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Florida Ultimate Excursions

BRADENTON

Best Boating 2017GET ON THE POT
April 
| Spring Pottery Sale 
Art Center Manatee | 
ArtCenterManatee.org
Update your home and garden decor with original designs from the area’s most talented potters. Hosted by the ArtCenter Manatee, the local center for art exhibitions, special cultural events, and classes for painting, sculpture, photography, jewelry design, and more.

RIVER TUNES
May | Pickin’ Picnic 2016
 | Bradenton Riverwalk Pavilion 
| RealizeBradenton.com
Spread your blanket for an hour or lounge in your lawn chair until after dark. Bring a loaded picnic basket or get your food and beverages on-site while enjoying the music of emerging local talent at this family-friendly event with free admission.

OCALA

WHEELIN’ AROUND
April | Annual Ride for the Arts
Brick City Center for the Arts | 
FeelDowntownOcala.com
Bring your bike or rent some wheels and tour the Ocala area to raise money for local arts programs. Choose from a 65-mile or 38-mile course and see the sites for a good cause. Post-ride refreshments and entertainment make it a full day of springtime fun.

AMPLE SAMPLES
May 7, Saturday | 
Brick City Beer and Wine Festival
Citizens’ Circle | 
BrickCityBeerFest.com
Sample the best local beverages from area craft breweries and vineyards while enjoying afternoon and evening musical entertainment.

MUSIC FOR MOM
May 8th, Sunday |
 Symphony Under the Stars, Ocala Golf Course
 | FAFO.org
Celebrate your mom in style! Fine Arts For Ocala and the Ocala Symphony Orchestra present this annual tribute to all mothers on their special evening. Bring a picnic basket or choose your dinner from a host of local food vendors. Stay to enjoy the fireworks show after the concert.

NAPLES

INTERNATIONAL IMMERSION
April – May  | 
Arts Naples World Festival | Various locations
| StayinMay.com
The world comes to Naples for an eclectic celebration of the arts. Events include an international 
film series, Peruvian cooking 
demonstration, Russian violin and piano concerts, a Belarusian State Chamber Orchestra performance, an afternoon opera, and a big band show at the zoo.

ULTIMATE PICKLEBALL
April – May
 | US OPEN Pickleball Championships
East, Naples Community Park 
| USOpenPickleballChampionship.com
If you’ve caught the pickleball fever, this is the event for you! Experience the first-ever national championship tournament featuring 1,000 of the game’s best professional and amateur players with a stadium court finale. There will be action all week on the courts and evening spectator events in the hospitality village.

FUNKY PADDLES
May | Annual Great Dock Canoe Race, Naples City Dock | 
ParadiseCoast.com
Get a little crazy at Naples’ wildest yearly event. Lavishly decorated canoes and costumed paddlers compete for cash prizes. This year’s theme is the disco ‘70s. After the races, get down and boogie to the music.

JACKSONVILLE

Percussionist playing drums on concert

ALL THAT JAZZ
May
 | Jacksonville Jazz Festival
 | JacksonvilleJazzFest.com
The heart of downtown Jacksonville will be jumpin’! A Jacksonville tradition since 1981, these three full days of music on three outdoor stages will be the sweetest sounds to ever fill your ears. Featured performers this year include Jon Batiste and Stay Human (house band for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert), Snarky Puppy, Somi, The Yellowjackets, Christian Scott, Aaron Diehl Quartet, Cyrille Aimee, Benny Golson 
Quartet, and many, many more. Plus, experience popular signature events (Piano Competition, Jazz Jam, Omni Sacred Jazz Brunch, and more), the Jazz Marketplace with unique artisan crafts, and Jazz Eats & Drinks with incredible al fresco dining choices.

TAMPA

GO GREEN
April |  Annual EcoFes, 
Lowery Park
 | ArtsTampaBay.com
Come see sustainability on display! Sponsored by the City of Tampa and area schools, EcoFest features workshops, demonstrations, and green living products and services available from local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and organic farms, in addition, to live music and environmentally-friendly artwork.

CULTURAL EXERCISE
April and May| 
Harbor Island Art Walk
, Tampa Riverwalk | 
HarborIslandArtWalk.com
A great show in a beautiful location on two bloomin’ spring days! Stroll along the Tampa Riverwalk and enjoy this community festival that features original works of art, handcrafted jewelry, home and garden collectibles, specialty foods, and live music.

SPIKED TOMATOES
May | Tampa Bay Bloody Mary Festival, Hixson Waterfront Park
 | TampaBloodyMaryFest.com
Join some kindred spirits and celebrate the world’s most popular morning libation. The best Bloody Mary concoctions from Tampa’s leading restaurants will be offered and you can vote for your favorite in the Audience Choice awards. Musical entertainment and food vendors will also be on hand.


SOLIVITA | KISSIMMEE

May | 
Mother’s Day at Solivita Spa | 
AVHomesInc.com
The Starlight Ballroom transforms into a “pop-up” spa for one day only! Mothers get a complimentary spa robe and healthy refreshments to start. Then, in groups of six friends and neighbors, the ladies make the rounds for 30 minutes at each station for manicures, pedicures, massages, and facial treatments. The ultimate way to say “thank you” to a special mom on her special weekend.


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