Get your pie face on! The 1st Annual Key Lime Pie Festival is scheduled for this Saturday, January 21 from 10a.m. to 6p.m. at the International Palms Resort in Cocoa Beach, FL.

Check out a delicious variety of dishes from some of the best restaurants in Florida, kick back and listen to live entertainment from some awesome bands, enjoy culinary demonstrations, even enter yourself into the Key Lime Pie Eating Contest and you won’t want to miss the crowning of Miss Florida Key Lime Pie either! 

The festival will feature Florida’s State Chef and Culinary Ambassador, along with an array of some of the state’s most savored and well respected restaurants. Each of which will be showcasing dishes reflecting their Chef’s unique culinary flare, utilizing an infusion and presentation of Florida’s infamous citrus favorite the “Key Lime”.

Admission as well as parking is free and pieces of art will be available for purchase on site by the general public.  The Indialantic Art Festival opens at 10:00a.m.

Indialantic, Florida is a short 5 minute drive from Melbourne International Airport. For accommodations nearby visit www.visitspacecoast.com.
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Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

The launch window has finally opened for the United Launch Alliance’s  Delta 4 rocket scheduled to blastoff from Cape Canaveral Air Station on Florida’s Space Coast. Hailed as ULA’s 57th mission, the Delta 4 rocket, which took five years to build, will deploy a U.S. military communications satellite to support battlefield troops by beaming high-data-rate, large-volume communications such as voice, video conferencing, intelligence files and weather information to troops, plus supply the bandwidth for the operation of unmanned aerial drones. 

ULA’s Delta 4 rocket is scheduled to launch tonight from Cape Canaveral at 7:38 p.m. EST (0038 GMT).

“This high-profile exciting event will once again place Palm Bay in the international spotlight,” stated Victoria Northrup, president for the Palm Bay Chamber. “Televised live into 62 countries that evening, our city, chamber and sponsors will enjoy exposure into a highly-Latino market.”

This is the second year that All Star Boxing is bringing the Telemundo/NBC broadcast event to Palm Bay. Last year the event brought in close to 1,000 attendees for eight-bout matches which surpassed all expectations.

This year in the main event, WBO Latino featherweight champion and #6 contender Orlando “El Fenomeno” Cruz (17-2-1-8 KO’s) OF San Juan, Puerto Rico, will put his ranking and title on the line against WBC Mundo Hispano Champion Alejandro “Pique” Delgado (15-5-7 KO’s) of Ciudad Neza, Mexico in a bout scheduled for 12 rounds.

“We have a commitment to the community of Palm Bay. We are bringing Las Vegas quality professional championship boxing to the community. At the same time we want to help stimulate the local economy by bringing in folks from all over the state to come and spend money at local business and stay in local hotels. Last year with just the network production crew and athletes we secured over 350 rooming nights, this excluded fans that traveled from surrounding parts of the state. We’re excited”, stated Ruben De Jesus from All Star Boxing, Inc. 

“It’s exciting to hear that the Greater Palm Bay Chamber, the Space Coast TDC, and All Star Boxing in conjunction with Telemundo will be returning again this year for a second round of boxing entertainment right here in Palm Bay, Florida,” said US Congressman Bill Posey. “I applaud their efforts to attract events such as this one which will raise our profile around the world as a premier travel destination and provide a boost to local businesses.”

The event will once again be held at the Palm Bay Community Center, 15002 Malabar Rd. in Palm Bay, Florida.  Doors open at 7:30 with the first match beginning at 8:30pm. For tickets or more information, contact the Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce at 321-951-9881.

If you’re on the Space Coast and would like to join in the celebration here’s a complete list of activities planned:

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade & Music in the Park (North Brevard) will be held at the Isaac Campbell, Sr. Community Center and Park at 701 South Street in Titusville, on January 16, at 10:30 a.m.   This year’s theme is “The Strength of a Healthy Village” and will celebrate the life of one of America’s most influential civil rights, political, and social icons.  There will be a parade, food and craft vendors, entertainment and educational exhibits. The parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. and conclude at Isaac Campbell, Sr. Park, with festivities immediately following in the park. The event is free to attend.

Martin Luther King Jr. March and Celebration (Central Brevard) begins at Provost Park on Varr Ave in Cocoa, FL and winds it way through historic downtown Cocoa Village ending in Riverfront Park.  The celebration will include vendors and presentations. The March begins at 2:00pm. Anyone in the general public looking to celebrate King’s life and contributions is allowed to walk in the March.

Bundle the family together for Downtown Historic Melbourne’s Friday Family Fest for a night of live music and activities! Hosted by Melbourne Mainstreet, this family friendly event held every 2nd Friday of the month in downtown Melbourne, Florida from 6:00-10:00pm.  Tonight’s entertainment will be provided by The Queen Bees.  Admission and parking are free.

There are several cultural entertainments being offered this weekend on Florida’s Space Coast.  Tonight The Melbourne Chamber Society will host the TRIO CON BRIO, COPENHAGEN on Friday, January 13 at the St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 2030 N. Hwy A1A, Indialantic, FL.  This award-winning young trio, founded in Vienna in 1999, have appeared in major concert halls and festivals throughout Europe and Asia as well as in North America, and received glowing reviews.

NICE JEWISH GIRLS GONE BAD returns to Melbourne’s Henegar Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, January 13 and Saturday January 14 for their final Florida tour. Seen on Comedy Central, HBO and Late Night TV and hailed by the New York Times as “outstanding” the show is a mix of comedy, music, spoken word and burlesque performers.
Friday’s shows are sold-out but you can still score a ticket for one of the two shows scheduled for Saturday.

Not to be outdone, Sister the star of LATE NITE CATCHESIM III: DEATH DO US PART will continue her/his six night run this weekend at the King Center for the Performing Arts! Expect entertaining lessons on the Sacraments of Marriage and Last Rites, including a wacky version of the Newlywed Game.   Two shows are running every day this weekend.  Visit the King Center for tickets and correct show times. 

 If you’re looking for something more serious this weekend, then you should take in the Emma Parrish’s presentation of 12 ANGRY MEN. This stage adaption of the 1954 teleplay of the same name, the  production centers around a jury made up of twelve men as they deliberate the guilt or innocence of a teenage boy on trial for stabbing his father to death.  The play opens tonight and runs through January 28.

Another play opening this weekend is The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse’s presentation of WINDY CITY.

Want to treat the kids this weekend, but not break the wallet?  Then you should gather them up and take them to “ITS GREAT  TO SKATE” on Saturday, January 14 at Space Coast Ice Plex, 720 Roy Wall Blvd. in Rockledge.  This free event, geared to kids aged 5 to 12, will involve free ice skating, prizes, refreshments and skating exhibitions from 10:00am to 12:45pm.  A guardian signature is required. 

For all those looking to keep up their New Year’s resolution of keeping healthy, you should try running in the SHIVER ME TIMBERS 5k race on Saturday, January 14 at the South Beach Community Park and Center at 500 Old Florida Trail in Melbourne.  The race begins at 8am.  For more information, call 321-952-3210

 Whatever you decide to get into this weekend on the Space Coast, there’s tons of fun to be had and much of its absolutely free! For an actual calendar of events visit www.visitspacecoast.com.

Yes, they're really that orange!

In business since 1926, Harvey Groves started out as a roadside stand, like many orange groves in Florida, but with only “a few oranges, some grapefruit and an old hand squeezer”. 

Grapefruit packed and ready to walk out the door

Over the years, Harvey Groves has grown from a only a few pieces of fruit to over 350 acres, three retail stores and a direct shipping operation that sends fruits to every corner of the globe.  

Packers reading fruit to be shipped

Just like in the past, you can still stop into their “roadside” store and hand pick your own fruit. You can watch employees grade and pack citrus that will be shipped to practically every where in the world. Or you can sample a cup of fresh-squeezed orange juice and some of the honeybell oranges straight off the tree.

The OJ was nice and cold!

If you’re on the Space Coast and want to stop in, Harvey’s Groves like many other orange growers in the area their packing house is only open during the fall and winter months.

People picking their own citrus

If you’re interested in other orange groves on Florida’s Space Coast here’s a list:

*Baxley Citrus Grove

*Bunkley’s Grove

*Golden Isle Citrus

*George Groves, Inc.

*May Groves

*Policicchio Groves

*Sullivan Victory Groves

Want to shed some of that post-Christmas cheer? Put down that new gadget you found under the tree and take a hike.

On New Year’s Day, the Florida park service will sponsor free guided hikes in nine state parks as part of America’s State Parks First Day Hikes nationwide initiative.

The closest hike is at Sebastian Inlet State Park. Starting at 8 a.m. New Year’s Day, a park ranger will lead an early morning walk along the park’s beaches to teach participants about endangered sea turtles and the importance of barrier island.

America’s state parks are promoting outdoor recreation as a way to address obesity, especially among children. They want children to spend more time outside, unplugged from video games and other electronic media.

The National Association of State Park Directors says making better connections with nature promotes physical and mental well-being and encourages creativity and stewardship of natural resources.

“Studies have proven that getting outdoors is one good way to relax and recharge the body, mind and spirit,” Phil McNelly, NASPD’s executive director, said in a prepared statement. “We hope that hiking along a trail in a state park will become part of an individual’s or family’s regular exercise routine.”

First Day Hikes originated more than 20 years ago at the Blue Hills Reservation, a state park in Massachusetts, to promote healthy lifestyles and park attendance.

“What better way to kick off the New Year than with a hike at a state park?” Ruth Coleman, president of NASPD, said in a prepared statement. “Think of it as the start of a new and healthy lifestyle for the whole family. Whether you’re staying close to home or traveling, join us at one of America’s state parks on New Year’s Day.”

To read more visit Florida Today

Every year the Space Coast goes wild over the Brevard Zoo and New Year’s Eve Twilight Spectacular Overnight. Families and friends of the Zoo are invited to ring in the New Year with the Zoo’s animal friends. Always a hoot, this five-hour event begins at 5pm and reservations are recommended. 

Several events featuring live music for all tastes and firework displays are also planned for New Year’s Eve.  New this year will be the TropStock New Year’s Eve Weekend .  This two-day festival to be held at multiple venues will feature non-stop partying in the spirit of a Hawaiian Luau and Pirate Costume party and contest and two nights of concerts featuring live music by Jimmy Parrish and the Ocean Waves Band, Homemade Wine, Jimi Pappas, Tiki Thom Starkey, Brian Roberts direct from Sloppy Joes, Key West, Captain Nick Nicholson, Beachfront Radio’s DJ Jeff Allen and Capt. Cali!

For those planning to stay over for TropStock weekend, Comfort Inn Suites Port Canaveral is offering a special rate of $89 a night in conjunction with this event.

A popular event that always draws thousands is the 23rd annual Rockin’ the Dock New Year’s Eve Party held at the iconic Cocoa Beach Pier in Cocoa Beach, Florida. 

Billed as five parties in one, each of the restaurants and bars on the Cocoa Beach Pier will host live entertainment, champagne toasts, balloon drops, confetti canons and television screens showing other great parties simultaneously occurring around the world.  Best Western Cocoa Beach is offering a Rockin’ the Dock New Year’s Eve special rate of $95 a night for a standard guest room and $139.

Not to be outdone, downtown Melbourne will be hosting a ”New Years Eve” Street party featuring one of the most well-known names in the music industry, The Nappy Roots joined by Kaleigh Baker will ring in the New Year. 

The show begins at 6pm.  Expect plenty of food vendors and activities for kids! Parking and admission are free. Both the Fairfield Inn & Suites Melbourne and Residence Inn Melbourne are offering a rate of only $99 a night and they’re only blocks away from party central!

Another free New Year’s Eve Party will be hosted by Port Canaveral.  Also slated to be a street party, expect continuous musical entertainment as all the Cove businesses from Rusty’s to Fishlips participate to celebrate 2012!  Free parking and admission. Also, shuttle rides to Country Inn & Suites if you’re planning to sleep over!  A special hotel rate of $79 a night is  being offered for the Port Canaveral New Year’s Eve Street Party by Country Inn & Suites Cape Canaveral.

If you’re looking for a quiet and private celebration on the beach, you should consider Tuckaway Shores Resort who are currently offering a $79 end of the year rate until January 1, 2012.