY IN THE SEBRING AREA, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7TH. DINNER WILL BE AT 6:00PM AND THE CONCERT WILL BE AT 7:00PM. COST IS $10 PER PERSON. EVERY DOLLAR DONATED WILL BE MATCHED UP TO $2500 BY MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA. LOCATED AT 318 S. COMMERCE AVENUE IN SEBRING.

THE SEBRING HILLS ASSOCIATION WILL BE HAVING A QUARTERS FOR A CAUSE AUCTION, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10TH. DOORS OPEN AT 6:00PM, AND THE AUCTION WILL BE AT 7:00PM. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. LOCATED AT THE CLUBHOUSE AT 200 LARK AVENUE IN SEBRING.

THE MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART, CHAPTER #601, OF SEBRING INVITES YOU HELP SUPPORT COUNTY VETERANS, IN THEIR ANNUAL GOLF SCRAMBLE, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14TH. THE TOURNAMENT WILL BE HELD AT RIVER GREENS GOLF COURSE WITH AN 8:00AM SHOTGUN START. TO REGISTER PLEASE CALL 863-414-3504.

CLEAN OFF YOUR SNEAKERS FOR THE LAKE PLACID HIGH DRAGON TAIL 5K, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14TH, AT 8:00AM. IT WILL START AT THE LP HIGH SCHOOL. MAKE SURE TO REGISTER AT THE LAKE PLACID HIGH SCHOOL TRACK COMPLEX NEXT TO THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, OR CALL THE SCHOOL. DRI-FIT SHIRTS TO THE FIRST 75 PAID ENTRIES GUARANTEED!

THE SEBRING ELKS LODGE # 1529 WILL BE HAVING THE ELKS HOOP SHOOT, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14TH AT 200 E. CENTER AVENUE IN SEBRING. IT'S A FREE THROW CONTEST FOR THE KIDS! IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR CHILD TO PARTICIPATE, PLEASE CONTACT 863-835-1233 OR VISIT ELKS.ORG/HOOPSHOOT.

HEARTLAND FIREFEST 2023 WILL BE SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14TH, FROM 9:00AM-8:00PM, AT FIREMAN'S FIELD IN SEBRING! ENJOY VENDORS, TOUCH-A-TRUCK, MUSIC, FOOD, GAMES, PRIZES AND MORE! ADMISSION IS FREE. LOCATED AT 681 MAGNOLIA AVENUE AVENUE.

LEARN HOW TO BREW YOUR OWN BEER WITH YOUR FLORIDA MASTER GARDNER VOLUNTEERS AND SPECIAL GUEST HERB SOMERS OF TURN 2 BREWERY, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14TH! THIS SPECIAL CLASS WILL TEACH YOU ALL ABOUT THE EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO BREW YOUR OWN BEER EXTRACT AT HOME. THE COST IS $10 IN ADVANCE AND WILL BE FROM 10:00AM-12:00PM AT THE BERT J. HARRIS AG CENTER. PLEASE CALL 402-6540 TODAY, TO REGISTER.

FIRST SEBRING CHURCH IS HOLDING AN AUTUMN FEST AND COOKIE WALK, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14TH, FROM 8:00AM-2:00PM. ENJOY BAKED GOODS, HOMEMADE CRAFTS, HOLIDAY DECORATIONS, AND MUCH MORE! BREAKFAST AND LUNCH WILL BE SERVED FOR $10 IN ADVANCE OR $12 AT THE DOOR. ALL PROCEEDS GOES 100% TO MISSIONS. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL LINDA AT 317-850-6264.

INSIGHT AUCTIONEERS WILL BE HOLDING A FREE PUMPKIN GIVEAWAY, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14TH FROM 9:00AM-12:00PM, FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES! THEY WILL ALSO BE HAVING BOUNCE HOUSES, HAYRIDES, AND A FIRE TRUCK. LOCATED AT 5000 SR 66 IN SEBRING.

NASGRASS INC. IS BACK AT THEIR BRAND NEW LOCATION AT THE FLORIDA FLYWHEELERS PARK! JOIN THEM FOR THEIR GRAND OPENING EXTRAVAGANZA, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14TH. THERE WILL BE AN ANTIQUE CAR SHOW, LIVE MUSIC, A POLK COUNTY SHERIFF GRADY JUDD RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY FEATURING CAPTAIN SHAWN HOOBIN, FOOD TRUCKS, AND 60-70 MPH MOWER AND KART RACING MADNESS! THERE ARE OTHER SURPRISES PLANNED TOO, SO YOU DONT WANT TO MISS IT! FESTIVITIES START AT 3:00PM. RACES WILL BE EVERY SECOND SATURDAY OF THE MONTH THROUGH MAY. LOCATED AT 7000 AVON PARK CUTOFF ROAD IN FORT MEADE.

THE AVON PARK MOOSE LODGE #2494 WILL HOST A $9 ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BREAKFAST, FROM 8:00AM-11:00AM, THIS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15TH. BREAKFAST IS EVERY FIRST AND THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND LOCATED AT 1318 W. BELL STREET IN AVON PARK.

THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF SEBRING WILL BE HAVING A FALL FAMILY FESTIVAL, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15TH, FROM 12:00PM-4:00PM! CHECK OUT THE PUMPKIN PATCH ON NORTH RIDGEWOOD DRIVE IN FRONT OF THE MUSEUM AND ENJOY FREE GAMES, ACTIVITIES, A CONCERT, AND CRAFTS. THE CHILDREN'S BUSINESS FAIR WILL BE FROM 12:00PM-3:00PM WITH OVER 30 KIDS PRESENTING THEIR POP-UP BUSINESSES. THE MUSEUM WILL ALSO BE OPEN AT HALF PRICE ADMISSION DURING THE EVENT.

THE LAKE PLACID FFA WILL BE HAVING THEIR 1ST ANNUAL PUMPKIN PATCH, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21ST, FROM 9:00AM-3:00PM IN STUART PARK IN DOWNTOWN LAKE PLACID. COME SUPPORT THE LAKE PLACID SENIOR AND MIDDLE FFA CHAPTERS FOR ONE DAY ONLY! ENJOY PUMPKINS, FOOD, DRINKS, BAKED GOODS, FREE GAMES, FACE PAINTING AND MORE WITH YOUR FAMILY.

THE ANNUAL WINGS OF FAITH CHRISTIAN WORSHIP CENTER SCHOLARSHIP GOLF TOURNAMENT WILL BE SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28TH. IT WILL BE HOSTED BY THE COUNTRY CLUB OF SEBRING AND IS ALL ABOUT HELPING GRADUATING SENIORS WITH COLLEGE EXPENSES. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER, PLEASE CALL 863-381-5706.

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!

THE SEBRING MEALS ON WHEELS 24TH ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF SCRAMBLE WILL BE SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH AT THE SEBRING MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE. FOUR PERSON TEAMS AND INDIVIDUALS ARE WELCOME TO REGISTER. IF YOU OR YOUR ORGANIZATION WOULD LIKE TO DONATE LOGO ITEMS FOR SWAG BAGS, DOOR PRIZES, OR THE SILENT AUCTION, PLEASE DO SO BY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20TH. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER PLEASE CALL 863-402-1818.

IT'S BEEN 100 YEARS SINCE THE FIRST EPISCOPAL CHURCH PUT DOWN ROOTS IN SEBRING AND ST. AGNES EPISCOPAL IS CELEBRATING IT'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY, NOVEMBER 5TH, AT THE CHURCH. JOIN IN THE CELEBRATION BEGINNING AT 10:30AM. DIOCESE OFF CENTRAL FLORIDA BISHOP, JUSTIN HOLCOMB, WILL LEAD THE CELBRATION. PLEASE RSVP SO THEY KNOW THEY'LL HAVE ENOUGH SEATING AT 863-385-7649. LOCATED ON LAKEVIEW DRIVE JUST SOUTH OF BAYVIEW ON THE NORTH SIDE OF LAKE JACKSON IN SEBRING.

THE LAKE PLACID JUNIOR WOMAN'S CLUB WILL BE HAVING THEIR 4TH ANNUAL VENDOR SPLENDOR FUNDRAISING EVENT, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11TH. ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TOWARDS LOCAL CHARITIES. LOCATED AT 10 NORTH MAIN AVENUE IN DOWNTOWN LAKE PLACID. IT WILL BE FROM 9:00AM-3:00PM, RAIN OR SHINE. OUTSIDE SPACES ARE AVAILABLE FOR A $50 DONATION AND LIMITED EXTRA LARGE INDOOR SPACES ARE AVAILABLE FOR $100. PLEASE CONTACT JOANNE AT 571-214-9143 IF YOU'D LIKE TO PARTICIPATE.

HEARTLAND HORSES EQUINE ACTIVITIES & LEARNING PRESENTS THE HEARTLAND HOEDOWN, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18TH, FROM 5:00PM-10:00PM. SAVE THE DATE AND JOIN THEM FOR LIVE MUSICE, RAFFLES, A DRILL TEAM PERFORMANCE, AND MORE! TICKETS ARE $10 AND DINNER IS $15. CHILDREN 12 AND UNDER GET IN FREE. MAKE SURE TO BRING YOUR OWN LAWN CHAIR AND ENJOY. LOCATED AT 4305 INDEPENDENCE STREET IN AVON PARK IN THE BARN LOCATION.

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.

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.

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 OCTOBER! 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.