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What’s New in Florida – Fall 2008

NEWS RELEASE TOPIC:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 1, 2009

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (August 1, 2008) – Summer is drawing to a close and the leaves are changing colors. This fall, leave the scarecrows at home and experience all that Florida has to offer. The new season brings exciting events and exhibits, as well as new openings and renovations at some of Florida’s most remarkable sites. Get out of the house and have some fun – you don’t want to miss Florida in the fall. To find more happenings in Florida this fall, check out www.VISITFLORIDA.com

(Listings are arranged by city from north to south)

Events and Exhibits

DESTIN – The fall season here offers a unique getaway with cultural events, beautiful sunsets and the tranquil, natural beauty of the area. What better way to remember these timeless moments than with an autumn-themed watercolor print available exclusively from Silver Sands Factory Stores. October is Autumn Tides Month at Silver Sands, featuring another highly anticipated watercolor print by renowned local artist Donna Burgess. Shoppers presenting same-day receipts totaling $300 to the store will receive a complimentary, limited-edition Donna Burgess print. This year’s print, “On the Wings of Autumn”, is the first of a new series of artwork reflecting the fall season through the artist’s eye. Then, meet the artist and have your print personally signed Oct. 11 and 25 when Silver Sands hosts an artist signing reception at Saks Fifth Ave. (850) 654-9771.www.silversandsoutlet.com

JACKSONVILLE – The Museum of Science and History (MOSH) presents “Ragtime to Rock: The Musical Heritage of Jacksonville” June 6 - Sept. 30. The temporary exhibit will feature music memorabilia and various other historic items from some of the most iconic and legendary musicians to ever visit The River City. Some of the items include a pair of Ray Charles’ Calvin Klein sunglasses, Slim Whitman’s guitar, a photo autographed by all four members of The Beatles, and a working jukebox. Jacksonville’s musical history is the main attraction of this exhibit showcasing local legends such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, .38 Special, The Allman Brothers and Slim Whitman, as well as contemporary recording artists Limp Bizkit, Yellowcard, and The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. (904) 396-MOSH. www.www.themosh.org.

Fall/Add one

JACKSONVILLE – Celebrate the songs of Elvis as the Alhambra Dinner Theatre presents “All Shook Up” Oct. 8 – Nov. 30. Watch one girl's dream and a surprise visit from a mysterious leather-jacketed, guitar-playing stranger lead a small town to discover the magic of romance and the power of rock ‘n’ roll. (904) 641-1212.www.alhambradinnertheatre.com.

JACKSONVILLE – The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens brings a unique exhibit to explore this fall. On display July 10 - Sept. 28, Scalpel to Sketch: the science and beauty of medical illustration at Mayo Clinic features works from Mayo Clinic's world-class collection of medical illustration. This is one of the largest collections of its kind in the world and is rarely exhibited to the public. Visitors explore interpretations of the human form, animated voyages inside the human body, studies of the brain to molecules and gene clusters, skeletons, and a rare look at the unique anatomy of conjoined twins. (904) 356-6857.
www.cummer.org

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER – NASA will send shuttles “into orbit” as part of a fundraiser and celebration of its 50th Anniversary. "Shuttles Orbiting the Space Coast" will benefit The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping the United States retain its world leadership in science and technology in the future. The foundation and the Kennedy Space Center Visitor's Complex plan on having local artists decorate dozens of six-foot tall fiberglass replicas of the space shuttle. After the shuttles are painted, and spend time in front of sponsoring businesses throughout the area, they will be auctioned off with proceeds going to the foundation. Finalists will be asked to paint the shuttles between the months of August and October. The replicas will be displayed in November throughout the 72-mile area known as Florida's Space Coast. (321) 449-4444.
kennedyspacecenter.com.

ORLANDO – The Orange County Regional History Center opened a new permanent exhibit taking visitors back in time to the “Golden Age of Tourism,” nearly a century before Disney. Discover the remarkable history of tourism through artifacts, images, and memorabilia. Step inside a replica tepee from Wigwam Village or an Orlando motel and popular tourist destination in the 1950s, to learn about some of the sites that delighted earlier generations. (407) 836-8500. thehistorycenter.org

ORLANDO – Dragon boat races are coming to Orlando Oct. 18 on the waters of Downtown Disney®. The Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival at Walt Disney World Resort® will welcome teams from across the U.S. and Canada for this one day spectacular of 45-foot, 20-paddle boat racing. A steersperson guides at the helm and a drummer motivates from the bow of each distinctive boat. Downtown Disney® will be the site of a village full of athletes, grandstands full of spectators, vendors sizzling up tasty treats on the spot and cultural activities and crafts for all to see.

ZEPHYRHILLS – Skydive City will host its 36th annual "Thanksgiving Boogie and Turkey Meet" skydiving event Nov. 21-30. Nearly 700 skydivers from all over the world will descend on Zephyrhills in competitions while others participate in thousands of skydives throughout the park. The event is also open to interested spectators. (800) 888-JUMP. www.skydivecity.com

TAMPA – DINOSAURS! is the new 5,000-square-foot exhibition at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) that brings guests face to face with creatures that once roamed the earth. It features eight towering animatronic dinosaurs and five robotic Ice Age mammals that come alive and simulate life in the Mesozoic era. (813) 987-6000.
www.mosi.org

TAMPA – Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo is celebrating its 20th anniversary this fall with many exciting events and new experiences. August features the 13th annual WaZoo with more than 200 types of beer, food sampling, a wine garden and live entertainment. ZooBoo, which starts in September, transforms the zoo into a family-friendly fright zone with two new haunted houses known as “Declassified! Project Alien” and “Sinister Shadows” and free unlimited zoo rides including the new Gator Falls water flume. Daytime guests this fall will find that the lake in the Zoo’s Safari Africa habitat area is going to the birds. Crews will be “netting” the large lake located behind the Camel Safari to turn it into an exciting new free-flight aviary which will feature a group of ring-tailed lemurs on the center island, great white pelicans, nearly 100 greater and lesser African flamingos, shoebill storks and more. (813) 935-8552. www.lowryparkzoo.com

SARASOTA – This fall, The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art presents more than a hundred objects from the Brooklyn Museum’s world-renowned collection of ancient Egyptian art. Mummies, coffins, stone sculpture, gold jewelry, precious amulets, and sacred vessels are featured in To Live Forever, a special and rare opportunity to view treasures from one of history’s most intriguing civilizations. Participants in the Ringling Museum’s educational spotlight series, Spotlight on… Modern Masters of the Japanese Print, will learn how the 20th century brought many changes to Japan – war and peace, industrialization, urbanization and globalization. The program will examine these changes as they are reflected in the Museum’s collection of sosaku hanga and shin hanga woodblock prints. (941) 358-3180. www.ringling.org

BOCA RATON – The Boca Raton Museum of Art is bringing an exciting and unique Latin American exhibition to South Florida this fall, Visiones: 20th Century Latin Art. The exhibition of 36 paintings, sculptures, photographs and installation works by mid-20th century masters and important contemporary artists presents a broad spectrum of works which explore how art and artists preserve their identity within a global landscape. Visiones also investigates how contemporary Latin American and Caribbean artists, who may live and work anywhere in the world, respond to personal, economic, social and political issues of the human condition. The exhibition opens Sept. 17 and runs through Dec. 7. (561) 392-2500. www.bocamuseum.org

MIAMI – The national touring exhibit, Blue Man Group – Making Waves will open Oct. 20 at Miami Children’s Museum. The 1,500-square-foot exhibit – designed to bring together science and art – will take the whole family through a multi-sensory exploration of sound that provides a unique opportunity to play together while discovering the fun of music. At the Slide-u-lum, Build-u-lum, Sand Drum and Theramin, children will have an opportunity to see, feel and create sound. At the PVC Station visitors of all ages will have a chance to play the unique Blue Man Group instruments while learning how sound works. The whole experience culminates in a professional surround sound theater where engineering genius combines with a short musical piece by Blue Man Group to illustrate the elements of sound. (305) 373-KIDS. www.miamichildrensmuseum.org

Openings and Renovations

AMELIA ISLAND – The Amelia Island Williams House recently announced completion of a new meeting and event room. The versatile new 450-square foot conference room can be arranged in a variety of ways to accommodate groups of up to 40 people. Custom food and beverage service is available, including breaks, hors d’oeuvres, and buffet or sit down meals. The space works well for luncheons, bridal showers, family reunions, group retreats, team building, or other get-togethers. An adjacent courtyard provides expansion space. (800) 414-9258. www.williamshouse.com

ST. PETE BEACH – About 35,000 square-feet of meeting space at the TradeWinds Island Grand are receiving a fresh makeover with the addition of new paint, carpet and trim. Natural, tropical colors will grace the walls and the floors, while a sophisticated teak will be used as the trim on the doors. The $1.5 million refurbishment includes the Island Ballroom, Jacaranda Hall and the Grand Palm Colonnade, including the second floor meeting rooms. The front desk and concierge area are also receiving a facelift. The project is scheduled for completion in September. (800) 360-4016. www.tradewindsresort.com

NAPLES – Big Cypress Market Place offers exciting shopping in air-conditioned comfort from more than 150 unique merchants. Dine from a wide array of cuisine in the 7,500-square-foot food arena with entertainment stage and second-floor mezzanine. Pick up a special bottle of wine from Big Cypress Winery or enjoy a cold drink and a ballgame at Trails End Tiki Bar or The Swamp Sports Den. Purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from the produce market. Most importantly, enjoy the unique environment featuring historic Florida photos, murals of The Everglades and shady brick patios. (239) 262-3210. www.bigcypressmarketplace.com.

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