Sleepy Sebring Varooms Awake

by Adele Woodyard
For 60 years this sleepy Florida town has hosted a 12-hour Endurance Race for sportscars built by Audi, Honda, Nissan, Mazda and others with drivers from around the world. This year Audi won, the first time since 2009, another Audi R18 came in 2nd and Honda was third.. So what does Sebring offer visitors besides the International Raceway? An attractive, expanding town that is built around Lake Jackson, largest of several lakes that dot the area. Called “City on the Circle” it is easily reached from U.S, Hwy 27/98 or State Rd. 17 that joins 27 south of the lake.
Founded in 1912 by George Sebring, the Historic District located off 17, was based on the Circle Plan design of Heliopolis, a city in ancient Egypt. Here is where you’ll find the Lakeside Playhouse, Historic and Public Libraries, Highlands Museum of the Arts and Children’s Museum of the Highlands for ages 1-12. Rocking chairs on the broad veranda of Kennilworth Lodge at 1610 Lakeview Drive, overlook the lake. Built by founder Sebring in 1916, it is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The many celebrities the lodge has hosted include Adolph Ochs, owner/publisher of the New York Times, Amelia Earhart, Paul Newman, Tom Cruise.and Debra Winger. An HCA Art and Music Gallery is housed within the lodge and along with lodge rooms, accommodations include villas, suites, efficiencies and apartments.863-385-0111. http://www.kenlodge.com
The Sebring Regional Airport started out as Hendricks Field, a WWII bomber training base. The 12-hour race began on the excess runways that turned into the International Raceway..Two events are currently listed for the site: Saturday, March 24, visitors can watch Historic T-6 and T-28 Warbirds practice universal takeoffs, landings and formation flying from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sebring Cruising Inc. presents a Thunder Car Show, where Classic cars drive the Raceway Sept. 14-16. 863-655-6444. http://www.sebring-airport.com
In nearby Highlands Hammock State Park you can hike an elevated boardwalk across a swamp or take a three-mile scenic tram ride to catch sight of birds, gators, and other wildlife. One of the first Florida state parks to be built by the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) during the 1930s, there’s a CCC Museum on site as well as picnic tables, a restaurant and full service campground. Park open daily, 8 a.m to sunset; Museum 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m 863-386-6094.-http://www.floridastateparks.org
For more information on Sebring, 863-385-8448; http://www sebring.org. You’ll find other small towns along Florida highways in my book, Florida “Freebies” and “Cheapies” 250 Daytrips for Lille or No Money, http://www.adelesbooksandblogs.com or look for them on these blogs. You may find a place you’d like to visit this summer and save both money and gas.