Fall is upon us and the city is gearing up for the spookiest month of the year, but let’s not forget about all the fun that we just finished experiencing in September! Here are the highlights, just in case you missed it!
All month long, Orlando satisfied cravings for haute cuisine at an even hotter price during Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month! For a limited time, more than 100 of Central Florida’s top restaurants featured three-course, prix fixe dinner menus for just $35, with $1 from each meal donated to Best Buddies and Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida. The popular culinary celebration pleased both diner’s palates and wallets across the city.
The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival returned to Walt Disney World Resort this fall with 75 days of culinary demonstrations, beverage seminars, grand tasting events and, of course, a veritable cornucopia of wonderful food and tasty beverages. This year’s festival will continue its tradition of fine dining events, appearances by top celebrity chefs, and a slate of “Eat to the Beat” concerts all the way up till November 12th so don’t miss out on the food and fun!
Rock the Universe is two nights of powerful music from Christian Rock’s brightest stars at Universal Studios Florida. This year’s event returned to the park from September 7th-8th and featured award-winning artists including Casting Crowns, Jesus Culture, TobyMac, and For King & Country. Guests also enjoyed a candle lighting ceremony on Saturday and the FanZone featuring more live performances and electronic dance music spun by Sarah Reeves and DJ PROMOTE.
The Florida SMASH Beer Festival was created to celebrate the creativity and camaraderie of the brewers in the Sunshine State and to provide an opportunity to give back to the community. On September 8th, participating breweries presented a beer concocted from the same single malt and single hop. This limitation forced brewers to think outside the box and focus on outstanding technique. With roughly 80 beers to sample including one-offs from every brewery involved, there was something to please everyone! Held at Reiter Park, proceeds from the delicious event went to the benefit of the Sharing Center.
Lakeridge Winery debuted an all new event on September 8th and I think it’s safe to say Orlando is looking forward to this becoming an annual tradition! The Lakeridge Winery Wine & Cheese Festival featured all the Lakeridge festival standards including live music, Lakeridge wine by the glass, beer, soft drinks, and a variety of food is available for purchase. Guests also enjoyed a special complimentary wine tasting including samples of cheese paired with some of their best selling wines.
No one knows how to party like the leading luxury lifestyle publication in Orlando, but we gave the city a good reminder on September 5th at our September Issue Unveiling Party! Held at the renowned club at Bella Collina, VIP guests were dressed to the nines in gorgeous cocktail attire as they enjoyed delectable bites, complimentary cocktails, luxury watch & handbag vendors, gift bags, an exotic vehicle display, event photographers and more. It was a beautiful evening of celebration with many of the city’s top lawyers featured in our legal elite spotlight.
With the return of Praise Wave Music Festival on September 15th and 22nd, guests celebrated Christian fellowship and fun at SeaWorld Orlando. Uplifting, live concerts from the hottest names in Christian music lit up the stage at Nautilus Theater at 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. In between musical performances by such famed artists as include Michael W. Smith and Newsboys, guests also enjoyed SeaWorld’s thrilling rides, shows, and attractions.
Established in 2003, the Global Peace Film Festival uses the power of the moving image to further the cause of peace on earth. This year’s event was held at the Enzian Theater from September 18th-23rd and featured a festival program carefully curated to create a place for open dialogue, using the films as catalysts for change. This year’s festival theme reflected “Life In Motion” and featured a portrait of Sarah Kamsin, a daughter and granddaughter of Sudanese immigrants.
On September 29th, runners across the city got to experience the excitement of Lake Nona with the Run Nona 5K, an Orlando gem that brings the party! The race ends at a action-packed block party filled with trendy food trucks and fabulous music at the Lake Nona Town Center. The Nemours Kids’ Run and Zone occupied the littlest runners with engaging activities as the adults parties and celebrated their accomplishments. This year Run Nona is celebrating 11 years!
