VISIT FLORIDA Official Media Newsroom

What’s New in Florida – Fall 2009

NEWS RELEASE TOPIC:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 25, 2009

Exciting Events and Exhibits, Innovative Openings and Renovations.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (September 23, 2009) –

VISIT FLORIDA®, the official tourism marketing corporation for the state of Florida, is pleased to announce that a record breaking 2.9 million Canadians visited Florida in 2008, a 15.6 percent increase over 2007 when 2.5 million Canadians visited Florida, the SunShine State. Florida welcomed in total 84.5 million visitors to the Sunshine State in 2008.

Summer is winding down, temperatures are dropping and the leaves are changing colors. Canadian dollar is close to parity with the American dollar.

This fall, get out and experience all that Florida has to offer. The new season brings exciting events and exhibits, as well as new openings and renovations.

Check out multi-lingual award winning www.VISITFLORIDA.com for more Florida Fall happenings or call toll free, in Canada 1 877 817 8789 or in USA 1-888-735-2872 for information or a copy of the Official Florida Vacation Guide.

(Listings are arranged from North to South)

Festivals & Events

SANTA ROSA BEACH – On Oct. 7-17, the Seaside Repertory Theatre’s Autumn Playwright Festival pays homage to a major playwright through panel discussions, staged readings, and a full-scale production honoring 2005 Nobel Prize-winner Harold Pinter. Visit www.autumntides.com.

DESTIN – Held in WaterColor this year, the Flutterby Festival, hosted by the Cultural Arts Association from Nov. 14-15 celebrates the colorful migration of the Monarch butterfly through the region and features talented local and regional artists as well as hands on art projects for children. Visit www.autumntides.com.

SAINT AUGUSTINE – The St. Augustine Alligator Farm hosts “Crocodile Rock," a big 70's themed party on Friday, Oct. 9 from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. that will help raise funds for EPIC Community Services, Inc. This party celebrates 1970s and is catered by the St. Augustine Independent Restaurant Association. In addition to dancing to music from yesteryear, contestants can also sing songs from the 70s to help raise money while participating in "Vinyl Idol," Crocodile Rock’s version of American Idol. The contestant that raises the most money will be named "Vinyl Idol". There is also a costume contest for those who still have polyester hidden in their closet. Call (904)829-2273. http://www.alligatorfarm.com/

PINE ISLAND (NEAR FORT MYERS) – Step back into old Florida by attending Florida’s Creative Coast Weekend in Pine Island Nov. 13-15. Pine Island is home to artists, musicians and writers, giving residents and visitors to this quaint town plenty of artistic avenues to explore the second weekend of each month. Call (239) 283-0888 or visit www.floridascreativecoast.com.

NAPLES - The first annual Naples International Film Festival, slated for Nov. 5-8, helps kick off this year's annual Celebrate the Arts month-long series of arts-related celebrations in Nov. The film festival gets underway with an opening Gala Nov. 5 at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts. The black tie celebration will include a film screening, music and entertainment. http://www.paradisecoast.com

FORT LAUDERDALE – The Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) reels out over 200 entertaining new independent and international films from Oct. 23 – Nov. 9. The 18-day fest includes film premieres, screenings and parties at some of Fort Lauderdale's trendiest venues and aboard yachts. FLIFF also offers free film seminars and family events such as films for kids and outdoor movies. Most of the films are presented at FLIFF's year-round art-house theatre, Cinema Paradiso, conveniently located in downtown Fort Lauderdale within walking distance of Las Olas Blvd. Visit www.FLIFF.com or call (954) 525-3456.

Exhibits & Shows

SARASOTA – New York’s Baryshnikov Arts Center and the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida, are pleased to announce the programming of performances and exhibitions for the inaugural Ringling International Arts Festival. The new biennial festival will be presented at the Ringling Museum of Art on the Florida State University cultural campus in Sarasota, FL, Oct. 7-11. Visit www.ringlingartsfestival.org.

NAPLES – The von Liebig Art Center in Naples mounts "The 48th Founders Juried Awards Exhibition" Oct. 31 to Dec. 2. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with Sunday hours of 1 to 4 p.m. beginning again Oct. 4. Suggested donation is $5 for adults and $2 for children 10 and older. Call (239) 262-6517 or visit www.naplesart.org.

MIAMI – The Deering Estate at Cutler hosts the Living Artist Concert Series. This concert series combines ensemble performances with lectures, visual art exhibits, environmental awareness and interpretive programs, while acquainting residents and visitors with the best of South Florida's artistic spirit. Concerts are held in the historic Stone House Ballroom. On Oct. 16 the Piano Series “Florida Triad” will feature guest composer Tania Leon and pianist, Jose R. Lopez, in a collaborative historic journey linking music and history from Spain, Cuba, and the United States with South Florida. On Nov. 13 the Chamber Music Series, “Tribute,” will feature the Deering Estate Chamber Ensemble and music by Louis Ferdinand of Prussia, A. Copeland, E. Korngold and Composer in Residence Judith Shatin. Visit www.deeringestate.org for ticket prices.

Renovations & Openings

MADISON – A great place for a family reunion or just to get away for the weekend, Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort located in rural Madison County, Florida, has added a new area to its campground called Acorn Village. The new area consists of four large cabins and a commons building for gatherings and meals. This space is available for family reunions, camps and other large groups. In addition to being surrounded by lots of nature, Jellystone Park also features a waterslide, lake, pool, miniature golf, game room, karaoke, paddle boats and kayaks. Visit www.jellystoneflorida.com and www.yogicampingflorida.com.

NAPLES – Naples Botanical Garden’s 170-acre tropical garden will open to the public in November 2009. Designed by what the Miami Herald dubbed a “dream team” of internationally renowned landscape architects, Naples Botanical Garden will also include a unique 90-acre nature sanctuary with seven different ecosystems that is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Visit www.naplesgarden.org for more details.

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For more information or a list of Canadian professional travel writers and photographers who recently travelled to Florida, contact Henny Groenendijk, e-mail: hgroenendijk@thermrgroup.ca or phone 416 485 2573 ext. 231.

VISIT FLORIDA is the official tourism marketing corporation for the state of Florida. VISIT FLORIDA promotes tourism to Florida through sales, advertising, promotions, public relations, new product development and visitor services programs. As a public/private partnership VISIT FLORIDA has more than 3,400 tourism industry Partners and four major strategic alliances with American Express Travel Related Services, AirTran Airways, Dollar Rent A Car and The Hertz Corporation.
To learn more about VISIT FLORIDA, visit www.VISITFLORIDA.org.

VISIT FLORIDA is the official tourism marketing corporation for the state of Florida. VISIT FLORIDA promotes tourism to Florida through sales, advertising, promotions, public relations, new product development and visitor services programs. As a public/private partnership VISIT FLORIDA has more than 3,400 tourism industry Partners and four major strategic alliances with American Express Travel Related services, AirTran Airways, Dollar Rent A Car and The Hertz Corporation. To learn more about VISIT FLORIDA, visit www.VISITFLORIDA.org.