February not only brings beautiful weather but, Valentine’s Day and President’s Day. These are all reasons to Celebrate, but we live in a 55 Plus Community in Beautiful, Sunny, Central Florida, making every day a reason to celebrate. The activities in Solivita, Celebration, Reunion and our surrounding communities fill all our days and our calendars. In addition to planned activities, Florida has great parks, beaches, lakes, and ponds; all providing opportunities for outdoor fun.
February is Strawberry Season and this year the berries are especially sweet and juicy. From Late December through March, Central Florida produces close to 300 million pounds of strawberries, most grown within a 20-mile radius of Plant City. Plant City is a quick 45-minute drive from Solivita. Central Florida is known as the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World; and Florida Strawberries are World Class. You can visit Plant City for Strawberries, Strawberry Shortcake, and Strawberries with Ice Cream, or you can stop by the local fruit and vegetable stand and pick these berries up fresh from the garden.
We are going to visit Universal Studios in Orlando and celebrate Mardi Gras this year; a quick trip from Solivita. Universal puts on a big celebration including big-name concerts, a Mardi Gras Parade with Street Performers, Bands, and Cajun and Creole Cuisine.
For Valentine’s Week we are going to visit the Space Coast for the Seafood and Music Fest. The Space Coast is a quick drive from Solivita. One of the great things about life in Central Florida is that we are no more than 1.5 hours from either coast, and Central Florida is out of the way of coastal storms. The Space Coast Seafood and Music Fest is an annual event; and there will not only be great seafood but some wonderful performers, including Willie Nelson, Don McLean, the Wailers, and the Los Lonely Boys. Please visit the festival website at: www.portcanaveralseafoodandmusicfestival.com
February 16 – 18th also brings Central Florida the Silver Spurs Rodeo in Kissimmee. This year will be the 140th Silver Spurs Rodeo Show attracting cowboys on the pro-circuit and bringing Central Florida a great show featuring bull riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and team roping. A fun event for you and for visiting grandchildren, as the Rodeo Clowns come out and perform for fun too. Children under Age 10 are free. A nice evening or afternoon out within 20 minutes of Solivita.
On February 17th the Beer, Bourbon, & BBQ Festival is held in Tampa at the Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Drive. Another Great Event. Live Music, 60 Beers on Tap, 40 Bourbons and Lots of BBQ. So much is going on we cannot make all the events, but this is certainly a great list to choose from.
Sprinkled in between the men in our family have a golf outing in Mount Dora while the ladies are going to the spa, do a bit of shopping and enjoy a nice lunch. Although this month has not been as warm as other years, the cooler temperatures did not slow us down.