KISSIMMEE, FL August 18, 2004 -- In an effort to provide an air-conditioned diversion for families, Best of Florida Festival at Gaylord Palms Resort will be open free of charge to Florida residents Aug. 21 and 22.

The indoor festival features family-friendly entertainment and events throughout the weekend, including an indoor laser show on Saturday evening. Festival hours are Saturday from noon until 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon until 6 p.m.

This has been a very difficult week and we want to help however we can, said Keith Salwoski, public relations manager. With kids out of school, we want to provide a diversion for families, and an opportunity to have fun together at no cost.

Best of Florida Festival, which runs weekends through Sept. 5, celebrates all that makes Florida great its legends, festivals, events, foods, landscapes and creatures.

All summer long, Best of Florida Festival has been celebrating the Sunshine State as a great place to live and visit, said Salwoski. The timing is appropriate as we all stop to remember the special place that Florida has in peoples hearts. In fact, recent events have caused our bond of community to grow even stronger weve all heard amazing stories of neighbor helping neighbor in the aftermath of the storm.

The festival is staged around the resorts 4.5-acre glass-covered atriums, making it one of the only indoor festivals in the state. Best of Florida Festival includes several themed areas:

-    Everglades Village: Visit a Florida backwaters village, complete with character actors, artisans, storytellers, and music. Camp Gator, presented by Gatorland, includes an opportunity to touch a live alligator.

-    KeyWestFest: The energy of fun-filled Key West, featuring artists, tightrope walkers, performers, live music, steel drums, and even a live mermaid.

-    Legacy Corner: Celebrate Floridas history and heritage with shows from Medieval Times Dinner Theater, characters from Florida Renaissance Festival, swashbuckling pirates and a treasure hunt.

-    Festival Central: Listen to live music, participate in kids activities and crafts, and visit an exhibit featuring reproductions of the greatest works of Salvador Dali, from the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Fla. At Festival U, discover gardening tips, participate in a wine tasting seminar, learn about spa treatments you can create at home, and attend other interesting seminars.

Best of Florida Festival features activities around every corner, including:
    Summer SUN-sations! an end-of-night laser show finale held inside the resort atrium, featuring amazing lasers and upbeat music (Held Saturday evenings only)
    Live Entertainment enjoy talented Florida musicians
    Storytellers and ghost stories -- Gather together to hear legends of Florida, from members of the Florida Storytelling Association
    Sand sculpture displays See amazing sand sculptures created by award-winning artists, including a three-side sculpture that depicts Florida scenes
    The Gaylord Gardener seminars -- free seminars and tours from the gardening experts at Gaylord Palms
    Gaylord Gourmet seminars a food and wine-tasting event (additional fee)
    Antique car displays See the best automobiles of yesteryear
    Displays and entertainment from Floridas top attractions

The festival continues weekends through Sept. 5. Admission and parking is complimentary Aug. 21 and 22. Subsequent weekend admission is $10 per carload, and includes parking and most events. Guests who dine at the resorts restaurant will have their entry fee validated.

For more reservations or more information, please call Gaylord Palms at 407-586-2000, or visit the Best of Florida Festival web site at www.gaylordpalms.com/bestfest. Complete weekend schedules are posted on the website.

About Gaylord Palms
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center has gained the attention of the meeting and convention industry by providing world-class convention and leisure-focused amenities all in one place. The award-winning Gaylord Palms is a Gaylord Hotels-branded property owned by Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET), a leading hospitality and entertainment company based in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, visit www.gaylordpalms.com or www.gaylordentertainment.com.

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For photos or video, please contact Keith Salwoski, Gaylord Palms Resort, 407-586-0315
Guest Contact: Gaylord Palms reservations, 407-586-2000