What's on in the Sunshine State

Florida is a big old place, and as one of the top vacation destinations in the world there is always something going on. We would try to trawl the web to find you all the interesting diary events and bring them to you in one handy list.
But why would we when the good folks at the Orlando Sentinel have done such a thorough job?
Here is their guide to what's on in Central Florida over the next month. For the full listing, check here

Feb. 26-Mar. 8: Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City. Strawberry celebration dating back to 1930. Features daily entertainment by some of music's biggest stars, and competition ranging from cook offs and strawberry shortcake eating to clogging contests. Also includes agriculture shows, livestock, a baby contest, and the Midway with more than 60 rides. At Plant City Festival Grounds. Admission. 813-752-9194. www.flstrawberryfestival.com
Mar. 7: Wing Break '09, Orlando. Sample tasty wings from 10 to 12 of Orlando's top chicken wing purveyors. Event was created to provide residents and visitors an engaging way to get outside while savoring what makes life wonderful – good wings, drinks and friends. Includes wing-eating contest, vote for people's choice on best overall wing at festival, and a variety of live entertainment and performers. At Waterford Lakes Town Center. Free admission, free parking; purchase tickets for wings. 404-841-8335. www.K92Fmwingbreak.com
Mar. 7: Kidfetti Music and Fun Fest, Ocala. This is an action-packed event of child-focused cultural activities and family-oriented interactive workshops for children of all ages as well as their parents and caregivers. It features performances by nationally recognized, youth-oriented entertainers as part of a large outdoor music and cultural festival focusing on the importance of protecting and nurturing children's mental and physical wellness. 352-291-5462. www.kidfetti.com
Mar. 7: Third Annual Red Ribbon Historic Homes Tour, Crystal River. Learn some history of Crystal River by touring historic buildings and homes in the Crystal Street and Michigan Town areas. Co-sponsored by Crystal River Heritage Council and Citrus County Chronicle. Admission. 352-563-0097 or 423-0048. http://www.visitcitrus.com/calendar_text.asp
Mar. 7: St. Cloud Life Extravaganza, St. Cloud. Many feature activities for the family to enjoy are Taste of St. Cloud, Wing Wars, Dessert Fest, Kid's Fair and more. At St. Cloud Civic Center. Admission. 407-892-3671. www.stcloudflchamber.com
Mar. 7-8: Weeki Wachee Swamp Fest, Weeki Wachee. A good, old-fashioned family fun festival presented by three community organizations. Includes swamp food, swamp costume contest, arts and crafts, entertainment, drawings and more. At Linda Pederson Park at Jenkins Creek. Donation. 352-596-3987. http://www.wwswampfest.com/
Mar. 7-8: Azalea Festival, Palatka. One of Florida's oldest festivals, enduring for 63 years and surviving WWII, floods and financial disaster. Held in the historic downtown area and Memorial Park. 386-328-1503. http://www.flazaleafest.com
Mar. 7-8: Market Fest at Water Tower Place, Celebration. Art, crafts, food. Free. 352-344-0657. www.tnteventsinc.com
Mar. 7-8: Second Annual Leesburg Fine Art Festival, Leesburg. Featuring more than 120 fine artists and craftsmen, festive food and live entertainment. Presented by Leesburg Center for the Arts. Downtown. Free. 352-365-0232. www.ffea.com/events
Mar. 7-8: Floral City Strawberry Festival, Floral City. Primary focus of the event is, of course, the celebration of strawberries - by the berry, by the flat, atop shortcake or covered in chocolate. These and more are among the many strawberry delicacies offered to tempt the palette. Each day includes continuous live entertainment, contests, children's games and activities, and more than 200 arts and craft booths. Special features include an antique car show, pony rides, rock climbing wall, pie eating contest, Strawberry Princess pageants, and continuous children's activities. At Floral Park. Admission. 352-726-2801. www.visitcitrus.com/calendar_text.asp
Mar. 10: Moonlight Carillon Concert at Bok Sanctuary, Lake Wales. Hear the famous 60-bell Singing Tower in a moonlight concert that will feature music including selections from The Sound of Music. At Historic Bok Sanctuary. Admission. 863-676-1408. www.boksanctuary.org
Mar. 13: Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, Daytona Beach. Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra returns to Daytona Beach. Performance at 7 p.m., Keith Lockhart, conductor. 386-671-3461. www.peabodyauditorium.org
Mar. 13-15: Gulf Coast Rhythm and Ribfest, Palmetto. The nation's top Rib Masters from Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Ohio and Florida will serve their award-winning specialties as they compete for this year's coveted 2009 Gulf Coast BBQ Champion award. Entertainment includes a variety of local, regional and national bands performing a mix of Country, Blues, Jazz, Pop, and Rock, and for children, the Interactive Kid Challenge Fun Zone. At Manatee County Fairgrounds. Admission. 941-746-7470. http://www.gulfcoastribfest.com/
Mar. 13-15: All-Florida Championship Rodeo, Arcadia. 81st annual. Includes Calf Scramble, Mutton Bustin', barrel racing, Shootout and more. Admission. 800-749-7633. http://www.arcadiarodeo.com
Mar. 13-22: Firefighters' Indian River County Fair, Vero Beach. Since 1980, proceeds from this event have supported Indian River County Burn Fund, high school scholarships, Fairground Improvements and other charitable activities. At county fairgrounds. Admission. 772-562-2974. http://www.firefightersfair.org
Mar. 13-22: Sarasota County Fair, Sarasota. 73rd annual, featuring exhibits, midway rides and fair food. At Sarasota County Fairgrounds. Admission. 941-365-0818. www.sarasotafair.com
Mar. 14: St. Patrick's Day Open Horseshoe Tournament, Beverly Hills. The Beverly Hills Horseshoe Club is located in central Florida just off state road 491 in the beautiful city of Beverly Hills. There are 24 clay courts on the grounds, mostly in shaded areas and open during daylight hours seven days a week for anyone who wishes to play or practice. The Club holds a full schedule of sanctioned tournaments on the second Saturday of the month,September through the end of the season in February or May. 352-746-4058. http://www.visitcitrus.com/calendar_text.asp
Mar. 14-15: Nature Coast Civil War Reenactment, Crystal River. This living history reenactment, the 12th annual, will once again be held at the Holcim Mine property seven miles north of Crystal River. Authentic costumes, modern concessions, battle reenactments both days at 2 p.m. Admission. 800-587-6667. www.crystalriverreenactment.org
Mar. 15-16: Fort Cooper Days, Inverness. Includes living history demonstrations, period arts and crafts, entertainment, food and refreshments. Second Seminole War battle reenactments that depict events taking place during the construction of the Fort will be held daily at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. At Fort Cooper State Park. Admission. 352-726-0315. http://www.floridastateparks.org/fortcooper/default.cfm
Mar. 17: St. Patrick's Day at Bok Sanctuary, Lake Wales. Enjoy special carillon music featuring lively Irish melodies during two afternoon concerts. Free with admission to Gardens. That evening there is a special authentic Irish Dinner followed by a lively evening of high-spirited music and dancing (be prepared to get pinched by a leprechaun if you forget to wear green). At Historic Bok Sanctuary. Fee charged. 863-676-1408. www.boktowergardens.org
Mar. 18-21: 57th Annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. Sebring. Each year on the third Saturday of March, Sebring International Raceway hosts thousands of race fans from around the world to witness the historic 12-hour classic. All the legends have raced at Sebring, including Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt, Dan Gurney, Stirling Moss, Juan Manuel Fangio, Phil Hill and dozens of others, driving race cars built by the world's great manufacturers such as Ferrari, Porsche, Jaguar, Audi, Ford, Maserati, Aston Martin and Nissan. Gates open on Wednesday and remain open 24 hours a day through Saturday's title race. Admission. 800-626-RACE. www.sebringraceway.com
Mar. 18-May 31: International Flower and Garden Festival, Lake Buena Vista. Spring special event filled with flowers, gardens, topiaries, live music and educational events. See millions of blooming flowers and a vibrant collection of specially themed topiaries. Meet with top horticulturists at one of the many Garden Town Programs and learn helpful gardening tips. Attend public demonstrations of advanced gardening techniques from around the world or get up-close with hundreds of colorful butterflies inside Minnie's Magnificent Butterfly Garden. Enjoy music under the stars at the Flower Power Concert Series. At Walt Disney World's EPCOT. Admission. 407-W-DISNEY. http://www.disneyworld.com/flower
Mar. 20-22: Tampa Bay Blues Festival, St. Petersburg. Each year since 1995 Tampa Bay Blues Festival has been staged at Vinoy Waterfront Park on the shores of Tampa Bay, with popular St. Petersburg Pier serving as a brilliant backdrop. The festival established itself as one of the world's preeminent blues music events, having presented more than 195 of the world's greatest blues performers. In addition to world class music, you can enjoy arts and crafts, taste treats from seafood and barbecue to Cuban cuisine, plus premium beer and wine. Admission. 727-502-5000. www.tampabaybluesfest.com
Mar. 21: Kowtown Festival, Kissimmee. Celebrate Kissimmee's birthday with a family-friendly festival that honors the city's cattle ranching heritage. Enjoy live entertainment, unique games, food and festivities. At Toho Square. Free. 407-846-4643. www.kissimmeemainstreet.com
Mar. 21-22: Palm Harbor Art and Craft Festival, Palm Harbor. Fine art and crafts, music, food. Florida Avenue downtown. Free. 352-344-0657. www.tnteventsinc.com
Mar. 26-28: International Rum Festival, Ybor City. Largest rum festival in the nation. Features dozens of world class spirits, industry experts and master distillers, authors, aficionados, master mixologists, judges and celebrities. Seminars cover a mix of history, culture, distillation, mixology, tasting techniques, culinary demonstrations and consuming news. Also includes an outdoor BBQ and a formal rum tasting dinner. 727-947-3522. http://www.polishedpalate.com/events/irf/2009/
Mar. 26-29: Sunnyland Antique and Classic Boat Society Show, Tavares. 22nd annual gathering at Lake Dora. View antique boats on land and in the water, plus amphibious cars, Jersey Speed Skiffs, antique woody cars, and antique canoes. Also live entertainment, nautical flea market, Sunnyland Ships Store, food court, beer garden, tour boats and train rides. At Wooten Park. Admission. 352-742-6338. www.acbs-sunnyland.com/show/index_show.php
Mar. 27-29: SPIFFS 2009 Folk Fair, St. Petersburg. A world celebration of food, culture and entertainment, presented for the 34th year by St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society, Inc. (SPIFFS). Ethnic villages capture the flavor of each country, and costumed villagers demonstrate crafts and prepare ethnic food specialties. Visitors eat their way around the world, moving from village to village. Folk dancing and music similarly offers outstanding performances and demonstrations. At Vinoy Park. Admission. 727-552-1896. www.spiffs.org
Mar. 27-29: Spring Car Show and Swap Meet, Daytona Beach. This popular car show and swap meet, set inside Daytona International Speedway's infield, showcases more than 3,000 collector cars and trucks. 386-255-7355. www.daytonabeachcarshows.com
Mar. 28: Family Tree Climbing at Bok Sanctuary, Lake Wales. Tackle the challenge of trying to scale one of the tall live oak trees, climbing 60-80 feet high above the ground, or just sit in the harness to study the environment, Singing Tower carillon and rolling hills of citrus. An international sport, Family Tree Climbing is led by qualified trainers and the tree is prepared by an arborist. Participants use ropes, harnesses and helmets for safety. Reservations and release forms required. At Historic Bok Sanctuary. Fee charged. 863-676-1408. www.boksanctuary.org
Mar. 28-29: Battle at Narcoossee Mill, St. Cloud. Authentic reenactment of a Civil War battle. Roam through civil war camps, watch the mounted cavalry ride back from the past, and enjoy music from the era of the Rebelaires. Educational and entertaining for all ages. Held at Ralph V. Chisholm Park in Narcoossee. Admission. 407-931-7003. http://www.jacobsummerlin.org
Mar. 28-29: Images in Art Festival, Cape Canaveral. Fine art and craft, food, music. Second annual. At Manatee Sanctuary Park. Free. 352-344-0657. . www.tnteventsinc.com
Mar. 28-29: Fourth Annual Garden Expo and "A Fair to Remember," Stuart. Annual Garden Expo with educational seminars and vendors plus Biennial Flower Show featuring exotic horticulture and award-winning design arrangements presented by The Garden Club of Stuart. At Martin County Fairgrounds. Free. 772-283-1529. http://www.gardenclubofstuart.org
Mar. 28-29: Chocolate Festival, Melbourne. Brevard's best chocolatiers, pastry chefs and restauranteurs come together with community volunteers to raise funds to support programs that improve the lives of women. Guests may sample chocolate confections, cakes and desserts, then vote to select "Brevard's Best Chocolate Fix." In addition, there are beverages, appetizers, entertainment by local musicians, and an Emerging Artist Showcase. At Front Street Park Community Center. Admission. 321-729-0755. www.zontaspacecoast.org
Mar. 28-29: Downtown Sarasota Craft Festival, Sarasota. Begun in 2002, this popular craft show takes place annually on the last Saturday and Sunday of March, with approximately 200 crafters exhibiting their wares. Downtown. Free. 941-957-1877. www.escape-to-sarasota.com/sarasota-calendar-of-events.html