Events Events and Festivals for 2018 By Jennifer DeCamp, Emily Nipps and Daniel Alan Norman Search { Events } at VISITFLORIDA.com The Sunshine State is home to a long lineup of events you can’t find anywhere else. Make the most of your Florida experience by putting one or more of these events on your must-do list. JANUARY Outback Bowl Ring in the new year with the fanfare of a college football bowl game! The annual SEC-Big 10 matchup is often a nail-biter. When: Jan. 1 Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Web: outbackbowl.com U.S. Sport Aviation Expo See aircraft ranging from luxurious to homebuilt, plus drones and other technology at this educational expo. When: Jan. 24-27 Where: Sebring Regional Airport, Sebring Web: sportaviationexpo.com The Honda Classic The best golfers in the world go for $6.6 million in prize money and try to rack up early points in the race for the FedExCup title. When: Feb. 19-25 Where: PGA National Resort & Spa, Palm Beach Gardens Web: thehondaclassic.com There are some 30 events, including cooking demos, wine pairing classes, live music and the Grand Tasting, a multi-sensory experience not to be missed. When: Jan. 4-14 Where: Various locations in Key Largo and Islamorada Web: oridakeysuncorked.com Uncorked: The Key Largo and Islamorada Food & Wine Festival FEBRUARY Florida State Fair Rides, livestock and deep-fried everything are the mainstays of this state fair. When: Feb. 8-19 Where: Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa Web: oridastatefair.com Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival This star-studded affair showcases the talents of famous chefs, culinary personalities and wine and spirit producers. Suggestion: Book early for all events. When: Feb. 21-25 Where: Various locations throughout Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale Web: sobefest.com South Florida Garlic Fest Art Deco Weekend More than 80 events: art exhibits, concerts, lectures, lms, street theater, parades, classic cars, a variety of culinary offerings, and for doggie lovers, the Bark Deco Dog Show. When: Jan. 12-14 Where: Along Ocean Drive in Miami Beach Web: artdecoweekend.com Billed as the “best stinkin’ party” in South Florida. You’ll sample great garlic-fused recipes, from Argentinean garlic BBQ to garlic ice cream, and enjoy top-notch live entertainment. When: Feb. 9-11 Where: John Prince Park, Lake Worth Web: s garlicfest.com MARCH Carnaval Miami An eclectic series of events–Miami Cork & Fork, Carnaval on the Mile, a golf tournament, a dominos tournament and, of course, concluding with Calle Ocho, one of the world’s largest street parties. When: March 3-11 Where: Various locations in Miami Web: carnavalmiami.com Art Wynwood 30A Songwriters Festival When: Jan. 12-15 Where: Various venues along Hwy. 30A Web: 30asongwritersfestival.com More than 175 nationally recognized singer/songwriters and 225 performances. More than 60 international galleries will showcase the work of almost 500 top artists. This event continues to show why the Wynwood Arts District is a ourishing international cultural destination. When: Feb. 15-19 Where: One Herald Plaza, Miami Web: artwynwood.com Concours D’elegance South Florida Fair Battle of Olustee Reenactment Hundreds don gray or blue to reenact Florida’s largest Civil War battle. Includes memorial service, barn dance and artillery night ring. When: Feb. 16-18 Where: Olustee Battle eld Historic State Park Web: battleofolustee.org One of the nation’s top automotive shows with more than 250 rare and exotic collectible cars on display on Sunday. When: March 9-11 Where: The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island Web: ameliaconcours.org Join about 500,000 folks for 17 days of national concert acts, midway rides, activities for kids, amazing livestock and yummy fair food. When: Jan. 12-28 Where: South Florida Fairgrounds, West Palm Beach Web: south oridafair.com Daytona Bike Week MLK Dream Big Parade & Family Fun Day Daytona 500 In its 77th year, the world’s largest biker event takes over Daytona’s streets with music, bike shows and organized rides. When: March 9-18 Where: Daytona Beach Web: of cialbikeweek.com/daytonabikeweek Watch talented college and high school marching bands and dance troupes in the largest MLK Day parade in the southeastern United States. When: Jan. 15 Where: Downtown St. Petersburg Web: mlkdreambigcelebration.com NASCAR’s popular “Great American Race” celebrates its 60th year with its thrilling main event, plus fan activities and big-name music acts. When: Feb. 18 Where: Daytona Beach Web: daytonainternationalspeedway.com Photos Opposite Page (Top to Bottom): Art in Wynwood; Art Deco architecture on Miami Beach; Daytona 500; Lobster in Key Largo; TPC Sawgrass Players Stadium OFFICIAL FLORIDA VACATION GUIDE 4 61
Visit Florida Visit Florida 2018: Page 61
