THE 2008 Calendar of Events

2008
Calendar
Of
Events
Thank you to all of our sponsors!
For more information on other events, please visit
www.centralfloridasports.com
Central Florida’s Polk County
Who We Are and What We Do
Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing (PCTSM) is an initiative of the Polk County Board of County Commissioners
and the Polk County Tourist Development Council, which markets Central Florida’s Polk County as a venue for competitive
and recreational sports, recruits sporting events to the county, runs select events and helps local groups plan, execute and
grow sporting events. Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing’s primary objective is to increase overnight stays in Polk
County accommodations and enhance the county’s economic climate. Simply put, we “put heads in beds and make cash registers ring” in Polk County.
The organization began in 1992 under the Central Florida Development Council. Since that time, sports and special events in
Polk County has been big business. Over the past 14 years, through the efforts of the staff of Polk County Tourism and
Sports Marketing, nearly $800 million has been pumped into the Polk County economy, largely to hotels and restaurants.
It is the mission of Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing to promote tourism and economic development through
sports and special events. Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing focuses on developing new events, recruiting sports
activities, assisting existing sports and special events, and marketing recreation and leisure activities in Polk County.
Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing is the only organization in the state to earn both the Sports Organization of the
Year award from the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and the Florida Sports Foundation’s Sports Commission of the
Year Award. Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing has also been recognized as the Sports Organization of the Year
by both the Independent Softball Association (ISA) and Youth Basketball of America (YBOA).
Because of our rich sports heritage, which includes hosting the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers for spring training, Polk
County is recognized nationally as a leader in the field. In addition USA Water Ski, a United States Olympic Committee Governing Body, the LPGA Futures Golf Tour Headquarters, and the Independent Softball Association are all based in Polk
County.
In addition to a world-class sports environment, Polk County offers a variety of sports friendly, affordable accommodations
and restaurants that provide an ideal place to hold any sporting activity. When not involved in athletic activities, Polk
County’s tourist, cultural and historical attractions offer athletes and spectators the finest recreation and entertainment.
JANUARY
DATE
EVENT
SPORT
LOCATION
1/4—1/6
Basketball New Years Classic
Basketball
Winter Haven
1/4—1/6
ISA Winter Nationals
Softball
Polk County
1/11—1/13
ISA Winter Nationals 8-14 A&B
Softball
Polk County
1/18—1/20
ISA Winter Nationals
Softball
Polk County
1/25—1/27
ISA Winter Nationals
Softball
Polk County
1/26
American Bass Anglers Fishing Tournament
Fishing
Lake Wales
FEBRUARY
DATE
EVENT
SPORT
LOCATION
2/1—2/3
AAU Baseball
Baseball
Polk County
2/1—2/2
Gambler Lures Team Tournament
Fishing
Lake Wales
2/4
Polk Community College Golf Tournament
Golf
Lakeland
2/8—2/10
ISA Winter Nationals
Softball
Polk County
2/8—2/10
AAU Baseball
Baseball
Polk County
2/9—2/10
Smoke on the Water BBQ Competition
BBQ Cook-off Winter Haven
2/14—2/16
FHSAA Wrestling Championships
Wrestling
Lakeland
2/15—2/17
Senior Softball Tournament of Champions
Softball
Polk County
2/17—2/18
Lake Wales Mardi Gras
Festival
Lake Wales
2/20—2/23
FHSAA Girls Basketball Championships
Basketball
Lakeland
2/23—2/24
Central Florida Winter Open
Table Tennis
Lakeland
FEBRUARY
DATE
EVENT
SPORT
LOCATION
2/25
Major League Scramble
Golf
Lakeland
2/27—3/1
FHSAA Boys Basketball Championships
Basketball
Lakeland
TBD
Matlock Classic
Golf
Lakeland
TBD
Lady Moc’s Golf Classic
Golf
Polk County
MARCH
DATE
EVENT
SPORT
LOCATION
3/1—3/2
Orange Cup Regatta
Boating
Lakeland
3/5—3/9
Florida Jets
Aero
Lakeland
3/7—3/9
AAU Baseball
Baseball
Polk County
3/7—3/9
Duramed Futures Lakeland Classic
Golf
Lakeland
3/7—3/9
Softball Spring Invitational
Softball
Winter Haven
3/8
11th Annual Fire Shootout Classic
Basketball
Polk County
3/13—3/14
FCAA State Playoffs
Basketball
Haines City
3/13—3/16
Bassmaster Elite Series Fishing Tournament
Fishing
Lake Wales
3/15
ISA Adult Adidas Classic
Softball
Polk County
3/15
ISA Adult March Madness
Softball
Polk County
3/15—3/16
Lakeland VW Classic
Auto
Lakeland
3/22
ISA Diamondplex Classic
Softball
Polk County
3/27—3/30
FFF Fly Fishing Show and Florida Conclave
Fishing
Lakeland
MARCH
DATE
EVENT
SPORT
LOCATION
3/29—3/30
37th Annual Lake Wales Art Show
Festival
Lake Wales
3/29—3/30
ISA Triple Crown
Softball
Polk County
3/29—3/30
Junior Golf Invitational
Golf
Lakeland
3/29—3/30
Bartow’s Bloomin’ Arts Festival
Festival
Bartow
3/30
Intimidator Classic I
Softball
Polk County
3/30
Intimidator Classic II
Softball
Polk County
TBD
WIU Invitational
Track
Polk County
TBD
WIU Spring Break Baseball Series
Baseball
Polk County
TBD
WIU Grenelefe Spring Intercollegiate Tournament Golf
Haines City
APRIL
DATE
EVENT
SPORT
LOCATION
4/4—4/6
Race for the Kids
Boat Race
Lake Wales
4/5
Florida State Solo Championship
Twirling
Winter Haven
4/6—4/7
ISA 30th Annual Umpire Classic
Softball
Polk County
4/6—4/7
ISA Class D National Invitational Tournament
Softball
Polk County
4/8
6th Annual Lady Fire Shootout Classic
Basketball
Polk County
4/8—4/13
Sun N’ Fun
Aero
Lakeland
4/11—4/13
AAU Baseball
Baseball
Polk County
4/12—4/13
ISA Youth Twilight Spring Fling
Softball
Polk County
4/18—4/20
Winter Haven Stingrays Long Course Meet
Swimming
Winter Haven
4/18—4/20
FSGA FJT Junior Golf Tour
Golf
Lake Wales
4/18—4/20
AAU Baseball
Baseball
Polk County
4/19
ISA Softball Magazine Co-Ed Series
Softball
Polk County
APRIL
DATE
EVENT
SPORT
LOCATION
4/20
ISA Intimidator III
Softball
Polk County
4/22—4/27
Top Gun
Aero
Lakeland
4/22—4/27
Senior Softball Spring Nationals
Softball
Polk County
MAY
DATE
EVENT
SPORT
LOCATION
5/2—5/4
AAU Baseball
Baseball
Polk County
5/3
ISA R&D May Madness
Softball
Polk County
5/3—5/4
Central Florida Spring Open
Table Tennis
Lakeland
5/10—5/11
Mayfaire by the Lake
Festival
Lakeland
5/10—5/11
ISA 9th Annual Sunshine Shootout
Softball
Polk County
5/12—5/13
Arts and Athletes Festival
Multiple
Polk County
5/17—5/18
ISA Youth Summer Slam
Softball
Polk County
5/25—5/26
Let it Fly National Championships
Flag Football
Lakeland
5/23—5/25
AAU Baseball
Baseball
Polk County
5/23—5/25
Florida State Square Dance Convention
Dancing
Lakeland
5/24—5/26
Memorial Day Challenge
Baseball
Winter Haven
5/27—5/29
Lake Region Memorial Baseball Tour
Baseball
Winter Haven
5/30—6/1
AAU Baseball
Baseball
Polk County
5/31
American Bass Anglers Fishing Tournament
Fishing
Lake Wales
JUNE
DATE
EVENT
SPORT
LOCATION
5/30—6/1
AAU Baseball
Baseball
Polk County
6/8
Florida State Tournament USSSA
Basketball
Polk County
6/6—6/7
ISA Youth Tournament of Champions
Softball
Polk County
6/6—6/7
ISA D National Invitational
Softball
Polk County
6/6—6/7
Sunshine State Games
Multiple
Polk County
6/12—6/19
YBOA Puerto Rico Invitational
Basketball
Polk County
6/13—6/15
Sunshine State Games
Multiple
Polk County
6/13—6/15
John Marotti Invitational
Baseball
Winter Haven
6/14
Florida ISA Specialty State
Softball
Polk County
6/14—6/15
ISA Youth Central Florida District
Softball
Polk County
JUNE
DATE
EVENT
SPORT
LOCATION
6/15—6/17
Father’s Day Rod Run
Auto
Polk County
6/17
All Sports Awards
Multiple
Lakeland
6/20—6/22
Florida Cup
Baseball
Winter Haven
6/20—6/22
ISA Youth B State Championship
Softball
Polk County
6/27—6/29
ISA Youth A State Championship
Softball
Polk County
6/28—7/5
YBOA Girls 13u,15u, Boys 9, 11, 14, 15
Basketball
Polk County
6/31—7/4
Florida Theatre Conference Festival
Festival
Lakeland
JULY
DATE
EVENT
SPORT
LOCATION
6/28—7/5
YBOA Girls 13u,15u, Boys 9, 11, 14, 15
Basketball
Polk County
6/31—7/4
Florida Theatre Conference Festival
Festival
Lakeland
7/1—7/3
Lake Region Firecracker Baseball
Baseball
Winter Haven
7/6—7/10
YBOA Girls 16u, 18u, Boys 16u, 17u
Basketball
Polk County
7/7—7/10
WABA World Woodbat World Series
Baseball
Winter Haven
7/12—7/13
2008 Florida State Water Ski Championships
Water Ski
Mulberry
7/12—7/19
YBOA Girls 9, 10, 11, 12, 14
Basketball
Polk County
7/17—7/19
US Chung Do Kwan National Championship
Tae Kwon Do Lakeland
7/19—20
Hoop It Up
Basketball
Lakeland
7/19—7/20
WABA Summer Citrus Bash
Baseball
Winter Haven
7/26
IDC International Distance Triathlon
Triathlon
Polk County
7/26—7/30
WABA International World Championship
Baseball
Winter Haven
7/26—8/2
YBOA Boys 8u, 10u, 12u, 13u
Basketball
Polk County
AUGUST
DATE
EVENT
SPORT
LOCATION
7/26—8/2
YBOA Boys 8u, 10u, 12u, 13u
Basketball
Polk County
8/2—8/3
Kick it 3v3
Soccor
Lakeland
8/16—8/17
Central Florida Summer Open
Table Tennis
Lakeland
8/22—8/24
ISA Adult Nationals
Softball
Polk County
SEPTEMBER
DATE
EVENT
SPORT
LOCATION
9/5—9/6
AAU First Pitch Classic
Baseball
Winter Haven
9/15—10/6
FSC Water Ski Tournaments
Water Ski
Lakeland
9/20—9/21
American Bass Anglers Regional Tournament
Fishing
Lake Wales
9/26—9/28
Winter Haven Stingrays Short Course Meet
Swimming
Winter Haven
9/26—9/28
WABA Full Twin Classic
Baseball
Winter Haven
OCTOBER
DATE
10/4—10/5
EVENT
Publix Family Fitness Weekend
SPORT
LOCATION
Multiple
Winter Haven
10/17—10/19 Lake Mirror Classic
Auto
Lakeland
10/18—10/19 WABA Scout Team Showcase
Baseball
Winter Haven
10/21
Water Skiing
Polk City
10/23—10/25 2007 Pioneer Days Festival
Festival
Lake Wales
10/26
Water Skiing
Polk City
10/26—10/27 NCCAA II Women’s Regional Tournament
Soccer
Lakeland
10/26—10/28 NCCAA II South Region 2007
Volleyball
Lakeland
10/26—10/28 Central Fla. Fall Open Table Tennis Tournament
Table Tennis
Lakeland
10/26—10/28 WABA JUCO/Woodbat Fall Nationals
Baseball
Lakeland
10/26-10/28
Baseball
Winter Haven
NSL Pro-Am Championships
Gator Fall
AAU Baseball Tournament
OCTOBER
DATE
EVENT
SPORT
LOCATION
10/27
Auburndale Halloween 8th Annual Iron Man C, D Softball
Polk County
10/27
ISA 8th Annual Halloween Iron Man
Softball
Auburndale
10/29—10/31 FHSAA Golf State Championships
Golf
Polk County
10/31—11/2 FCCAA Volleyball State Championships
Volleyball
Winter Haven
10/31—11/2 WABA JUCO All-Star/Fall Woodbat
Baseball
Winter Haven
TBD
20th Annual Blairfoot Bonanza
Water Skiing
Winter Haven
TBD
Mocs Soccer Invitational
Soccer
Polk County
NOVEMBER
DATE
EVENT
SPORT
LOCATION
10/31—11/2 FCCAA Volleyball State Championships
Volleyball
Winter Haven
10/31—11/2 WABA JUCO All-Star/Fall Woodbat
Baseball
Winter Haven
11/7—11/9
Baseball
Winter Haven
11/16—11/16 Josh Giles Tip-off
Basketball
Winter Haven
11/23—1/1
Christmas at Pinewood
Festival
Lake Wales
TBD
Roar n’ Soar
Multiple
Polk City
TDB
AAU Baseball Full Classic
Baseball
Polk County
WABA High School Team Showcase
DECEMBER
DATE
EVENT
SPORT
LOCATION
11/23—1/1
Christmas at Pinewood
Festival
Lake Wales
TBD
Sunshine Open
Wrestling
Lakeland
Thank you to all of our sponsors!
For more information on other events, please visit
www.centralfloridasports.com