While at the City of Winter Garden, Gerhartz was instrumental in bringing positive change to the community through business and downtown development, marketing and branding, arts and culture, and health and wellness initiatives during her 13-year stint. Her accomplishments are numerous and have contributed to the growth and success of the Winter Garden community. As manager of the downtown area, Gerhartz worked closely with the downtown stakeholders to revitalize the historic downtown district into the popular hot spot it is today. She accomplished this by initiating the Shop Local marketing campaign, the annual Small Business Saturday event, and numerous downtown micro events to encourage support of local businesses. 

Numerous marketing initiatives to propel downtown’s popularity were launched under Gerhartz’s direction such as a designated Downtown Winter Garden website and social media platforms, and the creation of a downtown Winter Garden logo to brand the area as a destination. She also helped to build the award-winning weekly Winter Garden Farmers Market for the City and oversaw its operations. 

In addition, Gerhartz spearheaded planning efforts to prepare areas such as the East Plant Street corridor and the East Winter Garden neighborhood for redevelopment, and she was instrumental in helping to secure Orange County Community Redevelopment Agency funds to make the revitalization possible. The Winter Garden Art Association and its SOBO Art Gallery in the City’s old fire station building became a reality due to her passion to make arts and culture accessible to the community. Believing in the importance of a community offering a holistic approach to health, fitness, and mental health, Gerhartz assisted in the planning and development of the Tucker Ranch Park Nature Preserve and its future Wellness Park expansion to provide this state-of-the-art facility to the public-at-large. 

“Tanja’s contributions to the City are beyond extraordinary. She has played a vital role in every aspect of planning/development, economic development, revitalization, and construction of what Winter Garden has become today. Literally, I cannot think of one inch of this City she has not touched in one form or another,” said Winter Garden City Manager Jon C. Williams. “I’ve had the opportunity to learn from her 40 years of experience and come to know her on a personal basis, and all I can say is she is amazing and an extraordinary woman. I wish her all the joy and happiness that retirement has to offer. She will be deeply missed.” 

Gerhartz will step down after a lustrous 40+-year career in the economic development industry. Prior to joining the City of Winter Garden, she and her husband, Keith Gerhartz, owned Gerhartz & Associates, a consulting company. Prior to that, she worked at the City of Orlando 

for more than 20 years in a variety of capacities before retiring as Economic Development Director. In retirement, Gerhartz will offer consulting services and travel. 

“I would like to thank the City of Winter Garden for giving me the opportunity to work for the best city in Florida. I am deeply grateful for the relationships built and for all that I have learned and accomplished,” said Gerhartz. 

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The Living Local campaign will run from fall 2021-spring 2022 and will include a number of events and initiatives.“Living Local” opportunities starting this month through the end of this year include the following: 

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH –  September 15 – October 15 

Citywide – A variety of cultural and entertainment options to honor the cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. Events include live flamenco and mariachi music, Hispanic-inspired art classes and local art exhibits, Man of La Mancha showings at the Garden Theatre, virtual events hosted by the Winter Garden Library, and more. In addition, a visit to the area’s Hispanic- and Latino-owned restaurants provide a fun way to celebrate the national holiday while supporting local businesses. For Hispanic Heritage Month event schedule, visit www.cwgdn.com/514/Hispanic-Heritage-Month. 

OCTOBER DECLARED OUTDOOR DINING MONTH 

Citywide – The City of Winter Garden proclaims October as Outdoor Dining Month to encourage dining at local restaurants! The refreshing weather is ideal for dining al fresco at the multitude of restaurant patios available in all corridors of the city. In addition, the expansive dining patios in Downtown Winter Garden not only provide a close-up view of the historic charm, but also of the festive Halloween Experience (October 22-31). Fall is also the perfect time for an outdoor picnic so make it easy by ordering take-out from your favorite local restaurant as you head to one of the city’s nature parks. 

WINTER GARDEN FARMERS MARKET EXPANSION LAUNCHES OCTOBER 9 

Every Saturday, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm – Downtown Pavilion, 104 S. Lakeview Avenue 

On Saturday, October 9, the Farmers Market will expand to more than 100 vendors offering a diverse variety of foods and merchandise in addition to weekly family games on the lawn, a designated kids’ zone with child-oriented food and goods, as well as an arts market showcasing local artists. The date also marks the return of weekly live music. For 13 years, the nationally award-wining Winter Garden Farmers Market has served as a communal meeting place to enjoy the harvests of local farmers and the crafts of local artisans. A visit to the community Farmers Market exemplifies Living Local. 

WINTER GARDEN HALLOWEEN EXPERIENCE – October 22– October 31 

All Day with Special Programming on Friday/Saturday/Sunday Evenings 

Downtown Winter Garden – Why celebrate Halloween on one day when the fun can last 10 days! The Winter Garden Halloween Experience, October 22-31, provides family-friendly festivities throughout downtown. Activities include outdoor animated Halloween Light Shows on City Hall as well as live music, shows, and pop-up street performers on Friday/Saturday/Sunday evenings; a hay maze; holiday-themed photo locations; decorations and light displays; merchant themed decorations and food items; a Harvest Sidewalk Sale & Stroll (Oct. 23), fall-themed Farmers Market, and more! Details at www.cwgdn.com/516/Halloween-Experience-2021. 

HARVEST SIDEWALK SALE & STROLL – October 23 

All Day – Downtown Winter Garden 

Shop the outdoor racks of sale and fall merchandise while enjoying the Halloween Experience festivities and events. It is a great time to purchase for the new season while getting a head start on holiday shopping. The unique shops of downtown feature apparel, jewelry, home décor and greenery, cycling/running/sporting equipment and accessories, gourmet foods, health and beauty products, pet supplies, furniture, and much more. In addition, a number of downtown restaurants will feature seasonal menus and promotions to enjoy while dining at the outdoor patios surrounded by Halloween nirvana. Details at www.cwgdn.com/519/Harvest-Sidewalk-Sale-Stroll. 

NOVEMBER DECLARED LIVING LOCAL MONTH – Citywide 

The City declares the month of November as Living Local Month to promote the importance of shopping, dining, and supporting independently owned local businesses as they continue to recover from financial losses due to the pandemic. In fact, shopping local bolsters the local economy since for every $100 spent at locally owned businesses, $68 will stay in the community, whereas, only $43 remains in the community when shopping at a national chain, according to the Independent We Stand organization. In addition, a robust holiday event season launches this month providing Living Local opportunities. 

WINTER GARDEN FALL HERITAGE & MUSIC FESTIVAL – Saturday, November 6 

8:00 am – 10:00 pm – Downtown Winter Garden & Surrounding Parks 

In celebration of Winter Garden’s founding this month 118 years ago, the City of Winter Garden and the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation will host a daylong celebration of the community’s historic roots with old-fashioned family fun. Exhibits and activities will provide an opportunity to learn about the City’s history, play family-friendly games, listen to live music (five stages), enjoy special treats, and watch some baseball. Learn how agriculture along with the railroad, Lake Apopka, and baseball were a big part of Winter Garden’s history. Take a trip back in time and learn about a community that came together to be known as Winter Garden. Details and event schedule at www.downtownwg.com/sneak-preview-of-the-winter-garden-heritage-music-festival. 

HEALTH & HARVEST FESTIVAL AT THE WINTER GARDEN FARMERS MARKET – Saturday, November 6 

8:00 am – 1:00 pm –Downtown Winter Garden 

Enjoy family fun games, fitness and cooking classes, and much more at the annual Health & Harvest Festival as an expansion of the Winter Garden Farmers Market. Hosted by Healthy West Orange, activities are complimentary and include health screenings, CPR classes, bike safety checks; nutrition, health and fitness classes, giant-sized yard games, hay maze, live DJ, and other seasonal-related fun. For an event schedule and more information, visit www.healthywestorange.org. 

SHOP SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY – Citywide & Sidewalk Sale in Downtown Winter Garden 

Saturday, November 27 –All Day 

Seasonal shopping kick-off in celebration of nationally celebrated Small Business Saturday. Besides special sales at retail stores throughout Winter Garden, Downtown Winter Garden will host a Sidewalk Sale with special offers and promotions amidst the backdrop of historic charm and festive winter wonderland decorations. Details at www.cwgdn.com/517/Shop-Small-Business-Saturday-2021. 

TIS THE SEASON — DOWNTOWN IS MERRY ALL MONTH LONG December 1-31 

Downtown Winter Garden  –Downtown Winter Garden transforms into a winter wonderland with all the holiday trimmings for family fun all month long! Highlights include an animated “A Very Merry Winer Garden Light Show” projected onto Winter Garden City Hall, variety shows on select Friday and Saturday evenings, horse-drawn holiday carriage tours, live holiday music at select Fridays on the Plaza, carolers, outdoor holiday movie for the community, holiday movie showings at the Garden Theatre, holiday-themed Farmers Market, festive decorations and light displays, holiday-themed photo locations, and more! For event schedule, visit www.cwgdn.com/479/Tis-the-Season-Schedule-2021. 

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