Erika Spence: Business in the Park

All things fall

The calendar and weather forecasters have all proclaimed the arrival for fall. Here at the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, we say, “Bring on the pumpkin spice!” We’re gearing up for the season with pink flamingos, Florida artists and high heels.

The Pink Out flamingos are back! The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce is proud to support the Florida Hospital for Women Mammography Scholarship Fund with the sale of pink flamingos at the Winter Park Welcome Center ($10). Learn more about the campaign and upcoming events at pinkout.com or #JoinTheFlock on social media.

Art in the Park

As the city of arts and culture, we have two activities for you this fall. First up is the Art Festival Kick Off on Oct. 6, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The evening is co-hosted by WUCF-FM and Mead Botanical Garden and will feature live jazz by Larry McRae & Friends, with featured vocalist, Olyvya Kelly. Enjoy food by Bulla Gastrobar and drinks by Rogue Pub – plus plenty of networking with friends and 15 local artists!

The 42rd annual Winter Park Autumn Art Festival presented by Florida Distributing Co. and Subaru will be held Oct. 8 and 9 in Central Park and along Park Avenue. The festival is known as the only juried fine art festival to feature Florida artists exclusively. This year’s festival features 186 Florida artists in 10 different categories. In addition, enjoy live entertainment on the Central Park Main Stage, children’s art workshops led by Crealdé School of Art instructors, a beer garden and sidewalk sale at local merchants. Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days and admission is free. Plan your weekend at autumnartfestival.org.

Localize your ballot

While the names at the top of the ticket continue to get the lion share of media attention, it’s important to understand how state and local initiatives may impact our community this election cycle. Orange County Supervisor of Elections Bill Cowles will speak at Good Morning Winter Park on Friday, Oct. 14, on “25 Days to Election Day: Are Your Ready?” He will discuss three ways to vote, candidates and amendments on the ballot and key deadlines to know this season. The supervisor’s office will also be on site to collect vote-by-mail ballots that morning. Coffee and networking begins at 8 a.m., followed by the program at 8:30 a.m.

Fashionable fall

Coco Chanel is famously quoted as saying, “Everyday is a fashion show and the world is your runway.” That statement couldn’t be truer than on Park Avenue. This year the merchants are launching Harriett’s Fashion on the Avenue, a five-day celebration of our local fashion and design community. From Nov. 1 to 5, downtown Winter Park will host over 50 fashionable events, including designer meet-and-greets, sample sales, VIP parties as more. Learn more about the schedule of events, including Fashion Night Out and Fashion at the Alfond (both Nov. 5) at winterpark.org.

Erika Spence is the senior director of marketing and communications at the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce.