BEST PARK
BONNET SPRINGS PARK
400 Bonnet Springs Boulevard, Lakeland
(863) 732-7000
FB @BonnetSpringsPark
IG @bonnetspringspark
Bonnet Springs Park rests on 168 acres of repurposed land near downtown that once helped Lakeland thrive. “Bonnet Springs Park is a place within walking distance to our city’s urban core where art, recreation, fun, and tranquility intersect by design. This blended urban/natural park provides spaces to escape, engage, and explore with one another and with nature while experiencing and learning about the extraordinary history of Central Florida.” The park features a Welcome Center with a gift shop, history gallery, and coffee shop, a circulator, Heritage Gardens, the Florida Children’s Museum, the Depot Cafe, a family lawn, playground, botanical gardens, butterfly house, nature center, tree house, canopy walk, and more.
2nd: Bok Tower Gardens
3rd: Lake Howard Park
BEST DATE NIGHT
ARABELLAS RISTORANTE
346 W Central Ave, Winter Haven
(863) 293-1797
FB @ArabellasRistorante
A repeat winner for Best Italian Restaurant and Best Fine Dining, Arabellas Ristorante is the perfect place for a romantic date night downtown. The exposed brick walls, billowy window treatments, and ambient lighting with piano playing in the background make for quite a romantic night. Grab drinks at Ave Bar before your meal or as a nightcap afterward, and cheers to your new budding or long-lasting love. One patron writes, “We went to celebrate our 25th anniversary. We had table side service to cook our meal, that was lovely. The food was delicious. The piano player took our request and actually played two other songs for us that he requested, and we danced too. In the end, they brought out a beautiful dessert. It was a wonderful way to celebrate 25 years.”
2nd: Winter Haven First Friday
3rd: Theatre Winter Haven
BEST STAYCATION
CAMP MARGARITAVILLE AUBURNDALE
361 Denton Ave, Auburndale
(863) 455-7335
FB @campmargaritavilleauburndale
IG @campmargaritavilleauburndale
Located in the heart of Central Florida, Camp Margaritaville RV Resort in Auburndale is your ideal spot to enjoy theme parks, attractions, and all that the area has to offer. The resort offers RV sites, motorhome suites, and cabana cabins to take your respite. Camp Margaritaville Auburndale has all the relaxation or adventure you crave right in your backyard. Get into the ‘5 O’clock Somewhere’ vibe with their tiki bar, fire pits, resort pools, entertainment stage, playground, dog parks, and putting course, or plan a day with the crew hiking, biking, or sightseeing.
2nd: LEGOLAND Florida Resort
3rd: Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo
BEST GOLF COURSE
CYPRESSWOOD GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
1099 Clubhouse Rd, Winter Haven
(863) 324-6174
FB @cypresswoodcc
IG @cypresswoodgolfcourse
It’s a fairway to a great day at Cypresswood Golf & Country Club! This recurring winner is an 18-hole championship golf course crafted by renowned designer Ron Garl. Cypresswood features a putting green, chipping green, and driving range, and is accessible to the public yearround from sunrise to sunset. After a round of golf, you can enjoy lunch at Cypresswood Pub and visit the pro shop.
2nd: The Country Club of Winter Haven
3rd: Willowbrook Golf Course
BEST DANCE STUDIO
THE WRIGHT STEP SCHOOL OF DANCE
316 Ave C SW, Winter Haven
(863) 294-5300
FB: The Wright Step School of Dance
IG @thewrightstepschoolofdance
Time to step-up your dance game! With three studios covering 5,000 square feet, featuring specialized wood flooring and instructors skilled in every dance style, this Winter Haven dance studio is truly on point! The Wright Step School of Dance, founded in 2001 by Amy and Kevin Wright, is a versatile dance hub. “Faculty are industry experts professionals with a heart for sharing their love of our art!” The Wright Step Xtreme Team, established in 2004, includes around 70 dancers aged 5-18. Beyond their community involvement, the Xtreme Team has earned numerous “Entertainment” awards, “Judges Choice” accolades, and national top placements.
2nd: Ballet Conservatory Dance Centre
3rd: Barbara’s Centre’ For Dance
BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE
GROVE ROOTS BREWING COMPANY
302 3rd St SW, Winter Haven
(863) 291-0700
FB @groverootsbrewing
IG @groverootsbrewing
Rhythm & Brews: Where the music’s hot and the drinks are cold! This Winter Haven hotspot is the perfect spot to sip on a range of locally brewed craft beers while soaking up local talent. At Grove Roots, you can savor the Best Polk County Beer (Tropical Dilemma) and enjoy live music from solo performers to full bands every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night, as well as Sunday afternoon. Be sure to check their socials to see the lineup for this week!
2nd: Jessie’s Lounge
3rd: Camp Margaritaville Auburndale
BEST MUSEUM
THE ASHLEY GIBSON BARNETT MUSEUM OF ART
800 E Palmetto St, Lakeland
(863) 688-7743
FB @ AGBmuseum
IG @agbmuseum
Every year, around 140,000 visitors explore The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art at Florida Southern College, formerly known as Polk Museum of Art. The museum offers free admission and regularly updated exhibits. Patrons can marvel at their expansive collection of over 2,800 objects, showcasing contemporary art, Asian art, pre-Columbian art, African art, and decorative art. The Museum features works from both its collection and renowned artists, including Pablo Picasso, Albert Paley, Miriam Schapiro, Andy Warhol, and more. In February 2022, they unveiled plans for a significant expansion. The $6M project, now expanded to 14,000 additional square feet, will add new gallery, classroom, and art laboratory spaces to the existing 38,000-square-foot facility, with the new two-story section planned for the northwest side of the building.
2nd: Museum of Winter Haven History
3rd: Florida Children’s Museum
BEST MURAL
“HAVEN” MURAL 2021 BY GILLIAN FAZIO
343 Ave. C SW, Winter Haven
FB @gfazioart
IG @gfazioart
Shoutout to Gillian for the wall-to-wall artistry! Her “Haven” mural on the rear wall of the Alan L. Ulch building features the word “HAVEN” in clean white letters with a butterfly perched on the “A.” It is set against a serene backdrop of glassy water adorned with lily pads and pink and white water lilies. Artist Gillian Fazio wanted to create something that brings joy and upliftment whenever people see it. Fazio’s art typically includes bright colors, playful patterns, and elements of nature. The mural is dedicated “In loving memory of Mary Lou Ulch.”
2nd: “Lady on the Wall” in Winter Haven by Kenneth Treister and William Larence
3rd: “The Sound” in Winter Haven by Pablo S. Herrero and David de la Mano
BEST VISUAL ARTIST
GILLIAN FAZIO
FB @gfazioart
IG @gfazioart
Gillian and her mural-marvels have won again! Fazio’s “Haven” mural has secured first place for Best Mural this year, continuing her impressive streak as Best Visual Artist. Her vibrant, naturethemed artworks are showcased throughout Polk County, including the “Create” mural at Catapult in Lakeland and the “Slice of Happiness” mural featuring oranges and butterflies in Lake Wales. A native of Lakeland, Fazio graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from the University of Florida in 2017. She has created over 20 murals across Central Florida, from Tampa to Anna Maria Island, and identifies herself as a “new age flora and fauna artist.”
2nd: Trent Manning
3rd: Paul O’Neill
BEST BAND
99 IN THE SHADE
FB @99intheshadeband
Hitting the right note as always! This energetic quartet, known as 99 in the Shade, not only performs at clubs, weddings, corporate events, and private parties, but they also play regularly at Somewhere Sports Bar & Grill and Tanners Lakeside. Since 2015, they’ve been getting crowds on their feet with a diverse range of music, from classic hits by Journey to contemporary tunes by Bruno Mars!
2nd: Mike Monts De Oca
3rd: B.Haven
BEST DRAG QUEEN
TRISHELLE MICHAELS
FB @trishelle.michaels
IG @trishellemichaels
Sashay away with style! Polk County drag queen Trishelle Michaels dazzles on stage with her fabulous costumes and lively lip-sync performances. She regularly lights up venues across the county. In her own words, “Trishelle is a role model. Trishelle is a promoter. Trishelle is someone you can talk to.” If you’re in the mood for laughter and a top-notch performance, Trishelle Michaels is a must-see! Follow her socials for her next performance.
2nd: Momma Ashley Rose
BEST ANNUAL COMMUNITY EVENT
CAROLS IN THE PARK
Formerly presented by Main Street Winter Haven, the annual Carols in the Park ran for 34 years. The beloved event boasted artisans, specialty food vendors, and local choral groups in downtown Winter Haven’s Central Park to kick off the holiday season. This year, Carols in the Park is getting totally revamped with a new name, new vendors, and new presenters. Destroyer Media and Marketing recently announced their takeover of the event and its new name – Holidays on Central. The event will take place in Central Park on December 7, 2024, from 10 am to 4 pm. Thousands of guests will descend downtown to enjoy music, specialty foods, interactive experiences and two holiday markets – a traditional Mistletoe Market and local favorite, Bandit Market.
2nd: Bandit Market
3rd: CommunityFest Winter Haven
BEST LOCAL MAKER
BB MINI BUILDS
IG @ bb.mini.builds
TT @bb.mini.builds
They may be minis, but her creative talent is mighty! BB Mini Builds’ Ella Doyle started making minis in 2021. She makes most of her pieces with craft scraps and garbage and loves reusing boxes. Her mini-scapes can be anything from a bedroom or convenience store to plants, food, and even a landfill. “I pick themes and ideas that don’t seem beautiful or important at first, and make them interesting and detailed pieces to enjoy,” says Doyle. BB Mini Builds has had pieces in two shows “Fine Lines” and “Breaking In!” at ART/ifact Studios in Lakeland. Follow her on TikTok for all the mini goodness!
2nd: Hive Happy Honey Co.
3rd: Margret Wilson Art
BEST HIDDEN GEM
CYPRESS GARDENS WATER SKI SHOW
Martin Luther King Jr Park, 275 S. Lake Silver Dr., Winter Haven
FB @CypressGardensWaterSkiTeam
IG @cypress_gardens_ski_team
On the third Saturday of each month, the community packs the Martin Luther King Jr. Park on the shores of Lake Silver for a free, familyfriendly ski show. The Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team puts on the monthly ski show, which was started by former waterskiers from Cypress Gardens Theme Park who want to pass on their show skiing legacy to the next generation. Bring a picnic, blankets, or lounge chairs, and expect dazzling costumes and breathtaking stunts. Food vendors are onsite.
2nd: Bok Tower Gardens
3rd: Circle B Bar Reserve
