Wednesday, April 15, 2026

City Hall goes green with federal energy grant. Best Fest is tomorrow night. Nick Nesta wins Apopka in a landslide. Farmers Market this Saturday.

Good Morning Winter Garden

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

West Orange County, FL

🌤️ 84° · Fog, then Sunny

Your daily dispatch from the heart of West Orange County.

📬 Enjoying GMWG? Share it with a neighbor.

✉ Email a friend Share on X

Presented by GMWG Sponsors

Advertise with GMWG — Reach Winter Garden's Most Engaged Local Readers

Top Story · Winter Garden

City Hall Gets Energy-Efficient Lighting — Courtesy of a Federal Grant

Winter Garden City Hall has been retrofitted with energy-efficient lighting funded by a federal grant, cutting costs and consumption for the building that serves the whole community.

The City of Winter Garden has completed an energy-efficient lighting retrofit at City Hall, funded through a federal grant. The upgrade replaces older fixtures with modern LED lighting that significantly reduces electricity consumption and long-term operating costs for the municipal building. It's the kind of behind-the-scenes infrastructure investment that pays dividends for taxpayers over time, and the city is promoting the project as part of its broader Earth Day 2026 initiatives. The city is also running a free tote bag giveaway through April 30 in recognition of Earth Day — stop by City Hall while supplies last.

City of Winter Garden →

Nick Nesta Wins Apopka Mayor's Race in a Landslide

Nick Nesta has won the Apopka mayoral runoff in a decisive landslide victory, WFTV reports — a result that reshapes leadership in the fast-growing Orange County city just north of Winter Garden. WFTV →

Regional · Space Coast

Historic Warbird Flyover Planned at Kennedy Space Center

A historic warbird flyover is scheduled at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex — a can't-miss event for aviation history fans and families looking for a day trip to the Space Coast. WFTV →

📣 This Week in Winter Garden

Best Fest is tomorrow night. A packed weekend follows.

Thursday brings the full West Orange evening triple-header: Best Fest at 5 PM, Flamingos & Fuel Cruise Night at 6 PM, and Chicago Teen Edition at Horizon High at 7 PM. Saturday, the Farmers Market returns to Downtown Plant Street and the Horizon West Home Expo opens at 10 AM. Sunday, the Homegrown Market at Hamlin runs 9 AM. Tucker Ranch Park remains closed through Thursday — it reopens Saturday, April 18.

Tomorrow: Best Fest 5 PM 🍽️ Sat: Farmers Market 8 AM 🌿 Sat: Tucker Ranch Reopens 🏕️

🌤️ Morning Fog, Warm Sunshine by Midday

Winter Garden, FL · Apr 15 – 19 · NWS Melbourne

Patchy fog each morning through the weekend, burning off by 9 AM · NWS Melbourne

Confusion Over Student Travel Bans Angers Parents

Conflicting guidance around student travel restrictions is frustrating Orange County parents, with many saying unclear rules are disrupting school trips and extracurricular plans. WFTV →

Stabilization Work Begins on Evacuated Orange County Apartment Complex

Temporary stabilization work has begun on an evacuated Orange County apartment complex, as engineers assess structural concerns and displaced residents await word on when they can return. WFTV →

Horizon West Run Clubs: Weekly Group Runs for All Paces

Horizon West Happenings has rounded up the active run clubs meeting weekly near Horizon West and Winter Garden — a good guide if you're looking for a running community heading into the warm months. HW Happenings →

Florida Running Co. Opens Its 2025–2026 Season

Florida Running Co. has launched its new season, with group runs, events, and training programs open for registration — a go-to option for runners of all levels in the Horizon West and Winter Garden area. HW Happenings →

Oakland Town Commission Meets Tonight at 6:30 PM

The Oakland Town Commission holds its regular meeting tonight at 6:30 PM at Oakland Meeting Hall. Residents with business before the commission or who want to observe local government in action are welcome to attend. Town of Oakland →

Free Pickleball Clinic at Veterans Memorial Park, April 25

The City of Winter Garden is hosting a free beginner pickleball clinic at Veterans Memorial Park on April 25. Open to all skill levels — registration details available at cwgdn.com. City of Winter Garden →

Sponsor this section

Your Local Business Name Here

A one-line description of your business, offer, or event — seen by your neighbors.

Oakland Town Commission Meeting 🏛️ — Tonight

6:30 PM · Oakland Meeting Hall · oaklandfl.gov →

Best Fest: A Taste of West Orange 🍽️ · Flamingos & Fuel Cruise Night 🚗 · Chicago Teen Edition 🎭

Best Fest: 5 PM · Flamingos & Fuel: 6 PM · Chicago at Horizon High: 7 PM · horizonwesthappenings.com →

Fridays on the Plaza 🎪

8 AM–1 PM · Downtown Interactive Fountain & Pavilion · cwgdn.com →

Winter Garden Farmers Market 🌿 · Horizon West Home Expo 🏠 · Tucker Ranch Reopens 🏕️

Farmers Market: 8 AM–1 PM · Plant Street · Home Expo: 10 AM · wintergardenfarmersmarket.com →

Homegrown Market at Hamlin 🌱

9 AM · Hamlin Town Center · 3rd Sundays · horizonwesthappenings.com →

Support local journalism — sponsor GMWG

Every edition, every morning. Section sponsorships & display ads available.

We want to hear from you

How are we doing? Tell us.

Got a tip or correction? We read every reply.

gmwgnews.com · hello@gmwgnews.com

WFTV · Horizon West Happenings · City of Winter Garden · Town of Oakland · NWS Melbourne · Apr 15, 2026

You're receiving this because you subscribed to GMWG.

Unsubscribe · View in browser