City of Auburndale Celebrates Autumn at Fall Fest

by James Coulter

Though you might not be able to tell with the typical Florida weather, we currently are in the middle of autumn. (However, with the recent weather dropping to the “chilly” 60s, it’s technically jacket weather around these parts.) Last Saturday, several Auburndale residents and visitors celebrated the autumn season with the city’s annual fall fest.

The Auburndale Fall Fest drew hundreds of attendees downtown to the City Park, where they were able to bounce around in bounce houses, take a spin on a few carnival rides, peruse several dozen local vendors, listen to live music, and even check out a few dogs for adoption.

More than 80 vendors set up shop at the park in conjunction with the city’s First Saturday Market. These vendors showcase many of their wares, including homemade arts and crafts, clothing, local-grown honey and produce, and even freeze-dried candy.

Cody McGee, the City Recreational Director, owed their success this year and in previous years to the beneficial partnership between the City of Auburndale with the downtown market. Such cooperation allows the city to draw in both residents and visitors to the downtown area while the vendors attract potential customers.

“Everybody seems to be happy,” he said. “It seems to be good weather. Everything is working out. “I think we have a pretty good partnership with our First Saturday Market and the city because they want to bring in some funds to be able to bring in the fun stuff like bounce houses and the train ride and live music. And it gives us an opportunity for partnership. And it works out well. I enjoy seeing the kids and the face painting with the overall food and atmosphere.”

The City of Auburndale will be hosting several upcoming holiday events. Their annual tree lighting ceremony will officially kick off the holiday season on Dec. 7. Next will be the Havendale Holiday Parade, the annual parade held in conjunction with the City of Winter Haven, on Dec. 8. Finallywill be Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 9.

For more information on upcoming events, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.mainstreetwh.com/

City of Winter Haven, Fl

UPCOMING ROAD CLOSURE
Starting Monday, Nov. 6 thru Tuesday, Nov. 14, a small portion of Aave. D NW will be closed between 4th St and 5th St NW. A raised sidewalk is being constructed in this area. Detours will be posted directing traffic on 4th and 5th Streets. This is a small area, but will impact drivers as this is a heavily-traveled roadway. Drivers are encouraged to make alternate plans to minimize delays.

City of Auburndale, FL Government has announced the date and time of this year’s Havendale Christmas Parade:

Havendale Christmas Parade is on Friday, December 8, starting at 7 PM! The route is planned to begin at Spring Haven in Winter Haven and head west to the Publix in Auburndale.

This is our annual tradition when we team up with the City of Winter Haven to bring Christmas cheer to the streets of our cities. It’s a wonderful time to join along with family and friends to celebrate the holiday season!

Friendsgiving at Tanners Lakeside, Saturday, November 25th.

12-6

Live music by Phoenix 5.

Bounce houses, cardboard boat races, bounce houses, hula-hoop, 50/50, raffles, contests and other games!

Winter Haven Public Safety Department

Have you seen Roberto Emmanuel Ortiz-Mejias?
On Oct. 20, 2023, Roberto left his mother’s 11th St NW residence between 3 – 3:30 p.m. and has not been heard from since. He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, gray shoes and black shoes. Roberto is 6’1″, approximately 250-300 pounds and has black hair with brown eyes. His family is very worried and want to know that he is okay.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Maldonado at 863-291-5676.

Tanners Lakeside Annual Boat Parade

December 2

Parade starts around 6:30pm

Soul2Earth is live 7pm-10

$15 parking fee- includes voucher redeemable for Tanners Lakeside

Winter Haven Public Safety Department

Police need help locating 17 year-old Ennaliese Warthan after she left her Whispering Trails residence.
On Oct. 29, 2023 just before 1 a.m., Warthan left the residence and was possibly picked up by un unknown subject. It is possible she could be in the Clearwater area where she has friends.
She was last seen wearing a black top, black tights and a black jacket.
Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Lozado at 863-595-1721.

City of Auburndale

All are welcome to this fun event at the Auburndale library! This month’s theme is Holiday Countdown! Enjoy Thanksgiving and holiday themed crafts, activities, and free snacks with family and friends.

Time & Date: Thursday, November 16 from 4:30 to 6 PM

Questions? Call us at: (863) 965-5548

City of Winter Haven

We have received several questions about the Christmas Boat Parade, and we wanted to share an update!

We’re excited to partner with the community on a great boat parade this year! We are meeting with a committee of community members November 7, and we will post registration and all event details on November 9. Registration is free, and simply allows us to most effectively plan logistics knowing how many boats to expect. Registration is required for anyone who wants to be eligible to win the Yuletide Champion (best decorated boat) award. The winner will receive a banner to display on their boat next year and a custom painted oar.

WINTER HAVEN CHAIN OF LAKES CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE 

Dec 02, 2023

6:30 pm – 8:00 pm 

Celebrate the holidays Central Florida style with the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes Christmas Boat Parade! This annual event, hosted by Chain Life Winter Haven begins promptly at 6:30 p.m. on Lake May in Winter Haven. The parade travels from Lake May to Lake Howard, back to Lake May, then onto Lake Shipp. Boat decorations will be judged at Caribbean Bay on Lake May and at Old Man Franks on Lake Howard.

The best viewing areas are Harborside Restaurant, Tanner’s Lakeside Bar & Grill, Old Man Franks and the Twisted Prop. We strongly suggest these locations along Lake May and Lake Howard. Lake Shipp is the last lake on the parade route so organizers strongly encourage parade watchers boaters to see the parade before Lake Shipp as some boaters return home early due to cold temperatures.

The entire community looks forward to this community holiday tradition!
https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=317&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FChainLifeWinterHaven%2Fvideos%2F580325129931745%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0

You may also be interested in Holiday Happenings in Central Florida, Christmas at Bok Tower Gardens or Winter Haven.

VENUE

Lake Howard Trail

COST

Free

ADDRESS

Lake Howard Drive 
Winter Haven, 

CONTACT INFO

[email protected]
863-662-9872

Details and registration will be posted here: https://www.mywinterhaven.com/event/2023-christmas-boat-parade/

City of Winter Haven ROAD CLOSURE ALERT
Starting (today) Monday, Oct. 30, 2023 at 7 a.m., Lake Howard Dr. NW will be closed to thru traffic from 15th St., S.W. to Ave. B S.W. for up to three months for a contractor to perform gravity sewer replacement. Businesses along Lake Howard Dr. will still be accessible and open for business.
There will be signs along all of the routes and detours around the impacted area.