Lakes are one of Highlands County’s most attractive natural features. The greater Lake Placid area includes 29 named lakes with over 11,000 acres of surface water, as well as Lake Istokpoga, Florida’s fifth largest lake at 27,692 acres. There is an incredible diversity of lakes in the area that ranges from large deep, clear lakes such as Placid and June-in-Winter to shallower, highly productive lakes such as Apthorpe, Crews and Carrie that support excellent fish populations. 

 Lake Placid is “The Caladium Capital of The World.” For any industry that makes such a mark on an area, there should be a festival celebrating it. The idea was first broached by Doris Gentry and a few years later growers were prodded and helped by Ann Bond and Audrey Vickers with the Convention and Visitors Bureau. They suggested September as the caladiums were in full bloom and it was a slow month for merchants. 

Sebring International Raceway is America’s premier sports car racing facility. Nestled among the orange groves and cattle ranches of central Florida, it is the oldest permanent road racing track in North America, evolving from a World War II air base. Sebring is world famous for the annual 12 Hour endurance race. Every year on the third Saturday of March, the raceway hosts thousands of race fans from around the world to witness the historic 12 hour classic.