9 things to do this weekend: Paws in the Park, Osceola County Fair, Polar Plunge & more

ORLANDO, Fla. — Looking for something to do this weekend?

Here’s a list of nine things happening around Central Florida.

1. Paws in the Park at Lake Eola

Get your furry friends ready: Orlando’s largest pet festival returns this weekend.

Paws in the Park kicks off Saturday at Lake Eola in downtown Orlando.

READ: Barking news: Paws in the Park returns to Lake Eola

It will again feature pets ready for adoption, doggy sports, a pet costume contest and parade, food trucks, a beer garden, pet-friendly vendors and the return of the popular dock diving for dogs.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Click here to learn more.

2. Osceola County Fair

The Osceola County Fair is coming to town this weekend.

The fair starts Friday.

It’s the largest annual event in the county, spanning over 10 days.

To learn more, click here.

3. Celebrating Black History Month: Third Annual 1619 Fest Orlando

The third annual 1619 fest is happening at the Hannibal Square Heritage House this weekend.

This year’s 1619 festival theme is “Maafa to Freedom” Surviving, Thriving, Resilience!”

To learn more, click here.

4. Heroes & Monsters: Jean-Michel Basquiat, the Thaddeus Mumford Jr. Venice collection

The Orlando Museum of Art will open a new exhibit this weekend.

Heroes & Monsters: Jean-Michel Basquiat, the Thaddeus Mumford Jr. Venice collection will open on Saturday.

Photos: Orlando Museum of Art’s new exhibition takes you back to the 1980s

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Orlando Museum of Art new exhibition (WFTV.com News Staff)

Organizers said the collection will feature a rare group of paintings from a private collection that are being shown for the first time at the Orlando Museum of Art.

To learn more about the exhibit, click here.

5. Polar Plunge at Aquatica

Special Olympics Florida wants you to get freezin’ for a reason.

Aquatica is hosting the annual Polar Plunge to raise money for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday.

Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. and the plunge into the chilly water takes place at 10 a.m.

Click here for more information on how to register or donate.

6. Mardi Gras at Fun Spot America

You can take a trip to The Big Easy in Florida by visiting Fun Spot.

The park is having a Mardi Gras event through April 24.

The parks said you can enjoy jazz music, a parade, food and more at the Orlando and Kissimmee parks.

Click here to learn more about the event.

7. 87th Annual Bach Festival

The annual Bach Festival continues this weekend.

Organizers said it has been a Central Florida music tradition since it was founded in 1935.

For three weeks in February, the Bach Festival Choir, Orchestra, and guest artists fill Winter Park with choral, orchestral and chamber music.

To learn more, click here.

8. Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras celebration is back this weekend with live concerts, parades and great food from around the world.

Musical legends, global superstars and Grammy-nominated DJs are some of the acts you’ll be able to see as part of Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras celebration.

READ: Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras celebration 2022 begins this weekend

On Saturday, Diana Ross will perform during the celebration.

The concert is scheduled to start at 8:30 p.m.

Click here to learn more.

9. SeaWorld Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival

SeaWorld Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival is taking place this weekend.

READ: Seven Seas Food Festival returns to SeaWorld Orlando

The park said families can enjoy over 200 chef-and mixologist-curated tastes inspired by cultures from across the Seven Seas.

The festival will take place every Thursday through Sunday until May 8.

Do you always want to be the first to know what’s happening in Central Florida? Download the WFTV news app and watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News.

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