This festival turned out to be a lot better than I expected. My biggest worry was that after 2…read morehours I'd want to leave but I'm happy to say that that was not the case. My friend and I bought the online tickets for beer tasting which with a service fee came out to $28.50 or something in that area. This was for the orange wristband so our time for beer sampling was from 4 to 7pm. We arrived at 3 p.m. and already the entrance was out of the Kevin Bacon shirts, so we had to make our way to the the actual Kevin Bacon booth to get one from the pile there; but that was not a big deal, and the people there were very nice so we didn't mind the booth visit. Pros: In my opinion; there was a good variety of bacon snacks ranging from $2 - 5, but there were other things to choose from as well including burgers, an incredible grilled cheese with bacon jam served up by the restaurant: "hammered lamb". That was my absolute most favorite thing there. It was nice that the majority of the booths there were offering some kind of free tid bit, be it a magnet, key chain, and there was even one offering a smores kit if you threw marshmallows into the hole; so even if you don't buy the drinking ticket, nor actually buy any beer, you'd still walk away with free goodies. Sonny's set up a tent to give seminars on how to BBQ different types of meats. They put out several seats and then gave samples after each lecture. Cons: I still think that $28.50 is steep for a beer sampling ticket. I just keep thinking that I could've gone to total wine, and gotten 2 six packs of different types of beers and done my own home sampling and it still would've been cheaper. If I go again, I wont buy the beer sampling ticket, I'll just buy an individual beer, those started at $4 a piece. The map given to you at the entrance said that the Sonny's tent was supposed to have an offering of smoked wings but we didn't see that at all which is a shame because beer and wings go hand in hand; just couldn't get over that. While the Sonny's "How to BBQ" seminar was a great idea, especially when it was followed by a tasting; I think they left out a lot of key points that I thought were common sense when making any kind of smoked meat. The one in particular that bothered me was the fact that they neglected to remove the membrane attached to the bones on the ribs, but this was nothing compared to it being one of the toughest ribs I've ever tried to eat. I had always understood that a decent rack of ribs had proper smoke time, and the meat should fall off the bone. It had good flavor, but that was about it. So I'm still trying to figure out how they were trying to teach others to BBQ, if they themselves flunked out on basic things? Overall I'd go again for sure because I did have a really good time, and the beer sampling was cool, if not expensive in my view. I personally would buy an individual beer next time, and hopefully the seminar will give tips and advice that lead to a good BBQ end product.

I've rounded this up to 4 stars, but in my mind the 2017 event is more like a 3.5, mainly because…read morethe Bacon part of the festival wasn't as extensively showcased as in previous years! Case in point - where were the stalls for 4 Rivers Smokehouse or Miller's Ale House, Omaha Steakhouse, Ruth's Chris Steak House or The Hammered Lamb or even Whole Foods Market? Yeah, there were some good food trucks, but I wanted more local variety rather than just Sonny's BBQ dominating the food experience! The cooking demos were great, but I really missed the variety of local food this year. The beer on the other hand - the selection there was excellent, the pours were generous and it was a lovely way to while away a sunny Central FL October day by the beautiful Cranes Roost Park lake. Parking at Altamonte was a breeze, and my friends reported the same near the Uptown Altamonte area too. Vendors were giving out great freebies - the sunglasses and the beer cozies came in super handy as did the recyclables bags. Also cost was really good - the Be. er sampling tickets was $25 advance and $35 day of event I'll be back again next year, but fingers crossed there will be more local food choices! Yelp 164/2017

Lake Eola Park -- A Downtown Orlando Gem with Food, Wine, and Heart…read more On February 23rd, 2019, my wife and I attended the 11th Annual Downtown Food & Wine Fest at Lake Eola Park, and it was the kind of day you want to bottle up and relive. Set in the heart of downtown Orlando, this park blends natural beauty with city energy in the best way. The festival featured over 30 local restaurants and 50 different wines, and while I can't remember every bite, I know there was some mouthwatering BBQ and more than a few samples that made us pause and savor the flavor. We wandered from booth to booth, sampling, sipping, and taking in the perfect February weather -- sunny skies, a light breeze, and that unmistakable buzz of a city coming together to celebrate food and community. Music from Mix 105.1 and 105.9 added to the festive atmosphere, and there were tons of freebies, local vendors, and handcrafted goods to explore. We even snapped a few photos -- the setting was just too pretty to pass up. Swans gliding across the lake, the iconic Walt Disney Amphitheater in the distance, art scattered throughout the park, and the Orlando skyline rising just beyond the trees -- it felt like the city was showing off a little. And honestly? It had every right to. Lake Eola Park is more than just green space -- it's an experience. Whether you're here for a festival or a quiet walk, there's something grounding and special about being in the middle of downtown and still feeling completely at ease. Whether you're a local looking for a relaxing afternoon or a visitor wanting to see Orlando beyond the theme parks, this spot deserves a place on your list. We had a beautiful day, and I can't wait to return -- especially with my son one day.

Good food, i had Kobe on a stick, then Gerald and I shared a Japanese chicken and shrimp noodle…read more and samples and great drinks. Nice friendly crowd. Go

What an absolutely fun event here in Maitland! I found this event by accident on purpose. I…read moreregularly search "free things to do near me" & try to do a new event every weekend to shake things up with my friend lol. He's never done a movie in the park, so the actually movie is what sold him on the event. The city of Maitland did such a great job! There was free, fresh popcorn, sodas for $1, & they had a raffle for 4 free tickets to the Orlando Science Museum (we didn't win). There was a dj, plenty of space to sit, & they were able to shut off the park lights during the movie l, but they left the lights on in the trees which created a surreal atmosphere. It was my first time seeing Back to the Future, and I'm glad that it was so memorable! Can't wait to do this again!

We love coming out to the annual Longwood art's and crafts festival. If you don't already know,…read moreTomorrow, 11/24, is the last day, so be sure to check it out. I have to say there are more crafts than paintings, drawings, or photography type media. Regardless, there is still a lot to see and it's worth the stop. It took us a few hours to get through all the vendors, so bring your walking shoes. There are plenty of food vendors on site, there are two small areas where they have live music, and there is a decent sized kids zone available with bounce houses and more. Parking is ample, but get here early because it's more difficult to find a spot after 11am. I'm not too happy with how they positioned the vendors this year. Usually there's a lot more space in the street and walkways. This year it was so cramped it was creating bottlenecks for people with walkers and wheelchairs. My mom was using a walker and struggled to get through. I felt like I was constantly in a way and had to move every time I tried to stop at a tent. My experience this year was more aggravating than enjoyable. Hopefully they fix this issue next time around. All-n-all, I would definitely return again next year and recommend stopping in if your in the area, why not, it's free entry and you just might find something great.

Large craft show with a great selection of gifts and goods. Plenty of food choices. BIG kid zone…read more Entertainment with two singers and guitar players. Lots of parking near event and at hospital. Free

I've been attending Porchfest since its inception, and it continues to grow each year. What started…read morewith just a handful of porches and a few bands has blossomed into a vibrant event featuring 18 porches and 72 bands--it's truly amazing to see how much it's expanded! In the early days, you could easily hop between porches to catch all the bands, including the main headliner, but now, with so many bands and multiple headliners, planning ahead is key. I recommend checking the band schedule in advance, watching their YouTube videos, and deciding who you want to see. However, if you're attending with a group, you might have to adjust your plans on the fly. The event runs all day, starting at 11 a.m. with bands kicking off at noon and the last set finishing around 7:45 p.m. To avoid traffic, plan to arrive by 10 a.m., as parking can be a challenge. We live in Sanford and typically use our bicycles or golf cart to get there. This year, we took the golf cart and parked about a 5-minute walk away at 11th Street and Magnolia Avenue. Keep in mind, the event spans Myrtle, Magnolia, Park, and Oak Streets between 5th and 12th Streets, so expect plenty of walking. Comfortable shoes, sun gear, and a light jacket are essential, and bringing your own cooler with drinks, food, and chairs will make your day more enjoyable. Food trucks are plentiful at the event, but since it's a family-friendly gathering, alcohol is not sold on-site. You're welcome to bring your own beverages, but remember to drink responsibly to keep the atmosphere fun and respectful. There's a strong police presence, and streets are blocked off to ensure everyone's safety. Two areas for improvement: There were long lines at the Porto-lets, especially in high-traffic spots, and they weren't consistently maintained by staff like you might see at larger events. While not a deal breaker, having more attention in this area would enhance the experience, particularly for families. Additionally, some trash receptacles weren't being emptied regularly, which affected cleanliness. Overall, Porchfest is a must-see event. It's the largest outdoor gathering in Sanford and a fantastic way to spend a day--exploring historic homes, enjoying great music, and making memories with friends and family.

The Sanford Porch Festival is free. They have a perimeter with the streets closed to traffic…read more There were 19 bands with a variety of music. For food they had food trucks. They had Porta Potties but they should have had more of them for the number of people attending. Also, parking was hard to find. Some people brought lawn chairs to watch the bands. Other people brought their dogs with them.

We attended this event to market a mortgage company here. We were able to spend time to enjoy the…read morelocal artwork and I did really like 3 artists. We plan to look them up in the near future to purchase. This event featured not only local art but beer and German food. Many vendors were there to raise money, earn money or just for networking purposes. We tried a few food items, grilled bratwurst with brotchen and sauerkraut. The bratwurst was grilled nice but all was far from authentic. There were other wine vendors there, if only I drank wine, I'd probably enjoy it. The event was descent and it was a great way to bring people together to advertise and network.

We love this event and have been going every since since at least 2015!…read more The event keeps getting better and better each year! There are a ton of GREAT artists showcasing their artwork (everything from paintings to photos to jewelry, sculptures, carvings and more) and a lot more! Some local businesses have booths there, too, which allows for the best of both worlds! The food is pretty good, too, although we don't really go for the food. They DO have some German food trucks, which fit the theme, and other options that are pretty good. Alcohol is also available. But it's a great event with a lot to do. They also seem to have this event on pleasant weekends (weather-wise) which is nice! It's a great family event, or if you're single and ready to mingle, it's good for that, too! I've seen all crowds at this event, which makes it even more fun! If you're looking for something fun and relaxing to do, I'd recommend this event!

The City of Altamonte Springs puts on their Independence Day Celebration and fireworks show every…read moreyear on the 3rd of July and the call it Red Hot & Boom. We love that they pick the 3rd because it opens an opportunity to see another show on the 4th, thanks for that! After last years celebration, we were very saddened to hear that 2023 was going to be their last year putting this event on. I guess the public outcry was so great that they decided Red Hot & Boom must go on, and we are so glad it did. In my opinion, it's the best fireworks display in the central Florida region, I can say that because I've been to all the big events several times over the course of my 24 years living in the area. Who else has two identical displays going off simultaneously,with and extended finale, one on the west side and the other on the east side of Cranes Roost Park. Nobody else does this but The City of Altamonte Springs, so Thank You for continuing this tradition!!! As always, there is plenty of food, beer, and merchant vendors on site. There was at least 65 Porto John's available with hand sanitizer stations. There was five bands who kept us entertained all the way up to the moment before the fireworks were launched. Great job City of Altamonte Springs and a big Thank You to all of the sponsors for keeping this show going, us little people truly appreciate it!

Red Hot & Boom in Altamonte Springs on July 3rd, 2022 was seriously the best fireworks celebration…read morein a long time. This was super organized. It is free to get in and free to park. There is tons of space to sit all around Cranes Roost Park. Bring your chairs and blankets. I'd say bring those chairs so you are most comfortable. The sponsors really did a good job including the local radio station bringing some great entertainment and pop singers. It was very fun filled. The fireworks were in so many directions and they were huge and eye popping and had some energetic music with it. This was a blast and really made for a perfect independence celebration. This will definitely be a must do every year now. After seeing these fireworks, other fireworks are very difficult to beat.

Great event! So much fun! Really enjoyed the salsa and the salsa music…read more I enjoyed the margaritas, they were very good. The only negative thing is that it was super hot. But that's can't be control. Everyone was having fun and dancing. There were some tents selling food also. I'm even considering competing if there is another event. Hahaha Hopefully, they will be able to delay this event with more space, more vendors, more salsa and last longer.

This year was my 2nd Salsa Fest. I do enjoy trying the different salsas, but I do not enjoy having…read moreto purchase drink tickets and having to redeem them. They should have cash bars and/or beer tubs. When we went to the Corona booth to 'spin the wheel' for prizes, you had to have a corona in your hand to participate. Understandable. But when I have to go to one of two tents on opposite sides of the festival for tickets and a corona, not so accommodating. I do like the live music and the various bands and space for dancing if you choose to do so. They definitely need more standing tables or sitting space.