ORLANDO, Fla. – A busy weekend is in store for downtown Orlando, which is hosting a full lineup of arts, culture, sports, and community events.
On Friday, more than 30 professional and emerging artists began creating large-scale chalk murals for the inaugural DTOLive Chalk Festival at City Hall Plaza.
Naomi Haverland painted a 3D mural, which she digitally designed in the weeks leading up to the festival.
“When you stand in a certain place, it’ll look 3D, even though it looks distorted from the wrong angle,” Haverland said. “It just makes it more interactive. It’s fun to see people playing around with the images once we’re done and getting to pose on them.”
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Other events include IMMERSE Fest, which brings a luminarium by the internationally renowned Architects of Air at the Frontyard of Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. The venue is also hosting performances of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child until February 15.
On Saturday, Paws at the Park returns to Lake Eola Park, the Purple Pride 5K will take place between Church Street and Inter&Co Stadium, and the Orlando Magic will play the Utah Jazz at the Kia Center.
Justin Eason, who is the assistant director for the Downtown Development Board, said a weekend like this can play an important role in strengthening downtown Orlando’s economy.
“We’ve been working hard over the last couple of years with a lot of incentive programs. Really trying to revitalize downtown and show off the talent that we have,” Eason said.
Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and arrive early for their events.
Several roads will be closed during some of these events this weekend.
On Saturday, North Eola Drive will be closed from East Robinson Street and East Washington Street for Paws in the Park.
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Church Street will be closed between Terry Street and Westmoreland Avenue for the Purple Pride 5K as well.
If you’re looking for parking, you can check out the city’s website for parking garages. For options, visit orlando.gov/parking.
You can also get free metered parking through the ParkDTO program sponsored by the Downtown Orlando Development Board.
You have to download the ParkMobile app to find eligible spots around downtown.
We explain how to do it in THIS STORY on clickorlando.com.