Welcome to Thursday Morning, Orlando!

Good morning to everyone……except the Sandhill Crane screeching its head off early this AM!

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

• Wing It & Sing It

• The Great Duck Derby

• Evening at the Pops

• + a lots of weekend recs

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Let’s roll!

- Philip

3 QUICK NEWS BITS ⏲️

Wing It & Sing It: Orlando's R&B Wing Fest Takes Flight

This Saturday, Festival Park transforms into flavor paradise as the inaugural Florida R&B Wing Festival brings saucy drums and smooth tunes from noon to 7 p.m.!

Mastermind Tristan Russell traded his chef's as founder of Flex Eats for a promoter's badge to showcase Orlando's rising culinary stars.

Your ticket unlocks a wonderland of 80+ vendors (plant-based wings from Ox's Way, too!) and eight raffles throughout the day. Watch foodie influencers crown Orlando's wing sauce royalty, or brave the Buffalo Boss challenge yourself—two minutes of fiery madness could score you some cheddar!

Between flavor explosions, groove to live music and DJ battles that'll keep your taste buds dancing all afternoon!

(Learn more about the first Central FL R&B Wing Fest with Amy Drew Thompson, right here)

Hammers & Hope: Inspectors Scout Tomorrow's Building Pros

Three Orange County Building Safety inspectors swapped rulebooks for scoring sheets at SkillsUSA's Florida showdown last month. This talent showcase—drawing 6,500 competitors nationwide—turned Osceola Technical College into a buzzing hive of hammers and hope.

Inspector William Back beamed watching lightbulb moments spark among students, noting nothing beats getting hands dirty to cement learning. His colleague Stephen Nagy couldn't help cheering when a female contestant commandeered her team like a seasoned pro.

Both veterans agree: blueprints can't teach what sweat equity does. While degrees pile up, these inspectors know real skill shows in the sawdust. By mentoring tomorrow's builders, they're constructing something more lasting than code compliance—they're framing the industry's future.

Beyond the Fast Lane: Route 7's Journey to Male Connection

When Gene Martin couldn't find men talking about more than last night's game scores, he blazed a new trail!

Route 7 Orlando—cleverly named as the city's seventh "highway"—launched in 2016 as a pit stop for guys seeking real growth. Through accountability buddies, this brotherhood has expanded from five road warriors to over 150 men navigating life together.

For just $125 yearly, members unlock business support, expert wisdom, and the chance to mentor kids through "Well Said" public speaking workshops.

The journey proves that personal development isn't a solo drive but a carpool adventure making the entire Central Florida community better!

(Learn more about Gene Martin and Route 7 with Lynne Mixson, right here)

🙋 Road Trip Tolerance Test

WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦

The Great Duck Derby 2025

📍Mead Botanical Garden. 1300 S Denning Dr, Winter Park, FL 32789. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, March 29th, 10 a.m.

Round up your crew for Mead Botanical Garden's Great Duck Derby!

This cherished spring tradition features exciting rubber duck races alongside FREE activities for everyone. Adopt a single racing duck for just $5, or maximize your chances with a $20 "Quack Pack" of five ducks.

While your colorful competitors battle for aquatic glory, enjoy complimentary entertainment throughout the garden.

Don't miss this quacktastic celebration where seasonal fun and friendly competition create unforgettable memories!

[Check It Out]

TOP 3 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊

UpTown Art Expo

📍Cranes Roost Park. 274 Cranes Roost Blvd, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701. Map to this location.

🕐 Friday through Sunday, March 28th through 30th, different hours each day

Step into a creative wonderland where over 140 master artisans display their treasures at the UpTown Art Expo.

Discover dazzling glass, intricate jewelry, captivating paintings, striking photography, handcrafted pottery, and bold sculpture—all waiting to find new homes.

As you explore this visual feast, live music flows from the Cranes Roost Amphitheater all weekend, providing the perfect soundtrack to your artistic adventure.

Here, art isn't just viewed—it's experienced.

[Get more info, right here]

Evening at the Pops

📍Historic Downtown Winter Garden. 426 W Plant St, Winter Garden, FL 34787. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, March 29th, 6:30 p.m.

Beneath twinkling stars, Lake Apopka transforms into a musical haven where melodies dance across rippling waters.

Claim your spot with a cozy blanket or favorite chair for an evening where community thrives and memories bloom. Pack delicious treats in your picnic basket—the perfect complement to live performances that captivate all ages.

Some experiences must be lived—this lakeside symphony is one of them.

[Check it out, right here]

Edgewater High School Farm Festival

📍901 Maury Rd, Orlando, FL 32804. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, March 29th, 10:00 am

Sun-drenched fun awaits at Edgewater High's Farm Festival!

Mingle with gentle animals at the petting zoo, browse student-grown treasures at the farmers market, and let live music guide you between game stations.

This charming celebration reveals the heart of their agriculture program while delivering joy for all ages. Join for a lovely morning where education blooms into community celebration!

[Get the full details]

MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁

Multi-Day

DeLand Outdoor Art Festival | Fri & Sat 9 & 10 a.m. | DeLand | More

Opera Festival: Mozart and More with Opera Orlando | Fri & Sat 7:30 p.m. | Wadeview Park | More

Orlando Brick Convention LEGO Fan Event | Sat & Sun | Kissimmee | More

Amber Brooke Farms Sunflower Festival | Fri, Sat, Sun 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Eustis | More

Friday - 28th

Aperitivo and Friends | 2 p.m. | Downtown | More

Ritz Flix: Jurassic Park | 7:30 p.m. | Sanford | More

Broadway Rave | 8 p.m. | Downtown | More

Island Nights Adult Party 7 p.m. | Kissimmee | More

FORESTS and Combat with Margo Maybach | 6 p.m. | Winter Park | More

Expedition Orbit: Start-up Founder Showcase | 6 p.m. | College Park | More

Kam Patterson | Fri, Sat, Sun | I-Drive | More

MAOLI | 7 p.m. | Milk District | More

Legends Of Laughter | 8 p.m. | UCF | More

Saturday - 29th

🔥 Rotary Club of Oviedo Pancake Breakfast | 8:30 a.m. | Oviedo | More

First Pine Castle “Chili Cook-off” | 12 p.m. | Belle Isle | More

A&H: The Art Party | 6 p.m. | Maitland | More

Big Head Todd and the Monsters 40th Anniversary Tour | 7 p.m. | Buena Vista Drive | More

Tina Fey & Amy Poehler | 7 p.m. | UCF | More

Orlando All Pro Dad Experience | 9 a.m. | Downtown | More

Collective Corner Pop-Up at Great Southern Box Co. | 11 a.m. | College Park | More

Slide Deck: Comedians Presenting on What’s Important | 4 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Orlando Magic v Sacramento Kings | 5 p.m. | Downtown | More

Sunday - 30th

Sunday Punk Matinee 2025 | 12 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Richard Drexler Plays John Ireland | 2:30 p.m. | Wadeview Park | More

“Escape Denied” Exhibit for Kids | 12 p.m. | Maitland | More

Community Taste & Tour | 10 a.m. | College Park | More

Orlando Shakes 36th Season Gala | 5 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Pom Pom Squad – The Mirror Ball Tour | 6:30 p.m. | Downtown | More

Orlando Valkyries vs. Indy Ignite | 3 p.m. | UCF | More

Bestial Mouths, ISYA, Strangelace, and Davi Oddity | 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