SO U T H W E ST O RA N G E
Observer Windermere, Horizon West, Dr. Phillips
TOOD YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. ERSNEIGHBORS. NDYOUR THEY UYOU. THE ASSIGNMENT and is ready is bringing main-character energy Look out, world! The Class of 2026 rs are ready to cook. senio these ked, unloc mas diplo to slay the graduation stage. With
VOLUME 11, NO. 32
Sand Lake Elementary School unwinds at annual Spring Carnival. PAGE 6B.
FREE • THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026
In their senior era ConGRADulations to the members of the Class of 2026. INSIDE. Obser ver GRADUATION | 2026
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YOUR TOWN
OBSERVER | OrangeObserver.com
HAMLIN SADDLES UP FOR HOEDOWN
PRESERVING
HESS-TORY If you’re looking for a rootin’ tootin’ good time, Hamlin will be the place to be Saturday, May 16. The 2026 Hamlin Hoedown will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 16, in the Hamlin Green Space, 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden. This family friendly morning of western fun will feature pony rides, a petting zoo, arts and crafts, food vendors and a live DJ. For more information, visit hamlinfl.com/events.
FAR EAST MEETS WEST ORANGE
Photos by Leticia Silva
Michael D. Roberto, a member of the Rotary Club of Lake Buena Vista, is the leading expert and author on all things Hess toy trucks. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
Celebrate America’s 250th birthday in West Orange
The Asian American Heritage Council of Central Florida returns to Ocoee this weekend for its annual Asian Cultural Festival. This year’s event will take place from 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday, May 17, at the Ocoee Lakeshore Center, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive. The celebration showcases a wide variety of Asian-American cultures and talent from Central Florida’s Asian American ethnic groups from China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Attendees will enjoy special performances, authentic cuisine and plenty of business vendors offering a variety of items for sale. The festival helps raise funds for the council’s Asian American Student Achiever Award Scholarship.
CLAW-SOME TIME
As the United States turns 250, cities and towns around the nation are celebrating this milestone. Winter Garden and Hamlin are getting ready for the celebrations with lots of festivities already planned. SEE PAGE 5A.
FOR THE GLORY OF GOD TFA’s Kyler Priester became the first Royal lifter to bring a state championship home. PAGE 1B.
Windermere Rotarians crack lobsters, jokes at 2026 Lobsters and Laughs. SEE PAGE 7B.