“Florida’s award-winning state park system is one of the best in the country, providing high quality recreation at an unmatched value,” said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. “By offering free entrance to state parks on July 19, and encouraging state park visitation throughout National Parks and Recreation Month, we hope to foster a deeper appreciation of our state’s natural resources and the recreational, historical and cultural value parks contribute to our great state.”

July 11

9 - 10 a.m., Birding 101: Learn about bird identification and how to practice the fastest growing activity in the United States.

10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Reptiles and Amphibians: This is an introduction into the different characteristics of reptiles and amphibians and their importance to the environment.

2 - 4 p.m., Photoshop for Nature Photographers: Designed to help photographers make their nature photos look the very best. Participants will learn photo-retouching techniques and color management solutions. This workshop teaches how to get the best from your digital or conventional cameras.

July 18

9 - 11 a.m., Tram Tour of the Banana Creek Marsh with guides who will point out plants, birds and history of the property. This tour also will be held on July 19 from 1 to 3 p.m.

July 25

9 - 10 a.m., Love is in the Air: A photographic journey into the courtship and behaviors in the animal world.

10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Lakeland’s Environmental Lands:This will be a photographic journey into the different environmental lands in the Lakeland area. Participants will explore the different habitats in Gator Creek Reserve, Lakeland Highlands Scrub and the Circle B Bar Reserve.

2 - 4 p.m., Basic Nature Photography: Participants will learn techniques and details for capturing nature photos in a professional and affordable way. Topics include equipment, basic setup and lens handling techniques.

For more information or to sign up for any of the programs, call 863-668-4673.

Haines City - Thunder on the Ridge (July 4 from Noon-10pm): The 2009 Thunder on the Ridge Extravaganza will be bigger and better than ever as the city celebrates the grand opening of  the new Lake Eva Community Park with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The park features a new aquatic center, two playgrounds, lighted tennis and basketball courts, a band shell for concerts, and a lakefront banquet facility.There will be plenty of craft and food vendors, children’s activities, and entertainment to keep visitors of all ages busy throughout the day beginning at Noon.  The highlight of the night (besides Polk County’s largest fireworks display, of course) will be a live performance by The Commodores. Find out more.

Lakeland - Red, White & Kaboom (July 3 at 6pm): Red, White & Kaboom will take place around the Lake Mirror Promenade and will feature the pop/rock sounds of the popular local band, MillHopper. The band will play three sets of music ending at 9:00 p.m. to a breathtaking display of fireworks over Lake Mirror. As part of this year’s celebration, the city of Lakeland is asking for a canned food item from everyone who attends the free event. There will be several locations throughout Lake Mirror Park that will be accepting the canned food donations. There will be a variety of food and drink vendors around Lake Mirror so bring a blanket and enjoy the live music and a dramatic display of fireworks over the lake. All City parking garages will be open. Find out more.

Lakeland - Lakeland Flying Tigers vs. Tampa Yankees (July 4 at 5pm): There is no better way to celebrate America, the summer and the 4th of July than watching a baseball game followed by a huge fireworks display over Joker Marchant Stadium. In what has become a 4th of July tradition, the Lakeland Flying Tigers will host the July 4th game and set off a dazzling display of fireworks at 9pm, following the game. Get your tickets early as this game is a tough ticket to get. Find out more.

Winter Haven - Rockin’ Freedom Fest (July 3 at 7pm): Lake Silver will be the backdrop for Winter haven’s 4th of July celebration. Live music by the band Signal Zero will lead up to the large fireworks display over Lake Silver at 9:30pm. There will be food vendors and lots of entertainment for the kids. Find out more.

Winter Haven - Cypress Gardens July 4th Celebration (July 4): Both Cypress Gardens and Splash Island Water Park are set to celebrate July 4th with a very special day of entertainment. Cypress Gardens will be open from 9:00am-10:00pm and will feature four ski shows at 1:30 pm, 4:00 pm, and 6:00 pm, with a special “Nighttime Ski Show” at 8:45 pm. The Lakeside Stage (between Ski Stadiums) will also host The Fletcher Cane Band from 7:00 pm until 8:30 pm. Then, be sure to stay for the Fireworks on the Lake at the Ski Stadium at 9:15 pm (immediately following the “Nighttime Ski Show). At Splash Island, the park hours will be from 10:00am-10:00pm with a live DJ playing your favorite music from noon-7pm.

Check out my full post at arts.lakelandlocal.com for the whole scoop. Then go vote!

Future concerts will include dixieland music by the Good Times Jazz Band on July 25; 50s and 60s music with Elivis impersonator Dwight Icenhower and The Repeatles on August 22; and traditional Appalachian music by Mustang Sally and the Hamjos on September 11.

All of the performances start at 7:30pm and tickets are $15 ahead of time, or $20 the day of the event. The optional dinner starts at 5:45pm in the Blue Palmetto Cafe and cost $15.50 for Bok Tower members or $17 for non-members.

For tickets and more info, visit the Live at the Gardens page on their website.

July 10-11:  2PM-5PM, 7PM-10PM, 11P-1AM
July 12-16:  2PM-5PM, 7PM-10PM
July 17-18:  2PM-5PM, 7PM-10PM, 11P-1AM  
July 19-23:  2PM-5PM, 7PM-10PM
$7 Adults (includes skate rental)
$6 Children 12 & under (includes skate rental)
$5 bring your own skates

Free parking

Clark Whittington, the founder of Art-O-Mat, will be at the Museum on Saturday, June 27 at 10:30am. He’s going to give a presentation about the machines and their history, and then he’ll talk to artists about how they can have their artwork sold in the nearly 100 Art-O-Mats around the world. The talk/presentation is free with Museum admission.

Delphys by Carol Prusa

Polk Museum of Art is opening two new exhibitions next Saturday featuring three artists. The “feel” of the exhibitions are very different. The larger one, Silver Linings: Delicate Drawings by Carol Prusa, is very cool and almost scientific while All Natural: Organic Forms by Akiko Sugiyama and Jean Yao seems warmer and, …well… more natural…

Carol Prusa creates these very large, very intricately patterened drawings that are influenced by the cosmos and the natural world. Some of them are on acrylic domes and have little LED lights inside them that make them look like galaxies or deep sea creatures.

Akiko Sugiyama makes wall sculptures from repetitely rolled, cut, twisted and otherwise manipulated rice paper. They have a very Zen-like quality. Whether or not that was intentional is a question for the artist.

Jean Yao makes fantastic baskets from palm tree flower stalks. They’re very earthy looking in shades of brown, but beautiful.

Both exhibitions are on display June 13 - August 30. Check the Museum’s website for hours and admission.

Untitled from the How Does Your Garden Grow? series by Akiko Sugiyama.

My Favorite Lady by Jean Yao.

Splash Island Waterpark is open until 7 p.m. Sunday through Friday and to make their summer celebration even bigger, the waterpark will be open until 10 p.m. on Saturday’s for “Splash Party Nights,” featuring live music! This week’s live music will be provided by “Blowing Trees” who will be performing at the Paradise Wave Pool stage at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.