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Florida Events, April 2008
Florida Events Calendar for April 2008
With Easter coming in March this year, there are less events in April than normal but there are still plenty of county fairs and musical festivals to whet your appetite.
Plus, at the theme parks, there are a number of events this month including the Pirate & Princess parties at Disney's Magic Kingdom, the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival and Viva La Musica at SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Africa.
At the Kennedy Space Center there are two rocket launches scheduled for April.
As well as all the Florida events for April 2008 listed on this page, why not also check out our Florida Things to Do pages for more great ideas of what to do on your Florida vacation.
US National Holidays & other notable dates |
|
| 22nd | April 22 is officially Earth Day and you will find a number of Earth Day
events around Florida from the previous weekend to the next weekend.
In Miami there is a Green Apple Festival April 18 to 20 including entertainment from Menudo, Arrested Development, Baby Loves Salsa and Caravan of Thieves. Other events will take place in numerous locations in Florida including Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville and Naples. |
Theme Park Events |
|
| various dates |
Disney's Pirate & Princess Party continues in 2008 on selected nights through April,
May and June at the Magic Kingdom.
Next parties are on April 1,
4, 6, 11, 16 and 23, May 2, 9, 16, 21, 26 and 31 and finally June 4. 2008, 7:00PM - 12:00AM
The party starts each night at 7:00 pm and finishes at midnight.
You can hunt for chocolate doubloons, see Disney's Enchanted Adventures Parade, watch the Magic, Music and Mayhem fireworks spectacular and the Dream Along With Mickey castle stage show. Selected attractions will remain open and you can come in costume if you wish. Tickets cost US$43.95 for adults and US$37.95 for children if bought in advance or US$45.95 for adults and US$39.95 for children if bought on the day (all prices plus tax). |
| March 9th to June 1st | The 15th Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival has
increased from 60 to 75 days this year and features over 30 million blooms, gardens and
some 70 topiaries.
To coincide with the Magic Kingdom's Pirates and Princesses parties, Epcot have Peter Pan's Neverland Garden with Captain Hook's pirate ship created in topiary where you will be able to spot some of your favourite Disney characters in special Pirate and Princess costumes. You can meet top horticulturists at the new Garden Odyssey Festival Center or enjoy evening Flower Power Concerts in the American Gardens Theatre at 5:45 pm, 7:00 pm and 8:15pm. The schedule of performers from April onwards includes Rickey Nelson Remembered featuring The Nelsons (April 1 to 3), Jay Black (April 4 to 5), Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone (April 6 to 9), The Grass Roots featuring Rob Grill (April 10 to 13), The Happenings (April 14 to 16), Peter & Gordon (April 17 to 18), Starship starring Mickey Thomas (April 19 to 23), The Ventures (April 24 to 26), BJ Thomas (April 27 to 30), Arlo Guthrie (May 1 to 3), The Searchers (May 4 to 5), The Tokens (May 6 to 10), Davy Jones (May 11 to 15), Jose Feliciano May 16 to 17), Felix Cavaliere's Rascals (May 18 to 20), Gary Puckett (May 21 to 24), The Cowsills (May 25 to 27) and Tony Orlando (May 28 to June 1). Included with standard admission ticket (disneyworld.disney.go.com). |
| 3rd to 4th | At Silver Springs there are Nature Quest Wildlife Days where you can see interactive exhibits representing conservation and recycling programs as well as a live animal show featuring native Florida species (www.silversprings.com). |
| 25th to 26th | Universal Orlando are hosting their annual Universal Grad Bash '08
at both parks where high school seniors can let their hair down and enjoy outrageous
parties at both Universal's Islands of Adventure® and Universal Studios® from 7 pm
to 2 am.
All the major rides will be open as well as DJs, dance parties and live music from a number of artists including Rihanna and Hellogoodbye (www.universalorlando.com). |
Sporting Events |
|
| various dates | There are a number of yacht races this month
(www.catsailor.com)
|
| various dates | The Florida Keys host a series of angling competitions
(www.fla-keys.com)
|
| 5th to 6th | The 4th Annual Kite Festival takes place at the Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island. Bring the kids along to watch the mass kite flying plus there is free kitemaking, stunt kite exhibitions, kid's activities and games. |
| 18th to 20th | On the beach at Fort Lauderdale, this year's Ocean Fest 2008 Dive & Adventure Sports Expo features over 150 dive-related exhibits and an underwater treasure hunt and underwater music festival. You can also get a scuba introductory course at the DEMA Pool (www.oceanfest.com). |
| 19th to 20th | If you want to see over 35 seven-story tall hot air balloons taking
off at the same time, then don't miss the 25th Annual Sunrise Community Hot Air
Balloon Race at Kendall Tamiami Executive Airport, Miami.
Balloons are scheduled to launch at 6:30 am (weather permitting) on both days and again at 5:30 pm on the Saturday (www.sunriseballoonrace.org). |
| 25th to 27th | The nationally televised professional fishing tournament, Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup takes place in Punta Gorda (www.redfishcup.com). |
Concerts |
|
| various dates | At Busch Gardens Africa, the Real Music Series continues until until April 6 each Thursday through Sunday and features Charo (April 3 to 6) (www.buschgardens.com). |
| April 30th to May 4th | The Sunfest 2008 at West Palm Beach is billed as Florida's largest music, art and waterfront festival, featuring over 50 musicians from across the US including Sheryl Crow, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Good Charlotte, Fergie, Little River Band, The Black Crowes, Natasha Bedingfield, Stephen Marley and John Legend (www.sunfest.com). |
| 3rd to 5th | The 6th Florida Bluegrass Festival takes place in Perry at the Forest Capital Museum State Park where you can enjoy music from artists including The Wilson Family, Ernie Evans & Southern Lite, Kickin' Grass, Pure & Simple, Good Timin', Charlie Sizemore, Charlie Hassler & Hard Rain, Cadillac Sky, Tallahassee Fiddlers, New Grass Generation and Randy Kohrs plus food, arts, crafts and other festivities (www.perryfl.com). |
| 4th to 6th | In Jacksonville, the free outdoor Springing the Blues Festival will be held at Seawalk Plaza, Jacksonville Beach and typically attracts over 125,000 fans (www.springingtheblues.com). |
| various dates | Hot on the heels of Bud & BBQ, comes Viva La Musica
at SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Africa over four weekends starting April 19 and
ending May 11 with delicious Hispanic cuisine and dancing to Latin American music and bands.
On Saturdays at SeaWorld in April/May you can see Elvis Crespo (April 19), R.K.M. & Ken-Y (April 26), Luis Fonsi (May 3) and Gilberto Santa Rosa (May 10). Meanwhile on Sundays at Busch Gardens you can watch Andy Montañez (April 20), Oscar D'León (April 27), Grupo Niche (May 4) and Willie Colón (May 11) (www.buschgardens.com). |
| various dates | The Historic Bok Tower Sanctuary are hosting Guitarist Muriel Anderson in Concert on April 13 followed by a Muriel Anderson Guitar Workshop on April 14 (http://www.boksanctuary.org). |
| various dates | Cypress Gardens continue their new series of weekend concerts including
Charlie Daniels' Volunteer Jam on April 19.
All are included in the standard park admission, though reserved seats can also be purchased (www.cypressgardens.com). |
Art and Film Festivals |
|
| March 28th to April 6th | The 17th Annual Florida Film Festival takes place in Maitland, just north of Orlando and features over 160 films (www.floridafilmfestival.com). |
| 10th to 17th | The Palm Beach International Film Festival features the best American and Independent Films from over 20 countries (www.pbifilmfest.org). |
Car, Motorcycle and Boat Shows | |
| 4th to 5th | There is an Antique Tractor & Engine Show at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park where you can see vintage farm equipment and tractor pulls (www.floridastateparks.org). |
| 5th | If you like fast cars and fast planes then you should visit the the 11th Annual Mustangs and Mustangs show at the Fantasy of Flight where you can see both restored P-51 Mustang fighters from World War II and over 300 Ford Mustang automobiles (www.fantasyofflight.com). |
| 20th | The 6th Annual Ponte Verde Beach Car Show at the Sawgrass Village in Ponte Vedra Beach features over 100 classic, custom and antique automobiles (www.pontevedrachamber.org). |
| 26th | The 10th Annual Antique and Classic Boat Show takes place at Veterans Park, Apalachicola on the coast south east of Panama City, with all types of antique and classic boats and cars. Around 50 to 60 boats ranging from authentic oyster boats, wooden Chris Crafts and fiberglass and aluminum classics are expected (www.apalachicolabay.org). |
Airshows and Rocket Launches |
|
| 5th to 6th | The 28th Florida International AirShow Spring Extravaganza 2008 takes place at Punta Gorda and the attractions include the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and U.S. Army Golden Knights display teams (www.floridaairshow.com). |
| 8th to 13th | In Lakeland, the 34th Annual Sun 'n Fun Fly-In features a large static display aircraft, over 500 commercial exhibits, Ladies Pavilion, Parts Exchange and a daily airshow. This year, the flightline area will be accessible to all attendees (www.sun-n-fun.org). |
| 14th | An Atlas 5 (AV-014) mission is to launch a mobile communications satellite for ICO North America from launch pad SLC-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Read more on all launches.... |
| 17th | An United Launch Alliance Delta 2 Rocket is due to launch the STSS (Space Tracking and Surveillance System) ATRR Block 2010 satellite which is designed for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency to demonstrate the passing of missile tracking data to missile defense interceptors. |
| 28th to May 4th | Fleet Week runs from April 28th to May 4th but this year the Annual McDonald's Air & Sea Show which normally takes place at Fort Lauderdale Beach has been cancelled (nationalsalute.com). |
County Fairs & Festivals |
|
| March 27th to April 13th | The 57th Annual Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition is one of the largest fairs with nearly 700,000 visitors each year and is located off 112 Avenue. There are around 100 rides, 170 food vendors, games, gifts, shops and thousands of exhibits plus a daily Mardi Gras parade and live entertainment (www.fairexpo.com). |
| March 28th to April 5th | The 93rd Annual Suwannee County Fair and Youth Livestock Show at Live Oak features Midway rides, arts and crafts, contests, tractor pull and farm equipment (www.suwanneecountyfair.org). |
| 1st to 6th | The Santa Rosa County Fair takes place on Highway 90 at East Milton Park and features Easter Bonnet Contest and Easter Egg Hunt, NABA Bullriding, barrel racing, NBHA horse show, all kinds of handicrafts and a midway. Last year there were 25,000 visitors (www.santarosacountyfair.org). |
| 3rd to 12th | The Lake County Fair is at Eustis and there is live entertainment plus livestock shows, rides, games, food, creative arts including photography and a pageant (www.lakecofair.com). |
| 3rd to 12th | The 22nd Annual Clay County Agricultural Fair is at Green Cove Springs and features free amusements and attractions including the Sea Lion Splash Show, Disc-Connect K9' World Famous Frisbee Dogs and Rosaires Royal Pig Races (www.claycountyfair.org). |
| 7th to 13th | The 57th Annual Hernando County Fair and Youth Livestock Show takes place in Brooksville and features a rodeo, demolition derby, midway and live music including The Marlins, Matthew Romeo and Dan Story & Sez Who (hernandocountyfair.com). |
| 17th to 27th | The 96th Annual Central Florida Fair in Orlando features
music, dancing, animal acts, thrill shows, livestock and over 100 midway rides plus
food, creative arts and horticultural displays.
On April 20 it is the 4th Annual Latin Festival and Hispanic Family Day (www.centralfloridafair.com). |
| 25th to 27th | The 24th Annual Pompano Beach Seafood Festival features fresh local seafood plus musical entertainment, arts and crafts and a children's play area (www.pompanobeachseafoodfestival.com). |
Other Events | |
| 17th to 18th | There is an Earth Day Celebration at the Historic Bok Tower Sanctuary where you can learn about protecting wildlife and how to plant a garden (http://www.boksanctuary.org). |
Also, why not download our free monthly Florida Desktop calendar/wallpaper to remind yourself of a Florida vacation past or yet to come and subscribe to our free monthly Florida newsletter which brings you all the latest news from the Sunshine State on the first of every month.
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