2017 Megacon Orlando Preview

Advertisement Graphic courtesy by Megacon

Written by Nathan Wertheimer

Megacon is coming back to Central Florida for their annual convention. Get ready for a jammed packed day full of comics, sci-fi, anime, gaming and horror, all under one roof on May 25-29, 2017, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. It is a day packed with a whole lot of fun. Get your tickets now.

Traveling from Downtown Orlando to the Orange Convention Center (OCCC) is a quick and easy drive. Check your GPS for the best travel route. Follow the signs at the convention center. Arrive early for the best parking on property at the OCCC. Sorry, no free parking available. For overflow parking follow the signs off property to the Convention Center Satellite Parking Lot if open. Some area hotels will charge for parking on their property. For alternative transportation it is recommended to take the I-Ride Trolley, a ride sharing service, and or a taxi to and from this venue. Streets around the convention center may have traffic jams during high peak times of the day.

Some brief history about Megcon which started in Orlando in 1974 and have grown ever since then. On April 7, 2015, it was announced that MegaCon had been sold to Informa Canada Inc.. The con now operates under the auspices of Informa’s Fan Expo group, which also runs Fan Expo Canada and Dallas Comic Con. Following Megacon 2015 it was announced that for the first time Megacon will be extended to 4 days in 2016. Shortly after Megacon 2016, Megacon Tampa Bay was announced for October 28–30. This information was found at Wikipedia.com .

When arriving at the OCCC, please be aware that everyone must go through the security checkpoint. Megacon staff must approve cosplay weapons of any sort before entering the convention center floor. Ticket packages will vary. It is advised to buy your tickets on-line to avoid the long lines at the ticket counter at OCCC. Go to http://megaconorlando.com/tickets/

What to expect at this year’s convention? See celebrity guests, artists’ alley, workshops, photo opportunities, Q & A Sessions, attractions and much more. One cannot take all the action in one day. It is recommended spend 2-3 days at Megacon. Attendees and vendors are very friendly. By the end of the day attendees will be tired.

There will be many featured celebrity guests, which are Stan Lee and Tim Curry along many other guests making appearances too. Plus, there are celebrity autograph and photo booths to see your favorite celebrity. Many celebrities charge a fee for autographs and posing with them. The photo fee is usually from $10 – $100 plus. Prices will vary depending on the celebrity. Most celebrities will only take cash as a form of payment. Attendees tend to take photos with their personal cell phone camera to pose with a celebrity. If you forget to bring a glossy 8×10 photo of your favorite celebrity many of them will sell them with an autograph. Pack your patients for long lines for celebrities with huge followers.

There is so much more to see. Explore and shop in the artists’ alley. Many of these are full-time artists making a living on their creations. See these artists at work sketching away, painting, showing art demonstrations. Prices on artwork will vary depending on the artist. Many artists sell original artwork, prints, and limited edition lithographs too. Don’t be shy these artists are friendly and want to talk to the general public.

The must see attractions at this year’s convention are Back to the Future DeLorean Time Machine, Costume Contest, 1989 Tim Burton’s Batmobile, Starwars – 501^st Legion, and much more. There is just to much to list so check out the Megacon website.

To wrap up your Megacon experience one will want to see and do everything at this year’s convention. Don’t miss your opportunity of a lifetime. For more information on Megacon please visit www.megaconorlando.com . If you like this article, then like it on our Otownfun WordPress account. For more great events and places please check us out at www.otownfun.com .

Note: All written content and images are copy righted by either by the person and or company who wrote and photograph published for this article. Any questions please contact Otownfunnow@gmail.com .

Sources of information from megaconorlando.com, Wikipedia.com

2017 Main Event PBA Tour Finals in Orlando Preview

 

Advertisement courtesy from mainevent.com

Written by Nathan Wertheimer

The Professional Bowlers Association is coming back to Central Florida for a bowling tournament. This sporting event is being held at the Main Event Entertainment Center (MEEC) in Orlando on May 19 & 20, 2017. This is a huge tournament stop for Orlando. Get your tickets now.

This venue is located south of Orlando in the tourist area. It is an easy drive to get too. Check your GPS for the best travel route. The Main Event Entertainment Center is located at 9101 International Drive, Suite 1032, Orlando, FL 32819, on the Pointe Orlando property. There is plenty of parking in the Point Orlando parking garage. Parking is for a fee. This is based on the hourly or day rate. Sorry, no free parking available on this property.

The MEEC open in November 2015 has 18 high end bowling lanes with state of the art electronic scoring system, surround entertainment system that rocks, music videos on HD screens, black and ambient lighting. There is much more than just bowling. They have multi-level laser tag, full-service American Grill, bar, and much more.

The Orlando Sentinel just recently published an article about the PBA Tour coming back to town. To attend a live PBA Tour finals show in Orlando please call 407-352-3300. Spectator seating on the lanes start at $35 each ticket and go on up from there. There is general admission and VIP seats are available. Some general admission spectators will have bleacher to seating on which is on either the side of the lanes or in the back facing the lanes. The seating very limited and tickets are expected to sell-out fast for the finals. The Orlando Sentinel reported the last big tournament held in Florida since 2009 was the “King of Bowling” in Lake Wales.

The PBA Tour has just released more information about this tournament stop. There will be only a 42’type of oil pattern on the lanes for both the semifinals and finals. This tournament stop will have a round robin match-play bowling format.

The bowlers have been announced and are list at the PBA website. Who are the current top bowlers to watch for? Here is the list of top bowlers such as EJ Tackett, Anthony Simonsen, Jesper Svensson, Dom Barett, Pete Webber, Tommy Jones, Jason Belmonte, Franocis Lavoie, Walter Ray Williams Jr, and Amleto Monacelli. The first place winner will take home $30,000 along with a trophy. Just keep an eye out for one of these top bowlers to take home the PBA Tour Finals trophy. Who will win this trophy? This is up for grabs.

Every game will be taped which is a first time for the PBA. This event is tape-delayed and will air at a later date on CBS Sports on May 30, 2017 @ 9:30pm ET, June 6, 2017 @ 9:30pm ET, June 13, 2017 @ 9:30pm ET, June 20, 2017 @ 9:30pm ET, and June 27, 2017 @9:30pm. It is unknown why they are tape-delaying this event. Air times maybe subjected to change without notice. Years ago ABC sports had the live telecasts of the bowling finals every Saturday afternoons.

If you love bowling then check out this tournament. For more information go to www.pba.com/Tournaments/Details/2421 or www.mainevent.com/locations/orlando-fl . If you like this article, then like it on our Otownfun WordPress account. For more great events and places please visit us at www.otownfun.com .

Note: All written content and images are copy righted by either by the person and or company who wrote and photograph published for this article. This article may not be republished without written permission from otownfun.com. Any questions please contact Otownfunnow@gmail.com .

Source of information from the pba.com and mainevent.com, and the orlandosentinel.com

 

2017 WMMO Downtown Concert Series featuring George Thorogood with the Destroyers Band Preview

Written by Nathan Wertheimer

Orlando, FL – Come down an experience a WMMO DCS concert in person at City Commons on Orange Avenue by Orlando City Hall. This event is being held on Saturday, May 20, 2017, from 4pm -11pm. This concert is free and everyone is welcome. Rain or Shine this concert will go on.

In previous years this event has always been packed with people. Arrive early to secure your place to watch the George Thorogood and the Destoryers live and in person. What make this event great are the various food trucks and the live band on stage. These two combinations are what make it a great event in Central Florida. Parking for this event are scattered through Downtown Orlando. There are many public and private parking garages to park for a fee. Sorry, no free parking near concert location.

Who is George Thorogood and the Destroyers? Some music fans may have heard of Thorogood popular songs, which are Bad to the Bone, Madison Blues, One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer, Move It On Over, and Who Do You Love?

The sights and sound of a WMMO DCS event brings many people down together for a great Rock and Roll music. DCS opens the gates at 4pm. The main gate is located on Orange Avenue and East South Street. There is a security checkpoint to access this concert event. All bags will be searched. Law Enforcement is present during the duration of this venue. For general admission it is recommended to bring your own folding chair. One may not want to stand the whole time for the concert.

For preferred Listener / Sponsor VIPs there are more amenities that the general admission doesn’t get. For the Listener VIP ticket go on-line and purchase them ahead of time. These VIP tickets sell out fast when released. Plus, VIP attendees get close seating near the stage, private pot-a-lets, and a private cash bar.

This event is a great photo opportunity for serious amateurs and advanced photographers to capture Thorogood and the Destroyers Band. Check with event security if they allow long 70-200mm lens and or 150-500mm lens. Please note that images of the singer and the band are copy righted.

Besides the music, there are vendors and other service providers on hand selling their goods and services. These vendors are located near the front entrance of the concert area. Some of the previous vendors have been law firms, cell phone providers, a motorcycle dealer, a winery, party merchandise, and much more.

If you come hungry than don’t worry, they have you covered. There are a limited number of food trucks and other food vendors. Prices on food will vary depending on the food item. Bring cash however some vendors may take credit cards. There will be many types of foods sold Attendees have a choice from chicken, hamburgers, BBQ sandwiches, fish, and much more. For dessert one will find cupcakes, ice cream, and much more.

There are a few local bands that will open for the headliner singer and or band. Usually, the headliner comes on stage around 8:30pm. Times are subject to change without notice. Some band may be repeat acts from previous DCS events. Some of the local bands are Amp’d, AM/FM Stereo, and much more. These bands play some great rock music with some song that everybody likes and knows.

There is usually 2-3 WMMO DCS concerts a year. Check back for future rock concerts in Downtown Orlando. For more information go to www.wmmo.com . If you like this article, then like it on our Otownfun WordPress account. For more great events and places please check us out at www.otownfun.com .

Note: All written content and images are copy righted by either by the person and or company who wrote and photograph published for this article. Any questions please contact Otownfunnow@gmail.com .

 

 

 

2017 Funk Fest Tour Orlando Preview

Graphics courtesy by FunkFest Orlando

Good Music. Good People. Good Times. With classic hits by legendary artists like Frankie Beverly and Maze and the Ohio Players, to the sounds of contemporary music’s heavy hitters like Jill Scott and Outkast, Funk Fest delivers an all-star line up that has the “old school,” “new school” and everyone in between jamming all night long. For more than 20 years, the Funk Fest has attracted music enthusiasts from across the globe who enjoy partying with a purpose while celebrating the rich cultural heritage of different musical genres. Your Music Experience Will Never Be The Same. Attend this event on Saturday, April 29, 2017, at the Central Florida Fairgrounds on West Colonial Drive in Orlando. Gates open at 3pm and Showtime starts at 5pm.

This event is only a short drive from Downtown Orlando on West Colonial Drive at the Central Florida Fairgrounds. Parking is available at the Central Florida Fairgrounds. Parking is a first come first serve basis. It is recommended to car pool and use a ride sharing service. Once the parking fills up, attendees will have to make other arrangement for other parking locations. Event tailgating is at the digression of the promoter and property management.

Ticket prices, performance details and additional show information can be found on www.funkfesttour.com .  Click on “More Info” for the city you are inquiring about.  The artists are not necessarily listed in order of performance. All ticket prices listed on our web site are per seat / per person.  To purchase the entire table, enter the number of total seats for the table when making your purchase online.  Tables are assigned and are not first-come, first-served.  Assignments will be made at time of purchase and will be evident on the ticket.  Table locations depicted on the site are for illustrative purposes only and are subject to change. There are NO REFUNDS and NO EXCHANGES for ANY reason whatsoever.

Attendees will see Charlie Wilson, Fantasia, Mystikal, Joe, Da Brat, plus many more to be announced. Some artists are subject to change without notice. This is one event you won’t want to miss on this weekend. This event is only a one day concert!

Here are some of the sponsors for this event which are Star 94.5 FM, AT&T, Pepsi, Sankofa Project, MediaShrinx Multi-Media Development, Lemon Lemon Sparkling Lemonade. If your company would like to be a sponsor in the future, please contact the event promoter.

If you can’t make it to Orlando’s FunkFest than try attending another Funkfest in these cities such as Birmingham, Jacksonville, Atlanta, Mobile, Little Rock, Kansas City, Charlotte, Tallahassee, and Miami. Funkfest Tour will be expanding to new cities in the near future along with keeping the current cities too.

For more information on this event go to Orlando.funkfesttour.com . If you like this article, then like it on our Otownfun WordPress account. For more great events and places please visit us at www.otownfun.com .

Note: All written content and images are copy righted by either by the person and or company who wrote and photograph published for this article. This article may not be republished without written permission from otownfun.com. Any questions please contact Otownfunnow@gmail.com .

Source of information from Orlando.funkfesttour.com

Experience an Orlando City Soccer Game in 2017

Graphics courtesy by orlandocitysc.com

Written by Nathan Wertheimer

Orlando, FL – This year is a new season and a new home for the Orlando City and the Orlando Pride in the heart of Downtown Orlando. The Orlando City Soccer Club is one of the hottest sporting event tickets in town compared to the Orlando Magic. Read on to get a real feel of the game day experience.

With all the hype, Orlando City season tickets are hard to come by. Now there is a waiting list for season tickets for next year’s games. Single game tickets are a little easier to come by for this year. The hottest team Orlando has sells-out games almost every time. It is recommended to buy your tickets on-line for the best seating location. The club has gone paperless. Now fans must download the team app to show their ticket electronically at the gate to the stadium.

The Orlando City Stadium is a whole new experience for the fan and for the club. One cannot compare Orlando City Stadium to Camping World Stadium. These are two different places to attend sporting events. Orlando City Stadium holds 25,000 spectators, which has all natural grass surface, fans are closer to the field, covered stadium seating, cup holders at each seat, the only standing supporter section in North America, limited parking around the stadium, free WIFI inside the stadium, and much more. During half time the concourse is clogged with a sea of fans trying to use the restrooms and buy some food and drinks.

While Camping World Stadium hold 62,500 spectators, has an Astro Turf grass surface, more parking spaces surrounding the stadium. Plus, there are bigger suites, larger media area, bigger Team Locker Rooms, and larger concourse. In the future, larger soccer games will be held at Camping World Stadium as opposed to the Orlando City Stadium.

When attending an Orlando City and or Orlando Pride game. Parking maybe an issue. It is recommended to pre-plan your parking ahead of the game day. Most fans are parking at the Gieco Parking Garage, City Commons Parking Garage, Church Street Station Parking Garage, and others throughout the Downtown area. Parking fees will vary depending on the location. It is recommended to walk in groups to and from the stadium as a safety precaution. Many fans may encounter some homeless walking and begging on the streets. There is a heavy presents of law enforcement on game day.

I suggest arriving early on game day for the Fan Zone. There are various activities and vendors giving away free things. There is even food trucks row for those hungry fans to snack on down. Many people meet up with friends and family outside the stadium. Plus, there is some great entertainment to watch and listen too.

What to experience at an Orlando City game is the crowds having a great time. There is sure to be a bunch of yelling, chants, and a whole lot of noise. Don’t forget to bring your earplugs. Another thing fans will experience are the smoke bombs going off when our team makes a goal and the confetti thrown on to the field. This happens in the Supporters Section on the North side of the stadium. Most fans will tell you they have a great fan experience on game day.

After the game many fans head to Church Street Station for some post-game fun. There is many shops and restaurants. Prices on food and drinks will vary. I urge all Central Floridians that has not seen an Orlando City soccer game to come out and support our home team. This is a once is a lifetime experience. Now the team is restructuring to build a championship team for the near future. If your unable to make it for an Orlando City Team A game than try Team B. Team B has been averaging 1,000 – 3,000 fans per game. One can pick just about any seat in the house. Just remember Team B players are working hard to move up to Team A. The USL league is still an exciting game. Ticket prices for Team B are vary inexpensive.

For more information on Orlando City and their other clubs, please visit www.orlandocitysc.com . Orlando City has changed how Central Floridians enjoy a sporting event. If you like this article, then like it on our Otownfun WordPress account. For more great events and places please check us out at www.otownfun.com .

Note: All written content and images are copy righted by either by the person and or company who wrote and photograph published for this article. Any questions please contact Otownfunnow@gmail.com .

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017 28th Annual Spring Fiesta in the Park in Orlando Preview

Written by Nathan Wertheimer

Orlando, FL – It is now that time again to enjoy spring with Orlando’s bi-annual Fiesta in the Park at Lake Eola Park and Robinson Street. This event runs from April 1 & 2, 2017, from 10am – 5pm. The Fiesta in the Park Committee along with a group of volunteers and sponsors come together to help produce this annual event to support the Greater Orlando area. This event is FREE and open to all families, adults, and children.

The Fiesta in the Park Committee’s mission is to bring family and pet friendly arts and entertainment to Downtown Orlando each Spring and Fall season, while promoting local urban development in the City of Orlando and through the Orlando Community & Youth Trust.

If driving a vehicle in downtown Orlando going to this event. Parking is very limited around Lake Eola Park. There are public and private parking garages that are available for a fee. If you’re looking for free parking park, there is some in the residential area, which is a short walk to this venue. It is recommended to arrive early at the beginning of this event. Crowds tend to peak in the middle to the end of the day.

Bring your family down for a fun filled day at Lake Eola Park in Orlando. There are plenty of activities to see and do. Take in the various fine artists and crafters booths on displaying their handmade works of art. This is a juried art show and awards are given out on Sunday for the top artists. If good music is your thing than check out the WMMO radio station with local singers who will be performing live on the small stage. If you come hungry to this event, there are plenty of food vendors to choose from. Plus there are various commercial vendors selling their goods and services. Don’t miss a moment so plan a day at this year’s Spring Fiesta in the Park.

For more information go to www.fiestainthepark.com . If you like this article, then like it on our Otownfun WordPress account. For more great events and places please check us out at www.otownfun.com .

Note: All written content and images are copy righted by either by the person and or company who wrote and photograph published for this article. Any questions please contact Otownfunnow@gmail.com .

Sources of information from fiestainthepark.com

 

 

 

 

2017 Central Florida Fair in Orlando Preview

Written by Nathan Wertheimer

Orlando, FL – The Central Florida Fair is one of the largest fairs in the region. Each year there is different attractions and exhibits to see and do. It is worth a trip down to see the Central Florida Fair. Three weeks of amazing free entertainment each with week with paid admission. Plus, everyone’s favorite fair food will be there too. Don’t forget to check out the STEM and community arts programs. This fair runs from March 2 – 19, 2017. Also, the fair is closed on Mondays and Tuesday only!

The Central Florida Fairground is just a short drive on West Colonial. There is plenty of free parking available. Save up to 40% off regular price of tickets now on-line or at your local Walgreens stores. Buy now and save! There is an opening night special from 4-8pm. Just bring a canned food item for $1 Admission during this time. Regular admission after 8pm on opening night.

Here is some of the brief background into Central Florida Fair History. The Central Florida Fair was founded in 1910 by a group of community leaders who sought an outlet to celebrate the agricultural industry in Orlando and its surrounding counties. Over the years the fair has kept expanding. The average annual attendance is 250,000 people.

The first night is one of the busiest for the fair. It is recommended to arrival early to check out the rides, games, exhibits, shows, and food. Plus, on opening night ceremony there will be a ribbon cutting, and professional fireworks all at the Orlando Amphitheater on Thursday, March 2, 2017.

With everything going on at the fair one will never be bored. Rides and games are what makes a fair come alive with energy. Step out of your comfort zone and take a ride on many thrilling and fast motion rides. There are certain height restrictions on some rides. One of the star attractions is the large Farris Wheel. Take a ride and see the entire fair from above along with a great view of the surrounding area. There are even tot rides available to the small kids too.

Test your skills at the many fair games. Can you beat the game carney? Try your luck and win the game. Assorted prizes will vary depending upon the game being played. A crowd favorite is the baseball toss. Can you hit the target and dunk the perched clown? There are many more games to test your skills.

With all the fun you’ll have, there are many great food vendors available. Prices may vary depending on the food item. Here are just some of the crowd favorites, which are the Donut Bacon-Cheeseburger, Fried Oreos, Large Turkey Legs, Candy Apples, and Cotton Candy. Plus, there are a variety of foods to satisfy your appetite.

Some of the other fair features are the CANstuction Jr., Craft & Hobby Exhibits, Model Train, Central Florida Adult LEGO Club, OCPS Elementary Science Fair, STEM Exhibits, The Puzzle Art Installation & Collaborative Project, educational experiments, interactive activities, hands-on workshop with local farmers, chefs and culinary experts.

To wrap it up, one will have to check out the livestock. There many events that youths participate in such as poultry, commercial laying hens, market steers, beef breeding, market swine, equine, sheep & lamb, breeding sheep, and rabbit & cavy. Come down and cheer on these youth of today at the fair.

Some high-end music acts you will want to maker on your calendar for are Tony, Toni, Tone! on March 5, 2017, at 3pm. Another act is Bring Me The Horizon on March 8, 2017, at 7pm. And last the rock band Puddle of Mudd, on March 10, 2017, at 7pm. All entertainment is free with admission.

For the fair schedule and activities please visit www.centralfloridafair.com . All closing times are subject to change – fair management reserves the right to change closing times. Midway will stay open for 1 hour and 30 minutes after gates closed. No refunds and or exchanges, or transfers. If you like this article, then like it on our Otownfun WordPress account. For more great events and places please check us out at www.otownfun.com .

Note: All written content and images are copy righted by either by the person and or company who wrote and photograph published for this article. Any questions please contact Otownfunnow@gmail.com .

Note: All photos are courtesy by icflorida.com