Memorial Day Weekend in Orlando, 2013 Edition

Will it ever stop?
Yo! I don't know!

☑  Sunscreen
☑  Hat          
☑  Sunnies      
☑  Bike          
☑  Flag          
☑  Picnic
☑  Sequinned American flag jumpsuit





All Weekend

If you're one of the UV-conscious Orlandoans hiding from the sun Memorial Day weekend, check out the Enzian Theater's special events. Saturday at 1:00pm, come watch a free re-broadcast of Critically Acclaimed: An Evening with the Critics for lesson on film criticism from four famous insider voices. Sunday at noon, bring the whole family to see E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial ($5), featuring a special kid's menu.

Friday, May 24th

It's the fourth Friday of the month, which means historic downtown Sanford is hosting its Sanford Art Walk from 6:00pm to 9:00pm, featuring lots of art, shopping, drinks, and more. While you're there, get a glass of wine at The Imperial, drink a boot full of beer at the Willow Tree Cafe, or listen to some live blues at The Alley.

Looking for something a little more risqué? Also featured on the art walk is Shawn Straughan's Fearfully Beautifully Made at Little Fish Huge Pond in Sanford.

If you're in the UCF area, stop by Natura Coffee & Team for the Monthly Acoustic Showcase to enjoy some local musicians and to try a new flavor of hookah.

Saturday, May 25th

This Saturday at 7:30pm, the Orlando City Soccer Club takes on the Wilmington Hammerheads at the Citrus Bowl (1610 W Church St). Tickets start at $15 and the OC Supporter Group Member Drive Tailgate Party is not to be missed with free beer, music, and raffle prizes.

'Walking barefoot is like being radiated with the
heartbeat of the ground with each step you take'

For the less-rowdy crowd, we recommend one of Dandelion Communitea's regularly scheduled music events. This Saturday from 8:00pm to 10:00pm they will host Summerglen, a trombone and marimba duo. And for the lunar enthusiasts out there, the monthly Full Moon Circle also takes place this Saturday (don't forget to bring your sitar/didgeridoo/signing bowls/gentle hippie instrument).

At 10:00pm this Saturday, the Fringe Festival (going on through the weekend!) invites you to the Fringe Toast-Off 2013, a free comedy show on one of the Fringe's outdoor stages.

Early risers should check out the Apopka Foliage & Fresh Market, held weekly at Kit Land Nelson Park (S Park Ave and E Orange St) from 8:00am to 1:00pm.

Orlando Fashion Square invites you to celebrate the grand opening of their new Indoor Farmers Market tomorrow (produce provided by Orlando's own Eat More Produce), Sat., May 25 from 12:00pm to 4:00p.m. Chef tastings, smoothie samples, a kids fun zone (bounce house and face painting), & a FREE eco-friendly reusable grocery bag.

Lastly, head over to Longwood's Guayama Ink Tattoo Studio (205 W SR 434) for their 'The Show Must Go On' carnival and circus themed art show. The show features over 50 tattoo artists from across the USA.

Sunday, May 26th

Fancy yourself a budding photographer? Looking to swap your digital camera for a cool old camera? Check out Kiwi Camera Service's (1880 Kentucky Ave) Camera Swap & Sale. Getting to chat with local camera wizzard, Michael Livera, is reason enough to go, but there will also be a bunch of vendors and like-minded photogs. 9:00am to 4:00pm, FREE.

Ladies and Gents, I present to you Michael Livera. 

From 10:00am to 1:00pm, stop by the Farmer's Market at Lake Lily to hear Gypsy Bluez, presented by the Performing Arts of Maitland.

Not quite as out-there as the Rollins College Quidditch Club or last month's Broomstick Pony Derby, is Orlando Bike Polo. Sudays at 5:00pm, catch a free game (or join in! that's a joke. Don't. You will in all likelihood die a painful death.) at Langford Park (1808 E Central Blvd) in Orlando.

Wait -- I thought this was flag polo!

Memorial Day 2013: Special Events in Orlando

I'm afraid I just blue myself

We know you'll be on your couch gorging on Arrested Development, but if you manage to take a break and, I don't know, celebrate America's fallen heroes, check out:

Sunday, May 26th

Starting at 3:00pm, Wall Street Plaza in Downtown Orlando is hosting The All American Block Party. That means $1 off Yuengling, Angry Orchard cider, and American Harvest vodka until 2:00am.

Sunday through Tuesday, stop by the Fallen Floridians' Memorial Cross Tribute at the Lawton House (200 W Broadway, Oviedo) between 10:00am and 8:00pm. Special events and ceremonies are going on Sunday starting at 10:00am.

Monday, May 27th 

Celebrate and commemorate Memorial Day at the Sanford Memorial Day Parade and Remembrance Ceremony, which includes a helicopter flyover and a 21-gun salute! The parade begins at 10:00am along First Street and the Remembrance Ceremony will follow the parade at 11:00am at Veterans Memorial Park along the RiverWalk at Lake Monroe.

Want to escape the crowds at Cocoa Beach this weekend? Then drive a few miles north to Playalinda Beach on one of the Canaveral National Seashore's barrier islands. The cost of $5 per car is well worth it! (And if you take a walk all the way to the last beach, you might find a surprising site...*cough* nude beach *cough*)

Orlando will be celebrating, as well, at the Orange County Court House from 10:00am to 11:00pm for the Orange County War Memorial Rededication Ceremony. Join Mayor Teresa Jacobs in commemorating Orange County's fallen soldiers and their service.

What are you doing this weekend, Orlando? Leave a comment below!