CONTACT: Brian Ososky, Director of Marketing and Public Relations 863-734-1210; [email protected]

Oct. 30, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bok Tower Gardens and Citrus Hall of Fame present second annual Florida Citrus Celebration Nov. 7-8

Sponsored by Visit , Duke Energy, and Florida’s Natural Growers

LAKE WALES, Fla.— Bok Tower Gardens partners with the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame to present an inside look into Florida’s citrus industry through a variety of fun, free programs. Special tours, films and activities take place throughout the Nov. 7-8 weekend, and everything is included with regular Gardens admission. Rates are $12 for adults and $3 for ages 5-12. Members and children under five are admitted free.

The Gardens’ educational staff will present daytime talks on juicing and cooking with citrus. Florida Citrus Hall of Fame president, John Jackson, leads tours of on-site citrus groves and answers questions about the business of growing Florida’s number one agricultural commodity.

Visitors will have the opportunity to meet the current Miss Florida Citrus, Summer Foley, as well as previous crown-holders who represented the industry throughout the years.

“We’ve begun placing a bigger emphasis on healthy eating and offering events that support that discipline,” said Jennifer Beam, Director of Visitor Services and Programs at the Gardens. “Our partnership with the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame fits perfectly, especially since Polk County is at the heart of Florida’s citrus industry. I think the most impactful activity that visitors can participate in this weekend is a grove tour with John Jackson, whose experience and perspective will really bring the citrus story to life,” Beam said.

Other weekend activities include a Citrus Crate Label Show & Sale, free juice samples from Florida’s Natural Growers, and photo ops with a life-sized cutout of Captain Citrus, the newest comic hero of the Florida Department of Citrus. Visitors will also enjoy Blair Updike’s “Gardens & Groves” art exhibition (thru Jan. 14, 2016) and a documentary film showing the pictorial history of the citrus industry entitled “Barrels to Bins.” -more-

Florida Citrus Celebration at Bok Tower Gardens Nov. 7-8 page 2 of 2

Children ages 2 to 5, accompanied by a caregiver, can participate in the Gardens’ new “Storytime” book reading series at 10 a.m. on Saturday, featuring Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey. After the story, kids will engage in a hands-on activity or go on a short sensory walk in the Gardens.

Gardens carillonneur Geert D’hollander performs live concerts on the 60-bell Singing Tower at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. both days. And for something completely different, there will be an ‘Eat a Florida Orange’ flash mob with group selfie (#CitrusSelfie) taking place both days at 12 noon inside the Gardens’ Visitor Center.

The second annual Florida Citrus Celebration is sponsored in part by Visit Central Florida, Duke Energy, Florida’s Natural Growers, and the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.

For a complete schedule of activities and more information, visit boktowergardens.org/citrus.

-30-

About Bok Tower Gardens: Voted Florida’s best garden, Bok Tower Gardens is a National Historic Landmark located 10 miles from , 55 miles southwest of Orlando and 60 miles east of Tampa near Lake Wales in Central Florida’s rolling hills of citrus. Open every day of the year from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., last admission is 5 p.m. The Visitor Center, Café and Gift Shop are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults and $3 for ages 5-12. Members and children under 5 are admitted free. LEGOLAND ticket holders will receive free admission for children under 12. For more information contact Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales FL 33853; 863-676-1408 or visit www.boktowergardens.org.