The City of Lake Wales has two nicknames, the Caladium Capital of the World and the Town of Murals…read more The second nickname came from the Lake Placid Mural Society. Bob and Harriet Porter got the idea for the Lake Placid murals in the early 1990's during an motorcycle trip to Alaska. The couple made a chance stop in Chemainus, Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Inspired by the towns collection of mural they decided to try and create murals on the buildings in Lake Placid to draw tourists to the town to revitalize the economic downturn. The couple founded the Lake Placid Mural Society in 1992. Since its inception, the society has placed 142 pieces of artwork in town, including over 33,000 sq. ft. of murals. The murals have increased tourism which has had a positive economic impact on the town. Many of the murals depict important people and events throughout the history of the town. Others depict the flora and fauna of Florida. Some of my favorites are Stuck in Time and Town of Murals How it all Began by Keith Goodson, Lost Bear Cub by Terry Smith, and Train Depot by Dan and Peter Sawatzky.

There are more than 40 murals throughout Lake Placid, which has caused Lake Placid to now be known…read moreas the "Town of Murals." It's managed from here, founded in 1992, when residents Bob and Harriet Porter founded the Mural Society. More like an open air painting gallery, the murals are on external walls throughout the town. The requirements are that they tell a story about the local culture or the history or agriculture or the notable figures from the city. If you can find them all, great. If not, just wander about and you'll spot them here and there. Worth it. [Review 449 of 2025 - 2092 in Florida - 24011 overall]

The older lady who helped us was very, very nice! They have an entire room dedicated to the…read moredifferent murals around Lake Placid. At the same time, they have no other information on the other arts of Lake Placid -- nothing about the paintings of birds on plaques by Jayne Ford, nor the ceramic tiles with caladium leaves, nor any info on who is creating the painted trash cans. Neither could they get us on their WiFi network for us to research these things on our own. There is room for improvement, but they are definitely doing a great job here.

Lake Placid is known as the Caladium Capital of the World. Ninety-eight percent of the world's…read morecaladium bulbs are grown in Lake Placid. Although native to South America, caladiums are popular house plants that are easily propagated from tubers, or bulbs. Ninety-eight percent of the world's tubers are grown in Lake Placid on fourteen caladium farms. To celebrate the importance of caladiums to the Lake Placid economy, an annual festival is held late July. This year was the 34th annual Caladium Festival. I always wanted to attend so I am happy I made it happen this year. It was worth the drive to take part in this charming celebration. The festival is held over three days, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. A car show is held in nearby Devane Park on Saturday. The main events of the Caladium Festival take place in Stuart Park. There is plenty of free parking in a field next to the park. In Stuart Park you will find artisan tents, food, live entertainment, and of course caladiums for sale along with other kinds of plants. Do not miss the Elk tent for their popular strawberry shortcake ice cream dessert. For only $6 it benefits their children's charity. The Masonic Lodge sells fried catfish and the Knights of Columbus make pulled pork. There are other tents and trucks selling every kind of food you can imagine not to mention all of the nearby cafe's, restaurants, and coffee and ice cream shops which will also have food and drinks for sale. A highlight of the festival is shopping for caladiums at the numerous tents in Stuart Park. Before this festival I really never gave much thought to caladiums but I was impressed with how pretty they are and how many different shades of pink and red they came in. They make attractive and hardy house plants and ground cover for the garden. Other items I saw for sale included tropical wine, local honey, clothes, accessories, jewelry, and art. Almost of all of the area businesses were also selling caladium themed merchandise. The festival also has a floral arrangement competition sponsored by The Lake Placid Garden Club, a Caladium Festival art competition, and the Tiny and Little Miss Caladium Festival Pageant. For $18 you can purchase a bus ticket from the Women's Club and take an hour long tour of the caladium farms. Throughout the festival there is live entertainment on the stage in Stuart Park. It was really hot throughout the day and Advent Health was on hand with free cold water, cooling towels and backpacks, and a cooling off misting area. Other stops I made during the festival which I really enjoyed were to the Lake Placid Historical Society and Museum where I took in a little town history and enjoyed a complimentary cold water and to the Caladium Arts and Crafts Cooperative where I shopped local artisans. Of course I couldn't help but admire all of the murals in the downtown that gave Lake Placid its other nickname, Town of Murals. If you are thinking about attending this festival, do it! The folks of Lake Placid are some of the friendliest you will meet in Florida.

Lake Placid, Florida is the caladium capital of the world, and every year they have a festival to…read morecelebrate. This year, 2021, was the festival's 30th year, and my first time attending. The festival ran from 9 am - 4 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 10 am - 3 pm on Sunday. In addition to the Arts and Crafts Show and Plant Show which ran all three days, they also had a Car & Bike show on Saturday. You were encouraged to buy bus tickets at the show to tour the nearby caladium farms, but we did not do this. Parking was easy because we arrived early. The first thing we did was go the closest tent to buy caladiums. I bought a flat of 10 different caladium plants for $24, which is dirt cheap. I was thrilled that there was also cactus vendor, and ended up buying a few succulents, also at outstanding prices. I went home with a new bromeliad too - I can't say no when it comes to cool plants. The festival was much larger than I expected it to be, with a nice assortment of craft vendors selling a variety of products. When the heat became too much, we went inside a nearby building to vote on our favorite piece of caladium art, and caladium plant display. I love that the church was handing out ice water, and there was a water truck you could refill your water bottle at. There were plenty of food vendors, and the fresh fruit mix vendor was perfect for this steamy day. Make sure you wear plenty of sunscreen if you go; while there were a few shade tents set up to eat at, and listen to the live assortment of musical acts, it was broiling outside. A great time was had by all, and we will definitely be back next year.

Town of Murals How it all Began is one of fifty-one large murals on the side of buildings…read morethroughout downtown Lake Placid. Bob and Harriet Porter got the idea for the Lake Placid murals in the early 1990's during an motorcycle trip to Alaska. The couple made a chance stop in Chemainus, Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Inspired by the towns collection of mural they decided to try and recreate murals on the buildings to draw tourists to the town to revitalize the economic downturn. The couple founded the Lake Placid Mural Society in 1992. What is really cool about Town of Murals How it all Began is that it tells the story of how the Lake Placid Mural Society came to be. Harriet and Porter are featured at the top of the mural. Since its inception the society has placed 142 pieces of artwork in town, including over 33,000 sq. ft. of murals. The murals have increased tourism which has had a positive economic impact on the town. The first mural painted was by Thomas Freeman on the side of the Caladium Arts and Crafts Cooperative, also a new business started by Bob and Harriet. This mural was sponsored by Friends of the Porters, as a surprise and thank you for their 20 years of service to the community of Lake Placid. You can find Town of Murals How it all Began on the side of the Greater Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce. It was painted by artist Keith Goodson who also painted another mural I love, Stuck in Time which tell the story of when Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Harvey Firestone visited Lake Placid and had to be rescued when their Model T got stuck in sand. Florida artist Keith Goodson has been a professional artist since 1994. His artwork features Christian themes, nature, and history. He does murals, portraits, and illustrations. He uses his art to express his faith and to spiritually connect with the viewer.

Lost Bear Club is a mural painted by artist Terry Smith in downtown Lake Placid. This mural is one…read moreof fifty-one large murals on the side of buildings throughout downtown Lake Placid. Bob and Harriet Porter got the idea for the Lake Placid murals in the early 1990's during an motorcycle trip to Alaska. The couple made a chance stop in Chemainus, Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Inspired by the towns collection of mural they decided to try and recreate murals on the buildings to draw tourists to the town to revitalize the economic downturn. The couple founded the Lake Placid Mural Society in 1992. Artist Terry Smith was born in Atlanta and grew up in the nature of central Georgia which inspired his creativity. As a young man he enjoyed sketching and drawing his surroundings and painting with acrylics and oils. After a career in the airline industry which saw him move to Florida in 1979, he returned to art full time in 1999. Favorite subjects included wildlife, especially birds and large cats. He has said "My goal is to paint as much of "The Real Florida" as I can. Future generations need to see what has been and is being lost. There is a need to encourage others to speak up to protect our most valuable treasure. Many things in life can be replaced or rebuilt, but not our greatest possession. It is my hope that by recording the natural Florida now, people will realize the importance of saving Florida's natural resources, to avoid being left with just memories." Well said Terry, I could not agree more. Terry Smith's art work have been exhibited in shows, museums, and galleries throughout Florida and the Southeast. He has completed one hundred foot murals in Florida, Georgia, Michigan and South Carolina. He is a current member of the Florida Watercolor Society. He is also a past member of the Florida Miniature Society and a Charter Member of the Association of Habitat Artist. The inspiration for this mural came from a time in history when the territory around Lake Istokpoga and south along the western edge of the sand hills was the perfect haven for bears to raise their young. The area was rich in food and there was always plenty to eat for bears. When settlers moved into the area with cattle and hogs they hunted the bears to protect their livestock. The pioneers ate the bear meat and used the grease for cooking. Sometimes a mother bear was killed leaving the cub orphaned and sometimes the pioneers tamed them and kept them as pets. This mural was painted on the side of Tony's Barber Shop and was completed on March 6, 1997. As someone who loves nature I was instantly drawn to the subject of this mural, a mother bear looking for her cub. The lost cub in this mural symbolizes Florida's lost habitat. It is up to the residents and visitors to Lake Placid to preserve what is left of the natural habitat. This mural is really unique because it has sound. If you stand in front of the mural you an hear the mother bear call for her cub. The Lost Bear Cub mural can best be viewed from John's Park. Fun fact, some of the murals have companion garbage cans. This mural has a garbage can with a bear and his honeycomb peeking up from the back.

Train Depot is a mural painted by artists and father and son, Dan and Peter Sawatzky in downtown…read moreLake Placid. The mural was completed on November 25, 1995. This mural is one of fifty-one large murals on the side of buildings throughout downtown Lake Placid. Bob and Harriet Porter got the idea for the Lake Placid murals in the early 1990's during an motorcycle trip to Alaska. The couple made a chance stop in Chemainus, Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Inspired by the towns collection of mural they decided to try and recreate murals on the buildings to draw tourists to the town to revitalize the economic downturn. The couple founded the Lake Placid Mural Society in 1992. You can find this mural in front of the Historical Society Train Depot Museum. I love how this mural connects to the history of Lake Placid and more specifically to the train depot. The railroad was important to helping Florida and Lake Placid to grow by bringing tourists and supplies. This Atlantic Coastline depot was built in 1926. Today South Central Florida Express freight trains pass through Lake Placid along with occasional visits from the restored Sugar Express No. 148, a restored steam locomotive from 1920. The depot is now home to the Lake Placid Historical Society. In 1993, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places and became the area's historical museum. A cool fact about this mural is that artists Dan and Peter Sawatsky are from Chemainus, B.C., the town that originally inspired the Lake Placid Mural Project. Dan was largely self taught before he began pursuing mural painting as a full time business. He works in a pen and ink and egg tempera style on paper that he uses as a template for the mural. His son Peter was only 15 when he assisted on his first mural in 1991. This mural features an oncoming engine that bears down on you as you walk past. At one time the mural had sound but that feature is no longer working. I love all of the murals throughout Lake Placid but this is one of my favorites.

Highlands County, Florida, was established in 1921 when it separated from DeSoto County along with…read moreCharlotte, Glades, and Hardee Counties. It got the name Highlands County from its elevated terrain. It is the 14th largest county in Florida. Highlands County was first inhabited by the ancient Jororo and Calusa people. Later the Seminole Indians lived here as they were pushed south during the Seminole Wars. It was opened for homesteading in 1909, leading to the development of settlements like Lake Stearns later renamed Lake Placid and Sebring, the current county seat. Early pioneers were cattle ranchers and citrus farmers. After the railroad came in the early 20th century, the population grew. Today Highlands County is home to the quaint Florida towns of Lake Placid, Sebring, and Avon Park. While small in size they are big in charm. You can find historical museums, antique stores, nature preserves, parks, lakes, shops, breweries, cafes, and festivals. Some highlights include Bok Towers in Lake Wales, the raceway in Sebring, and the murals and caladiums of Lake Placid. Highlands County is home to the nationally protected Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge. During my visits to Highlands County I always find nice people and a quieter way of life. If you like any of the things I mentioned, you too will feel welcome in Highland County.

Can't beat free and fun mural pics, and fun circus stuff inside. It's small inside with a costume…read moreshop and memorabilia, but it's nice and thoughtfully put together. I think it was most fun taking pics outside around the building. Inside it was nice and the person working was super welcoming!!!

The place is listed as one of the local attractions. The property is easy to find, just look for…read morethe bright and colorful murals outside the store. The parking is just behind the museum. This museum is free. They do take donations. The donations are used to promote the art of clowning lol. I think it's a good cause. The inside of the museum is not that big. It is divided into two rooms. The place is packaged with clown things. At the entrance, I was greeted by a friendly host. She asked me if I wanted to watch the introductory film playing. I did and so she walked me to one of the rooms. This was the museum side. The film was not long. It was interesting. It talked about some of the different things around the museum. After the film, the host gave a tour of the room and explained more things. That was a really cool room to visit. The ceiling had paintings of clowns new and old. The room had memorabilia such as clothing, shoes, pictures, and much more. I learned new things. The second room was like a store. It had wigs, little statues, funny things, and other things. It was a good place to buy souvenirs. The staff was so nice and friendly. I enjoyed my time here and learned new things.

Wonderful new owners, the beer choices and the wine selection are great. You should stop by and…read morecheck it out.

The whole bar has a dog theme, which I absolutely loved. From the beer tap handles shaped like…read morebones to the names of the beers and all the photos of the owners' dogs around the space, every detail was thoughtfully done. Even the beer flights were served on a paw-shaped board, which was so cute. There was live music happening outside, which added a great vibe, but we decided to stay inside and hang out. They had games like Jenga and card games available, which made it really easy to just relax and enjoy time with friends. We ordered a beer flight and the staff was super friendly that even let us try a few options before deciding. Overall, such a cool and unique spot, especially if you're a dog person. I'd definitely come back next time I'm in Lake Placid.