City of Winter Haven

The Winter Haven Recreational & Cultural Center is having a Day of Play on Saturday, February 25, from noon to 5 pm.

There will be activities like:
-Tug of War
-Basketball
-Kickball
-Baseball
-Races

We hope to see you there for a day full of fun!

City of Winter Haven

Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity to give back to the community? We are expanding our Juneteenth Celebration Planning Committee and are inviting you to learn more about how you can be a part of volunteer opportunity. At this informational meeting, you can learn more about the responsibilities of the committee and indicate if you’re interested in joining the planning committee. All are welcome to attend this informational meeting, this Thursday February 23, at 6pm in the Florida Room, at Nora Mayo Hall.

If you have any questions, please call the Parks and Recreation Office, or email the Special Event Coordinator, Natalie Wilson at [email protected]

Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team –

Congratulations to Faith Dix who placed in the following events at the World Barefoot Championships held in Australia:

Under 23 Womens overall gold
U23 Slalom gold
U23 Jump gold
U23 Tricks bronze
Open Women’s Slalom Bronze
Open Elite Team Bronze

We are very proud of her and these huge accomplishments that she has been working very hard for. We will miss her as she will stay in Australia for a year and ski at Sea World!

Tanners Lakeside –

Pardi Gras

Sunday, March 5 at 3pm

Judges at 4 locations with Cash Prizes:

Tanners Lakeside, Twisted Prop, Caribbean Bay, and Old Man Franks.

Pre-party & registration will be at Tanners Lakeside

Pavilion starting at 1pm. All boats must be signed in by 2:45 p.m. and in line.

* Boats must complete Parade Route to Win

FMBC Celebrates 28th Annual Winter Haven Heritage Day Festival

by James Coulter

For the 28th year, First Missionary Baptist Church hosted its annual Black Heritage Festival at Lake Maude Park in Winter Haven.

Last Saturday and Sunday, the two-day festival celebrated African American heritage with live music and dance performances, food trucks, train rides and bounce houses, and vendors from local businesses and non-profit organizations.

TECO Electric offered a demonstration on safety with electricity, while the local fire department offered demonstrations about fire. Other local organizations likewise offered education and resources to attendees concerning their respective services.

This year’s event was the very first to be hosted for two days. The turnout proved exceptional, especially with the good weather, explained Kaidian Parchment. She appreciates how the event offers a family-friendly outing and a chance for local families to enjoy fellowship with one another.

“I really think it [the event’s success] is the partnership with the City of Winter Haven, as well as community involvement, and people wanting to come out and celebrate a free event for the family,” she said. “I enjoy seeing the children being able to have a safe environment to play, learn, and fellowship with others in the community.”

St. Sophia of Winter Haven Celebrates Annual Greek Festival

by James Coulter

Cheers of “Opa!” sounded out loud for three days straight as locals proudly celebrated their Greek culture and heritage during the annual Greek Festival, hosted last weekend at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church of Winter Haven.

For more than 40 years, St. Sophia’s has hosted the annual festival in celebration of its congregation’s rich Greek heritage with three days of food, music, dance, and festivities.

Children dressed up in traditional Greek costumes, groups performed Greek music and dances, and merchandise from linen, religious icons, pottery, and even groceries were sold. The church sanctuary was open for tours, as well as prayer and candle lighting.

Of course, what Greek festival would be complete without delicious Greek cuisine? Attendees could enjoy gyros, souvlaki, baklava, and other traditional Greek delicacies.

St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church of Winter Haven opened its doors more than 40 years ago. Since then, it has hosted its annual Greek festival to allow its congregation to celebrate its collective heritage.

Tina Thomas, parish council president, owes their success to their faith. Many residents of Greek descent reside in Polk County, so being able to have a place to call their own and share their traditions and culture is a real blessing, she said.

“It has been very difficult because we are a rural community here in Polk County, and people are determined to have a festival to help finance the church,” she said. “We appreciate everyone’s hard work. It has taken a community and beyond to make this a reality because it is a lot of hard work.”

Hosting the festival takes months upon months of preparation. However, when all is said and done, the event brings together the whole community, allowing the congregation to share their traditions and culture with others.

“I enjoy the wonderful Hellenism, Greek culture, and heritage,” Thomas said. “It is not just baklava, we have a beautiful culture.”

City of Winter Haven, Fl- The week of February 20, 2023, is Charles R. Richardson Sr. Week. The City of Winter Haven recognizes Mr. Richardson for his years of serving this community as an elected official.

He was the first African American to serve on the Polk County Board of Commissioners. Today he is still the only African American to hold that distinction.

BlackHistory #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackHeroes #BlackHistoryIsAmericanHistory

Taste of Winter Haven Serves Many Great Tastes of Winter Haven

by James Coulter

Steak tips and mashed potatoes smothered in savory gravy and served inside cocktail glasses. Grilled salmon served on a bun as a burger with all the fixings. Grilled brats and onions served alongside shamrock green shots.

All of these tasty treats and more were served at the annual Taste of Winter Haven, hosted by the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce on Thursday at Venue 650. Several dozen local eateries, bars, and catering companies participated in the event to serve their best dishes.

Victor and Ashley Marrero, owners of Kairos Nutrition, madeprotein donuts drizzled with chocolate or caramel sauce, topped with sugary cereal bits, and served with nutrient and vitamin-infused refreshers.

Victor and his wife have been attending the event for the past two years. This was their first time participating as Chamber members. Aside from sharing their delicious and healthy treats, they also enjoy being able to engage with the community at large.

“We just want to be part of the community,” Victor said. “Being a part of the Chamber here in Winter Haven allows us to get to events like this that allow us to expose our business to the community…Last year, we had an incredible event. So we made sure to participate again this year. I think it is even better this year. We probably have more people here tonight.”

Christa Morgan, manager of The Catering Company, served mini strawberry flatbread with goat cheese, fresh basil, and a balsamic glaze. Those items were offered alongside “steaktinis”,which were steak tips and mashed potatoes in gravy served in cocktail glasses.

The Catering Company has been attending Taste of Winter Haven for the past seven years. Morgan appreciated being able to attend the event at the new venue, Venue 650, which she considered an upgrade from the event being hosted in the park and downtown area.

“I like the new move to Venue 650,” she said. “It is more spread out. And I like being inside rather than outside like it used to be.”

Ever since its inception, Taste of Winter Haven has brought together countless local eateries and catering companies in the Winter Haven community to share the diverse selection of their menus. This year featured such local businesses as Duke’s Brewhouse, Lucille’s American Café, and the Treasured Olive.

Hannah Spivey, Programs and Events Manager, was especially impressed by the turnout that turned out a full house: “It has been great. I love it. It has been sold out. We are now at capacity. Every vendor brought a great amount of food. We have only heard great things about it.”

She owes the event’s success to its vendors, sponsors, and participants. Whenever they host this event, everyone shows up for good food and conversation.

“It brings joy to everyone here. It has always been fun connecting our businesses to our community and it has been really good,” she said. “It is something not many places get to experience. We get to try many things in one sitting. So it is unique and gives a great perspective.”

Road Closure Notice
In celebration of Heritage Day on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, 7th St NE (also known as Lake Maude Dr.) between Ave. O NE and Ave. R NE will be shut down starting at approximately 10 am until 5 pm.

Winter Haven Police Department

Thanks to tips from the public, a Winter Haven couple is behind bars for possession of more than 39 grams of raw Methamphetamine.

On Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, Winter Haven detectives executed a search warrant on a home located at 315 Lake Elbert Dr. NW in Winter Haven. The search warrant was obtained after authorities received tips from the public that the residents were selling Methamphetamine.

Inside the residence, detectives located 36 year-old Catherine Tyson Ford and 37 year-old Gavin Wayne Harrington. Once they were detained, a search of the residence revealed a total of 39.3 grams of Methamphetamine in three separate locations inside of the residence along with several glass pipes. Additionally, 9 firearms were located in the residence.

Both Harrington and Ford were taken into custody and booked into the Polk County Jail for:

Harrington: Trafficking Methamphetamine Greater than 14 Grams (F1); Possession of Paraphernalia (M1); Harrington, who is a convicted felon was also charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (F2)

Ford: Possession of Methamphetamine (F3); Possession of Paraphernalia (M1)

“We applaud the public for calling in tips so we can continue to get these drugs off the street,” said Chief David Brannan. “I encourage anyone who has information or suspicion about drug sales to call law enforcement.”