ENTERTAINMENT
Every January, the three-day Taste of Little Italy takes place in the charming neighborhood of Tradition Square in Port St. Lucie where festival-goers embark on a cultural journey filled with authentic Italian food, music and art.
Florida is a hot spot for gambling and the Fort Pierce Jai Alai and Poker facility will please those seeking thrills. The sport of jai alai dates back 400 years. Another option is Club 52, in Melbourne’s Greyhound Park, featuring poker, live racing and a simulcast of horse and greyhound racing from across the nation. Club 52 hosts a “laugh your aces off” comedy show every Saturday night. Guests must be 21 years old to enter either establishment.
Central East Florida’s premier music and arts entertainment center is the Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts in Melbourne. Furnished with 2,016 seats, this 100,000-square-foot venue hosts musical, cultural and community events.
Port Canaveral is quickly becoming one of the most popular cruise ports in the nation. The Cove, a waterfront recreation area, has a large selection of martini and tiki bars with live entertainment. The views from the nearby Exploration Tower are stunning. Charter fishing boats and a casino ship are also available.
DeLand recently welcomed a newer sport, rugby. The Central Florida Warriors team is a member of the United States of America Rugby League (USARL). Games run June to August at the Spec Martin Municipal Stadium. The world-class Skydive DeLand facility attracts people from around the world. There are tandem jumps for nonprofessionals, where an experienced instructor uses a parachute system built for two and jumps with you. Skydive DeLand also offers an Accelerated Free Fall (AFF) course, an instructional program for beginners hoping to become skydivers.
The DAYTONA 500 attracts 40 of the world’s best drivers to compete in the biggest NASCAR event with the grandest purse. Dubbed the Great American Race, it’s the most important event on the annual racing calendar.
The Jackie Robinson Ballpark, in Daytona Beach, is home to the Daytona Tortugas baseball team, a Cincinnati Reds team affiliate.
The premier Ladies’ Professional Golf Association (LPGA) headquarters, also located in Daytona Beach, offers two fourstar courses.