Looking for something fun to do this weekend in Polk County, Florida? From vibrant festivals to classic car shows, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Check out these top events happening on March 1-2, 2025!
Lake Wales Mardi Gras
📅 Date: February 28 – March 1, 2025 📍 Location: Lake Wales, FL 🎭 What’s Happening: Enjoy a family-friendly Mardi Gras celebration with a colorful parade, live music, delicious food, and fun-filled festivities. This annual event is expected to draw over 20,000 attendees, making it one of the biggest celebrations in the area.
Community Fest Winter Haven
📅 Date: March 1, 2025 ⏰ Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM 📍 Location: Downtown Winter Haven 🎉 What’s Happening: This free family-friendly festival offers live entertainment, food vendors, games, interactive activities, and local business showcases. Kids will love the character meet-and-greets, making it a great outing for the whole family.
Lake Wales Car Show
📅 Date: March 1, 2025 ⏰ Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM 📍 Location: Stuart Ave., Downtown Lake Wales 🚗 What’s Happening: Car enthusiasts will enjoy an afternoon filled with antique, custom, and classic cars and trucks on display. Whether you’re a collector or just love admiring vintage vehicles, this is a must-see event.
Bloomin’ Arts Festival
#image_title
📅 Date: March 1-2, 2025 📍 Location: Bartow, FL 🎨 What’s Happening: One of Bartow’s most anticipated events, this juried fine arts festival showcases over 100 talented artists. Attendees can enjoy food vendors, a classic car show, quilt exhibits, student artwork, and a hands-on art tent for kids.
Dirt Days Spring: Best Buds! (Symbiotic Relationships)
📅 Date: March 1, 2025 📍 Location: Polk’s Nature Discovery Center 🌿 What’s Happening: If you love nature and learning about the environment, this educational event focuses on fascinating symbiotic relationships in the natural world. Great for families and nature lovers alike!
Plan Your Weekend Fun!
With so many exciting events happening across Polk County, there’s no shortage of entertainment. Whether you’re in the mood for live music, art, cars, or nature, there’s an event for you. Be sure to check official event websites or organizers for any updates before heading out.
Commissioner wants more accountability for some city staff
BY ANITA TODD, Special Reports
HAINES CITY – During a City Commission meeting held here on Feb. 20, Commissioner Kim Downing asked for better accountability of some staff members.
Downing said recently it was brought to her attention by members of the community that the City Clerk’s office and the Community Revitalization Agency (CRA) staff were often not available. She said she had been told that they also did not return phone calls, and that communication was poor overall.
“I called and got the same thing – no answer,” she said.
The policy called for the City Clerk, Sharon Lauther, to notify the City Manager, Jim Elensky, when she would be absent or needed to leave the office. Downing asked that from now on, in addition to Elensky, all the Commissioners receive an email when she and/or members of the City Clerk’s office would not be in the office.
No one attended the Commission meeting from the CRA. The City of Haines City CRA remains steadfastly committed to its redevelopment mission of creating a sustainable downtown, revitalizing and improving neighborhoods, and encouraging economic growth within the CRA District, according to the City’s website.
The office of the City Clerk is the information hub of the City of Haines City, and the City Clerk serves at the pleasure of the City Commission, according to the City’s website.
The City Commission meetings are held the first and third Thursday of each month. Workshops begin at 6 p.m. with the regular City Commission meeting beginning at 7 p.m. In March, the meetings will be held on the 10th and 20th.
Over the weekend, Jeep enthusiasts gathered for the highly anticipated event, Jeepin’ with Judd, an off-road adventure that combined thrilling trails, community engagement, and a meet-and-greet with Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd himself. The event featured an exciting lineup of activities, including food trucks, vendors, and an impressive display of Jeeps.
Salty Siren – Piper’s Jeep Uber for the day!
Among the attendees was Piper, a correspondent with DailyRidge.com, who had the opportunity to take part in the off-roading experience. Riding along with a friend, Piper explored several rugged trails and specialized off-road courses, embracing the adrenaline-pumping adventure that makes Jeeping such a beloved pastime. The event provided Jeep owners and enthusiasts with the chance to navigate challenging terrains, test their vehicle’s capabilities, and bond with fellow off-roaders.
Piper concluded her adventure by meeting Sheriff Grady Judd, adding a memorable highlight to an already exhilarating weekend.
Piper and her best Friend Bry with Grady Judd
Jeepin’ with Grady Judd once again proved to be a must-attend event, offering a perfect mix of adventure, camaraderie, and local engagement. Whether tackling the trails or enjoying the community atmosphere, participants left with unforgettable memories and a renewed appreciation for the off-roading lifestyle.
The Lake Wales Mardi Gras, a vibrant celebration rooted in community spirit, has been a cherished tradition since its inception in 1984. It began as a heartfelt tribute to Vinton Davis, the lively proprietor of Vinton’s New Orleans Restaurant, whose passion for Mardi Gras inspired his family and friends to bring the festive spirit of New Orleans to Lake Wales. The inaugural parade was a modest affair, featuring just two krewes—the Royal Order of the Red Swans and the Loyal Order of Wild Shiners—and a handful of enthusiastic participants. Over the years, this humble beginning has blossomed into a grand event, drawing thousands of spectators and participants annually.
This year marks the 41st annual Lake Wales Mardi Gras, promising to be more spectacular than ever. Festivities kick off on Friday, February 28, 2025, with live music from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Lake Wailes Park. The evening also features the popular 5K Glow Run at 6:00 PM along the scenic Lake Wailes Trail. The celebration continues on Saturday, March 1, with music starting at noon and the highlight of the weekend—the Mardi Gras Parade—stepping off at 3:00 PM. The festivities culminate with a dazzling fireworks display at 8:15 PM.
Attendees can look forward to a family-friendly atmosphere filled with live entertainment, diverse food and craft vendors, a beer garden, and a variety of children’s activities. The parade will showcase an array of elaborate floats, colorful costumes, and spirited performances, embodying the rich traditions of Mardi Gras. Whether you’re a long-time resident or a first-time visitor, the Lake Wales Mardi Gras offers an unforgettable experience that captures the essence of community celebration.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be part of a time-honored tradition that brings joy and excitement to all who attend. Mark your calendars and join us in Lake Wales for a Mardi Gras celebration like no other!
The City of Lake Wales will continue to efficiently monitor its various water plants now that it has approved the buyout of monitoring equipment for them.
At their meeting on Tues. Feb. 18, 2025, Lake Wales city commissioners voted unanimously to approve its consent agenda. One item pertained to the buyout of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), which helps monitor the City’s water plants.
SCADA, according to the city agenda memo equipment, allows for the “interconnecting of all the City’s water plants” and the “enabling [of] off-site monitoring.”
“[The] equipment is one way water utility operators can effectively monitor network efficiency and performance,” the memo states. “When issues are detected, operators can quickly take action to prevent adverse public health and economic issues.”
Five years ago, the City entered into a lease agreement with Data Flow Systems to have the SCADA system installed. The purpose of this system, according to the memo, was to allow, “the operators to be able to focus more on what they do best and less on tasks that can take them away from more important work.”
SCADA includes alarms that can sound to signal changes in high and low water pressure, pump failure, or malfunctioning valves. It also includes Programmable Logic Controller (PLCs), which, according to the memo, “serve as an early warning system so that issues can be resolved before they become disasters.”
City staff had recommended that the city accept the 60-month lease buyout of SCADA from the Data Flow System. The purchase will be for $53,319. Of which, $5,000 has been placed in the city’s Operating Supply budget “with the intent to purchase the equipment out right.”
From gas to egg prices, inflation has raised prices on everything. But perhaps the most egregious price hikes have been with the Disney Parks.
We’ve written before about how Walt Disney World vacationshave become too costly for the average American family (https://dailyridge.com/2021/09/27/welcome-world-travelers-is-disney-world-getting-too-expensive/). But prices have increased so much in recent years that even Disney itself has become worried.
On Feb. 8, 2025, Robbie Whelan of the Wall Street Journal(WSJ) published an article, “Even Disney Is Worried About the High Cost of a Disney Vacation.”
In this article, he reveals how much the cost of the average Disney vacation has increased over the years, becoming noticeable not only by the average American consumer, but also by the Walt Disney Company itself.
“Some inside Disney worry that the company has become addicted to price hikes and has reached the limits of what middle-class Americans can afford,” Whelan wrote. “Internal discussion over whether Disney parks may be losing their grip on the hearts and wallets of families with young kids have become more frequent.”
How Disney World Became Too Expensive
The WSJ article consulted TouringPlans to analyze the cost of a Walt Disney World trip, including park tickets and a stay at a value resort. Their analysis showed the typical 4-day vacation was $3,230 in 2019 (adjusted for inflation), while that same vacation now costs $4,266 in 2024—an overall price increase of 32 percent!
Evidently, these price increases have affected attendance. In 2024, Disney Parks experienced attendance growth of only 1 percent, whereas the year before saw a 6 percent growth.
“The unit’s income of $3.1 billion for the final three months of 2024 was flat-year-over-year. At the U.S. theme parks, attendance declined 2%, and operating income fell 5% year-over-year,” Whelan wrote.
This decline in attendance proves troubling for a company whose main income derives from its theme parks. In 2019, Disney’s operating income from the parks accounted for only 41 percent, while in 2023, it accounted for more than 70 percent.
Why Disney World Became More Expensive
Most price increases have been attributed to the resort’s expansion in recent years, most notably under CEO Bob Iger’s 10-year tenure, which saw a massive expansion of the Disney Parks. These notable expansions included New Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom, the World of Pandora in Animal Kingdom, and Toy Story Land and Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios.
However, following the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney World experienced an increased demand due to previous travel restrictions. In turn, Disney raised prices, which was also a likely response to an overall $4 billion revenue loss due to closure from the pandemic.
By then, Bob Chapek had assumed the role of Disney CEO. Not only did he oversee price increases to park admission, but also the removal of previously free park services.
“Nearly 80% of the increase came from new costs for services and add-ons that were once free, such as line-skipping features, while the remaining rise came from Disney raising prices for parks passes faster than the U.S. rate of inflation,” Whelan wrote.
How Disney Has Responded
On Mon. Feb. 10, 2025, only a few days after the WSJ articlewas published, the Walt Disney Company published an article on its own website: “Disney Parks Offers: Everything You Need to Know.” Disney’s article highlighted various discounts, special offers, and pricing options that guests could take advantage of to ensure their Disney trip was affordable.
The article included the following statement from Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro: “The number-one thing we hear from the millions of guests who visit our parks each year is how much a Disney vacation means to them, and we intentionally offer a wide variety of ticket, hotel, and dining options to welcome as many families as possible, whatever their budget.”
Many websites took notice of the timing of Disney’s article, with many assuming it was a “response” to the WSJ article. Disney fan site WDW Magic even claimed it was what “appears to be a response to the [WSJ] article.”
However, despite Disney’s attempt at public relations, many consumers now feel a Disney trip has become too far outside their price range.
As Whelan wrote: “Starting in late 2023, the company’s own surveys of Walt Disney World and Disneyland guests found that the number of them planning return trips had ticked sharply down. Disney’s domestic parks attendance increased 1% in the fiscal year ending in September, down from the prior year’s 6% growth. Per-person spending on tickets, food, and merchandise at domestic parks increased 3% in each of the company’s past two fiscal years and rose 4% in the quarter ending in December.”
Since Iger re-assumed his role as Disney CEO in 2022, the Parks reinstated free parking at the hotels, removed theme park reservations, and offered more days on the lowest ticket price tier.
However, with inflation affecting everything from gas to groceries, only time will tell how more expensive park admission will become, and whether Disney will do anything to counteract price increases.
###
Question: Do you think Disney World has become more expensive? Do you think Disney is justified in allowing admission and other park expenses to increase? And how have these increases affected your own opinions about the parks? Have you been able to visit regardless of these price hikes? Feel free to leave your answer in the comments on Facebook.
The PCSO got a phone call on Wednesday, February 26th, from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Ohio.
The WCSO requested that PCSO deputies visit a residence on Lake Myrtle Drive in Winter Haven to arrest 37-year old Brittanie Brunelle.
Brittanie was wanted on multiple felony warrants for things such as: possession of a firearm on school property, possession of a firearm during a felony, endangering children, battery, and possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.
We don’t know specifically what Brittanie is accused of doing in Washington County, but those are some pretty serious charges.
At about 3:00pm, Brittanie was located and arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office without incident, and she was taken to the Polk County Jail.
J.C. Reviews: Gabriel and the Guardians Show Real Potential as a Christian Anime
by James Coulter
Angel Studios has proven to be one of the most surprising indie media companies to break into the mainstream. This Utah-based company achieved public acclaim through The Chosen, a live-action television chronicling the life of Jesus Christ. It has also dipped its toes into animation, producing animated shows including The Tuttle Twins, The Wingfeather Saga, and its latest project, the anime-inspired Gabriel and the Guardians.
Created by Jason Moody, Gabriel and the Guardians is an animated series that aspires to be an action-adventure fantasy inspired by equal parts Biblical mythology and Japanese anime—and with a staff of animators from throughout the animation industry working on it, the show certainly captures the look and feel of anime.
Gabriel and the Guardians recently released its pilot episode on the Angel Studios app, and the remainder of the series is currently in production. But will this anime-inspired show ascend to the same power level as shows like Dragonball Z or One Piece? Or will it be fated to fall from its lofty heights like the mythical Icarus?
Gabriel and the Guardians is set within the mythical realm of Ara, a world that once basked in light before falling into darkness and chaos. When an ancient artifact, the Celestial Seed, is stolen from the heavenly realm of Parahdem, a celestial guardian named Gabriel must descend to Ara to retrieve it. There, he is joined by an adventurer named Nok and a princess named Namay’ah. Can the trio work together to save the ancient artifact before it can fall into evil hands and potentially undo all of creation?
I’ve been following the production of this series for quite some time. As both a believer and an anime fan, the prospect of a Christian-inspired anime certainly sounds intriguing. And with it being an American production inspired by Japanese anime, the show certainly looks and feels like other American anime-inspired shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender, of which I’m a huge fan.
So far, only a pilot episode has been released. And while the episode is far from perfect, it certainly has the potential to be a real diamond in the rough.
The show has employed many animators who have worked on other hit animated shows including X-Men ’97, Invincible, and Castlevania—and it really shows! Undoubtedly, the best part about the show is its animation, with a vivid art style and fast-paced action scenes that truly live up to its anime influence.
Moreover, the fantastical fantasy setting is likewise, well, fantastic, with landscapes that truly look and feel otherworldly. I especially love the scenes in the heaven-inspired celestial realm of Parahdem with its floating gardens and larger-than-life colorful flora.
However, it appears the animation is mostly what the show has going for it. Because while the pilot episode was certainly intriguing, it was far from perfect. But before I touch upon my own criticisms, I want to dispel other criticisms that have been made against the show.
First, while the show is inspired by the Bible, most notably the first few chapters of Genesis, many believers have criticized it for drawing from apocryphal extra-Biblical sources like the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Book of Enoch. Personally, I have no problem with this. It’s quite evident the show is inspired by the Bible and not an adaptation of it, so taking some creative liberties is fine for this purely fictional fantasy setting.
Another common criticism has been the show’s use of magic, something which many believers considered forbidden by the Bible. Again, personally, as someone who can tell the obvious difference between fantasy-style magic and real-life witchcraft and occult practices, I don’t have a problem with this, and thus I don’t consider it a legit criticism.
However, that doesn’t mean this pilot is without criticism, and I have a few. For one, the series’ backstory is told through a rather bland block of text at the beginning of the episode. In contrast, many popular shows like Avatar: The Last Avatar have very vivid and memorable opening sequences that recount the show’s premise at the start of every episode.
Granted the show may have a proper prologue once it officially releases, but still, there’s no reason for the backstory to be conveyed so lazily. In fact, many teasers for the show have told the backstory through more vivid animatics. So, honestly, there’s no excuse to have cut corners here.
As for the characters, while the main character of Gabriel is introduced and developed quite well, the other two characters,Nok and Namay’ah, aren’t as much. While we clearly understand Gabriel to be a plucky underdog who has the potential to achieve great things, the most we know about the other two is that Nok is a cleric (whatever that means in the context of the show, as it’s not explained) and Namay’ah is a princess.
Understandably, some elements of the story and setting would be left ambiguous to draw intrigue for the show. However, in contrast, many other pilots for indie animated projects like Hazbin Hotel and Lackadaisy manage to flesh out their stories’ plot and premise in a way the audience can fully understand, while this pilot doesn’t explain much of anything at all. In the end, it comes across more as an elaborate tech demo that emphasizes style over substance.
If I come across as harsh, it’s only because I’m rooting for this show to succeed. It has real potential to be the next big animated series, and while the pilot has a few rough edges, given enough time before the series’ release, those edges can easily be sanded off to reveal a real hidden gem.
EōS Fitness is set to make a significant impact in Davenport, Florida, with the announcement of a new 40,500-square-foot gym in Posner Village. Set to open in 2026, this highly anticipated fitness center will offer state-of-the-art strength and cardio equipment with memberships starting as low as $9.99/ month.
Meeting Community Demand
Residents of Davenport have expressed the need for a nearby gym. Intram Investments, the developers behind Posner Village, have acknowledged this demand since the project’s inception. Randy Hodge, Executive Vice President of Intram Investments, emphasized the importance of catering to local needs while ensuring the success of commercial tenants. The introduction of EōS Fitness is a direct response to these community requests, aiming to provide a convenient and comprehensive fitness solution for Davenport residents. Currently Anytime Fitness is the only available gym to Davenport residents.
Posner Village, Davenport, Florida
State-of-the-Art Amenities
EōS Fitness is renowned for offering premium amenities at accessible prices, and the Posner Village location is no exception. Members can look forward to:
• MOVEōS Cinema: A unique workout space where members can engage in their fitness routines while enjoying full-length feature films, making workouts both entertaining and effective.
• The Backyard: A 2,500-square-foot outdoor training zone designed for functional fitness and strength training, allowing members to diversify their workouts in an open-air environment.
• Recovery Room: Equipped with massage chairs, this area provides a space for members to relax and rejuvenate post-workout, emphasizing the importance of recovery in overall fitness.
• Kids’ Club: Understanding the challenges parents face, this dedicated space offers a safe and engaging environment for children, enabling parents to focus on their fitness goals with peace of mind.
• Refresh Zone: Featuring amenities such as a cold plunge, hot tub, and infrared sauna, this zone is designed to enhance recovery and overall well-being.
Additionally, the gym will operate 24/7, providing members with the flexibility to work out at their convenience, regardless of their schedules.
Economic and Community Impact
The establishment of EōS Fitness in Posner Village is poised to bring substantial economic benefits to Davenport. Each EōS Fitness location represents a $10 million investment and is expected to create between 40 to 60 new jobs, contributing to local employment opportunities. This development not only enhances the community’s access to health and wellness resources but also stimulates economic growth and vitality in the region.
EōS Fitness’s Expansion Strategy
EōS has 175 locations currently open or on the way. As of today, the company currently has 114 open locations across AZ, CA, FL, TX, NV and UT. The company currently has 14 gyms open in the state.
The Davenport facility is a key component of this strategic growth, reflecting EōS Fitness’s commitment to making high-quality fitness centers accessible to a broader population.
This Saturday, March 1, 2025, there will be a free MOVIE NIGHT at the Downtown Park band stage starting at 7:00 P.M. The movie will be “The Super Mario Bros. Movie”. This will be a fun event for the whole family.
For more information, please contact Parks & Rec. by calling (863) 965-5545.
