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Arts & Fun - Best Of Haven 2025

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Best Date Night

BOWEN YARD

308 4th St SW, Winter Haven

Bowen Yard is home to so many Best Of Haven Winners including Best Oysters & Mocktails at Maritime, Best Cuban Sandwich at SoCe, Best Tacos at Lake House Kitchen, and the Best Guilty Pleasure award at Ripples. Along with a new Indian restaurant and a sushi restaurant, you can bring your date and share some food, some laughs, and maybe have a smooch under the string lights. Pro tip: they have free live music every weekend and free BINGO on Wednesday nights.


2nd: Grove Roots Brewing Co.

3rd: Laugh Out Lounge


Best Staycation

CAMP MARGARITAVILLE AUBURNDALE

361 Denton Ave, Auburndale

When it comes to true island escapism without leaving Florida, Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Cabana Cabins Auburndale takes the margarita! Crowned USA Today’s #1 Luxury RV Resort two years running and snagging FRVCA’s Best Park and Spot2Nite’s Top All-Ages RV Resort, it’s no mirage, it’s the real deal. This staycation star delivers a “license to chill” on 66 lush acres with heated pools, tiki bars, mini golf, and a splash pad so good you’ll scream “Fins up!” Pack your flip flops, bring your friends, and let the good vibes roll.


2nd: LEGOLAND Florida Resort


Best Museum

THE ASHLEY GIBSON BARNETT MUSEUM OF ART

800 E Palmetto St, Lakeland

The AGB at Florida Southern College wins year after year and for very good reason. They are truly a master in Polk County’s cultural scene! With seven galleries and a bold new wing, they are inspiring local creatives daily. With exhibitions changing seasonally, there is always something new to see. Every visit is a brush with greatness, and the best part? Admission is always free.


2nd: Lake Wales History Museum

3rd: Museum of Winter Haven History


Best Live Music Venue

THE RITZ THEATRE

263 W Central Ave, Winter Haven

Looking for the best place to catch live music with a side of history? The Ritz Theatre hits all the right notes! Celebrating 100 years of entertainment, this iconic venue blends vintage charm with brand-new seating, sound, and lighting, so every show feels like a front-row experience. From tribute bands that’ll have you dancing in the aisles to dinner shows and even Nitro Bingo, The Ritz brings the wow to downtown. Free parking and unforgettable nights await.


2nd: Grove Roots Brewing Co.

3rd: Gram Parsons Derry Down


Best Band/Musician

DANIEL PEPIN

When it comes to strumming his way into your heart, Daniel Pepin absolutely shreds the competition. He likes to say, “You’re getting a Canadian playing Spanish guitar, who would’ve thought?” From chill inducing riffs to literal pick-on-fire solos, this unicorn haired guitarist truly strikes the right chord. Find him playing all over Polk County from bars to farmers markets to breweries. Definitely do not miss this guy.


2nd: 99 in the Shade

3rd: Daniel Burns Band


Best Dance Studio

THE WRIGHT STEP SCHOOL OF DANCE

316 Ave C SW, Winter Haven

The Wright Step School of Dance is toe-tally the place to bust a move! Since 2001, Amy and Kevin Wright have been pirouetting hearts and jazz-handing joy into the lives of local dancers. With 5,000 square feet of studio space, it’s a tap-happy, leap-loving haven. Their pro faculty knows how to shuffle-ball-change lives and chassé their way into every dancer’s heart. This studio is en pointe!


2nd: The Ballet Conservatory

3rd: Barbara’s Centre’ for Dance


Best Event Venue

GRAM PARSONS DERRY DOWN

297 5th St NW, Winter Haven

Gram Parsons was a pioneering musician who blended country, rock, and soul into what he called “Cosmic American Music.” A member of The Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers, his influence shaped alt-country and left a lasting musical legacy. His renovated childhood club in Winter Haven is available to rent for small-ish occasions.


2nd: Camp Margaritaville Auburndale

3rd: Venue 650


Best Party Rentals

AMY’S GIFTS & PARTY PLANNING

1806 First St S, Winter Haven

Amy’s Party Store has ballooned past the competition with spectacular arches, shimmering sequin backdrops, and marquee letters that really spell fun. Offering everything from pinatas to props and flawless decor, this friendly family business has innovative event rentals that will make every celebration pop, sparkle, and shine.


2nd: Premier Parties


Best Event Entertainment

THE AGNER AGENCY

Need entertainment that really sings? With Kat Agner’s 20+ years of performance and booking savvy, they’ve got acts that are pitch-perfect. Whether you’re planning to strum some strings for a ceremony or rock the reception with a party band, they’re your go-to sound investment. They’ll note your vision and orchestrate seamless moments.


2nd: Triviosity Live Events

3rd: Next Level Entertainment


Best Photographer

WHISKEY ROLLER

IG @whiskeyroller

Gritty, gorgeous, and dripping with attitude, every shot captures raw moments with edge and elegance. Forget stiff smiles, Whiskey Roller brings the focus to fierce, usually moving locals with edits that take you into the frame. He captures the grit and glam of people being people and living their lives to the fullest.


2nd: Potthast Studios

3rd: Laurel Knopf


Best Community Art

“COMMUNITY” BY ALEXA LAUREN

140 Third St SW, Winter Haven

Alexa Lauren’s new mural at Haven Coffee Roasters is brewing up serious buzz! Alexa’s design is bursting with colorful coffee plants and the word “community” boldly painted across. This mural took 120 hours to complete, and it’s stunning. Spilling out onto the sidewalk, this mural is a full-on latte love letter to Winter Haven. Alexa didn’t just paint a mural, she poured her art out in the brightest way.


2nd: “Wall of Saints” by Paul O’Neill

3rd: “Monsters” by Harlow Manning


Best Visual Artist

HOLLY SCOGGINS

Holly Scoggins is a classically trained oil wizard and Polk State College art professor. She’s mastered the art of framing narratives in every figure and landscape. Her paintings veil female portraits with intricate textiles, layering meaning like a well-composed canvas. From dark romantic southern stories to live wedding portraits via Keepsake Studio, her art always draws you in.


2nd: William Lawrence

3rd: Austin Snedden


Best Local Maker

AUSTIN SNEDDEN CERAMICS

Austin Snedden Ceramics just spun circles around the competition and honestly, we’re totally fired up about it. From clay to finished masterpiece, Austin’s work is throwing serious style. His mugs? Mug-nificent. His bowls? Un-bowl-ievably beautiful. Each piece is clayfully crafted and hot outta the kiln with soul you can’t fake. The people voted, and the results are in: he’s kiln it.


2nd: Rosemary’s Garden Florals

3rd: Stitchcraft Creative


Best DIY Workshop/Studio

AUSTIN SNEDDEN CERAMICS CLASSES

Austin Snedden Ceramics is throwing down again! At his studio at the Ridge Art Association, you dive into the dirty work of wheel throwing and hand-building clay. With Austin’s expert guidance, you’ll wedge out the stress, center your chaos, and maybe even clay your way to something cool. His classes are equal parts therapeutic and badass. Come get your hands dirty, you’ll never look at clay the same.


2nd: Art on Fire Studio

3rd: FLAME Candlestudios


Best Annual Event

PROJECT E.A.G.L.E.

Project E.A.G.L.E. (Enhancing A Great Living Environment) has been held at Lake Shipp Park on the last Saturday in April since 1995. Local volunteers clean up the Chain of Lakes with some serious elbow grease. It’s a half-day event that makes a big impact and keeps the lakes clean and healthy.


2nd: Bandit Market

3rd: Central Park Art Festival by Ridge Art Association


Best Drag Queen/King

TRISHELLE MICHAELS

Trishelle Michaels didn’t just sashay to the crown, she slayed the competition! With killer lip-syncs, costume fierceness, and comedic timing sharper than her heels, this queen stole the show. Every performance is packed with sass, class, and a whole lot of serving. She glams up venues across Polk County and leaves audiences star struck. When Trishelle hits the mic, she doesn’t just entertain, she reigns supreme.


2nd: Momma Ashley Rose

3rd: (TIE) Kathryn Nevets & Pristiq De La Puff


Best Hidden Gem

THE GHOSTLIGHT LOUNGE

210 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven

Tucked inside Theatre Winter Haven, the GhostLight Lounge really lights up the music scene! This intimate venue shines with local talent. From ambient concerts to singersongwriters and full bands, this place sets the stage for unforgettable performances. This lounge is the highlight reel you don’t want to miss. Find the schedule of performers on Facebook at The GhostLight Lounge.


2nd: DJ Zelleira at Sauvage

3rd: Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team Saturday shows

 
 
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