Welcome to Thursday Morning, Orlando!

Lots of heartburn swirling around the Internet as it relates to dynamic tolls on I-4 Express that kicked off this past Monday. If you haven’t heard about this, here ya go.

Now onto today’s Orlando Signal (weekend fun) issue:

• Earning While Learning

• Brunch in the Park

• Mardi Crawl

• + a lots of weekend recs

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Let’s roll!

- Philip

3 QUICK NEWS BITS ⏲️
Teaming Up for Tomorrow with Oviedo's Exciting Tech Alliance

Oviedo is partnering with Altamonte Springs Innovation Lab to bring cool tech solutions to both communities.

Oviedo gains access to Altamonte's impressive innovations like solar power, smart water systems, and helpful AI tools.

Altamonte's Frank Martz is thrilled about improving local lives through shared resources and grant opportunities. Oviedo leaders can't wait to try AI-powered infrastructure management and amazing 3D mapping technology.

The Lab has already helped 35,000 local students discover STEM careers! This friendly collaboration shows how neighboring cities can work together to create smarter, greener communities that benefit everyone.

(Learn more about Oviedo and Altamonte’s partnership with Eric Ovieto, right here)

Earning While Learning: Teens Cash In on Career Discovery

Orange County high schoolers are having a blast operating construction equipment—and pocketing $1,000 along the way!

CareerSource Central Florida's Career Express program pays students $100 weekly to explore exciting careers across various industries. Lake Buena Vista High's Brianna Ali found her spark in construction site medical support.

The program fills a crucial need, since most teens want career direction but aren't sure which path to take. CareerSource's Marcela DeFaria loves connecting students with growing regional industries, while Michele Daugherty from ABC gets excited sharing construction's endless possibilities—from drone flying to project management.

Want more? Teens can also join CareerSource's Summer Youth Program to earn at least $1,200 while discovering their talents!

(Learn more about this awesome opportunity for teens with Robert Beuer, right here)

Curtains Up as Orlando Family Stage's Pandemic Gamble Pays Off

When COVID hit, Orlando Family Stage took a heartwarming risk - keeping their entire family of staff together despite facing huge deficits.

Now that bold decision is paying off beautifully! Executive director Chris Brown's team used their rainy-day fund wisely while creating exciting new programs for the littlest theatergoers.

Their delightful production of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" broke box office records, and "Dragons Love Tacos" kept the magic going. Audiences are flocking back, helping their budget bloom from $2.5 million to an impressive $4 million.

🔥 Pssst. Check out all their upcoming shows, right here.

As they approach their 100th birthday in 2026, this beloved theater (formerly Orlando Repertory Theatre) is showing that sometimes, betting on your people is the smartest investment of all!

(Learn lots more about Orlando Family Stage’s survival with Matthew J Palm, right here)

WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦
Winter Park St. Patrick's Day Parade

📍On Park Avenue in Winter Park. 251 Park Avenue South, Winter Park

🕐 Saturday, March 1st, 9 a.m.

Get ready for a splash of Celtic magic as Winter Park's 46th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade returns March 1 at 9 a.m.

This beloved tradition, central Florida's only St. Patrick's Day celebration, will transform downtown with emerald enchantment. Sponsored by The Imperial On Park at 136 S. Park Avenue, the parade winds from Canton Avenue south to Lyman Avenue. The Winter Park Rotary Club proudly continues this vibrant community celebration, marking over 75 years of service to Winter Park.

[Check It Out]

TOP 3 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊
Brunch in the Park

📍Gaston Edwards Park. 1236 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32804. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, March 1st, 11 a.m.

Orlando's culinary elite converge at Gaston Edwards Park for the city's most anticipated brunch festival on March 1st.

Under swaying oak trees along Lake Ivanhoe's sparkling shores, over 20 acclaimed restaurants—including The Pinery, The Drake Kitchen & Bar, and Lamp & Shade Kitchen—will serve unlimited food and drinks from noon to 3 p.m.

Since its 2016 debut as United We Brunch, the event has evolved, and this year's waterfront setting promises to elevate the experience to new heights.

[Get more info, right here]

Longwood Strawberry Fest

📍Dartmouth Park. 311 W Warren Ave, Longwood, FL 32750. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, March 1st, 12 p.m.

Get ready for a berry-tastic adventure at the Longwood Strawberry Fest, where nature's sweetest gems take center stage.

From fresh-picked delights to heavenly desserts, your taste buds are in for a treat. Live music fills the air while children bounce between face-painting stations and inflatable castles, their laughter mixing with the festive melodies.

Local artisans add their creative touch, transforming the grounds into a marketplace where handcrafted treasures await discovery.

[Check it out, right here]

Curry Ford West Mardi Crawl

📍Curry Ford West Main Street District. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, March 1st, 5:00 pm

Experience New Orleans magic right in your neighborhood! Grab a wristband at Roque Pub (3076 Curry Ford Rd) and unlock 11 incredible stops throughout the district—including The Commission, Tamale Co., Hourglass Brewing, and El Coqui Ninja.

Enjoy exclusive drink specials, dollar Jello Shots, festive beads, and masks while supporting your favorite local businesses.

From Crispy Cone to Claddagh Cottage, this lively pub crawl delivers all the Mardi Gras vibes without leaving Curry Ford West!

[Get the Full Details]

MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁

Friday:

A Musical Travelogue | 7:30 p.m. | Winter Park | More

Mardi Gras Masquerade | 6:30 p.m. | Downtown | More

10th Annual Onyx Magazine Women On The Move | 11 a.m. | Mills 50 | More

ADTV Watch Party! | 6 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Hot 8 Brass Band: Big Tuba Tour 2025 in Orlando | 7 p.m. | Downtown | More

Tyler Fischer | 7 p.m. | I-Drive | More

Newski | 7 p.m. | Winter Park | More

Not Nine Inch Nails, The Hunz | 8 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Trivecta | 10 p.m. | Downtown | More

Saturday:

Carnaval | 6 p.m. | Lake Nona | More

Monster Jam | 7 p.m. | Westfield | More

6th Annual UCF Bassoon Workshop | 8:30 a.m. | UCF | More

Florida Herbal Conference | 9 a.m. | Winter Park | More

Story Stroll: All Aboard the FRIEND-ship! | 9 a.m. | Downtown | More

History Alive: Famous Floridians | 10 a.m. | Downtown | More

"Fluid Light: Painting Still Life" Workshop with Maurizio Maso | 1 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Special Program: 1-800-ON-HER-OWN | 2 p.m. | Maitland | More

68th Season Spring Swing Concert | 3 p.m. | UCF | More

UCF Knights Softball vs. Providence College Friars Softball | 4:30 p.m. | UCF | More

Sunday:

Singhaus Scholarship Foundation Oscar Watch Party | 7 p.m. | Downtown | More

Brunch Pop-Up Market | 10 a.m. | Winter Park | More

Cyanotype Printing | 10:30 a.m. | Maitland | More

UCF Knights Softball vs. Georgia Southern Eagles Softball | 1 p.m. | UCF | More

UCF Faculty Recital: Jeremy Hunt, tenor | 2 p.m. | UCF | More

Orlando Magic v Toronto Raptors | 6 p.m. | Downtown | More

Amber Autry | 5:30 p.m. | I-Drive | More

SLUGG, Bacon Grease, Strangelace, CrimesIDidntCommit | 7 p.m. | Thornton Park | More

ASkySoBlack with Monterey, Sally Wants, and Last Trip To Summers End | 8 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

THANKS!

🧠 Interested in reaching smart readers like you? Grow with us right here.

We’ll see you on Monday.

My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal