Halloween Favorites at Fantasy of Flight

Those accustomed to dealing with concrete, easy-to-prove concepts, such as the mechanics of an aircraft, the physics of flight or the value of a rare vintage plane are invited to fine tune their sixth sense this October as Fantasy of Flight explores the unexplained, unidentified and unexpected aspects of its world-renowned collection of rare and vintage aircraft and reveals some of aviation's most puzzling mysteries.

Two unique events, the family-friendly Haunted Hangar Walking Tour and nightFlight: Phase Three of the Paranormal Investigation, a spine-tingling late night experience, offer guests a chance to celebrate Halloween like never before.

The "ghoulie"-guided, half-hour Haunted Hangar Walking Tour engages guests of all ages with little known-aviation tales and unsolved mysteries - from the famous Lost Squadron to Lindbergh's spectral companions - all guaranteed to cast a supernatural sheen over the "World's Greatest Aircraft Collection"™. The Haunted Hangar Walking Tour will be offered daily Oct. 1 - 31 and is included free with the price of general admission and is free for annual pass holders. Tour schedule is subject to change.

Back by popular demand, Fantasy of Flight invites guests to nightFlight: Phase Three of the Paranormal Investigation. Introduced in 2010 to sold-out audiences, the limited-attendance nighttime tours are guided by Florida's Apollo Paranormal Investigations (API), a non-profit team of paranormal investigators (sometimes referred to as "ghost hunters") who have rated Fantasy of Flight an "11" on a paranormal activity scale of 1 to 10. During their four-hour experience, visitors will learn of the aircraft collection's haunted history, explore the unexplained occurrences throughout the halls and hangars of Fantasy of Flight, visit locations where encounters have been recorded and engage in the hands-on use of the tools of the ghost hunting trade. The October 2011 investigations will further examine data collected by nightFlight participants during the initial programs in early 2011 and inspect unexplored areas and aspects of Fantasy of Flight operations including the mysterious female spirit "M" in the Officers' Club, the new approach in the Carrier Deck with the cluster of Naval carrier-based aircraft and the Restoration shop.

Any visitor who brings a donation of canned goods or non-perishable food items will receive $5 off the price of a single, regular admission from Oct. 1 through Nov. 10.All items collected will benefit The Mission of Winter Haven. Rice, pasta, canned fruits and vegetables are especially needed. The food drive discount is not valid with other offers or discounts.

Fantasy of Flight also hosts a number of other special events throughout the year. Remaining events include Roar n' Soar, which takes place Sat., Nov. 12 and Sun., Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (gates open at 9 a.m.) at the attraction's spacious lakefront grounds and airfield in Polk City, Fla., midway between Orlando and Tampa. For more information or to purchase Roar n' Soar tickets, call 863-984-3500 or visit www.fantasyofflight.com.

Fantasy of Flight American Heritage Camporee

This fall, Boy Scouts will have the rare opportunity to relive one of America's proudest eras through the eyes of the very men who lived it. From Friday, Sept. 23 through Sunday, Sept. 25, Fantasy of Flight will hold its inaugural Boy Scouts American Heritage Camporee, a brand new event providing scouts the chance to meet and talk with decorated World War II veterans amidst actual planes flown in the war, part of the world's largest collection of rare and vintage aircraft. The weekend's activities will help scouts earn requirements toward their American Heritage and Aviation merit badges, among others.

This is not the first time that Fantasy of Flight has set the stage to help scouts earn merit badges. The attraction hosted its 3rd Annual Aviation Camporee March 18-20, 2011 and has hosted more than 1000 Boy Scouts since its inception. Inviting World War II veterans to share their compelling stories is nothing new for the attraction either... This year Fantasy of Flight expanded its popular Legends & Legacies Symposium Series to feature veterans who served on D-Day and at Pearl Harbor, veterans groups including the Tuskegee Airmen and the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), as well as heroes from WWII who served on the ground protecting and supporting the men and women in flight.

As a former Boy Scout, Fantasy of Flight creator and founder Kermit Weeks is proud to provide a unique educational venue for scouts to immerse themselves in the captivating world of aviation and American history. "We are proud to expand our scouting program to include requirements toward the American Heritage merit badge as well as the Aviation merit badge, in a hand-on, interactive and totally immersive way," said Weeks. "Even more so, we're eager to unite what's been called the 'Greatest Generation' with the leaders of tomorrow, face-to-face, veteran-to-scout, in a way that is rarely, if ever, done. This is an incredible opportunity for scouts to hear firsthand from real live American heroes who fought for our freedom."

The American Heritage Camporee includes three days and two nights of primitive camping at Fantasy of Flight; unlimited admission to Central Florida's premier aviation attraction; as well as lunch on Saturday and all activities and merit stations. Troops or individual scouts are invited. Individual scouts under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Reservations are required and space is limited. Cost is $30 per person, plus tax. To register, contact Stephanie Conner, 863-984-3500, ext. 220

The "Legends & Legacies Symposium Series" featured six topics scheduled for 2011. One remaining topic included "The Great Escape: Heroes Underground," Oct. 14-15. All symposiums are included with daily general admission and are free for all Annual Pass holders. Call 863-984-3500 or go to www.fantasyofflight.com for more information. Also on the calendar for 2011 is the 5th Annual Roar n' Soar, November 12-13.

Celebration Oktoberfest

Celebration Town Center will transform before your very eyes as the falling leaves of the season drop on Market Street during Oktoberfest, October 7-8. Listen for the rustling of leaves, relax by the lakeside and rock your troubles away, or enjoy live music with family and friends at this one-of-a-kind themed extravaganza.

Great event not to be missed so make your hotel reservation today and choose from any of the following hotels they have some great deals available make it a family weekend getaway or a romantic weekend escape. Here is the hotel list

• Holiday Inn MainGate East
  
• Gaylord Palms Orlando
  
• Celebration Suites
  
• Seralago Hotel
  
• Knights Inn
• Barefoot’n Resort
  
• Quality Suites Royale Parc Suites
  
• Radisson Orlando Celebration
  
• Ramada Maingate West
  

Looking for Vacation homes here are two great choices to choose from:

• ALL STAR Vacation Homes
• Homes 4uu
  

Have a fun time at Celebration Oktoberfest and leave us a quick review upon your return.

Clearwater Beach with Lunch Package

The powdery white sand beaches and the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico make Clearwater Beach a popular destination any time of the year. If you are vacationing in Orlando and have always wanted to check out the Gulf Coast, the Clearwater Beach with Lunch Tour will take you to some of the best beachfront property that the Sunshine State has to offer.

Your Clearwater Beach with Lunch package includes roundtrip transportation from your Orlando area hotel and a packed picnic lunch box. There will be plenty of free time on the beach to relax and enjoy Clearwater Beach.

Stroll along Gulf View Blvd., pick up some beach gear at a local gift shop, and definitely take advantage of the Florida sunshine, this town holds the record for the most days with sunshine per year (361).

Clearwater Beach is a bustling beach town with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the sand, sun and water sports that the Gulf Coast is famous for. Locals and visitors alike enjoy Pier 60, one of the most popular fishing piers in the Sunshine State. Pier 60 has an attractive boardwalk, a large playground and a concession area.

The Clearwater Beach with Lunch package enables you to take a break from the theme park crowds and experience a beach getaway as part of your Orlando vacation.

The Food The Wine The Jazz

The Food. The Wine. The Jazz is all at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando Friday, October 14, from 6:30 - 9:00 pm. It is time to join them for an evening of wine, food and live jazz under the twinkling lights of the Harbor Piazza at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando. Enjoy select wines and sparkling wines, along with food inspired by Executive Chef Luke Forzano's most recent culinary adventure in Italy. The event will feature live jazz from Johnny Cool and the Mobster Swing Band. Come and experience a taste of la dolce vita . . . the sweet life! Tickets: $35 on-line** or $45 at the door and Reserved seating tickets with private wine station and passed hors d'oeuvres are $60 on-line** only. This is a 21 and older only event Click here to purchase Harbor Nights tickets on-line.

Wantilan Luau

Now on Tuesdays and Saturdays through the summer come and experience the weekly Hawaiian dinner show at Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando every Saturday night year-round and now also on Tuesday nights through the summer.



The Wantilan Luau features an all-you-can-eat islands buffet that includes pit-roasted suckling pig, fire-grilled tender beef with straw mushroom, Pacific catch of the day, tropical fruits, desserts and more! Children will enjoy a special buffet featuring kid-friendly items like pizza, chicken fingers and macaroni & cheese. Mai tais, wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages are included*.

Winter Springs Festival of the Arts

Fourth Annual Winter Springs Festival of the Arts

Pairs Fine Art and Live Entertainment October 15 and 16, 2011

Established as a signature annual event, the Winter Springs Festival of the Arts, presented by Bright House Networks, celebrates the appreciation of art, wine, and music attracting an estimated 20,000 art connoisseurs, residents, and visitors. The festival is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on October 15 and 16 along Blumberg Boulevard at the Winter Springs Town Center, located at the northwest corner of SR 434 and Tuskawilla Road.



Fine art is paired with a dynamic line-up of live entertainment on the main stage throughout the weekend. From classic and smooth jazz to Latin stylings and a barbershop quartet, there is something for everyone. Performers include Alberto Bravo Band, Lowell K Lawson, Makeshift, New Covenant Jazz Ensemble, Carey Frank Quartet, Ian Vidal, Joe Young Jazz Quartet, Matt the "Saxman," Gabriel Collazo, and John Korbel.



Produced by the Oviedo-Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of Winter Springs, the Festival of the Arts is free and open to the public. Fine art presentations include sculpture and clay, drawing, graphics, pastels, crafts, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, digital media, and performing arts.



With 125 juried and invited artists participating, this annual festival is a true representation of the various artistic and creative personalities that comprise the greater Central Florida region with more than $13,000 in cash prizes awarded to participating artists.



New this year, Winter Springs Festival of the Arts presents Experimental Film with Sunspot Cinema on Friday, October 14 at 7:30 p.m. Renowned international experimental filmmaker Christopher Harris established Sunspot Cinema in 2009 and has selected a number of engaging and provocative experimental films. This collection of shorts gives a rare and unique opportunity for residents of Central Florida to experience films of this nature.



Designed for the entire family to enjoy, a variety of food and beverages will be available for purchase. In addition to fine art exhibits, there will also be a children's entertainment stage and student art exhibit.



Tampa artist Jeff Eckert has been called "master of the pencil." While some might consider the pencil a simple tool, in the hands of an artist like Eckert, the pencil brings subjects to life like no other medium. The festival committee chose his work as the poster image for the Fourth Annual Winter Springs Festival of the Arts. His work will be on display at the festival and signed and unsigned copies of the poster will be available for purchase.



For a complete listing of activities, attending artists, and festival information, visit www.WSFOTA.org

Dave and Buster's opens in Orlando

Considering how many restaurants and attractions there are on Orlando's International Drive, the only thing surprising about Dave and Buster's debut on I-Drive on July 18 is how long it took this massive arcade-eatery franchise to finally open up a location in the heart of Orlando's tourism district.

Located across the street from the Pointe Orlando shopping, dining and entertainment center, and just a short walk from the Orange County Convention Center, Dave and Buster's is part restaurant/bar and part high end arcade, with plenty of flashing lights, cascading tokens, crowds of gamers, and streams of tickets stuffed into oversized D&B paper cups. Be prepared for large crowds during these opening weeks; the wait for a table in the restaurant might be long, but there are plenty of video games to accommodate visitors.

The restaurant side of Dave & Buster's is best known for hearty American fare, from sandwiches to salads and a surprisingly good macaroni and cheese. Be advised that Dave and Buster's is quite crowded during these opening weeks, but for those who want to beat the Orlando heat this summer, there is plenty of activity, air conditioned comfort and late night fun (with evening hours as late as 2:00 a.m.) at I-Drive's newest attraction, Dave and Busters.

Orlando Back to School Bash

PLAYGROUND Magazine is excited to present the Back to School Bash, on Saturday, August 6 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Oviedo Mall. The DJ Dance Party will get your family groovin’ as you celebrate the beginning of the school year. Kids can take a train ride, visit the vendor booths and even blow off some energy climbing the rock wall set up by The Event Specialists.

The first 100 families will get an exclusive PLAYGROUND gift bag (one per family) just by visiting the PLAYGROUND Magazine booth. Other sponsors include Spark, Mathnasium, Victory Martial Arts and Oviedo Mall.

Spark will be entertaining the wee ones with mini classes while Victory Martial Arts will capture everyone’s attention with a skillful martial arts performance.
Catch the fashion show on the main stage, where local little Einsteins will don the trendiest fashions for this school year.

In-store activities will include story time, airbrush tattoos, kid’s yoga, cupcake decorating and face painting from vendors. Brookestone, The Glass Slipper Cakery, and Vibe will keep the kiddos occupied while you shop ‘til you drop, taking advantage of the special in-store promotions and coupons set up just for Orlando’s premier back to school bash.

This is a free event for the family, so bring the little ones and the tweens and let’s PLAY!

Visit their website for more information.

The Compass Rose Diner at Fantasy of Flight

Visitors to Central Florida's theme parks have been conditioned to expect the standard fare of assembly line burgers and fries, but one attraction is taking visitors back to a time when dining was an event to be savored, and fresh, homemade, non-processed foods were not the exception, but the rule.

The Compass Rose Diner, located at Fantasy of Flight, Central Florida's premier aviation attraction, has long been a draw among locals for its glamorous 1930s, Art Deco style and its delicious diner fare, but a new chef is taking the diner's appeal to a higher plane with a renewed commitment to fresh ingredients and healthy foods. Fantasy of Flight recently welcomed Chef Cory Reynolds, who has hung onto traditional diner favorites, put a new spin on others and loaded the menu with fresh, locally grown ingredients.

Chef Cory spent two years under the direction of the award-winning chef David Tallent at Restaurant Tallent in Bloomington, Ind. and received an Associate's degree from the Chef's Academy in Indianapolis, Ind. Throughout his chef training, he learned the importance of using fresh foods and using locally secured ingredients, not only for better taste, but also to stimulate the local economy.

"We all want to make a difference in the world, even if it's a small thing," said Reynolds. "And cooking with the freshest local ingredients makes for better tasting food. It's historically more natural to how people have cooked. It's my way of hopefully making a difference."

The Compass Rose Diner still offers the staples that locals have come to love ̶ such as burgers, chili cheese hot dogs, grilled ham and cheese, onion rings and steak fries ̶ but those looking for healthier options now have more choices. Under Chef Cory's direction, the house salad is now slightly more upscale with a combination of iceberg and green romaine lettuces topped with goat cheese, candied walnuts and homemade orange balsamic vinaigrette. The traditional BLT is now offered as a little healthier option, made with fresh sliced turkey. Wraps have also been added to the menu, including a spicy grilled chicken with pepper jack cheese and jalapenos. Perhaps one of the biggest draws are Chef Cory's fresh homemade soups, which sell out almost daily. His soup specialties include Tomato Chicken Bouillon with meatballs and ravioli, Chicken Gnocchi and Italian Wedding. Daily specials also offer patrons a chance to eat sensibly. Among the specials are a Chicken Salad Sandwich made with freshly cooked chicken and low-fat mayonnaise.



Chef Cory's Fantasy Salad

Desserts are seasonally based to make the most of fresh, locally grown fruits, so diners are treated to a variety of choices including blueberry pie, peach crisp and apple crisp with homemade caramel sauce. Throughout July, the Compass Rose Diner will offer a traditional Strawberry Shortcake with homemade biscuits, strawberries and fresh whipped cream. Chef Cory is also known for his Cream Cheese Brownie Sandwich, a play on the traditional ice cream sandwich with cream cheese added to the brownie mix, ice cream, whipped cream and chocolate sauce in the middle.

A family man with three small children, Chef Cory left a career in the greeting card industry to become a chef because he has always believed in the power of the Sunday dinner and the ability of food to brings families together. He is committed to serving high-quality foods to his own family, and is enjoying the opportunity to provide Fantasy of Flight visitors with the same benefit.

"One of the great things about this job is that many of our guests at Fantasy of Flight are families," said Reynolds. "It's a wonderful feeling to know that they are enjoying this incredible attraction and then coming to the Compass Rose Diner to enjoy a great meal together."

The chef's philosophy toward fresh, healthy foods and quality family dining is one that Fantasy of Flight creator and founder Kermit Weeks has long embraced.

"Fantasy of Flight is here to inspire and set dreams in motion, so it only makes sense that the meals we serve here should also inspire, energize and unite our guests of all ages," Weeks said. "We all know that some of our best memories are set around the family dining table, and we hope to create some special memories for our guests right here at the Compass Rose as well."

As if the menu were not inspiring enough, the ambiance of the Compass Rose Diner is uplifting in itself. Named for the flower-like, circular design on a compass that indicates north, south, east and west, the diner features curved architectural lines true to its art deco style and a large compass rose design in the center of the terrazzo floor, made up of tiles in cream, green, rose and gold. Much like the corner soda fountains that were so popular in the World War II era, the diner features a long bar with twirling barstools, as well as booth and table seating. A circular bank of floor-to-ceiling windows provides breathtaking views of the Flight of the Day at 1:30 p.m. each day, as well as biplane rides and other activities on the tarmac. Even the wait staff is true to the era, with 1930s diner uniforms and caps.

The Compass Rose Diner is open daily for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is no admission charge to dine.

Fantasy of Flight offers a number of special events throughout the year, including the popular "Legends & Legacies Symposium Series." The final symposium, "The Great Escape: Heroes Underground," takes place Oct. 14-15. Symposiums are included with daily general admission and are free for all Annual Pass holders. Call 863-984-3500 or go to www.fantasyofflight.com for more information.

Annual August STOMP at Lakeridge Winery

Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards will be hosting the 17th Annual August STOMP! This two-day outdoor festival will be held August 20th & 21st and will feature live music, grape stomping and award-winning Lakeridge Wines. The event will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. A $2 donation will be accepted at the gate to benefit the Lake & Sumter Boys & Girls Club and parking is free for all guests.

This event will include various children’s activities and guests of all ages are invited to participate in the grape stomping competitions throughout the weekend. Guests wishing to test their fortitude and stamina can compete in the sweet and slippery grape stomp arena pits to race against one another and the clock. Winners of each timed 2-minute stomp-off will receive a prize, along with adoration from our cheering crowd.

Complimentary winery tours and wine tasting will be held throughout the festival and the Wine Shop will be offering great specials. There will be food & beverage vendors serving a variety of items for purchase including domestic & imported beers and Lakeridge wines by the glass. Plenty of seating will be available, but guests are welcome to bring their own chairs and blankets.

There will also be a Lakeridge Winery booth on the festival grounds where guests can sign up for a chance to win a flat screen HDTV! Guests should not pass up this opportunity as there is no charge to enter the giveaway.

Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards is Florida's largest premium winery, and remains a pioneer in the development of table and sparkling wines made from Muscadine and hybrid grapes. Owned and operated by Seavin, Inc., Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards has won over 500 awards for excellence in winemaking. Complimentary tours and tasting are offered seven days a week at their 30,000 sq. ft. facility in Clermont, FL and they host numerous festivals throughout the year.If you would like more information, please call 352-394-8627. or visit their website www.lakeridgewinery.com

Ripley's Believe It or Not will Immortalized Champion Boxer In Wax

While opponents have always thought fighting the current WBC and Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight World Champion Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins was as hard as fighting two men in the ring, he will soon be able to show everyone there really is TWO of him!

Bernard Hopkins, World Light Heavyweight Champion Ripley's Believe It or Not! will make a wax figure of the winning fighter to be displayed at a Ripley Odditorium in the future.

Annual Tales and Tails Gala

The 15th Annual "Tales & Tails Gala" Benefitting Canine Companions for Independence will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at Rosen Shingle Creek

Start Time 6 p.m.

End Time 10 p.m.

This is the event you will PAWSitively not want to miss. The Southeast Region of Canine Companions for Independence will host the 15th Annual Tales & Tails Gala. The event includes silent and live auctions, animal surprises and dinner. Hear courageous stories from some recent graduates about how their canine companions have changed their lives. The cost for Individual tickets are $250. Sponsorship packages available.

For more information please call 407-522-3300 or visit their website www.cci.org/talesandtailsgala

Event Location Address
Rosen Shingle Creek
9939 Universal Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32819

View hotels close to SeaWorld also close to Shingle Creek Resort

Annual Winter Springs Festival of the Arts

Save the Date: 4th Annual Winter Springs Festival of the Arts October 15 and 16, 2011
Oviedo-Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce and the City of Winter Springs Host Upscale Art Festival

Established as a signature event in an affluent Central Florida suburb, the Winter Springs Festival of the
Arts, presented by Bright House Networks, celebrates the appreciation of art, wine, and jazz, attracting an estimated 20,000 art connoisseurs, residents, and visitors to Winter Springs, Florida.

Fine art presentations include sculpture and clay, drawing, graphics, pastels, crafts, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, digital media, and performing arts.

With 125 juried and invited artists participating, this annual festival is a true representation of the various artistic and creative personalities that comprise the greater Central Florida region with more than $13,000 in cash prizes awarded to participating artists.

Designed for the entire family to enjoy, a variety of food and beverages will be available for purchase plus live entertainment and a kids' activity area.

Saturday and Sunday, October 15 and 16, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Daily Festival of the Arts


Festival location is at Blumberg Boulevard at the Winter Springs Town Center Northwest corner of SR 434 and Tuskawilla Road in Winter Springs, Florida (Three miles west of the SR 417 / Central Florida GreeneWay) and the cost is FREE and open to the public.


For more information visit www.WSFOTA.org

Disney World July 4th Celebration

Spectacular fireworks synchronized to a symphonic score burst above Epcot's World Showcase Lagoon during IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. Lasers, a revolving Earth globe and leaping flames co-star in the spectacle, which features a special finale on the Fourth of July.

Walt Resort will pixie dust the night skies July 4 with special pyrotechnic shows, including a patriotic display at Magic Kingdom, a rock’n'roll spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and a classic sky show at Epcot infused with an Independence Day finale. Here’s what’s in store:

Magic Kingdom will present “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky.” This patriotic fireworks spectacular, paying homage to the hopes and dreams of America’s forefathers, will light the skies at 9 p.m. July 4 – and for guests who would like to begin the Independence Day celebration early, the show also will bhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gife presented July 3 at 9 p.m.

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, traditional Fourth of July fireworks take on a different spin when Mulch, Sweat, and Shears perform for the all-new “Rockin’ 4th of July Celebration“! These resident landscapers – with serious rock and roll ambitions - take Disney guests on a musical road trip across America that will highlight each region’s contribution to rock and roll. Fireworks, lighting and special effects – backed by the driving live rock and roll of Mulch, Sweat, and Shears – combine to bring a new twist to celebrating Independence Day. Showtime July 4 is 9:45 p.m. Before or after the show, Disney’s Hollywood Studios guests can thrill to Disney’s Fantasmic!, performing July 4 at 9 and 10:30 p.m. Book your Orlando hotels near Disney World today and get in on the celebration

Fantasy of Flight Celebrating its 15th anniversary

Fantasy of Flight, Central Florida's Premier Aviation Attraction, salutes its Florida fans this summer with an affordable staycation adventure with a Buy One/Get One Free offer on adult and children's general admission.

Florida Residents are invited to enjoy the incredible savings July 1 - Sept. 30, 2011. Proof of residency is required.

While Fantasy of Flight provides more than enough for a day-long excursion with themed immersion experiences, backlot and restoration tours, special hands-on exhibits, vintage aircraft from the world's largest private collection and more, the attraction has planned special children's activities this summer in its Fun with Flight center - all included in the price of general admission. Guests may refer to a published daily schedule available at the attraction for more information.

The Florida Resident BOGO Free offer is good on both adult and children's general admission tickets. Fantasy of Flight general admission is $28.95 for adults and $14.95 for children ages 6-15, plus 7 percent sales tax. Children 5 and younger are free. The offer cannot be combined with any other offer, promotion or discount.

Celebrating its 15th anniversary, Fantasy of Flight opened to the public on November 21, 1995, and quickly became Central Florida's Premier Aviation Attraction. The venue offered visitors a chance to experience something new - a place that merged the wonders of flight with aviation history, real-life aircraft displays and real flight experiences. Fantasy of Flight is believed to be the only attraction in the world that offers daily aerial demonstrations featuring rare, vintage aircraft. It also features daily tours of the restoration shops where craftsmen work to restore and rebuild aircraft to flyable condition.

Special events on the calendar this Fall include the inaugural Boy Scouts American Heritage Camporee, Sept. 23-25, and the "Legends & Legacies Symposium Series" final symposium, "The Great Escape: Heroes Underground," Oct. 14-15. In addition, the 5th Annual Roar n" Soar All American signature two-day extravaganza of the world's finest classic land, sea and air racing machines ever built returns Nov. 12-13.

For details, call 863-984-3500 or go to www.fantasyofflight.com for more information.

Cranes Roost Park in Central Florida

The City of Altamonte Springs created Uptown Altamonte as an upscale urban lifestyle around Cranes Roost Lake. Visible from I-4 in Central Florida, and positioned on 25 acres that encompass the scenic waterfront of Cranes Roost Lake, Uptown Altamonte is a truly unique destination offering carefree living, convenient shopping, offices and an enviable collection of places to eat, drink, and be entertained.

Cranes Roost Park is Central Florida's favorite location for free family events. There is always something going on at Uptown Altamonte, visit www.UptownAltamonte.com or call 407-571-8863 to learn more about events scheduled in the coming months.

RED HOT & BOOM AT CRANES ROOST PARK

SUNDAY, JULY 3^rd

Special Appearance by Mat Kearney Added to Entertainment Program

Red Hot & Boom is an Independence Day celebration with FREE, family-friendly entertainment and the largest fireworks display in Central Florida.

Cranes Roost Park at Uptown Altamonte

Intersection of I-4 and SR 436

WHEN: Sunday, July 3, 2011

4 - 11 p.m.

Fireworks Show Starts Approximately 9:30 p.m.

(Weather Permitting)

Featured Artists and Entertainment*

*Subject to Change

· Shontelle

· Mat Kearney

· Cody Simpson

· Hot Chelle Rae

· Paper Tongues

· All Star Weekend

· XL 106.7 FM Next Big Thing Winner

FREE and open to the public.

For more information on Red Hot & Boom, including live performance and meet and greet schedules, visit http://www.xl1067.com/pages/redhotboom.html.

PUBLIC SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENTS:

· Food, beverages, and novelties available for purchase.

· No coolers, personal fireworks, or pets, please.

· Traffic close to the event may be congested, so arrive early to avoid delays. Those who live close by are encouraged to walk to the event.

· Families are encouraged to travel and attend the event together.

· If carpooling, designate a safe drop-off and pick-up location within walking distance. Please note that locations close to the event that may be open during the day may not be available at the end of the program due to road closures and congestion.

· Bring sunscreen and protective clothing for possible inclement weather.

· Seating in on a first-come-first-serve basis. All tents and umbrellas must be disassembled prior to the show.

· Download a traffic map at www.UptownAltamonte.com and consider how you will be required to turn before deciding where to park.

· In general, making a right turn will be easier than making a left turn. In many places, left turns and U-turns will be restricted after the fireworks.

· Sometimes, it's better to take the longer route around the most congested areas before heading toward your final destination.

FUN FACTS:

150,000 Central Floridians at Uptown Altamonte and Cranes Roost Park to enjoy internationally known musical talent provided by XL 106.7 FM and a spectacular fireworks show by one of America's most prestigious pyrotechnic companies, Pyro Shows, Inc. The entire show will be simulcast on XL 106.7 FM.

Each year, big name acts perform live on the floating stage atop Cranes Roost Lake entertaining the crowd from every angle including these previous artists:

Los Del Rio

Richard Marx

'N Sync

98 Degrees

Sister Hazel

Joey McIntyre

Aaron Carter

Jessica Simpson

Ashlee Simpson

The Calling Hanson

Ashley Parker Angel

Stacie Orrico

Cheyenne Kimball

Kat DeLuna

Katharine McPhee

Elliott Yamin

Neon Trees