As a response to the significant impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Winter Park formed an Economic Task Force in August, supported by funds approved by the Winter Park Community Redevelopment Agency, to plan initiatives that would safely promote stimulation for businesses. The task force has planned a variety of events that will allow for socially distant gatherings, safely drawing traffic to impacted businesses.
In partnership with the Enzian Theatre, the City will host Movie Night in the Park on select Thursdays starting at 7:30 p.m. free of cost at different parks. Attendees must register in advance on Eventbrite to reserve a 10’ X 10’ movie pod. Groups may include up to six people. The first evening for this event is Thursday, September 10, featuring “Three Stooges Meet Hercules,” in Central Park. Other movie nights are planned as follows:
- September 24 – Movie TBA in Martin Luther King, Jr. Park
- October 8 – “Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman” in Central Park
- October 22 – Movie TBA in Ward Park
Beginning Friday, September 11, Music in the Park events will also kick off. The Music in the Park program, planned in partnership with the Arts & Culture Alliance, will include small musical performances from local artists at Central Park and Shady Park every Friday and Saturday night this month from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Viewers can catch the following shows this weekend:
- September 11 – Don Soledad in Central Park; Teddy Henderson in Shady Park
- September 12 – Michelle Mailhot in Central Park; Winter Park Neighborhood Music Jam in Shady Park
These events provide the perfect opportunity for attendees to partake in the recently launched Curbside To-Go Initiative.
Also starting this week, Sidewalk Sales (in collaboration with Park Avenue District and the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce) will occur the second weekend of each month through December, lasting Friday through Sunday. These sales will feature popular Winter Park retailers offering discounted products.
All of the above-mentioned events will have strict guidelines in place to keep attendees and local businesses safe. City staff will be present to remind patrons to maintain social distance and encourage mask wearing when a minimum of six feet distance between parties cannot be maintained. Hand washing stations will also be available.