Highwaymen reps to be at cowboy event

An original Florida Highwaymen painter and the son of the group’s founder, Albert Hair, will be present at this weekend’s free National Day of the Cowboy event at the Osceola County Historical Society’s Pioneer Village.

The Florida Highwaymen was a group of 26 African-American artists who painted Florida landscapes and traveled the state’s highways selling their wares.

Kevin Hair, who Highwaymen group member Al Black said can “paint just like his dad,” and Black, an original member of the group, will be at the event Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The event, at 750 N. Bass Road (off W. U.S. Highway 192), Kissimmee, will be Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

Puerto Rican expo and fair planned

The first Osceola County Puerto Rican Business Expo and Health Fair is planned for Saturday and Sunday at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee.

The free expo and fair will run both days from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. There will be a parade on Sunday at 11 a.m.

Festivities begin Friday evening at 7 p.m. with a gala event at OHP where awards will be given out to eight individuals who have made significant contributions to the community. The Philharmonic Orchestra of Puerto Rico will perform at the gala.

Admission to the Friday night gala is $34 per person and includes food, dancing and music. Tickets must be purchased in advance at the Silver Spurs Arena box office or at Mary Lou’s Music Center, 1832 E. Vine St., Kissimmee. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

The parade is dedicated to the U.S. Army’s 65th Infantry Regiment, which was comprised of Puerto Ricans.

Lane closures on Narcoossee Road

As part of the ongoing construction project to widen Narcoossee Road, crews will be closing lanes at the intersection of Boggy Creek Road and Narcoossee Road from Friday through Wednesday, July 27.

On Sunday, the contractor will set up a temporary detour around the reconstruction area on Boggy Creek Road. The detour is scheduled to be removed prior to 6 a.m. on Monday.

Once the detour is removed, motorists will travel on the new southbound lanes of Narcoossee Road. Starting Monday evening, the contractor will then close lanes between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. until the remaining work is completed.

This project involves the full reconstruction of 7.4 miles of Narcoossee Road from two-lane rural to four-lane urban between U.S. Highway 192 and Boggy Creek Road. The project is scheduled to be completed by the summer of 2012

Motorists are urged to use caution when approaching this area, as there will be temporary lane closures, but no road closures, and possibly reduced speed limits in certain areas. Traffic delays can be expected. Schedules could vary according to weather and equipment-related issues.

For more information, contact the Osceola County Community Outreach/Public Information Office at 407-742-0100.