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Olmsted Day Vendors, Sponsors Needed to Support Tree Planting

April 29 Event Raising Funds for Lake Wales Heritage Efforts

The historic beauty of Lake Wales and efforts to re-create it are the focus of a special event planned for Lake Wailes Park.

Area businesses, artists, and crafters are being invited to participate in Olmsted Day in the Park, an annual event celebrating Lake Wales' parks and streetscapes. Sponsors and vendors are welcome to join in the community-wide effort.

The April 29 event, hosted by Lake Wales Heritage with the participation of the City of Lake Wales, features music, food trucks, games, and children's activities, as well as a beer garden and competitions for adults, including a line-up of bands performing on the main stage.

Lake Wales Heritage is an Olmsted Conservancy engaged in planting or replanting scores of blocks of city streets with trees and flowering ornamentals to help restore the original 1930 landscapes that made Lake Wales "The Crown Jewel of the Ridge." Those landscapes, designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., were designed shortly after he completed his work at Bok Tower Gardens. Edward Bok paid for the work in an effort to include the entire city in his garden concept, making Lake Wales "a city in a garden."

According to vendor coordinator David Thurlo, commercial vendor spaces are available for $30, and may be reserved by contacting him at [email protected]. Food vendors should reach out to Ginny Castle at [email protected].

Businesses wishing to become annual program sponsors are offered a range of sponsorship levels ranging from $250 to $5,000.

Area non-for-profits, including The Nature Conservancy and Stirring Waters, will be sharing educational games and activities. Young people will have a range of activities at their disposal, ranging from a kite-building and flying contest to live animal encounters. Lake Wales Fire Department will be among those participating in a "Touch a Truck" display. Antique autos, the Florida DEP dry-land "fishing pond," and inflatable games, along with races and inflatables, will keep the kids busy, offering parents a chance to relax.

A silent auction will feature art donated by noted area artists, as well as a variety of gift baskets and "experiences" including outings and weeks in vacation destinations.

A mobile book store offering nature-related books and a plant market will also be part of the day. Free ice cream, a "Family Feud" game, and a full schedule of other activities will make for a memorable day for families.

Much more information about the event will be posted as the day draws nearer at the Heritage website.

 

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