A popular Maryland based lobster roll chain, Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls is coming to downtown Orlando. The former home of Embassy Irish Bar at 2 S. Orange Avenue, will be the location for the new restaurant, with the company signing a 10-year lease according to Orlando Business Journal. The fast-casual seafood restaurant chain, which was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, already have two locations here in Florida, one in Miami and another in Fort Myers, plus in addition to the new Orlando locations, another two locations are planned in St Pete, and Belleair Bluffs. The chain of course features lobster rolls, but the restaurant’s menu also includes shrimp rolls, crab rolls, BLT rolls, New England clam chowder, lobster grilled cheese, lobster mac and cheese, lobster bisque, and salads, as well as Whoopie Pies for dessert. The menu also includes options for kids as well as beer, wine, and hard seltzers. An opening date for the Orlando location has not been announced, and no details of the location are on the companies website yet.

Today, Monday, February 6, Florida lawmakers gave up on trying to dissolve Disney's special taxing district, and revealed a new plan to take control. This involves renaming Reedy Creek Improvement District, and putting a state board in charge, with all members hand picked by Gov DeSantis, thus putting the area around Walt Disney World under state control. In response, Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle has issued a short statement. “We are monitoring the progression of the draft legislation, which is complex given the long history of the Reedy Creek Improvement District. Disney works under a number of different models and jurisdictions around the world, and regardless of the outcome, we remain committed to providing the highest quality experience for the millions of guests who visit each year,” On face value, the statement appears to downplay the impact of the proposed changes, and for now it's very much business as usual at Walt Disney World.

It's almost time to experience the breathtaking thrills of Serengeti Flyer, and you're NOT going to want to miss it! Busch Gardens Tampa Bay have announced his morning, that the theme parks latest attractions will be flying high form February 27, when the ride officially opens to the public. Plus, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Pass Member, will get to revel in the adventures and be among the first to experience exclusive ride time on February 24!⁣ When Serengeti Flyer, swings into action it will be the world’s tallest and fastest ride of its kind. Guests will be seated back-to-back in rows of 10 across the two gondolas shown here, allowing for 40 guests to experience the ride at once. With each swing, riders will soar higher and higher above Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s expansive 65-acre Serengeti Plain while experiencing multiple negative-G moments before plunging back toward the Earth. Serengeti Flyer will feature twin dueling arms that soar progressively higher reaching speeds of 68 mph and a maximum height of 135 feet at the ride’s peak. Serengeti Flyer is going to be a fun addition to the parks already thrilling attractions! “Serengeti Flyer’s thrilling ride experience is bound to provide riders with a pulse-pounding encounter that can only be found at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay,” said Neal Thurman, Park President of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. “We believe that Serengeti Flyer will be the perfect high-thrill addition to our world-class portfolio of attractions including Iron Gwazi, the Golden Ticket Award Winner for the Best New Roller Coaster in 2022.”

Here’s a reason to be happy ever after... Dr. Phillips Center have announced that the the highly acclaimed, Tony and Grammy winning production Into The Woods coming to Orlando from June 6 - 11, this year. With a book by James Lapine and a score by Stephen Sondheim, Into the Woods combines the fairy-tale stories of Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, and more, ultimately going beyond "ever after" to explore what happens next. Into the Woods ended its sold-out Broadway engagement at New York City Center Encores on January 8, 2023, and now direct from Broadway, the critically acclaimed and much beloved production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s triumph is playing a series of exclusive engagements across the U.S, including here in Orlando, at Dr Phillips Center's Walt Disney Theater with its Broadway stars to boot. Into the Woods features Montego Glover as The Witch, Stephanie J. Block as The Baker’s Wife, Sebastian Arcelus as The Baker, and Gavin Creel as Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf – all reprising their Broadway roles – in a production called “radiant” (Variety), “enchanting” (The Wall Street Journal), and “a priceless revival with a perfect cast” (The Washington Post). The complete cast of Into the Woods also includes Cole Thompson as Jack, Katy Geraghty as Little Red Ridinghood, Diane Phelan as Cinderella, Nancy Opel as Cinderella's Stepmother, Jason Forbach as Rapunzel's Prince, Aymee Garcia as Jack's Mother, Rayanne Gonzales as Jack's Mother (DC only), David Patrick Kelly as The Narrator, Josh Breckenridge as Cinderella's Father, Felicia Curry as Cinderella's Mother/Grandmother/Giant's Wife, Ta'Nika Gibson as Lucinda, Brooke Ishibashi as Florinda, Kennedy Kanagawa as Milky White, Jim Stanek as the Steward, and Alysia Velez as Rapunzel with Erica Durham, Ellie Fishman, Marya Grandy, Paul Kreppel, Eddie Lopez, Ximone Rose, and Sam Simahk as understudies The cast are in rehearsals now, with the original Tony, and recent Grammy winning cast back together, with the addition of a few new faces too! Directed by Lear deBessonet (Hercules), this theatrical event honors Sondheim’s legendary memory and his Broadway masterpiece like never before. Tickets for the Grammy winning Broadway production go on sale February 17.

MegaCon Orlando have announced that Scottish actor and Hollywood superstar James McAvoy is the latest big name to sign on for this year's convention which is taking place rom March 30 through until April 2, at the Orange County Convention Center. McAvoy is currently starring in the HBO fantasy series His Dark Materials, and will be known to many as Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men series. Also confirmed for this year's event is familiar faces from Wes Craven slasher-horror classic Scream. Neve Campbell Campbell rose to international prominence for starring as Sidney Prescott in Wes Craven's slasher filmScream (1996), which emerged as a critical and commercial success—becoming the highest grossing slasher film for over 20 years—and obtained a cult following. The success of the film spawned the Scream franchise, for which she reprised the role in the series' second (1997), third (2000), fourth (2011) and fifth(2022) installments, playing the role for 25 years. Also announced from the Scream franchise are: Jamie Kennedy Jamie came to prominence in the late 1990s for playing Randy Meeks in the Scream film series Matthew Lillard Matthew is know for his role as Stu Macher in the horror film Scream. Skeet Ulrich iSkeet played the character Billy Loomis in Scream (1996), and then he reprised his Scream role in the sequel. Star of the comedy classic movie series National Lampoon, Chevy Chase is coming on a vacation to Orlando! Chase also been a staple of Saturday Night Live, where his recurring Weekend Update segment became a highlight of the show. Chase has earned three Primetime Emmy Awards out of five nominations and two Golden Globe Award nominations. Chase has starred in some of the best loved comedies of our generation, including portraying Clark W. Griswold in five National Lampoon's Vacation films including Vacation , European Vacation, Christmas Vacation, and Vegas Vacation. He also played Irwin "Fletch" Fletcher in Fletch and its sequel Fletch Lives. He also starred in Caddyshack, Spies Like Us, Three Amigos!, and Hot Tub Time Machine. This year's MegaCon Orlando has a growing list of celebrities all coming to this year's event at the Orange County Convention Center. Charlie Hunnam is well known for his roles as Jackson "Jax" Teller in the FX drama series Sons of Anarchy for which he was twice nominated for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series is coming! He has also had roles include Green Street, Undeclared, the title role in Nicholas Nickleby, Pacific Rim, Crimson Peak, The Lost City of Z, and in the title role of Guy Ritchie's King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. Also announced for this year's MegaCon Orlando is Golden Globe, SAG, and Emmy nominee Christina Ricci. Ricci is currently starring in Netflix hit Wednesday, and was seen in the Amazon original series Z: The Beginning of Everything, for which she also served as a producer. she also played the title character in the television series The Lizzie Borden Chronicles, for which she earned a SAG Award nomination. She has also starred in many films including Mermaids, The Addams Family, Casper, The Smurfs 2, Speed Racer and more. Another guest is Vincent D’Onofrio, well known for his roles in both film and television. His credits include Full Metal Jacket, Men in Black, The Cell, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Jurassic World. D’Onofrio is well know for his portrayal of Kingpin across the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Henry Winkler is also attending this years MegaCon, Winkler is an American actor, comedian, author, executive producer, and director, although of course he is best known for his portrayal of Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli on the American television series Happy Days. Also announced is Harry Power star Matthew Lewis, best known for portraying Neville Longbottom in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Mark-Paul Gosselaar, best know to fans of Saved by the Bell as Zack Morris will also be in attendance at this years convention. Gates McFadden best known for playing Dr. Beverly Crusher in the Star Trek: The Next Generation television series and in the four subsequent films will also be attending this years MegaCon. Another big name coming to Orlando for MegaCon this year is Sean Gunn, best know for playing Kraglin Obfonteri in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In this role, he has been in the films Guardians of the Galaxy, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Avengers: Endgame, Thor: Love and Thunder , the television film The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special and the upcoming film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 . He also played Weasel and Calendar Man in the Warner Bros./DCEU film The Suicide Squad. Brec Bassinger has also announced for this years MegaCon! Bassinger is best know for playing the titular role in the series Stargirl from DC Universe and The CW. Legendary director Sam Raimi is also appearing at this year's MegaCon Orlando. Raimi is the man behind your fave films, known for directing the Spider-Man trilogy (2002–2007) and the Evil Dead franchise (1981–present). He also directed the 1990 superhero film Darkman, the 1995 revisionist western The Quick and the Dead, the 1998 neo-noir crime-thriller A Simple Plan, the 2000 supernatural thriller film The Gift, the 2009 supernatural horror film Drag Me to Hell, and the 2013 Disney fantasy film Oz the Great and Powerful. Raimi has also produced several successful television series, including Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and its spin-off Xena: Warrior Princess. He founded the production company Renaissance Pictures in 1979 and Ghost House Pictures in 2002. His latest film, the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, was released on May 6, 2022, becoming his highest grossing film at the box office. Also announced for this years convention is a bounty of six Star Wars legends. Carl Weathers (Greef Karga), Giancarlo Esposito (Moff Gideon), Katee Sackhoff (Bo-Katan Kryze) and Emily Swallow (The Armorer) from The Mandalorian, Vivien Lyra Blair, who played young Princess Leia in Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Ashley Eckstein, who played Ahsoka Tano in The Clone Wars animated series. MegaCon Orlando have also announced that the original and much loved host of Blues Clues, Steve Burns is heading to Orlando for this year's MegaCon. He is best known as the original host of the long-running children's preschool television program Blue's Clues from 1996 until 2002, for which he was nominated for a Daytime Emmy in 2001. With tickets now on sale, Anson Mount (Captain Christopher Pike) and Ethan Peck (Spock) from Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, are coming to this years MegaCon Orlando Anson Mount is an American actor known for his television roles as fictional character Cullen Bohannon in the AMC western drama series Hell on Wheels, Jim Steele on NBC series Conviction, the Marvel Comics superhero Black Bolt in Marvel's Inhumans, and Captain Christopher Pike in season 2 of Star Trek: Discovery. Ethan Peck is an American actor currently playing Spock in the second season of Star Trek: Discovery. He is the grandson of a Hollywood legend, Gregory Peck. More recently he accepted the role of Herman Ackermann on the series Penny Dreadful: City Of Angels. MEGACON Orlando is one of North America's largest largest comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming event that attracts hundreds of thousands of people across four BIG days. Every year, MEGACON Orlando offers exciting family-friendly attractions, events, and world-renowned Celebrities! Everyone is a fan of something, and MEGACON Orlando is the place to celebrate all things pop culture. Get an autograph or a photo with your favorite guest, and then get the inside scoop about your favorite movies and TV shows at our celebrity panels! Watch professional comic artists battle it out in our popular Sketch Duels, learn from our “How To” workshops, and take photos with your favorite costumed characters! It’s also a great place to buy a unique gift (or treat yourself!) with a huge show floor for shopping madness. HIGHLIGHTS: CELEBRITY PHOTO OPS Don’t miss out on the chance of a lifetime to meet you favorite celebrity and have the moment captured by a professional photographer. This is the only way to get a beautiful 8x10 glossy photo of you with one of our guests in an intimate setting. AUTOGRAPH SESSIONS An autograph is the perfect opportunity to get that special something signed by your favorite celebrity. Be sure to check out the full schedule so you don’t miss out on any of your faves! ARTIST ALLEY Indie meets pro in this special area where you will find all your favorite pencillers, inkers and writers. This is a ”must experience" area for anyone interested in meeting rising stars and those who work the front lines of the industry! Here you’ll find it all – comics, graphic novels, limited edition prints and best of all, original art and sketches. You’ll also find crafters and makers, all with a nerdy slant to their designs and creations. COSPLAY RED CARPET Get ready for the Cosplay Red Carpet! There's no pre-registration, no competition & no stress! Walk the red carpet and show off your costume in front of adoring fans. Every participant will get a free photo taken by Jeff Jenkins Photography, MEGACON’s official Cosplay Red Carpet Photographer. OVER 400,000 SQ FT OF SHOPPING MADNESS! More than 1,000 retailers join MEGACON Orlando to make your experience an unforgettable one! Specializing in everything comics, anime, gaming, science fiction and horror, these retailers are guaranteed to have what you need. FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY! Our event prides itself on having so many amazing activities and attractions that are family oriented. Spend the day with the whole family as you meet your favorite Superheroes, Princesses and voice actors. You can even enter the Cosplay Costume Contest as a family! COMMUNITY ZONE Whether you're a Whovian or Jedi, a cosplayer or crafter, the Community Zone is where you find people who share your fandom! Find out about local clubs, get up close to movie props, test your trivia, and snap photos galore with fans who are excited as you are to get together. PANELS, WORKSHOPS & SEMINAR From Celebrity Q&A’s, fan club presentations, hands-on workshops and screening rooms, there’s hundreds of hours of programming available for every fandom. The best part? It’s free with your admission ticket. Check the daily schedule to find out when and where the fun happens. COSTUMES! COSTUMES! COSTUMES! Fans dressing up in costumes (also known as cosplay) is a huge part of the show! Literally thousands of amazing costumes are available for your viewing pleasure throughout the weekend. Don’t be shy: ask for a photo with your favorite characters or come dressed up yourself. MEET LEGENDARY COMIC BOOK CREATORS Comics Legends, Professional Comic Book artists, and writers will be with us all weekend. Be sure to drop by the Artist Alley to meet them and see their amazing work! MEET YOUR FAVORITE VOICE ACTORS The actors that voice your favorite animated characters will be at our show to sign autographs, pose for photos and meet with their fans. They have developed a well-deserved reputation for being super-friendly and enthusiastic! COSPLAY PHOTO PARK Snap the best shot with the coolest background at our Photo Park. From outer space to enchanted lands, there’s a setting for everyone. COSPLAY MEET UPS Meet like-minded fans and get a picture to remember at a themed cosplay meet up. Watch for a schedule of specific fandom meet-ups closer to show time.

MegaCon Orlando are just keeping the star names coming for this year's star studded MegaCon taking place from March 30 through until April 2, at the Orange County Convention Center! The latest big names announced for this year's event is the cast of Wes Craven slasher-horror classic Scream. Neve Campbell Campbell rose to international prominence for starring as Sidney Prescott in Wes Craven's slasher filmScream (1996), which emerged as a critical and commercial success—becoming the highest grossing slasher film for over 20 years—and obtained a cult following. The success of the film spawned the Scream franchise, for which she reprised the role in the series' second (1997), third (2000), fourth (2011) and fifth(2022) installments, playing the role for 25 years. Although critical reception has varied with each film, Campbell has consistently earned praise for her work, and is one of the genre's highest-grossing and acclaimed heroines of all time. Scream has earned her several accolades, including two Blockbuster Entertainment Awards for Best Actress, a Fangoria Chainsaw Award for Best Actress, a Saturn Award for Best Actress, and an MTV Award for Best Female Performance, all of which were collectively awarded for the first two installments. Also announced from the Scream franchise are: Jamie Kennedy Jamie came to prominence in the late 1990s for playing Randy Meeks in the Scream film series Matthew Lillard Matthew is know for his role as Stu Macher in the horror film Scream. Skeet Ulrich iSkeet played the character Billy Loomis in Scream (1996), and then he reprised his Scream role in the sequel. Let'a check out all the celebrities already announced: Star of the comedy classic movie series National Lampoon, Chevy Chase is coming on a vacation to Orlando! Chase also been a staple of Saturday Night Live, where his recurring Weekend Update segment became a highlight of the show. Chase has earned three Primetime Emmy Awards out of five nominations and two Golden Globe Award nominations. Chase has starred in some of the best loved comedies of our generation, including portraying Clark W. Griswold in five National Lampoon's Vacation films including Vacation , European Vacation, Christmas Vacation, and Vegas Vacation. He also played Irwin "Fletch" Fletcher in Fletch and its sequel Fletch Lives. He also starred in Caddyshack, Spies Like Us, Three Amigos!, and Hot Tub Time Machine. This year's MegaCon Orlando has a growing list of celebrities all coming to this year's event at the Orange County Convention Center. Charlie Hunnam is well known for his roles as Jackson "Jax" Teller in the FX drama series Sons of Anarchy for which he was twice nominated for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series is coming! He has also had roles include Green Street, Undeclared, the title role in Nicholas Nickleby, Pacific Rim, Crimson Peak, The Lost City of Z, and in the title role of Guy Ritchie's King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. Also announced for this year's MegaCon Orlando is Golden Globe, SAG, and Emmy nominee Christina Ricci. Ricci is currently starring in Netflix hit Wednesday, and was seen in the Amazon original series Z: The Beginning of Everything, for which she also served as a producer. she also played the title character in the television series The Lizzie Borden Chronicles, for which she earned a SAG Award nomination. She has also starred in many films including Mermaids, The Addams Family, Casper, The Smurfs 2, Speed Racer and more. Another guest is Vincent D’Onofrio, well known for his roles in both film and television. His credits include Full Metal Jacket, Men in Black, The Cell, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Jurassic World. D’Onofrio is well know for his portrayal of Kingpin across the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Henry Winkler is also attending this years MegaCon, Winkler is an American actor, comedian, author, executive producer, and director, although of course he is best known for his portrayal of Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli on the American television series Happy Days. Also announced is Harry Power star Matthew Lewis, best known for portraying Neville Longbottom in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Mark-Paul Gosselaar, best know to fans of Saved by the Bell as Zack Morris will also be in attendance at this years convention. Gates McFadden best known for playing Dr. Beverly Crusher in the Star Trek: The Next Generation television series and in the four subsequent films will also be attending this years MegaCon. Another big name coming to Orlando for MegaCon this year is Sean Gunn, best know for playing Kraglin Obfonteri in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In this role, he has been in the films Guardians of the Galaxy, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Avengers: Endgame, Thor: Love and Thunder , the television film The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special and the upcoming film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 . He also played Weasel and Calendar Man in the Warner Bros./DCEU film The Suicide Squad. Brec Bassinger has also announced for this years MegaCon! Bassinger is best know for playing the titular role in the series Stargirl from DC Universe and The CW. Legendary director Sam Raimi is also appearing at this year's MegaCon Orlando. Raimi is the man behind your fave films, known for directing the Spider-Man trilogy (2002–2007) and the Evil Dead franchise (1981–present). He also directed the 1990 superhero film Darkman, the 1995 revisionist western The Quick and the Dead, the 1998 neo-noir crime-thriller A Simple Plan, the 2000 supernatural thriller film The Gift, the 2009 supernatural horror film Drag Me to Hell, and the 2013 Disney fantasy film Oz the Great and Powerful. Raimi has also produced several successful television series, including Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and its spin-off Xena: Warrior Princess. He founded the production company Renaissance Pictures in 1979 and Ghost House Pictures in 2002. His latest film, the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, was released on May 6, 2022, becoming his highest grossing film at the box office. Also announced for this years convention is a bounty of six Star Wars legends. Carl Weathers (Greef Karga), Giancarlo Esposito (Moff Gideon), Katee Sackhoff (Bo-Katan Kryze) and Emily Swallow (The Armorer) from The Mandalorian, Vivien Lyra Blair, who played young Princess Leia in Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Ashley Eckstein, who played Ahsoka Tano in The Clone Wars animated series. MegaCon Orlando have also announced that the original and much loved host of Blues Clues, Steve Burns is heading to Orlando for this year's MegaCon. He is best known as the original host of the long-running children's preschool television program Blue's Clues from 1996 until 2002, for which he was nominated for a Daytime Emmy in 2001. With tickets now on sale, Anson Mount (Captain Christopher Pike) and Ethan Peck (Spock) from Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, are coming to this years MegaCon Orlando Anson Mount is an American actor known for his television roles as fictional character Cullen Bohannon in the AMC western drama series Hell on Wheels, Jim Steele on NBC series Conviction, the Marvel Comics superhero Black Bolt in Marvel's Inhumans, and Captain Christopher Pike in season 2 of Star Trek: Discovery. Ethan Peck is an American actor currently playing Spock in the second season of Star Trek: Discovery. He is the grandson of a Hollywood legend, Gregory Peck. More recently he accepted the role of Herman Ackermann on the series Penny Dreadful: City Of Angels. MEGACON Orlando is one of North America's largest largest comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming event that attracts hundreds of thousands of people across four BIG days. Every year, MEGACON Orlando offers exciting family-friendly attractions, events, and world-renowned Celebrities! Everyone is a fan of something, and MEGACON Orlando is the place to celebrate all things pop culture. Get an autograph or a photo with your favorite guest, and then get the inside scoop about your favorite movies and TV shows at our celebrity panels! Watch professional comic artists battle it out in our popular Sketch Duels, learn from our “How To” workshops, and take photos with your favorite costumed characters! It’s also a great place to buy a unique gift (or treat yourself!) with a huge show floor for shopping madness. HIGHLIGHTS: CELEBRITY PHOTO OPS Don’t miss out on the chance of a lifetime to meet you favorite celebrity and have the moment captured by a professional photographer. This is the only way to get a beautiful 8x10 glossy photo of you with one of our guests in an intimate setting. AUTOGRAPH SESSIONS An autograph is the perfect opportunity to get that special something signed by your favorite celebrity. Be sure to check out the full schedule so you don’t miss out on any of your faves! ARTIST ALLEY Indie meets pro in this special area where you will find all your favorite pencillers, inkers and writers. This is a ”must experience" area for anyone interested in meeting rising stars and those who work the front lines of the industry! Here you’ll find it all – comics, graphic novels, limited edition prints and best of all, original art and sketches. You’ll also find crafters and makers, all with a nerdy slant to their designs and creations. COSPLAY RED CARPET Get ready for the Cosplay Red Carpet! There's no pre-registration, no competition & no stress! Walk the red carpet and show off your costume in front of adoring fans. Every participant will get a free photo taken by Jeff Jenkins Photography, MEGACON’s official Cosplay Red Carpet Photographer. OVER 400,000 SQ FT OF SHOPPING MADNESS! More than 1,000 retailers join MEGACON Orlando to make your experience an unforgettable one! Specializing in everything comics, anime, gaming, science fiction and horror, these retailers are guaranteed to have what you need. FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY! Our event prides itself on having so many amazing activities and attractions that are family oriented. Spend the day with the whole family as you meet your favorite Superheroes, Princesses and voice actors. You can even enter the Cosplay Costume Contest as a family! COMMUNITY ZONE Whether you're a Whovian or Jedi, a cosplayer or crafter, the Community Zone is where you find people who share your fandom! Find out about local clubs, get up close to movie props, test your trivia, and snap photos galore with fans who are excited as you are to get together. PANELS, WORKSHOPS & SEMINAR From Celebrity Q&A’s, fan club presentations, hands-on workshops and screening rooms, there’s hundreds of hours of programming available for every fandom. The best part? It’s free with your admission ticket. Check the daily schedule to find out when and where the fun happens. COSTUMES! COSTUMES! COSTUMES! Fans dressing up in costumes (also known as cosplay) is a huge part of the show! Literally thousands of amazing costumes are available for your viewing pleasure throughout the weekend. Don’t be shy: ask for a photo with your favorite characters or come dressed up yourself. MEET LEGENDARY COMIC BOOK CREATORS Comics Legends, Professional Comic Book artists, and writers will be with us all weekend. Be sure to drop by the Artist Alley to meet them and see their amazing work! MEET YOUR FAVORITE VOICE ACTORS The actors that voice your favorite animated characters will be at our show to sign autographs, pose for photos and meet with their fans. They have developed a well-deserved reputation for being super-friendly and enthusiastic! COSPLAY PHOTO PARK Snap the best shot with the coolest background at our Photo Park. From outer space to enchanted lands, there’s a setting for everyone. COSPLAY MEET UPS Meet like-minded fans and get a picture to remember at a themed cosplay meet up. Watch for a schedule of specific fandom meet-ups closer to show time.

Did you know that all Florida black bears are born in January or February? While Brevard Zoo is not sure of their exact birthdates, they estimate that their bear trio were all born sometime in February – making this a bear-y special time for them! Bear-vard Zoo Days will allow everyone to celebrate the zoo's trio, with a fun weekend full of bear-themed activities! From Saturday, February 18 until Monday, February 20, you’ll also learn more about the Zoo’s work ensuring that the three bears live in an enriching environment full of meaningful choices and safe challenges. While the trio can’t be safely returned to their natural range, you’ll also learn more on how to safely co-exist with this native species. Brevard Zoo's three Florida black bears, Cheyenne, Brody and little Betty, came to the zoo after it was determined they could not be in the wild. Cheyenne, 5, came to the zoo in 2018 because she became used to being fed by people., Brody, 2, and Betty, 9 months old, were found separated from their mothers as cubs. Explore the world of animals at Brevard Zoo, an internationally accredited facility home to giraffe, rhinos, big cats and hundreds of colorful birds.

Bull riding, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping, and barrel racing, enjoy it all at the 150th Annual Silver Spurs Rodeo! This year's Silver Spurs kicks off on Saturday, February 11, with the 2023 Silver Spurs Rodeo Parade at 10 a.m. in Downtown St. Cloud. Get the family together, rock your best western attire and spend the morning at the parade, see the 2022-2023 Miss Silver Spurs Court, along with rodeo queens from all around the country. Don’t miss the grand marshals; the 2023 Coca-Cola Cowboy & Lifetime Achievement Award honorees, along with the Big Boss, local politicians, businesses, and organizations from around Osceola County. The parade route starts at Lakeshore, comes south on Pennsylvania to 8th Street, turns left to Florida Avenue, takes Florida to 11th, and then Massachusetts back to the Lakefront. Then on Saturday evening, February 11 at 7.30 p.m., some of the rankest bulls in the state will be bustin' out of the chute! Fill your Saturday with monster bull riding action to see who can hang on until the buzzer rings and score the best ride of the night! They’re fierce. They’re feisty. They’re bred to buck! It's the 12th Annual Monster Bulls at the Silver Spurs Arena – Osceola Heritage Park Enjoy a night of just bull riding where the biggest and baddest Silver Spurs bulls will go head-to-head with local cowboys. BUY TICKETS Read on below for this year's full schedule! The Silver Spurs Rodeo is the largest rodeo east of the Mississippi and is annually ranked among the top 50 events sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). Taking place at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee with the Osceola County Fair, the Silver Spurs Rodeo in February draws contestants from all over the nation and many national champions to compete for $50,000 in prize money. At the rodeo check out the different riding and roping events, all of which test a cowperson's strength, character, and readiness to be bested by an overly emotional beast and a dust-covered clown. In the dangerous and exciting bull-riding event, riders attempt to ride a bucking bull for eight seconds, and tough and talented cowgirls participate in barrel-racing competitions, in which each contestant rides at full speed around large barrels, making sure to hit the electronic clock upon entering and exiting. Eyes can also feast on quadrille performances, which can best be described as square dancing on horseback. Watch couples seated atop prancing horses that weave in and out of different formations to create eye-pleasing patterns while kicking up dust, and don't miss the rodeo clown! 150th Annual Silver Spurs Rodeo Schedule 2023 Silver Spurs Rodeo Parade Saturday, February 11, 2023, at 10 a.m. Kick-off Silver Spurs Rodeo weekend at the Silver Spurs Parade! The Silver Spurs Riding Club is celebrating decades of rodeo and tradition in Downtown St. Cloud, on February 11. See the 2022-2023 Miss Silver Spurs Court, along with rodeo queens from all around the country. Don’t miss the grand marshals; the 2023 Coca-Cola Cowboy & Lifetime Achievement Award honorees, along with the Big Boss, local politicians, businesses, and organizations from around Osceola County. FREE EVENT 12th Annual Monster Bulls Silver Spurs Arena – Osceola Heritage Park February 11, 2023 – 7:30 p.m. They’re fierce. They’re feisty. They’re bred to buck! Enjoy a night of just bull riding where the biggest and baddest Silver Spurs bulls will go head-to-head with local cowboys. BUY TICKETS 150th Silver Spurs Rodeo Silver Spurs Arena – Osceola Heritage Park Friday, February 17, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. One of Osceola County’s longest and most treasured traditions is the Silver Spurs Rodeo. Hosted every 3rd weekend in February, this event features all seven traditional rodeo events: bull riding, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping, and barrel racing. In between all the rodeo action, there will be an act by the rodeo clown and the famous and fast Silver Spurs Quadrille team, who perform a square dance on horseback. BUY TICKETS The Silver Spurs Rodeo History The Silver Spurs Rodeo is the largest rodeo east of the Mississippi, but the Silver Spurs Rodeo history stems from a humble gathering of Osceola County ranchers. In 1941, those pioneering ranchers gathered in Tallahassee to ride in the inaugural parade for newly elected Florida Governor Spessard Holland. Their appearance gained statewide attention and sparked the notion that they should continue to gather and enjoy their common interest of horseback riding. In May of 1941, the Silver Spurs Riding Club was formed. The club was very active and quickly grew in popularity across the state. By the end of their first year, they had hosted a small informal rodeo and performed a square dance on horseback known as Quadrille in Moultrie, Georgia. They participated in the state Kiwanis Convention in Orlando and also performed in the Orange Bowl Parade in Miami. In 1942 they performed shows for the benefit of Crippled Children, the American Red Cross and the Army-Navy Relief Show. In 1943, the club members built their first rodeo arena on land donated by Henry O. Partin. That land was located on the corner of today’s Neptune Road and Kings Highway in Kissimmee. In March of 1944, the group staged a show as their contribution to the Fourth War Loan. The admission to the rodeo was the purchase of a war bond. This was the first rodeo held in the Partin pasture and drew about 1,000 people. That initial success led to the first full dress rodeo on July 4, 1944. Then in 1949, the club acquired 15 acres on Highway 192 and started work on the Silver Spurs Rodeo Arena. The first rodeo in this new location was held July 4, 1950, and, in February of 1951, the club held its first mid-winter rodeo. From that point to today, the Silver Spurs Rodeo has been thrilling the residents of Central Florida and tens of thousands of visitors each year. In 1999, the Silver Spurs Riding Club approved the demolition of the old arena and the development of a brand new state-of-the-art indoor facility. In March of 2002, demolition began on the historic arena and construction was soon started on the new multi-purpose Silver Spurs Arena. Reopened in October 2003, the new Silver Spurs Arena boasts 8,300 seats and 12 luxury skyboxes in an indoor climate-controlled environment designed to host rodeos, sporting events, concerts, and more. For more details click here.

Perfect for a quick dessert or snack for the family or group of friends during the game, football fans can get a special deal on waffle boxes from The Dolly Llama in Winter Garden. Guests can get a 6 piece or 12 piece waffle box for 25% off February 12th! Sprinkled with powdered sugar and a side of your favorite toppings, guests can top their waffles with fruity pebbles, chocolate sauce, fresh strawberries, sprinkles and more! Guests may also pick-up ice cream pints to-go (vegan flavors included) to enjoy with their waffles during the half-time show! The Dolly LLama is located at 3279 Daniels Rd Unit106, Winter Garden.

Get ready to buckle in for a FUNdamentally exciting career at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island water park! Busch Gardens is seeking hundreds of friendly and energetic individuals to join their team with a variety of employment opportunities available now throughout Busch Gardens and Adventure Island. The parks have openings many departments including, Culinary, Festival Event Food & Beverage, Guest Arrivals, Park Operations, Merchandise, Park Area Ambassadors, Tram Drivers, Security and more. Ambassadors, receive perks including free park admission, complimentary and discounted admission tickets and passes for family and friends, discounts on food and merchandise, and tuition reimbursement. The parks are holding two hiring events, on February 17 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and February 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The hiring events will take place at Busch Garden Tampa Bay’s HR Building at 3605 E Bougainvillea Avenue. Immediate interviews will be available on the day for entry level roles. For more information about open roles and to apply, visit buschgardensjobs.com.

Get ready for all the fun of the fair, as the Florida State Fair returns to the Florida State Fairgrounds this Thursday, February 9. The much loved Florida State Fair is one of the largest events in the state, attracting more than 500,000 visitors throughout its annual run. The 2023 Florida State Fair runs from February 9 through until February 20, and boasts the largest Midway in the USA, plus shopping, food, livestock, non stop entertainment, and so much more, including racing pigs. AGRICULTURE AT THE FLORIDA STATE FAIR The Florida State Fair hosts many agricultural competitions and events, from the best of the best in youth and open livestock competitions to educational program. There’s always something to discover in the agriculture area at the Florida State Fair, competition's include: Dairy Goat Show, Llama Show, Boer Goat Show, and more. Plus it's not just sheep, goats, and llamas that you'll meet, check out the assortment of animals on display at the sho, including giraffe! ENDLESS ENTERTAINMENT AT THE FLORIDA STATE FAIR Non stop entertainment, all included with admission! This year's entertainment includes: Circus Hollywood A classic circus while providing a new, modern twist sure to the delight people of all ages! You can check out this event under the big top. Extreme Illusions & Escapes A show mixed with amazing stage illusions, and skillful escapes, audience participation and exciting music, not your everyday “magic” act! Otter Adventure This fun and interactive animal attraction will give you a warm, fuzzy feeling as you watch live Otters perform and interact with their trainers. The Flying Royals' Spectacular A crisscrossing trapeze act with spectacular non-stop aerial action! The act can change in a moment, so you don’t see the same tricks twice! Demolition Derby An action-packed event of multiple drivers competing by deliberately ramming their vehicles into one another! Hollywood Racing Pigs Come cheer for your favorite pigs as they tear up the track for the coveted winner's cookie! This show consists of an obstacle course & 2 races! Cycle Circus Live The largest FMX freestyle entertainment show. Combining the top action sports athletes, the theatrics of cycle circus, high-tech pyrotechnics & music! Wet & Wild Water Show Wet and wild thrills on Center Lake produced by Bello Nock! This show features three styles of FlyBoards, HoverBoards, Jet Levitation, and JetSurfs! Farm Yard Follies A funny and educational animal entertainment show that features goats, sheep and llamas performing with the infamous troublemaking spotted donkey! Extreme Dogs These high flying, extreme sport, wickedly talented Canine athletic super star animals capture the hearts of hundreds of thousands coast to coast! LIVE ENTERTAINMENT There is live music throughout the 12 days of the fair, and with so much happening you'll need to visit every day to catch it all! Listed here is just a selection of the live entertainment on throughout the fair. Dennis Lee Band Blending musical favorites, comedy, country music, old time Rock n' Roll, and Patriotic numbers, including God Bless the USA. Duelly Noted Duelly Noted is a sassy, one-of-a-kind, interactive dueling pianos act. They engage audiences and play your favorite hits from the 60’s to today! Cast in Bronze Cast in Bronze is a unique musical experience: five centuries of history with four tones of bronze bells. Witness the magic of carillon bells! Sarah Diamond & The Soul Miners Singer/songwriter Sarah Diamond sharing her powerful country/rock sound with an eager following throughout Tampa Bay. The Divebombers play classic American music with a focus on top level guitar playing. The group blends classic genres into a crowd pleasing show! Derek Lersch Band A passion for music, performing 35+ shows. Country music is his roots, so be sure to bring your hat and boots and get ready for a great performance! Rockland Road A powerhouse group featuring soulful vocals imbued with a pure, exuberant joy worthy of the talented blood that flows through this family’s veins. EXHIBITS AT THIS YEARS FLORIDA STATE FAIR 2023 Exhibits at this years show include: Creative Living Exhibits Stroll through Florida Center to view works of art created and submitted to the Creative Living Competitions by talented individuals from all across the state of Florida! Cracker Country Immerse yourself in the life of a 19th century Florida pioneer. Visit authentic buildings and learn about home life, trade, commerce and transportation as it was in rural Florida. Cattle Ranching Museum Experience 500 years of unique ranching traditions through personal stories, photographs, art and authentic artifacts in this exhibit presented by the Florida Cattlemen’s Foundation. Florida Fish & Wildlife Exhibit Discover some of the many ways to enjoy Florida's natural environment, such as hiking, fishing, boating, hunting and photography. Whether you’re looking for adrenaline-charged thrill, a kid-friendly twirl, or a romantic rendezvous, the Florida State Fair’s ride midway, the largest in the U.S.A, is sure to please. 12 new rides are coming to the Florida State Fair this year! The brand new Bertizzon Wave Swing is sure to be “Queen of the Midway” If inside-out, upside down foolishness is your cup of crazy, The Street Fighter 360, which is stomach- churning just to look at, will do the trick with its gravity-defying adventure ride; as will the Super Cyclone Coaster and Air Raid. Kids will be smiling with a trip on the colorful Groovy Bus, gentle Happy Swing, tyke-size Monster Trucks or the temperate Dragon Fly Coaster. For an excuse to drape your arm over your honey’s shoulder, make sure to go for a spin on the glorious Midway Sky Eye, North America's tallest traveling Ferris wheel; take a spooky journey into the dark in the Haunted Mansion, and climb aboard the Sky Ride, which provides a dreamy chairlift style tour above the glittering lights and action of the fair. This year's fair is offering an array of unique — and some might say bizarre — food offerings. Fair food this year includes a twist on a signature Florida dessert, and a dish that combines Tampa's rich history and the yearly staple that's a must for most fair-goers. THE NEW FOOD OF THE 2023 FLORIDA STATE FAIR Walking Nacho Dog If you're in the mood for a hot dog, this one features a bit of a kick, with jalapeño peppers, chips, and a cheese sauce. Mexican Street Corn Sundae Another Latin take on a typically American dish. It features french fries, but with a Southwestern flavor. The fries are topped with warm Chile con Queso cheese, sweet corn, cilantro lime crema, and topped with Cajun shrimp or sirloin steak. Fried Key Lime Pie Key lime purists might struggle with this one. The dessert that Florida helped make famous is served in a cup, along with bits of mini-doughnuts and a graham cracker crumble, and coated with buttercream frosting. If that wasn't sweet enough, throw in a white chocolate topping and whipped cream. Watermelon Sweet Tea If you need to wash down all of that key lime sweetness, try a sweet tea with a dose of watermelon juice. You can even make it an "Arnold Palmer" by adding some fresh-squeezed lemonade. Tampa Cuban Funnel Cake Sandwich It's everything that makes a Tampa Cuban sandwich famous — Spanish pork, smoked ham, Genoa salami, Swiss cheese, dill pickles, and mustard. But instead of being pressed inside Cuban bread, it's assembled with funnel cakes that are pressed and topped with doughnut glaze. Here's your interesting take on sweet and savory. Sweet Potato Apple Pie Here's another blend of sweet and savory. A baked sweet potato, topped with butter, cinnamon, sugar apples, and whipped cream. (Come to think of it, you may want to put this on your Thanksgiving dessert list). Nacho Mama The name might actually be more interesting than the dish itself. Nacho fans will appreciate the blend of homemade corn tortilla chips topped with tenderloin steak and everything else we love about nachos (including jalapeños, sauteed peppers and onions, green onions, nacho cheese, and ranch dressing). Mangonada If a sweet watermelon tea isn't your thing, perhaps a slushy mix of mangos topped with a sweet tangy syrup, lime tangy salt, and a spicy tamarind stick is more to your liking. Cookie Taco Supreme One definitely for the sweet-tooth and S'mores fans. A chocolate chip cookie serves as the taco shell and is filled with S'mores ice cream and topped with Oreos and a chocolate dip. And, of course, whipped cream. The 2023 Florida State Fair runs from February 9 through 20, you can purchase their tickets in advance on the fair's website along with select Wawa locations.

Miami based World Famous House of Mac is known for their unique spin on traditional cuisine, and now one of the best mac and cheese restaurants in Florida is finally getting ready to open in SoDo, at 2435 S Orange Ave. Owner, Derrick Turton also known as Chef Teach is known to whip up succulent delights like jerk salmon pasta, fried chicken & waffles, and his signature World Famous Mac & Cheese! The Orlando store was first announced almost a year ago, and was due to open in April/May 2022. Various problems with permits, and set backs and delays because of Hurricane Ian, delayed the opening until now, but the wait will definitely be worth it! Over the past week the store has been in soft opening, and now they are getting ready for their grand opening coming soon. We will keep you updated on when the store will be opening, hopefully not much longer!