Michael Tipton, the president and CEO of Central Florida Fair (Instagram | Website), was recently interviewed by Jon Busdeker for a bonus episode of "The Orlando Shine Show" on OrlandoShine.com.

The Central Florida Fair runs from February 26 through March 8 this year, at the Central Florida Fairgrounds and features a midway, games, food, live music, entertainment, livestock shows, and more.

The conversation covered the fair's operations, its role in the community, and what goes into producing one of Central Florida's largest annual events. The Central Florida Fair takes place each spring at the Central Florida Fairgrounds in Orlando, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors for rides, livestock shows, food vendors, and entertainment.

Episode 38 of "The Orlando Shine Show" was recorded at Celebration Brewing (Website) ahead of an event they're hosting in honor of one of their workers, Amber B, who was involved in a serious accident in early December when she was struck by a vehicle on her way home. They'll be hosting a fundraiser on February 27 with lots of beer, a silent raffle, and more. Click HERE for the Facebook event page.

Topics this week include Sanford Main Street raising funds for the return of Sanford Porchfest, the opening of a new pizza window in Ivanhoe Village, the new Broadway Season at Dr. Phillips Center, and a billionaire buying up downtown Winter Garden. We also hear from Frank Lozito, the owner of Celebration Brewing, and the brewery's head beer poobah, Kent Waugh.

Holler at this week's sponsors, JustCallMoe.com and the Orange County Library System.

Tune in to "The Orlando Shine Show" every Friday at 8 p.m. on Real Radio 104.1 FM or catch the podcast to keep up with all of the top headlines in Central Florida each week. Want to invite us to your restaurant or business for a future episode? Email us at News@OrlandoShine.com!

Episode 37 of "The Orlando Shine Show" was recorded at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey (Website) after a 6-month closure to rebuild its owl aviary, after it was damaged in a hurricane. This episode features an interview with Dr. Daisy Fiore, Senior Coordinator for Education at the Center (and host of the popular "Cryptozoology with Dr. Daisy" podcast), and a separate interview with Shannon Fitzgerald, the executive director of Mennello Museum of American Art (Website), ahead of their Indie-Folkfest on February 14.

Topics this week include the construction kickoff of the renovations at Camping World Stadium, the expansion of the CRA boundaries to include land around the stadium, the arrest of Neo Nazi Braden "Clavicular" Peters for underage drinking, the redevelopment of Seminole Town Center, and Elon Musk possibly working for Universal Studios to dig some tunnels.

Holler at this week's sponsors, JustCallMoe.com, Orange County Library System, and the Mennello Museum of American Art's Indie-Folkfest.

Tune in to "The Orlando Shine Show" every Friday at 8 p.m. on Real Radio 104.1 FM or catch the podcast to keep up with all of the top headlines in Central Florida each week. Want to invite us to your restaurant or business for a future episode? Email us at News@OrlandoShine.com!

Brendan sat down with Shannon Fitzgerald, executive director of the Mennello Museum of American Art (Website), to talk about the museum's upcoming Indie-Folkfest (Website) scheduled for February 14.

Indie-Folkfest is a free, all-ages celebration of live music and local creative talent designed to activate the museum's outdoor spaces and deepen community engagement. Fitzgerald highlights the lineup of regional folk and acoustic performers and emphasized the inclusion of local artisans and makers, whose work will be featured alongside food vendors and interactive activities.

Fitzgerald said the event reflects the museum's broader mission to expand access to art and culture in Orlando, inviting residents and visitors alike to experience the museum in a relaxed, festive setting on Valentine's Day.

I recently spoke with Brendan Byrne (Instagram), host and Assistant News Director for Central Florida Public Media, and Jeff Sanford, vice president of engagement at the Orlando Science Center (Website), ahead of Science Night Live on Saturday, February 14, a special adults-only edition event that runs from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at the Orlando Science Center. The event pairs live science experiences with a more social evening atmosphere, complete with food, cash bars, and performances.

A highlight of the night will be a fireside chat at 8:30 p.m. featuring astronaut and artist Nicole Stott (Instagram) and Christina Korp (Instagram), known in the space community as the "Astronaut Wrangler." Brendan Byrne will moderate the conversation, which is expected to explore not just the scientific work of astronauts but also the creative and human aspects of space exploration, from how art and science intersect to the logistics of preparing astronauts for public engagement.

Byrne, who covers space and aeronautics for Central Florida Public Media and hosts the space-focused podcast Are We There Yet?, described the session as a chance to go "beyond the launch pad" and delve into the narratives that make space exploration resonate with the public.

Sanford explained that speaking with astronauts in a relaxed, live setting gives audiences a feel for the personal curiosity and creativity that fuel careers in STEM fields.

Science Night Live is a separately ticketed portion of Spark STEM Fest, which runs from February 14 through February 16 with a full slate of interactive exhibits, demonstrations, and hands-on experiences. Tickets to the adult evening and details on pricing are available through the Orlando Science Center's website.

A portion of this interview was shared in Episode 36 of "The Orlando Shine Show."

Episode 36 of "The Orlando Shine Show" was recorded at Vines by H (Website) on Restaurant Row, which opened roughly a month ago in the former Vines Grille and Wine Bar.

Topics this week include a rundown of the recent Ramen Rumble at Morimoto Asia, a foiled murder plot by two 14-year-old Lake Brantley High School girls who were trying to resurrect Sandy Hook shooter Adam Lanza, an update on the long-delayed Black Bean Deli location in Winter Garden, and Florida going English-only for driver's license testing.

Holler at this week's sponsors, Jim Hobart's Legacy Life Project, JustCallMoe.com, Orange County Library System, and the Orlando Science Center's upcoming Science Night Live on February 14.

Tune in to "The Orlando Shine Show" every Friday at 8 p.m. on Real Radio 104.1 FM or catch the podcast to keep up with all of the top headlines in Central Florida each week. Want to invite us to your restaurant or business for a future episode? Email us at News@OrlandoShine.com!

This interview with Shannon Fitzgerald, the Executive Director at Mennello Museum and Director of Public Art for the City of Orlando, was first featured in Episode 35 of "The Orlando Shine Show."

It features a discussion of the upcoming "Faith and Vision: Spirituality in Self-Taught Art," opening on Friday, February 6, and features a collection-based show focused on how self-taught artists translated belief, ritual, and lived environment into visual worlds.

Episode 35 of "The Orlando Shine Show" was recorded at Enzo's On The Lake (Website) in Longwood, with special guest Moe DeWitt from JustCallMoe.

Topics this week include an update on "Swan Gate" at Lake Eola Park, the recent hullabaloo at Orlando City Council between Regina Hill and Commissioner Shan Rose, the closing of Jon's favorite Thai restaurant, the possible demolition of the historic Lubbe House at Lake Eola, the snowballing of paid parking in Mills 50, OUC's concern of the upcoming coldsnap, and a new burger concept coming to Orlando International Airport courtesy of celebrity chef, Bobby Flay.

Holler at this week's sponsors, Jim Hobart's Legacy Life Project, JustCallMoe.com, Orange County Library System, and Orlando Magazine's February issue.

Tune in to "The Orlando Shine Show" every Friday at 8 p.m. on Real Radio 104.1 FM or catch the podcast to keep up with all of the top headlines in Central Florida each week. Want to invite us to your restaurant or business for a future episode? Email us at News@OrlandoShine.com!