Living

Happy Leap Year! Celebrate with tacos, cat videos and wine


Happy weekend, Central Florida! We’re here to help you plan your weekend for Friday, February 28, 2020 - Sunday, March 1, 2020.


1. “Age is just a number. It’s totally irrelevant, of course, unless you happen to be a bottle of wine." -- Joan Collins

How far would you travel for a good meal? In the age of cheap airfare and Instagram it appears many people will travel TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH.

But if you don’t have time this week to make that journey you can bop on down I-4 and check out the Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Food and Wine Festival. It kicks off Friday and is a weekend event. The month-long festival is included in general admission. Click here for event information listed on the icFlorida events calendar.

If you’re new to Central Florida and paused at the word, “Tampa,” don’t stress. Busch Gardens is roughly 90 minutes from downtown Orlando. Here is a map that proves it:


2. Funnel. Cake.

The Central Florida Fair is celebrating its 108th year as a non-profit organization that showcases our area’s agriculture businesses, culture and creativity. Among the numerous things going on, there are livestock shows and auctions, carnival rides, live music, food, landscaping competitions, and games. Tickets start at $8 for adults and $6 for kids. The fair kicked off on February 27, but ends March 8.


3. Februry 29. The last time you saw today was in 2016.

Happy Leap Year, Central Florida! If you’re looking for a way to celebrate this Saturday in a way that is different from other Saturdays, check out Cape Canaveral Founders Day & Leap Year Celebration. It runs from 10 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Manatee Sanctuary Park. Among the highlights.. a wiener dog race (!) and VFW Post #10131 will host Bingo, which benefits Cape View Elementary School. Click here for additional details.


4. “Watching silly cat videos is good for you.” – The Wall Street Journal, Oct. 4, 2016.

We preface this listing by saying, in full transparency, we are self-proclaimed feline enthusiasts.

CatVideoFest is very much a thing, and it’s a thing that is happening in Daytona Beach on Saturday. Cinematique, which bills itself as the only arthouse theater in the Volusia County city, is hosting a one-time showing.

From 2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m., you can watch cat videos with other people and not alone on YouTube. Ticket’s are $8; click here for more information.


5. Tacocat spelled backwards is tacocat.

We love a theme. Actually, we just really love that tacocat joke. But tacos are on this week’s 9 things to do menu because the Orlando Taco Festival is February 29 and March 1, in Lake Nona. So let’s taco 'bout what you can expect.

25 Central Florida restaurants will represent at the festival, and they’re not just bringing tacos. You can also eat Mexican corn, churros, tamales, nachos and more. And to wash it all down? A Tequila Expo, beer and other adult libations. Which means if you either a) missed out on National Margarita Day or b) want to relive it, this is your chance. Click here for additional details.


We’re only halfway through our list.. keep scrolling for more things to do!


6. An election is on the horizon...

In this week’s episode of “Central Florida Spotlight,” host Greg Warmoth sits down with two of the four candidates running for State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit, covering Orange and Osceola counties.

First, he speaks with Deborah Barra, a Democrat who is currently Chief Assistant State Attorney for State Attorney Aramis Ayala. Next, he interviews Kevin Morenski, a Republican and a criminal defense attorney who is looking to lead the office. This show airs 12:30 p.m., on Sunday.

Previously, Greg spoke with the two other Democrats seeking this crucial office, former Chief Judge for the Ninth Judicial Circuit Belvin Perry and current Assistant State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit Ryan Williams. Click here to watch.


7. “Hockey is a tough game.” -- Bobby Orr

We’re going to go out on a limb this weekend and say that the only ice we Floridians ever really think about is that which sits in our drinks.

But ice hockey has caught our attention. The Orlando Solar Bears are the City Beautiful’s professional ice hockey team. There are a couple of games this weekend at the Amway Center in downtown Orlando.

Saturday’s evening game against the Newfoundland Growlers starts at 7:00. This game is part of the ‘Hockey Fights Cancer Night.’

Sunday’s afternoon game against the Florida Everblades starts at 3:00 p.m. at the Amway Center in downtown Orlando.

Tickets start at $12.25. Click here to purchase.


8. You are berry special!

The Florida Strawberry Festival is an 11-day agricultural event in Plant City. It starts on February 27 and ends on March 8. All sorts of food is sold, but the headliners are the fresh strawberries and the world-famous strawberry shortcake. There is also a carnival, live music, youth livestock shows and rides. Gate admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12. Children under 5 get in for free with a paid adult admission. Click here for details.


9. Let us help you tractor-down a farmers market

One of our favorite things about Central Florida is the plethora of farmers markets. Shoppers can buy direct from the area’s farmers, and you get fruits and vegetables that are in season.

In fact, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service has a helpful calendar showing when local crops are in season.


So where can you find the farmers market closest to you? Click here for our list.



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