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!

This is a great festival but the parking is a bit of a guddle! That is Scottish for a mess. This…read moreevent is a great experience for exploring your heritage, eating, shopping, meeting clans, and watching the games. Music, lots of music in many forms. I went on Saturday the 17th because they were predicting inclement weather on the 18th. A lot of other people had the same idea and the parking was frustrating. I spent at least 30 minutes driving around to find a spot in the designated lots. My favorites were the Scottish popular music bands, the pipe & drum bands, the border collies herding goats and the men and women boulder carrying contests. I am going next year but trying to get there early.

Lots to do and experience here! Music is awesome, the energy and vibe created here by patrons &…read morevendors proves to be a wonderful environment full of fun. You will encounter random areas that teach you how to lasso, learn history, etc. The feats of strength were fun to behold, loved that you kinda roam around & find new things to see. The schedule is hard to find online, and does not include everything happening. Agree on other reviews in terms of parking & alcohol lines, it needs work but this event is great & worth it! Free parking in 2 locations! Does it take 30 minutes? Yes, but its free and nice of this festival to even offer it. Keep in kind: Alcohol is sold in tickets, go to a ticket booth first, then go to the actual ordering line. I was 100 people deep but moved fast & took 10 min. Such a great day, would come back for sure.

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 went to the Orlando Beer Festival with VIP tickets, which were supposed to include early entry,…read morea commemorative glass, a t-shirt, a private VIP area with food, covered seating, bathrooms, and private parking. On paper, it sounded great, but the event itself felt very unorganized. When we arrived, the VIP parking lot was completely unmanned. I spent about 30 minutes trying to find someone to confirm we were parked correctly, but no one seemed to know anything about the parking or who I could even talk to. Honestly, anyone could have parked there without being checked. Inside, the beer stations were set up way too close together, which made the flow of traffic feel cramped even though there was plenty of space available. It was a hot day, and unless you were in the VIP area, there was no shade to take a break. The food trucks were outside the event space with no seating, which made grabbing food inconvenient. The turnout was low, and overall the vibe felt pretty "blah" compared to other beer festivals I've attended. On the positive side, there were a lot of quality vendors, and we had fun interacting with them. I even discovered a few new breweries I'll visit later. But the organization issues kept piling up. As we were leaving, we asked about our VIP glasses at the entrance, and the staff had no idea what we meant. We were sent to the information booth, where my husband was questioned about whether he was really leaving before they finally pulled the glasses out from under the table. There was no signage or clear instructions for VIPs about how to get them. We did get our t-shirts in the VIP section, but again, nothing was clearly communicated. Overall, despite some good beer and friendly vendors, the event was poorly organized from start to finish. Between the parking confusion, lack of shade, and unclear VIP perks, it just wasn't worth it. I won't be going back to this particular beer festival.

I've been attending this event for a couple of years now, and I really enjoy it--even though I'm…read morenot a beer drinker. What I love about this festival is that it offers so many options beyond beer, giving you the chance to sample a wide variety of products. This year, we had VIP access, which included food from restaurants like Marlow's and Solita's. The food was delicious. One thing that stood out this year was the number of THC-infused beverages and hemp products available, which was new to me. Overall, I enjoyed walking around, trying different products, and collecting the fun swag they hand out. The event is always hosted in the Milk District, and I'm already looking forward to next year's festival.

This is quite a fancy art show, one of the best around, really. With top artists from all over the…read morecountry, you'll find some truly amazing pieces from both established and up-and-coming creators. The entire park transforms into a massive outdoor gallery, filled with hundreds of works being judged and awarded throughout the weekend. I'll admit, some of the art is a little pricey for me, but if you've got some disposable income and consider yourself a true art connoisseur, it's definitely worth it. Even if you're not buying, it's an incredible way to spend an afternoon, walking the park, chatting with artists, and soaking in all the creativity. It's inspiring and gives you plenty of ideas for what you might want to collect or create in the future.

My daughter lives in Winter Park and during a visit with her we visited the Winter Park Autumn Art…read moreFestival. The festival is held in the beautiful 11 acre Central Park along Park Avenue in the heart of downtown Winter Park. The park has a stately oak canopy, fountains, and sculptures which makes it the perfect backdrop for an art festival. There is also a number of restaurants and shops only steps away. The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce hosts the ANNUAL festival on the second weekend in October each year. It is the only juried fine arts festival made up only of Florida artists. Art displayed and for sale includes paintings, ceramics, metal, prints, textiles, photography, and ceramics to name just a few mediums. This year 186 artists were chosen to display their works. The festival is quite large and you can easily spend a couple of hours checking everything out. I especially loved the nature photography featuring Florida's native flora and fauna. If there is one drawback to the festival it is the lack of parking. I ended up parking in a business lot and they charged me $20. Go early if you have any hope of finding street parking. Once you leave your car plan on spending a few hours enjoying all the delights downtown Winter Park has to offer.

This is one of the largest annual events in Sanford. Since it's inception (probably about 10 years…read moreago?) It seems to have grown bigger every year. This time around, the city decided to close down the second lane on SR 46 west bound just after airport Blvd. We were waiting in traffic just to park for close to 30 minutes without any movement. Finally we were able to pull off the main road, park in the Sunrail lot and walk the rest of the way (about 10min). This wasn't a big deal since we had Halloween calories to burn . I am not sure why the city decided to do this but when we got to the event, there was plenty of parking space in the main lot. With parking out of the way, the event is free so you just walk right on in, purchase tickets from one of several ticket booths then enjoy the rides and games. There are several large rides that are great for kids and adults but nothing compares to what Disney or Universal Studios is packing. There is plenty of seating but for a limited time. Once this place fills up people tend to hold tables and NEST for the remainder of the evening. There is a variety of food to choose from such as: Mexican, Philippino, and Latin American dishes along with standard American fair foods like pizza, corn dogs, funnel cakes, hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage and peppers, cheese steak, fried fish and chicken wings. This year, they had a great idea with the Beer Garden. They divided the line up so that at one tent you could only purchase Bud Light and at the other tent you could purchase all of your other drinks. Bud Light is King here since the Wayne Densch is within walking distance. This did help move the line along much more quickly than previous experiences. There are several craft style shops to explore that have great homemade jewlery, soaps, games, gift type items and clothing to choose from. There is a basket raffle with a lot of great prizes that can be won at the close of the event. There is also a large stage In front of the church with live music playing most of the day and evening. Tonight (11-2-19) Hayfire was the headliner and they are always on point. Tomorrow (11-3-19) The American Hotrods go on at 6:00pm. If you like some 80's Rock, you need to check them out. If you are in the area, definitely check out the Community Harvest Festival before the event ends Sunday (11-3-19 @ 8:00pm)

This festival is a lot of fun. Food, games, rides, and prizes. There are raffles and silent…read moreauctions. Also a live band plays on stage. While here be sure to do a tour of the church. It's really beautiful.

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.

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