Welcome to Thursday Morning, Orlando!

No particularly witty intro this morning other than to say this community just crossed 15,000 subscribers. A huge milestone, and I thank you for inviting me into your inbox.

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

• Kitchen Playground

• Springfest International

• Orlando Collected

• + lots of weekend recs

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Let’s roll!

- Philip

3 QUICK NEWS BITS ⏲️

Orlando's Kitchen Playground Where Food Businesses Sizzle

Talk about a recipe for success.

The Orlando Kitchen Incubator (OKI) is where food fantasies transform into delicious reality. This bustling culinary clubhouse serves up everything aspiring chefs need—from stovetops to storage—while whisking away the headache of permits and paperwork.

Nike Ereinwale's Nigerian cuisine flourishes here alongside a smorgasbord of empanadas and cakes. CEO Christian Soler doesn't just hand over kitchen keys; he dishes out business wisdom that's as essential as salt in soup.

The secret sauce? A community of foodie entrepreneurs trading tips and cheering each other on.

At OKI, Central Florida's next food stars aren't just cooking up dishes—they're feasting on opportunity!

(Learn a ton more about the Orlando Kitchen Incubator with Emily Mcleod, right here)

Hope Floats: The Promising Turnaround for Florida's Beloved Manatees

Good news for our gentle sea cow friends as Federal officials have closed the 2020-2022 crisis period when 1,255 Florida manatees died, celebrating two years without starvation deaths.

The emergency, caused by vanishing seagrass and chilly winters, has eased as manatee moms are having babies again. Believe it or not, more recorded newborn deaths actually means more pregnancies—a positive sign mothers are finding enough to eat.

The Mosquito Lagoon is bouncing back nicely, though other areas need time. Full recovery could take years, as seagrass is vital for both carbon capture and fish nurseries.

Conservation champions worry the "threatened" status isn't strong enough protection, as pollution challenges haven't disappeared.

(Learn more about this manatee comeback with Molly Duerig, right here)

Boom Town as Orlando Leads Nation in Population Surge

Hold onto your housing market— The Orlando Economic Partnership pulled data from the U.S. Census Bureau and found Orlando is America's fastest-growing major metro, skyrocketing at a sizzling 2.7% pace in 2024, leaving Florida's 2.0% growth rate in the dust. A whopping 76,000 newcomers poured in between July 2023-2024, launching Orlando into the big leagues of America's 20 most populous metros.

International transplants are fueling this bonanza, accounting for 88% of 2024's people parade. Since 2020, Orlando has welcomed enough newcomers (267,000+) to fill a mid-sized city!

While Osceola and Lake counties are booming, Orange and Seminole see residents hunting for bargains elsewhere. With an additional estimated one million residents on the horizon by 2045, Orlando's Economic Partnership is scrambling to ensure this population explosion creates prosperity for everyone.

This is an excellent place to park this week’s trivia question. 👇

🙋 Trivia Time

WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦

Springfest International

📍German American Society of Central Florida. 381 Orange Lane, Casselberry, FL 32707. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, April 12th, 12 - 9 p.m.

Experience Europe in Central Florida with The German American Society of Central Florida for the inaugural Springfest International—Oktoberfest with a global twist!

From noon to 9 PM, savor authentic German beers and international cuisine while enjoying non-stop entertainment from Germany, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Slovenia, Romania, and more.

Their Biergarten and Alpine Clubhouse host traditional dances, music, and contests, while kids enjoy bounce houses and face painting.

Don't miss this cultural celebration!

[Check It Out]

TOP 3 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊

The Warrior Women Art Show

📍Reflections at Glasshouse. 11804 Glass House Ln. Orlando, FL 32836. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, April 12th, 5-10 p.m.

One night. Limitless vision. Join at Reflections at Glasshouse for the Warrior Women Artshow – Orlando's most electrifying celebration of female artistry.

Experience stunning works from emerging and established talents alongside live music, interactive experiences, and Essence Soul Tattoos creating live masterpieces. Savor Chef Kevan Ho's exceptional cuisine while immersed in creative revolution.

Dress to impress for this transformative public event where feminine power and artistic brilliance collide.

[Get more info, right here]

4 Girvins Easter-Themed Farm Day

📍4 Girvins Farm. Tavares, FL. About 40 minutes from Downtown Orlando.

🕐 Saturday April 5th and Sunday the 6th, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

When did you last truly unplug? This Saturday, escape to Tavares where a special farm day awaits!

Reconnect with nature while boosting your wellbeing at their countryside haven. Pet friendly animals, enjoy live music, challenge family to yard games, and savor delicious treats from local food trucks.

Don't miss their noon Easter egg hunt featuring two golden eggs with special prizes!

Come make memories at 4Girvins Farm—where farm-fresh experiences nourish body and soul!

[Check it out, right here]

Orlando Collected

📍Orange County Regional History Center. 65 E Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32801. Map to this location.

🕐 Friday, April 11, 7 – 9 p.m., then FULL open on Saturday, April 12th

Celebrating Orlando's sesquicentennial, the Orange County Regional History Center presents "Orlando Collected" – 150 captivating artifacts chronicling our city's evolution from 85 residents in 1875 to today's vibrant metropolis of 300,000.

These treasures, curated with community partners, tell Orlando's remarkable story through rarely-seen photographs, documents, and objects.

Preview Night (must register): Friday, April 11th, 7-9 p.m.

Be first to experience this landmark exhibition while enjoying entertainment and refreshments.

[Get the full details]

MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁

Multi-Day

Florida Film Festival | Fri, Sat, Sun | Maitland | More

Hansel & Gretel | Sat & Sun | Milk District | More

Canvas Easter Bunny Brunch | Sat & Sun | Lake Nona | More

Friday - 11th

Oviedo Night Market | 5 p.m. | Oviedo | More

Adult Moonlight Egg Hunt | 7 p.m. | Saint Cloud | More

Friday Nights at the Morse: Beautiful Music Romance Duo | 5 p.m. | Winter Park | More

Entangled Realities: The 2025 Studio Art Senior Exhibition | 5:30 p.m. | Winter Park | More

152 Productions Presents: Guardians of the Jukebox | 7 p.m. | Winter Park | More

Orlando Solar Bears vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits | 7 p.m. | Downtown | More

UCF Choirs: Mozart's Requiem: A Journey Through Mortality & Hope | 7:30 p.m. | Downtown | More

Month of Jazz: John Hart Duo & Jake Hart | 7:30 p.m. | Wadeview Park | More

Saturday - 12th

Puppy Pawty | 9 a.m. | I-Drive | More

Halfway to Oktoberfest Celebration | 11 a.m. | Sanford | More

Pints For Parkinson's Orlando | 1 p.m. | Lake Holden | More

Taste of Main Street | 6 p.m. | Kissimmee | More

Orlando Kite Festival: A Family Event | 10 a.m. | Downtown | More

Bookbinding: Japanese Stitching | 11 a.m. | Maitland | More

Faculty Recital: Ensemble Noree | 11 a.m. | UCF | More

Stolen Kingdom Art Show | 5 p.m. | SoDo | More

McRae Art Studios Spring Open House | 6 p.m. | More

Sunday - 13th

Health Festival 2025 Presented by Osceola Community Health Services | 11 a.m. | Kissimmee | More

UCF Knights Trumpet Ensemble Concert | 1 p.m. | UCF | More

Central Florida Ballet Presents Alice in Wonderland | 2 p.m. | Downtown | More

Hotline Ongaku featuring dj-Jo, Super Monster Party, and O_Super. | 6 p.m. | Winter Park | More

Drew Hernandez | 6:30 p.m. | I-Drive | More

Month of Jazz: Charlie Morris Blues Band | 7:30 p.m. | Wadeview Park | More

Mac McAnally | 8 p.m. | I-Drive | 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