Apopka Parks and Recreation Department

August 21, 2024 is National Senior Citizens Day. The City of Apopka’s Parks and Recreation Department is proud to host many senior activities throughout the week. At the recently renovated Fran Carlton Center seniors have the opportunity to join Chair Exercise classes, Zumba, or Social Bridge.

There are also many events throughout the year that Seniors can participate in such as the popular Senior Pet Fashion Show.

For more information about the Senior Activities we offer visit www.Apopka.gov/Seniors

On July 26, 2024 the City of Apopka’s Park and Recreation Department hosted its annual Senior Pet Fashion Show at the Fran Carlton Center. We had 18 pets participate and attendees were treated to a buffet lunch.

The winners of the fashion show were:

• First Place: Bendiga, owner Alice Harewood
• Second Place: Apopka Dog Mayor Asher, owner Christina Wilson
• Third Place: Joy, owner Windy Collins
• Fourth Place: Emili, owner Tirsa Sutton
• Fifth Place: Luna, owner Maria Hernandez

Thank you to everyone who participated and to our sponsors MetroHealth Inc., Humana, and Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming Apopka!

City of Apopka is looking for volunteer coaches for the upcoming Fall Youth Soccer season. Volunteer Coaches receive discounted registration fees and select their preferred day and time for practice.

Visit our website at www.Apopka.gov/Soccer for more information or to apply today!

Don’t forget to register for the Apopka Parks and Recreation Department’s annual Senior Pet Fashion Show! Join us for a fun-filled afternoon as adorable pets in cute costumes strut the red carpet at the Fran Carlton Center on Friday, July 26, 2024 from 11:30 AM to 1 PM. Dress up your pet and join the fashion show for free.

Lunch will be provided. Registration is required. To register your pet please call 407-703-1642. Visit our website at www.Apopka.gov/Seniors to learn more about our Senior programs.

July is National Park and Recreation Month. Since 1985, the United States has celebrated Park and Recreation Month in July to promote building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation and to recognize the more than 160,000 full-time park and recreation professionals — along with hundreds of thousands of part-time and seasonal workers and volunteers — who maintain our country’s local, state and community parks.

Celebrate with us by visiting one of the amazing parks managed by the Apopka Parks and Recreation Department. Our dedicated employees work hard to keep our parks pristine and provide enjoyable recreation programs for our residents.

Visit our website at www.Apopka.gov/ParksAndRecreation to learn more about our Parks and Recreation Department and to explore our various parks and programs.

The Apopka Parks and Recreation Department invites you to our annual Senior Pet Fashion Show. Join us for a fun-filled afternoon, as adorable pets in cute costumes strut the red carpet at the Fran Carlton Center on Friday, July 26, 2024 from 11:30 AM to 1 PM. Dress up your pet and join the fashion show for free.

Pot Luck Lunch will be provided. Registration is required. To register your pet please call 407-703-1642. Visit our website at www.Apopka.gov/Seniors to learn more about our Senior programs.

The City of Apopka Parks and Recreation Department is excited to announce the addition of two new Fall Adult Sports Programs, Co-Ed Softball and Kickball. Come spend your Fall evenings at our Northwest Recreation Complex where you and your team will enjoy a fun-filled ten-week season while bringing back memories of your playground softball or kickball games.

We hope to see you on the field real soon! Registration ends July 15, 2024, so visit our website at www.Apopka.gov/AdultSports to learn more and to register today.

The City of Apopka Recreation Department is excited to announce that registration for the Fall 2024 Youth Soccer Season is now open. The league is for children of all skill levels, ages 4 to 13. Children must be 4 prior to August 1, 2024 and may not turn 14 prior to August 1, 2024.

• Cost is $110 per child for Apopka residents, and $140 for non-residents.
• All practices and games take place at the Northwest Recreation Complex.
• Practices are scheduled to begin the week of Monday, September 9, 2024.
• Games are scheduled to begin on Friday, September 27, 2024 and conclude on Saturday, November 16, 2024.

Visit our Youth Soccer page at www.Apopka.gov/Soccer for more information and to register today! Registration ends August 12, 2024.

National Lightning Safety Awareness Week is June 23 through 29, 2024. Did you know the best way to minimize your risk of being struck by lightning is to stay informed and plan ahead? Apopka Parks and Recreation uses Earth Networks Total Lightning Detection System to alert our participants and park patrons of any lightning in the area. To see active alerts and updates visit our lightning page at www.Apopka.gov/Lightning

These systems are located at Alonzo Williams Park, Apopka Athletic Complex, Apopka Camp Wewa, Fran Carlton Center, and Northwest Recreation Complex (Apopka Amphitheater).

We are monitoring the weather for today’s Saturday Sounds at the Apopka Amphitheater. Concert is still a go at this time. Sending positive thoughts for skies to clear by 5!

Happening now! Join us at Alonzo Williams Park until 1 PM for Apopka's Emancipation Day Celebration. Visit our website at www.Apopka.gov/EmancipationDay for complete event details.

Today April 26, 2024 is National Audubon Day and tomorrow April 27, 2024 is National Go Birding Day.

At the March 20, 2024 Apopka City Council Meeting the Council approved the authorization of the Apopka Birding Park Ground Lease to the Orange Audubon Society. This long-term lease will allow the Orange Audubon Society to invest significant funds in the property to develop a nature-based education facility, conduct native plantings, and maintain the existing native plant species already located on the property. This property sits alongside the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive and will be a great addition to an already popular birding area.

So, to celebrate both National Audubon Day and National Go Birding Day consider visiting the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. See how many of the more than 500 species of birds that call Florida home you can spot!

To learn more about the Orange Audubon Society and how you can get involved visit their Orange Audubon Society page.

We can't wait to see everyone this weekend at the Apopka Art and Foliage Festival. Full event details below!

🌟🎉 Get ready, because the festival is almost here! 🎨🌿 Join us on April 27th & 28th for two days of excitement, creativity, and fun at the Apopka Art & Foliage Festival! 🌸✨

🎶 Enjoy live music that will have you dancing all day long.
🍔 Indulge in delicious food from local vendors, sure to satisfy every craving.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Fun for the entire family with activities, entertainment, and, of course, amazing art & foliage!

Best of all? Entry is FREE! So bring your friends, bring your family, and come celebrate with us at the Apopka Art & Foliage Festival. 🎉🌿 See you there!

There’s still time to join us at our 17th Annual Health & Fitness Fest featuring Vegan Food Popups at Kit Land Nelson Park, now until 4 PM.

Jump into Spring with a rejuvenated and healthy lifestyle. Enjoy sampling delicious healthy foods and learning more about fitness and health by visiting one of our many vendors. Also don’t forget to stop by our Apopka Parks and Recreation tent for a FREE healthy snack and to learn more about what programs we have to offer!

For information about this event visit our website at www.Apopka.gov/HealthFitnessFest

Don’t forget to join us TOMORROW, April 6, 2024, from 10 AM to 4 PM at our 17th Annual Health & Fitness Fest featuring Vegan Food Popups at Kit Land Nelson Park.

There will be Free Health Screenings, Cooking Demos, Exercise & Safety Demos, Prize Drawings, Refreshments and more!

Visit our website www.Apopka.gov/HealthFitnessFest to learn more about this free event.

Apopka Parks and Recreation is proud to offer a co-ed, indoor Summer Youth Basketball League at Wolf Lake Middle School (1725 W Ponkan Rd, Apopka, FL 32712) for ages 6 to 14. Practices start on May 28, 2024 with games starting on June 8, 2024.

Registration is now open and will run until May 13, 2024 or until all spots are filled. Visit our website at www.Apopka.gov/YouthBasketball to learn more and to register today!