COVID-19 vaccination appointments available, Osceola County Fair begins & more: 9 things happening this week

ORLANDO, Fla. — If you’re looking for COVID-19 vaccination appointments or something to do next week, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s a list of nine things to look forward to this week:

1. Publix to open COVID-19 vaccine appointments

Publix will open its vaccine appointments on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Florida residents who are over 65, residents and staff members of long-term care facilities, or health care workers are eligible to make a vaccination appointment.

The stores will administer 100 to 125 vaccinations per day, and an appointment is required.

READ: Here’s where to find the COVID-19 vaccine in your county

Click here to make an appointment.

2. Orange County to open COVID-19 vaccination appointments

Orange County health officials will reopen online appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations Monday.

A limited number of appointments will be available at the Orange County Convention Center.

Florida residents who are 65 and older can make an appointment online at 9 a.m. Monday.

Click here to learn how to make an appointment.

For frequently asked questions, click here.

Video: Orange County to open COVID-19 vaccination appointments Monday Orange County will open COVID-19 vaccination appointments Monday.

3. Osceola County fair begins this weekend

The Osceola County Fair kicks off this weekend.

Guests are required to wear masks and seating will be limited at entertainment venues.

Animal displays will have hand-sanitizing stations at entrances and exits.

The fair runs through Feb. 21.

Click here to learn more.

4. Daytona 500 starts this weekend

The Daytona 500 is set to start Sunday.

The race will start off NASCAR’s season.

NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin will try to become the first Daytona 500 champion to win three straight races in The Great American Race.

To learn more about the race, click here.

5. Bethune-Cookman University to welcome students back to campus

Bethune-Cookman University will welcome students back to campus this week.

In-person classes are scheduled to begin Monday.

The university said students will be tested for COVID-19 and must follow strict health safety rules.

“While we are disappointed to have postponed welcoming students back to campus following the holidays, our commitment to maintain the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff mandated the delay,” said Bethune-Cookman University President E. LaBrent Chrite. “Still, we continued teaching and learning through a robust use of online instruction. And we are mindful of the guidelines relative to preventing COVID-19 and its variants, taking every precaution to protect the safety of our students, faculty and staff.”

6. Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover to land on the Red Planet

After six months and more than 300 million miles traveled, the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover will land on the Red Planet Thursday.

The SUV-sized rover will explore Mars in search of signs of ancient life, collect samples of Martian rocks and sediment for future return to Earth, study the planet’s geology and climate, and pave the way for human exploration beyond the Moon.

READ: NASA successfully launches Perseverance Rover into space

NASA said the rover will also collect the first sounds from the Red Planet, allowing us to hear what Mars sounds like.

NASA Perseverance blasts off for Mars NASA Perseverance blasts off for Mars (NCD)

7. City of Orlando residents invited to participate in virtual meeting on police, community interactions

The city of Orlando is inviting residents to participate in a virtual meeting on police and community interactions.

The meetings will take place Monday and Wednesday.

Residents will have the opportunity to share their experiences, perceptions and ideas on a number of topics involving the way officers engage with the community.

Orlando police personnel will not be present at the meeting.

Click here to register for Monday’s meeting, which starts at 6 p.m.

Click here to register for Wednesday’s meeting, which starts at 6 p.m.

8. Spanish Springs Art & Craft Festival kicks off in The Villages

This weekend, the Spanish Springs Art & Craft Festival kicks off in The Villages.

The two-day event will be free and safety protocols will be in place due to COVID-19.

Local and national artists will visit the festival, bringing their creations to residents and visitors.

To learn more, click here.

9. Valentine’s Day

Save the date: Valentine’s Day is Sunday.

If you’re looking for freebies and restaurant deals, we’ve got you covered.

Click here for a list of deals for you and your sweetie.

READ: Valentine’s Day 2021: Restaurant deals and freebies for you and your sweetie

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Cox Media Group