Leisure … more than a word, it's a lifestyle

The Christmas period is a very special time to be in Orlando. So many great events fill the calendar from SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration, the Candelight Procession at Epcot, Mickey’s Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom, the Osborne family lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Universal Orlando’s Macy’s Parade to mention but a few, but perhaps the best, and one you don’t hear much about might well be The Singing Christmas Trees.

One of Orlando’s best kept secrets sees over 300 members of the First Baptist Choir combine their singing talents alongside a full orchestra with a backdrop of two astonishingly gigantic Christmas trees. The amazing trees host the choir as well as feature over 250,000 lights that dance to the music and create a one-of-a-kind spectacle that really has to be seen to be believed.

The Singing Christmas Trees has been staged in Orlando since 1980 although there was a two year break from 2006 to 2007. The Singing Christmas Trees were brought back in 2008 because of public demand and we simply can’t imagine the Orlando Christmas scene without them.

The Singing Christmas Tree’s are 40 feet tall, made up of 15 tiers, and house approximately 150 choir members per tree. This magnificent production was the result of a vision by former Pastor Jim Henry. It was in 1978 that Henry confronted Ragan Vandegriff, the then Minister of Music, recalling that it would take “a step faith” to launch this project. Henry said he wanted a “signature event with the priceless treasure and message of Jesus Christ.”

The first production of the Singing Trees debuted in 1980 at First Baptist Orlando’s downtown location, opening with “Do You Hear What I Hear,” directed by Vandegriff.

While the first five years featured a single tree, the church moved to its current campus on John Young Parkway in 1985 and they realized that it would be necessary to further expand the production to accommodate the larger stage. “One tree would have appeared “diminuendo,” according to Vandegriff so the task of writing music for two trees began. This often involved having “one tree call and the other one answer,” according to Deric Johnson, the music arranger at the time.

The trees were designed and structurally engineered by Walter G. Keller, who passed away in September of this year. “You can put a Mack truck on each tree and it would withstand the weight,” Keller explained sometime before his death and considering the average American weight, both trees combined contain almost 50,000 pounds of these live, vocalized ornaments.

The entire program consists of church members, under the direction of the church staff, that volunteer their time and talent to bring to the audience this celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. In all, around 1,000 people donate their time and they come from all professions, industries and backgrounds. You’ll find doctors, secretaries, sales persons, office clerks, lawyers, homemakers, warehouse workers and students all coming together to lend their individual talents to produce one of the best Christmas shows you’ll ever have the privilege to see.

The trees are erected in November by weekday volunteers and staff members and after the structures are set in place, pre-wired panels containing the 250,000 lights are secured. Miles of wires and cables are then connected to computers that synchronize the brilliant display to the music. Each tree contains about 60 panels and they all must be independently tested after they are attached to the tree structure. This is performed by plugging each color of each panel into a power source and checking each and every bulb. If an individual bulb is burned out, it can be replaced, however, there are times when an entire string of lights need to be restrung. It is these meticulous efforts that help to create this spectacular event.

The choir, under the direction of Jon Marks, Worship Pastor, then met every Sunday afternoon and Wednesday evening to learn and practice the songs. At the onset of the practices, the choir room was set up into designated areas where the altos, basses, baritones, sopranos and tenors would sit according to their voice range. On designated Sunday afternoon practices, the various vocal ranges would initially meet in separate rooms, then they would all gather back in the main choir room to bring it all together with the full choral effect.

Robert Elkins, Musical Director &Arranger, leads the 70 piece orchestra and some of these musicians are professionals, while others volunteer their services as they take time off from Walt Disney World and other local attractions where they hold regular jobs.

Another important set of volunteers are the  “Tree Rats.”  Primarily they are young and nimble and they need to be. Behind the scenes, the “rats” play a crucial role as they crawl through the maze of pipes and platforms to help make the choir feel comfortable and safe. They will tap on a choir member’s foot and massage their legs to keep blood circulating during the 90 minute performance. Along with a tag pasted on the member’s ankle that indicates the position number and name, they may also choose to tape a tasty piece of candy for the tree rat in appreciation. One year, however, a choir member taped a bag of M&Ms to her leg and when the rat opened the bag, the candy pieces dropped several rows bouncing and pinging off the pipes on the descent. That form of reward was subsequently banned.

The tree “rats” also move the wooden boxes into place before each choir member assumes his or her standing position. These boxes are custom made and allow the appearance of a more uniform height for each member. For example, if a member is five-foot three, the box would be nine inches tall making the appeared height as six feet.

The trees are loaded from a series or ramps and ladders that cannot be seen by the audience. Some choir members take their positions from the ground level while those in the higher section load from the second level behind the trees. This process is engineered to keep the weight properly distributed filling the lower levels first. The final position, the “star” of the tree, is the last one to assume her post hovering forty-five feet over the Worship Center stage.

This years performance sees a Grandfather telling his Grandson Max the Christmas story. The performance begins with “The Joy of Christmas Overture Carol Medley” and as the performance develops other Christmas favorites like Emmanuel, O Holy Night, and I’ll Be Home For Christmas can be heard. One favorite is a revamped version of Jingle Bells that has been adapted to a more modern and fun version. The Singing Christmas Trees is a fantastic production and it all comes to an end rather too soon as the Hallelujah Chorus rings out to bring the celebration to an end.

Make sure you plan a trip to The Singing Christmas Trees in 2012. For now, you can enjoy the video below and more pictures at Facebook.com/FloridaLeisure

You can also order a DVD copy of the performance from First Baptist Orlando here.

Here’s a great picture of a professional stunt driver taking flight on the set of “Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with the theme park’s iconic “Earffel Tower” standing tall in the background. The new, 30-minute show features cars, motorcycles and high-powered watercraft piloted by highly trained stunt drivers. Later this summer the star of “Cars” and “Cars 2″ will join the cast of high-octane characters.

Exotic cocktails will pair like a tropical daydream with fresh new tastes from more than one island paradise at the 16th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Sept. 30-Nov. 13, 2011, at Walt Disney World Resort. The one-of-a-kind 45-day festival serves up international cuisine, culture and entertainment from six continents, with more than 25 international marketplaces featuring tapas-sized portions paired with beer, wine and inventive new cocktails.

Marketplace tasting menus offer variety and adventure for guests on a mission to tantalize their taste buds during a scenic stroll around the 40-acre World Showcase Lagoon. The adventure can take them to the festival’s first Hawaii marketplace, which will cook up Kalua pork sliders and tuna poke with seaweed salad and lotus root chips to team with a refreshing Seven Tiki Mai Tai or a Kona Longboard or Pipeline beer. A new Caribbean Islands marketplace will serve ropa vieja with rice and jerk-spiced chicken with mango salsa. A beverage menu featuring a frozen Dragon Berry Colada and frozen Rock Coconut Mojito is sure to conjure steel-drum fantasies.

With a swing across the Atlantic, guests will be transported to the new Portugal marketplace, where the Portugal Wine Bar will offer best sips to pair with calamari salad with olives and smoked paprika. The Scandinavia marketplace will return after a hiatus with a fresh new Xante Sunshine cocktail made from Xante pear and cognac liquer. And the Canada marketplace will introduce a sweet treat: apple ice wine.

Disney and celebrity chefs will team with winemakers and brew masters from around the world to get the party started Sept. 30. During the six-week festival, guests will discover:

* Three new tasting marketplaces — Hawaii, Caribbean Islands and Portugal — plus new menu offerings at popular returning marketplaces
* Celebrity chef appearances starring top culinarians like Jeff Henderson, Cat Cora, Alan Wong, Gale Gand, Suvir Saran, Jamie Deen, Rock Harper, Celina Tio, Robert Irvine, Andrew Zimmern, Buddy Valastro, Warren Brown, Art Smith, Keegan Gerhard and more.
* First-ever HGTV home entertaining seminars each Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
* The Cranberry Bog display by Craisins telling the story behind the venerable cranberry’s rich agricultural heritage.
* Daily wine seminars, bottle signings, author events and culinary demonstrations at the Festival Welcome Center.
* Eat to the Beat! concerts three times nightly at America Gardens Theatre.

New Sips, Fresh Bites

Festival guests can make a day of circumnavigating the World Showcase Promenade, grazing and sipping as they go. Tapas-sized portions of regional specialties run $3 to $8 each, and recommended wines, cocktails and beers make perfect pairings at each marketplace. For quicker marketplace visits, guests can purchase a festival-themed mini-Disney Gift Card that can be worn on a wristband and loaded and reloaded at several park locations.

Live daily entertainment showcases many cultures with music, acrobatics and improv performances along the promenade. Evening Eat to the Beat! concerts at America Gardens Theatre feature acts from many musical genres. Appearing for the first time on the Eat to the Beat! stage are The Pointer Sisters, The Orchestra starring former members of ELO and Gin Blossoms. Fan favorite Taylor Dayne kicks off the festival Sept. 30-Oct. 2, and crowd pleaser Big Bad Voodoo Daddy wraps the event Nov. 11-13.

The festival attracts a diverse audience — from wine connoisseurs and epicures to novices wishing to boost their culinary IQs. Special culinary programs showcase a lineup of renowned winemakers, guest chefs and speakers participating in elegant dinners, luncheons, seminars and wine schools.

Festival highlights include:

* The Festival Welcome Center, with a Wine Bar, Authentic Taste Seminars, Authors Without Borders weekend conversations and more.
* More than 270 chefs including Disney chefs and culinary stars from across the country conducting culinary demonstrations and hosting dinners and tasting events.
* A complimentary Marketplace Discovery Passport to be stamped at each international marketplace visited for the perfect scrapbook souvenir.
* Popular returning events that include First Bites Opening Reception on Sept. 29; Kitchen Memories (formerly Celebrating Family and Friends in the Kitchen); Mixology Seminar; and “3D” Disney Dessert Discovery.
* The weekly Party for the Senses grand tasting event beginning Oct. 8 and with a new Saturday evening time of 7:30-10 p.m. featuring tempting bites from eminent chefs, more than 50 wines and beers and live entertainment presented by Cirque du Soleil.

Festival guests can enjoy fresh Epcot experiences including the latest Future World high-tech fun at Innoventions and the celebrated return of “Captain EO,” the classic musical 3-D production starring Michael Jackson in a rare big-screen performance. In World Showcase, new and recently updated restaurants welcome guests at the Italy, Japan, Mexico and China pavilions.

What’s Included with Epcot Admission:

Authentic Taste seminars and Authors Without Borders programs with special book signings at the Festival Center, Eat to the Beat! concerts, cultural adventures, Marketplace Discovery Passport and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission.

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There’s no better place to be when the sun sets in Orlando than at Summer Nights at SeaWorld when waves of fun wash over the park with fantastic shows, thrilling coasters under the stars, and a nightly fireworks and fountain finale.

Summer Nights starts tonight, June 18, and runs through August 14 … and even better, SeaWorld is now open until 10 p.m.

Headlining Summer Nights is Shamu Rocks, a larger-than-life experience where guests jam to a rock-n-roll beat; Sea Lions Tonite, an uproarious show featuring Clyde and Seamore that will have everyone in stitches; and Reflections, the sky-filling fireworks and fountains finale that ends the night with a bang.

New this year, Summer Nights Central, located on Bayside pathway, comes alive every night at 6 p.m. Guests dance the night away at this family-friendly, nightly party as a DJ spins the latest tunes and rockin’, live bands perform each weekend. In addition, beer, wine, frozen drinks and plenty of delicious snacks such as soft pretzels, melt-in-your-mouth cotton candy and tasty Blue Bunny® ice cream will be available.

And now, adults pay the kid’s price plus get a second day free at SeaWorld to enjoy the park on their schedule. It’s the best way to experience Summer Nights.

Terry Prather - President of SeaWorld Orlando & Nigel Worrall - Florida Leisure

Oh …and here’s a secret tip… something to look forward to this Christmas…. I was talking to SeaWorld Orlando President Terry Prather recently and he said that this years Christmas as SeaWorld is going to be even more spectacular than before. Now this promises to be something because last Christmas SeaWorld had the best event of all the attractions in my opinion.

Orlando is home to three of the World’s most famous theme parks, with many wonderful and thrilling rides and attractions, but one of the smaller and oldest of the attractions has possibly unveiled the most thrilling ride of all. For over 50 years, Gatorland in South Orlando has been a family friendly, affordable natural attraction featuring thousands of alligators in an environment that is equal parts education and entertainment. That all changes on June 16, 2011 when they open their all-new Screamin’ Gator Zip Line Experience to the general public.

Florida Leisure were invited to have an early preview of this experience so we sent along our intrepid reporter, Colin Bowman, who sent in a great report and he says his heart is still pounding from the expeirence! Here’s his report:

Gator Zip Line Experience

by Colin Bowman

This 2½ hour experience begins with you meeting your guides for the trip, an orientation video with the hilarious and inept “Bubba” and “Cooter” and then time to truss you up in your safety gear. With all the harnesses on and your helmet you feel pretty good and invincible, a feeling that lasts right up until you arrive at the first tower and look up.

Tower one stands over six stories and has what feels like 100 stairs (it’s probably less, but believe me, counting steps was the last thing on my mind). If that fact takes your breath away, try and find it once you have actually climbed to the top. Your guide then informs you that the launch platform is over fifty feet above the ground and of course you are compelled to look down. He’s right … above the ground … concrete below and lots of people looking up at you, video cameras in hand … and you know what they want to have happen.. Having never ziplined before, it was a big test of intestinal fortitude to step off that platform and believe me I prayed that all these harnesses, which now seem extremely flimsy, are going to hold you in place as you travel almost 250ft at about fifteen miles per hour through the tree tops. Anyway, away we go …

And we land at tower two which is slightly bigger, standing at 56ft tall, but the launch platform is only 46ft off the ground. The line itself is only 265ft in length , so traveling at twenty miles per hour should be a doddle … except that this time you are going over a pool with about 30 alligators below you … oh joy … here we go again … backwards, because the cute little girl with the camera says she can get a better photo and of course you have to impress her … but stepping off a platform backwards wearing a piece of material and a couple of lanyards is an daunting experience for sure … whoosh … see you later gators …

This is getting easy … now for tower three. It stands at 65ft and has a launch platform 56ft off the ground. We will be traveling 230ft at over twenty five miles per hour. Wait a minute, that’s getting higher and faster … dammit … “Try running off this one,” says my guide … “Oops I can’t hear you,” I reply as I grab everything and use my trusty sit-down take off method … Then I hear drums … only to discover that it is actually my heart, because straight ahead I see an even bigger tower and with that I arrive at …

Tower four which looms over the park like King Kong. It stands over seventy five feet tall, the launch platform is sixty five feet off the ground and the line is 520ft long. This means I will be traveling at almost thirty miles per hour. Did I mention the breeding marsh below with 130 of the biggest alligators that you have ever seen plus one particularly angry crocodile. At this point, I also became aware of the fact that these towers rock and sway a lot in the wind. My mouth is also very dry and I am very grateful for the water provided at this station, although I am just praying that the contents of my bladder will remain there. “Don’t forget the photo op,” says my cheerful guide … I am just praying I am not going to become the latest YouTube sensation for all the wrong reasons … GERONIMO (I wish I had shouted something brave) …

And a few seconds later … touchdown … I feel like I have won the SuperBowl … one to go. “Just cross over the rickety bridge to get to the last zipline. “RICKETY BRIDGE?” How did I miss that? Bridges, why did it have to be bridges. I hate them. I hate rickety ones in the wind even more and being clipped to the safety line 31ft up in the air crossing this 150ft long bridge was not my idea of fun … even less when my companion decided it would be fun to start her crossing when I was halfway across and started bouncing … fortunately she weighs about the same as a bag of flour, so the effect wasn’t as great as she hoped … but still, the people below obviously thought it was funny. I am sure the smiles would’ve been wiped from their faces if I had used them as a landing mat.

Finally, after a nerve-wracking eternity I made it over to tower six (five is where the bridge starts). This is my favorite, side-by-side ziplines so you can drag race and attempt a measure of revenge on any companions who may have slighted you, by smoking them over the 340ft line traveling at speeds up to thirty miles per hour … or not!!!! Even though I did attempt to run off the platform, there was a definite stutter step at the end when I realized that is I didn’t reach the other side, I would be dangling over another lake chocked full of alligators … hopefully they haven’t mastered the art of acrobatic pyramids, but for some reason I couldn’t get Fantasia out of my head (the Disney movie, not the American Idol).

But I survived and this really was so much fun and should be added to your bucket list of things to do next time you vacation in Orlando and if you are fortunate enough to live here, what are you waiting for.

Known internationally as the “Alligator Capital of the World,” you can find out more about this experience and Gatorland in general at http://www.gatorland.com/ScreaminGator.php

Tuesday marks yet another first for the Orlando City history books as the club begins its first season of US Open Cup play against USASA Region II side ASC New Stars. The Lions are now a part of an American soccer tradition that dates back to 1914. The match will be played at the UCF Soccer and Track Complex.

City’s first opponent represents what makes the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup unique. ASC New Stars are an amateur team from the Houston area. They qualified for the tournament through the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) regional tournament. Much like the FA Cup in England, the Open Cup allows all amateur and professional teams the opportunity to qualify for the tournament.

The New Stars come into the match as the champions of Region II of the USASA. They defeated fellow Houston area club Regals FC 2-1 in overtime in the Region II final over Memorial Day weekend. Regals FC also qualified for the tournament and stand to be Orlando City’s next opponent should both Regals and the Lions advance.

The Lions will bring a new look line-up into the match. Several players are being rested ahead of the Lions national television debut on Saturday. This opens up opportunities for local products Justin Fojo (Lake Mary) and Dennis Chin (Oviedo) to get their first starts of the season. Recent signing Charlie Campbell and reserve goalkeeper Sean Kelley will also be receiving their first starts of the season.

A victory in the match advances the Lions to the second round of the tournament. They will face the winner of the Charleston Battery/Regals FC match. If Charleston wins, the Lions will travel to Charleston. Regals will travel to Orlando should they emerge victorious. If the match is played in Orlando, it will take place at UCF.

Tickets for the match are $15 and are general admission. For more information, visit www.orlandocitysoccer.com or call 407-536-5368

Proposed Line-up (unofficial):

GK: Sean Kelley

DF: Mechack Jerome, Wes Allen, Kieron Bernard, Jack Traynor

MF: Kevin Molino, Charlie Campbell, Justin Fojo, Jamie Watson

FW: Devorn Jorsling, Dennis Chin

Opening this weekend at Kennedy Space Center is the maiden voyage of Sci-Fi Summer: Where Science Fiction Meets Fact. NASA’s Kennedy Space Center complex launches Sci-Fi Summer today, 11th June, as a celebration of the last 50 years of human spaceflight and science fiction during the limited time exhibition. Sci-Fi Summer blends the technology, innovation and exploration of NASA with the adventures of Star Trek, one of the most popular science fiction programs worldwide.

Appearing for the first time in the southeast, Star Trek: The Exhibition, from EMS Exhibits, Inc., is an interactive exhibit of authentic Star Trek artifacts from the past 45 years, featuring one of a kind costumes, props and filming models from every Star Trek television series and feature film. Together these components offer Star Trek Fans and novices alike an opportunity to experience first hand the imagination, artistry, technology and meticulous craftsmanship that have made Star Trek the most enduring science fiction franchise in history.

This is your chance to go deep within the the Star Trek universe to discover the history of this ground breaking series and a recreation of the U.S.S. Enterprise Bridge from the original series, where you can sit in the command chair of Star Trek’s most famous captain: James T. Kirk. Sit in the actual Captain’s chair, see the props and costumes used in the TV Series’ and films, and enjoy one of a kind displays, including Engineering and Sick Bay replica sets from Star Trek: The Next Generation, interactive kiosks, rare photo opportunities and unique adventures.

So make sure you go to Kennedy Space Center soon because the event starts today and finishes on 5th September… there’s a lot to see ! More pictures are here and please click below to watch a short preview video!

PS. Tomorrow I’ll be telling you about Star Trek Live! … an exciting and interactive stage show featuring Vulcan’s and humans. Check back in the morning!

This weekend, Universal Orlando’s 2011 Summer Concert Series begins and it will feature the most dynamic lineup in the event’s history. Six hit artists – including Drake, Boys Like Girls and Trey Songz – will take center stage every Saturday night from June 11 to July 16.

With a combined total of 30 platinum albums, this year’s concert lineup features artists who have each led the U.S. music charts. The list of performers includes: Drake – one of only two musical artists to have his first two Top 10 songs occur in the same week; Grammy award-winning hip-hop artist Nelly; legendary female rock band Go-Go’s – who have their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; and multi-platinum rockers Third Eye Blind. The full lineup, including performance dates, can be viewed below.

In its third year, the Summer Concert Series has become one of Orlando’s most popular summertime events. By day, guests can enjoy world-class thrills found only at Universal Studios, such as The Simpsons Ride – featuring America’s favorite animated family – and Revenge of the Mummy – the world’s first psychological thrill ride based on the popular “Mummy” films. By night, guests can dance along to a live concert at the Music Plaza Stage in the glow of colorful LED lights from Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit – Universal Orlando’s most radically-innovative roller coaster ever created.

The Summer Concert Series is included with regular park admission to Universal Studios. Guests can upgrade a one-park ticket to include Universal’s Islands of Adventure – featuring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the most spectacularly themed environment ever created.

Do you like Disney entertainment “heritage”? Love music? Art? Sports “spectating”? Food and drink adventures? Theme park parties celebrating Halloween or the holidays?

For fun-seekers with any of those passions and special interests, fall 2011 is a season to make some memories at Walt Disney World Resort. Here’s a look at what’s in store from Labor Day through Thanksgiving …

A ‘Tropical Serenade’ rekindling memories

The Sunshine Pavilion, featuring a show variously known as “Tropical Serenade” and “The Enchanted Tiki Birds,” debuted on Oct. 1, 1971, in Magic Kingdom. In 1998, following substantial refurbishment, it re-launched as The Enchanted Tiki Room – Under New Management, with two famous Disney birds – Iago from Aladdin and Zazu from The Lion King – taking control and trying to spruce up the show.

The “new management” has been let go and the future of the Adventureland landmark is in the wings and wit of José, Fritz, Michael and Pierre – four crooning parrot hosts who ushered in sophisticated Audio-Animatronics technology at California’s Disneyland in 1963 at The Enchanted Tiki Room.

In time for fall 2011 vacations, The Enchanted Tiki Room (as the Magic Kingdom attraction now will be called) is being prepared to reflect the show at Disneyland that represents a milestone in Disney theme park entertainment. While Walt Disney’s creative team previously had produced movable figures, none had the sophistication of the bird-brained cast of the Tiki Room. José, Fritz, Michael and Pierre produce movements when solenoid coils hidden inside receive signals recorded onto magnetic tape and are regarded as the first “true” Audio-Animatronics figures.

They introduce a musical presentation by more than 200 birds, flowers and tikis. Even the audience gets into the act, joining in during the musical ditty “Let’s All Sing Like the Birdies Sing.”

The Enchanted Tiki Room (tentatively slated for opening in August 2011) has shows throughout Magic Kingdom operating hours.

Events to suit all sorts of tastes

Some of the most popular and enduring special events at Walt Disney World Resort happen during the fall. Here are snapshots:

Disney’s Night of Joy – TobyMac, MercyMe, newsboys, Jeremy Camp, Jars of Clay and Skillet will headline one of the most-decorated lineups in the 29-year history of Disney’s contemporary Christian music event Sept. 9 and Sept. 10, 2011, in Magic Kingdom. The 16 artists have a 20-year legacy of accolades – 70 GMA Dove Awards and eight GRAMMY^® Awards including reigning Christian music Artist of the Year (Francesca Battistelli). Night of Joy is an after-hours event that requires a special ticket. Event hours are 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. each evening. More information is available at www.nightofjoy.com.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party – The headless horseman romps down Main Street, U.S.A. aboard his steed, ghostly apparitions flit among the buildings of Magic Kingdom, Cinderella Castle is draped in eerie hues and the night sky is painted with bursts of orange and green fireworks during this popular after-hours Magic Kingdom party on 23 select autumn evenings between Sept. 13 and Nov. 1, 2011. The special-ticket event features trick-or-treating throughout the park, “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks spectacular, “Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade” – including Disney characters and the stars of the Haunted Mansion attraction – and the opportunity to experience popular attractions. Information about dates and tickets is available at www.disneyworld.com/halloween.

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival – A veritable world of culinary adventures is on the menu Sept. 30-Nov. 13, 2011, during the 16^th edition of the festival presented by Vanity Fair Napkins. The journey along the promenade around World Showcase Lagoon includes more than two dozen marketplaces where everyone from neophytes to epicures and aficionados can nibble and sip their way across six continents of food and beverage adventures. Talented culinarians from across America and around the world will be involved with specialty dinners, seminars featuring cooking demonstrations and wine tastings, the popular Saturday night grand tastings – Party for the Senses – and more.  The festival also will feature the popular Eat to the Beat! concert series each evening. Details are available at www.disneyworld.com/foodandwine.

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic – PGA TOUR thrillers have been the norm in this $4.7 million season-ending event on Disney’s Magnolia and Palm courses. Twelve of the most recent 16 editions of the pro golf event have been decided by one stroke or a playoff. A field of 128 players will tee off in the 41^st Classic Oct. 20-23, 2011. The 2010 winner was Robert Garrigus. More information: www.ChildrensMiracleNetworkClassic.com.

Festival of the Masters – Nearly 150 award-winning artists who turn clay, wood, metals, oils, watercolors and more into creations that treat the eyes – such as paintings, jewelry, sculptures and photographs – will show off their works Nov. 11-13 at Downtown Disney. One of the Southeast’s most highly regarded juried art festivals since 1975, Festival of the Masters features live entertainment and family-friendly activities each day. Admission and parking are complimentary.  For more information, guests may visit www.disneyworld.com/artfestival.

Old Spice Classic – The eight-team college basketball tournament again will be held over Thanksgiving weekend – Thursday, Friday and Sunday, Nov. 24, 25 & 27, 2011 – at the HP Field House at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Arizona State, Dayton, DePaul, Fairfield, Indiana State, Minnesota, Texas Tech and Wake Forest make up the field. Seven of the teams reached the 2010 postseason. The Old Spice Classic will feature 12 games over the three days. Each team will compete in one game per day, advancing through a bracket-tournament format. The two teams that remain undefeated throughout will face off in a championship match Sunday, Nov. 27. Additional information can be found on the Old Spice Classic website at www.OldSpiceClassic.com.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party – On 19 select evenings between Nov. 8 and Dec. 18, 2011, guests can experience the enchantment of Castle Dream Lights on Cinderella Castle plus two special entertainment extravaganzas, “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” and the holiday-themed fireworks spectacular, “Holiday Wishes-Celebrate the Spirit of the Season.”  The special after-hours party, which requires a separate admission ticket, also features live Disney character stage shows, character greetings, cookies and cocoa, and even “snow” on Main Street, U.S.A.  More details are available at www.DisneyWorld.com/holidays.

It’s time to dust off the Stetson and round up the family this weekend as it’s again time for the Silver Spurs Rodeo! The Silver Spurs Rodeo is an event where the country’s top cowboys and the most unpredictable livestock mix it up for some entertaining and often exhilarating action. Rodeo fans enjoy events such as bull riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding and barrel racing. There’s also some cowboy clowns to please the crowd.

The Silver Spurs Rodeo was founded by the Silver Spurs Riding Club in 1944 to promote good horsemanship and good fellowship in Osceola County. It has grown to become one of the most successful rodeos in the country, the largest rodeo east of the Mississippi and is ranked annually among the top 50 events sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

Held for years in an outdoor arena, the Silver Spurs Rodeo has a new home — the high-tech Silver Spurs Arena, located at Osceola Heritage Park. The one-year-old multi-million dollar indoor facility is climate-controlled with the latest state-of-the-art, high-tech lighting and audio — the ultimate in rodeo watching comfort.

Kissimmee’s Cattle Country History
Most people who visit Kissimmee come to the area to visit Central Florida’s theme parks so they are more than a bit surprised to find that cattle ranches, rodeos and cowboys still continue to play such a big part in the area’s culture. All of these were around long before Mr. Disney came to town and changed the Central Florida landscape forever.

It was back in the 1500′s, when Spanish explorers landed on the coast of Florida with their ships loaded with everything they needed to tame a new territory, including cattle. They often found that crossing the watery swamps of Central Florida was a treacherous occupation and very often a few head of cattle wandered away as the travelers became bogged down. Despite these dangerous conditions the lost cattle managed to survived and even multiply. Moving forward some 200 years later, the area’s next settlers found the plains of the Kissimmee River Valley overrun with herds of wild cows. Stories are told of early residents in downtown Kissimmee fencing their yards to keep the wild cows out and while these animals undoubtedly caused some headaches for Osceola’s early pioneer families, the cattle also provided a valuable food source.

Today, that cowboy way of life still continues and every week local cowboys and cowgirls entertain themselves by competeing in action-packed, all-American events like bull riding, calf roping and barrel racing at the Kissimmee Sports Arena’s Friday Night Rodeo. Twice a year, however, the action is kicked into high gear at the Silver Spurs Rodeo where the country’s toughest cowboys go head-to-head with the country’s nastiest bulls and saddle broncs. The 127th PRCA Silver Spurs Rodeo bucks into action today and tomorrow, June 4-5 at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee. It costs just $15 per person, plus kids 10 and under are free, and gains you entrance into one of the original extreme sports that will be sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

All of the traditional rodeo events at the official state rodeo of Florida will get underway on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Events such as bull riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, and barrel racing, along with crowd-pleasing cowboy clowns, will all take place during each performance.

You can lasso your tickets in advance by visiting www.silverspursrodeo.com or call (407)-67RODEO.

Information and Directions
The 120-acre Osceola Heritage Park, which includes the Silver Spurs Arena, Osceola County Stadium, the Exhibition Building, Outdoor Pavillion, KVLS Pavillion and University of Florida Extension Services has been developed as a showplace of facilities that honor and celebrates the Kissimmee-St. Cloud community and its agricultural and cattle ranching heritage.

The Silver Spurs Rodeo is located at the Silver Spurs Arena, 1875 Silver Spur Lane, Kissimmee. The Silver Spurs Arena is located within the Osceola Heritage Park off Highway 192 east of Kissimmee.