published: Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Taste of the Race accelerates race events

By SAMANTHA GHOLAR

sgholar@newssun.com

SEBRING - The 61st annual Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring is finally under way with several days full of exciting and race weed events. The start to Sebring's Race Week is the annual Taste of the Race event in Downtown Sebring.

Event coordinator Lora Todd is inviting Sebring residents, visitors and race fans to the Circle to enjoy a beautiful day of food and relaxation before the craziness of the races takes place.

"It's going to be great weather. This event is a very relaxed event that sort of kicks off the races this weekend," Todd said.

This year's Taste of the Race will come with a couple of changes after many years of the same basic activities. Todd felt the event could serve a dual role this year - bringing food and entertainment to guests as well as boosting organizations toward their goals.

"This year we focused on strictly helping out the local Relay for Life teams. We've invited teams from Lake Placid, Avon Park and Sebring to serve as food vendors for the event. We want to help them reach their goals," Todd said.

Currently there are seven Relay for Life teams signed up as vendors for the Taste of the Race (Todd is still accepting more vendors). Each of the teams will service different items that will be available for purchase by event attendees.

Some of the items on the Taste of the Race menu include Italian beef sandwiches, pulled pork, chili, hotdogs, cotton candy, funnel cakes, kettle corn and smoothies.

"There is a nice array of things to eat. There won't be a band this year, but there will be music on the Circle. It's going to be a beautiful day for everybody to come out to the event and eat and enjoy some of the cars," Todd said.

On display will be the Racing Association Vintage Sports Cars. These classic cars spend a part of their time in racing around the world famous Sebring International Raceway prior to the 12 Hours of Sebring this weekend.

Taste of the Race is a free event, open to the public. It will take place around Circle Park in Downtown Sebring from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Thursday.

The following closures will be implemented during event.

Thursday, March 14 beginning at 9:30 a.m.

- North Ridgewood Drive will be closed from Wall Street to Circle Park Drive.

- Circle Park Drive (State Road 17) will be closed.

- East Center Avenue will be closed from Wall Street to Circle Park Drive.

- North Commerce Avenue will be closed from Wall Street to Circle Park Drive.

- West Center Street will be closed from Wall Street to Circle Park Drive.

- South Ridgewood Drive will be closed from Wall Street to Circle Park Drive.

Detours will be in place and marked throughout the affected areas.

Any questions regarding closures should be directed to Karl Hoglund of the Sebring Police Department by e-mail at karlhoglund@mysebring.com or 471-5108. For event questions, contact Todd at 381-6467.