NOTE: If you have any news, photos, events, etc. you would like listed - or you would like to write an article or feature - Please Email Dan

NEW: We'll be taking video clips from several of the area events and making them available on the Web site - check back often!

This great show is out at the Sebring airport. There was a lot going on at the track/airport area, so it was a pretty exciting time over there - both for the kids (SnowFest) and the grown-up kids (amateur racing and flying)!

The 4-day expo had a LOT of toys for these big boys and girls. The new light sport aircraft (LSA) designation has created a lot of new interest in flying and there are several new (and VERY different options) - and some of them quite affordable.

Melissa & I both went up in one of the powered trikes with wings (see photo above). That was a first. They were surprisingly comfortable and pretty much as described: Like riding a motorcycle in the sky!

We also wanted to try one of the little gyro-copters as well, but the weather, unfortunately, wasn't cooperating the entire weekend - it was windy, a little rainy, and global warming seems to be taking the year off, so we ran out of time for that.

We encourage anyone with an interest in sport flying to attend next year - CLICK HERE for more information. Sun 'N Fun is also a nearby event that is HUGE, and, as the name says, fun!

Thiey were expecting about 3000 kids for this years’ SnowFest – and from what we could see, that was probably about right! There were games, food, little rides and, of course, mountains of (real) snow for the kids to climb and play on. It was held at Sebring International Raceway this year, so it was even more fun for the kids because the planes were buzzing around overhead form the air expo and some amateur racing was going on at the track as well.

For those Florida natives who never got a chance to play in snow, or transplants missing that kind of fun, it’s a great day and it’s for a good cause – to help the Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

"This is a good event for children," said Stacey Donovan, who helped create this event several years ago. She is expecting to raise about $12,000 this year – of course, that is all possible with the help of about 150 adult and high school age volunteers. For more information, call 402-9001.

From what we could see (and when we were flying we had a bird’s eye view!), it looked like all the kids were having a blast.

Wow! The parade seems to get better and better each year. This year, the weather was perfect and the floats were more creative than ever. There were snow machines, bubble machines and people giving toys & candy out like never before. We walked the entire route before the parade started and Interlake was much more crowded than Main (and there is a lot more room on Main with the boulevard so you may want to take that into consideration for next year). Several of the area churches and businesses had food & drinks.

Watch Video Clips Of The 2007 Parade »

We'll be there - in front of our office on Main.

Santa In The Park will also take place that day in Stuart Park from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon.

Carousel Of Lights
December 1-31 on the circle in Downtown Sebring from 6-9 pm. There is also Santa in the Park - in the same great place - from December 1 - 24. The circle looks great and the downtown merchants are ready to serve up all sorts of fun. This is VERY nice and a great break from the hectic big stores!

Christmas at Pinewood December 1 - January 1, 2008 ~ Christmas at Pinewood: A Jolly Jazzy Holiday Home Tour conducted 10 am – 5 pm Mon.-Sat. & Sun. 1- 5 pm. The annual holiday celebration at Bok Tower is a GREAT way to get into the holiday mood! For more information call 863-676-1408 or CLICK HERE for Bok's Website.

Lake Placid Caladium Festival
The 16th Annual Caladium Festival held in downtown Lake Placid - the caladium capital of the world is Friday, Saturday & Sunday, August 25, 26 & 27, 2006.
Click here for much more information.

Monday, July 3 is the Fireworks over Lake June show, Sponsored by the Lake Placid Jaycees. You can view this fantastic show from virtually anywhere near or along the lake. The past couple years, Melissa, Zack and I go by boat which is fantastic. It's gotten more and more crowded on the water, but nearly everyone seems careful. This has been a first-rate show that has gotten better and better and includes some really big and nice pyrotechnics. It lasts for quite a while too. Bring the family out to one of the parks along the lake for a spectacular evening of fun. The show starts just after dark.

You can support this year's great show - and future shows - by sending a donation to (no cash please):

We haven't heard much about this yet, but we're assuming (like last year) that on Tuesday, July 4k, Sebring will host a fireworks show of their own. There may also a Day-Long Celebration. The fireworks start at 9:00pm and the events during the day are held at the Allen Altwater Cultural Complex starting at 9:00am. For more information, call: 863-402-6833.

Lake Placid Country Fair
Held during the first full weekend in February. About 200 crafters, local clubs and organizations and entertainers gather in the big circle (DeVane) in Lake Placid. This year, it started out soggy as it rained most all day Saturday, but Sunday was REAL nice. It was fairly crowded and looked to be a success from the people we spoke to. Click here for more information.

Sunday, July 3 is the Fireworks over Lake June show, Sponsored by the Lake Placid Jaycees. You can view this fantastic show from virtually anywhere along the lake, but Melissa, Zack and I go by boat for an even better experience. This is a first-rate show that has some really big and nice pyrotechnics and lasts for quite a while. Bring the family out to one of the parks along the lake for a spectacular evening of fun. The show starts just after dark.

You can support this year's great show - and future shows - by sending a donation to (no cash please):

On July 4k, Sebring will host their own fireworks show which is also really good. There is also a Day-Long Celebration. The fireworks start at 9:00pm and the events during the day are held at the Allen Altwater Cultural Complex starting at 9:00am. For more information, call: 863-402-6833.

Well, it wasn't the best day for us -
only a couple very small ones

2005 Bass Tournament On Lake June

The 8th Annual Lake PLacid Chamber of Commerce Bass Tournament will be held on Sunday, April 10, 2005 on Lake June from safe light until 2:30 p.m. It's held right at the Lake June Ballfields and is sponsored by Glades Electric Cooperative, Inc. & The News Sun. The fishing has been pretty good lately, so this should be a great tournament. Melissa and I will be out there fishing as a team, so come on out and meet us! If you DON'T fish, right after the tournament ends, everyone and anyone is encouraged to come out to the ballfields for the weigh in - these are always pretty fun and exciting, so come check it out! Here are the contest rules:

1. Eligibility - This is a team tournament. Only two participants per boat and each boat must have two participants.

2. Entry Fee - $80 per team. This includes $20.00 Big Bass. Big Bass will be 100% payback.

3. Registration - Boats will take off in the order in which entries are received. May pay at the ramp (by exact cash or by check for exact amount made payable to the Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce).

4. Tournament Hours - Safe light to 2:30 p.m. All boats must be in the basin prior to designated return time or they will be disqualified. NO EXCEPTIONS!

5. Tackle/Equipment - Only artificial lures may be used, except for pork rind. Only one rod (not to exceed 8' in length) and reel per person may be used at one time. Trolling (as a method of fishing) is prohibited. All bass must be caught in a traditional manner. Penalty for dead fish is .5 pound per fish. Fish must measure 12" on golden rule with tail closed or fanned. Any short fish will result in loss of that fish and team’s big fish. Any team with more than five (5) fish brought to scales will be disqualified. No culling at ramp. No team is to possess more than a limit of five (5) Bass at one time. 6. Boat - Each boat will be inspected prior to take off to ensure that it meets US Coast Guard regulations, that it has a running aerated live well, and that running lights are operational. If lights are not operational, the boat will go out last. Each person must wear a US Coast Guard approved life vest at all times the boat’s combustion engine is running. 7. Fishing Areas - An angler may not leave his or her boat except in an emergency. All water that is accessible by boat is permitted. No fishing is permitted within 50 yards of any competitor’s boat that has its anchor down and trolling motor up–use good sportsmanship! No fishing inside boat basin or check-in site. No fishing in areas designated off-limits by State or local agencies. 8. Catch & Release - Every effort must be made to keep Bass alive. All Bass caught in tournament must be open water released in a minimum of 4' of water, as per State requirements. NO EXCEPTIONS! 9. Scoring - Winners will be determined by pounds and hundredths of an ounce. Payback will be one place per every five boats entered. The tournament will be limited to the first 50 entries received. 10. Alcohol - Absolutely no alcohol or illegal drugs on boat.

Click HERE for more information and to download the entry form.

Dan DeBono

Hot Country Nights
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Dan DeBono

2004 Choir Festival
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Dan DeBono

Lake Placid Christmas Parade/Merchant's Open House
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This year's theme is "A Christmas In Dixie." Melissa, Zack and I will be in the parade this year in a float called: Home For The Holidays. We hope to see all of you there as well! Of course, if you want in on the action, there is no fee for parade participation and simply contact the Chamber Of Commerce for an application at 465-4331, or chamber@lpfla.com.

The Merchant's and Antique Holiday Open House is also on the 11th. There will be free refreshments and all the unique downtown stores will be open before the parade starts for your shopping pleasure. Then, December 20-23, the shops will be open from 6:00 until ??? with free refreshments and holiday music (school bands, church choirs) and more! Dan DeBono

The Hurricanes Of 2004
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But we're happy to say, that even with all that "action," our town came out of it relatively unscathed. There were lots of trees down, it was pretty messy, but there wasn't the "carnage" you saw on the news. By the time these storms move this far inland, they certainly lose a lot of steam, which is making Central Florida even more of a destination for those relocating.

Best of all, statistically, our area should be okay for a couple hundred more years! :)

For more information, you can call 863-441-2986 (ask for Melissa or Dan) or email here and we'll send you more information about our area.

Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo 2004
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Click HERE for more information and to download the entry form.

Dan DeBono

Hot Country Nights
PRINT ARTICLE PAGE

Dan DeBono

2004 Choir Festival
PRINT ARTICLE PAGE

Dan DeBono

Lake Placid Christmas Parade/Merchant's Open House
PRINT ARTICLE PAGE

This year's theme is "A Christmas In Dixie." Melissa, Zack and I will be in the parade this year in a float called: Home For The Holidays. We hope to see all of you there as well! Of course, if you want in on the action, there is no fee for parade participation and simply contact the Chamber Of Commerce for an application at 465-4331, or chamber@lpfla.com.

The Merchant's and Antique Holiday Open House is also on the 11th. There will be free refreshments and all the unique downtown stores will be open before the parade starts for your shopping pleasure. Then, December 20-23, the shops will be open from 6:00 until ??? with free refreshments and holiday music (school bands, church choirs) and more! Dan DeBono

The Hurricanes Of 2004
PRINT ARTICLE PAGE

But we're happy to say, that even with all that "action," our town came out of it relatively unscathed. There were lots of trees down, it was pretty messy, but there wasn't the "carnage" you saw on the news. By the time these storms move this far inland, they certainly lose a lot of steam, which is making Central Florida even more of a destination for those relocating.

Best of all, statistically, our area should be okay for a couple hundred more years! :)

For more information, you can call 863-441-2986 (ask for Melissa or Dan) or email here and we'll send you more information about our area.

Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo 2004
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Fall, 2004 Parade of Homes
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