Welcome to Thursday Morning, Orlando!

Geez, Loise. Who cranked up the heater on Orlando? I guess we can say Spring is officially here.

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

• Roaring Sober Thirties

• Rockin’ at the Roost

• Centennial Country Fair

• + lots of weekend recs

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Let’s roll!

- Philip

3 QUICK NEWS BITS ⏲️

Festival Park's Drive-Thru Recycling Day: Tech & Textile Edition

Got old gadgets and unwanted textiles? Festival Park's recycling event returns this Saturday April 5! From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 2911 East Robinson Street, Orlando, FL 32803, simply cruise through with your outdated electronics and forgotten fashions—no need to leave your car!

This free tech-and-textile collection welcomes everything from computers and TVs (one per household) to phones, printers, and gaming consoles. Clothes, shoes, linens, and stuffed animals all get a second chance too!

Businesses welcome with pickup-sized loads or less.

Turn your electronic castoffs into valuable recyclable materials while keeping harmful waste out of landfills.

Your spring cleaning just got easier!

👉 Here’s a fuller list of items accepted.

The Roaring Sober Thirties: How Two Friends Made Temperance Trendy Again

Event planner Ashaine Briscoe and her six-year sober friend Sarah Shoulak created Sober Betties—where flapper dresses replace shot glasses and rotary phones steal the spotlight.

These style-savvy founders maintain that the thrill comes from the 1930s atmosphere, not alcohol.

They've timed it perfectly with America's growing "sober-curious" movement, with alcohol-free beverage sales rising 40% since 2021. UCF students are joining in too, with nearly one-third abstaining completely.

Strategically placed mirrors at their events remind partygoers that self-reflection beats the reflection in a martini glass—proving you can absolutely be fabulous without getting tipsy.

(Learn a ton more about the Sober Betties with Maci Castillo, right here)

Cooking Up Change with Orlando's Plan for a Downtown Foodie Hub

Orlando is cooking up something delicious!

Already America's top food city, Orlando is now expanding its Downtown Retail and Restaurant Program to include the scenic Lake Eola.

The program helps business owners cover costs like renovations and rent when they open new spots in vacant downtown spaces. This tasty initiative goes hand-in-hand with the city's $60 million Lake Eola Park makeover and Mayor Buddy Dyer's dream of creating Orlando's own bustling strip on Magnolia Avenue filled with restaurants and shops.

With financial support ranging from $25,000 to $400,000, the city is rolling out the welcome mat for food entrepreneurs to join in making downtown a true foodie paradise.

(Learn more about Orlando’s boosted food scene with Patricia Tolley, right here)

🙋 QUESTION

WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦

Rockin’ at the Roost: The Music of Fleetwood Mac

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

🕐 Friday & Saturday, April 4th-5th, 8 p.m.

Don't miss the inaugural "Rockin' at the Roost" where the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra reimagines Fleetwood Mac's iconic hits..

Experience "Landslide," "Dreams," and "Don't Stop" transformed through classical brilliance in Altamonte Springs. This Certified Financial Group presentation offers a unique fusion where orchestral precision meets rock soul under spring skies.

Two nights only—where timeless classics find fresh voice through strings, brass and percussion.

[Check It Out]

TOP 3 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊

Maitland Jazz & Blues Festival

📍Independence Square. 1776 Independence Lane, Maitland, FL 32751. Map to this location.

🕐 Friday & Saturday, April 4th-5th

The Maitland Jazz and Blues Festival transforms the city into a sonic wonderland where exceptional local and touring musicians bridge traditional and cutting-edge sounds.

This extraordinary convergence celebrates the soul of jazz and the heart of blues in one breathtaking experience. Beyond the captivating performances, visitors indulge in delectable cuisine, browse unique vendor offerings, and watch children delight in their dedicated entertainment zone.

It's a harmonious gathering where every family member finds their rhythm in the celebration.

[Get more info, right here]

Spring Fiesta in the Park

📍Lake Eola. 195 N Rosalind Ave, Orlando, FL 32801. Map to this location.

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

For 36 years, Spring Fiesta in the Park has transformed downtown Orlando into a celebration of creativity and community.

This event invites families to stroll Lake Eola's shores while exploring hundreds of artist booths and food vendors.

The Kid's Zone delights young visitors, while the Amphitheater stage hosts continuous entertainment, including STAR 94.5's "Boots in the Park" soul line dancing exhibition—a Central Florida tradition not to be missed!

[Check it out, right here]

Town of Windermere Centennial Country Fair

📍The Pines at Windermere. 3409 Maguire Rd, Windermere, FL 34786. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, April 5th, 12-7 p.m.

Round up the family for a journey back to the "good ole Country Fairs"!

Your general admission ticket unlocks a complete nostalgic adventure—exhilarating rides, toe-tapping music, temporary tattoos, and a wonderland of children's activities.

Challenge loved ones at carnival games and savor delicious treats from our parade of food trucks. All the charm of yesterday's fairgrounds packed into one unforgettable day where memories are made beneath open skies.

[Get the full details]

MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁

Multi-Day

Orlando Boat Show | Fri, Sat, Sun. | I-Drive | More

Spring Fever in the Garden | Sat & Sun | Winter Garden | More

UCF Knights Baseball vs. Kansas Jayhawks Baseball | Fri, Sat, Sun | UCF | More

Friday - 4th

Lunch & Learn: Curating Orlando Collected | 12 p.m | Downtown | More

April Movie Night: 50 First Dates | 8:30 p.m. | Audubon Park | More

Cheers to Change 2025 | 6 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Trap Karaoke | 7 p.m. | I-Drive | More

Rascal Flatts: Life Is A Highway Tour | 7 p.m. | Downtown | More

Rocky & the Rollers Show | 7 p.m. | Clermont | More

Will Patrick | 7 & 9 p.m. | Downtown | More

M&M with Marty and Michiko Morell | 7:30 p.m. | Wadeview Park | More

Flying Horse Big Band Swings Basie and Ellington | 7:30 p.m. | Downtown | More

Saturday - 5th

Fort Christmas Bluegrass in the Park | 9:45 a.m. | Christmas | More

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

Mystery Home Tours: Art In Bloom | 10 a.m | Mills 50 | More

Rock Da Floor Kids Dance Battle National Championships | 12 p.m. | Central | More

Scents for Spring: Art in Bloom | 2 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Orlando Latin Jazz Festival: Dimas Sánchez Afro-Latin Trio | 2:30 p.m. | Downtown | More

Pinot, Palettes and Petals ~ A Wine and Art Experience | 4 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Combat Night Pro Kissimmee | 4:15 p.m. | Kissimmee | More

Sunday - 6th

Faces of the Future- Olympians Unleashed | 3 p.m. | I-Drive | More

Senses | 6:30 & 7 p.m. | Winter Park | More

MercyMe Live 2025 | 7 p.m. | UCF | More

Happy Birthday Lady Jaimz! | 7 p.m. | Downtown | More

Month of Jazz: Rejuvenation Orchestra in Concert! | 7:30 p.m. | Wadeview Park | More

THANKS!

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We’ll see you on Monday.

My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal