Editors Note: The launch of the Space Shuttle Endeavour has been delayed due to the failure of one of two heater circuits associated with Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) 1, which is required to keep the APUs' hydrazine from freezing on orbit. The launch is being rescheduled for no earlier than Monday, May 2, at 2:33 p.m. EST.

The Space Shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to launch from Kennedy Space Center at 3:47 EST this afternoon on its final journey, a 14-day mission to the International Space Station. Today's launch will mark the beginning of Endeavour's 25th mission spanning its 20 years of operation.

• After a national competition involving elementary and secondary school students that produced 6,154 entries from more than 70,000 students, NASA chose Endeavour and its name was announced in 1989 by President George Bush. The name comes from the first ship commanded by James Cook, the 18th century British explorer, navigator and astronomer.
• Delivered to the Kennedy Space Center in May 1991, Endeavour flew its first mission a year later, in May 1992. The mission was highlighted by the dramatic rescue of a stranded communications satellite and re-release it into a geosynchronous orbit.
• Space shuttles, in the day-to-day operations and processing go by more commonplace designations. Thus, Endeavour is commonly referred to as OV-105, for Orbiter Vehicle-105.
• Endeavour's empty weight was 151,205 lbs at rollout and 172,000 lbs with its main engines installed.
• Prior to today's launch, Endeavour will have traveled 116,372,930 total miles; spent 283 days in space; orbited the Earth 4,423 times; carried 167 crew members; and, visited the International Space Station 11 times.

| How to See a Shuttle Launch | Kennedy Space Center Photo Gallery |

^{Photo of Space Shuttle Endeavour lifting off from Launch Pad 39A on February 11, 2000 for its STS-99 Mission © NASA Kennedy Space Center}

Move over Mouse! Shrek and his DreamWorks pals are coming to Central Florida! In an alliance just announced today, Gaylord Hotels and DreamWorks Animation are teaming up to bring more iconic movie characters to Orlando. The live interactive experiences will include character breakfasts, poolside activities in the summer and more themed entertainment to all Gaylord Hotel locations, including Gaylord Palms. Guests can expect live appearances by characters from current DreamWorks Animation franchises, including "Shrek," "Kung Fu Panda," and "Madagascar," as well as other future films and characters from the studio. In addition, Gaylord Palms' holiday ICE! and summertime's SummerFest will integrate the DreamWorks' characters, greatly increasing the popularity of these award-winning events.

Vacation packages featuring the "DreamWorks Experience at Gaylord Hotels" will go on sale in July, 2011. The experiences will go live in all four resorts beginning in November, 2011, as part of Gaylord's Christmastime programing.

Looking for even more characters in Central Florida? Check out Florida's character dining opportunities offering a chance to dine with your favorite Disney characters, Elmo and friends, your favorite Saturday morning cartoon friends and superheroes.

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^{Photo & Logo © Gaylord Hotels & DreamWorks Animation}

If you're looking for something to do this weekend in Florida, look no further than these events:

• Celebrating 20 years of the Southeast's largest country music festival, the Suwannee River Jam features over 500 acres of fun in Live Oak from Thursday, April 28 through Saturday, April 30.
• The Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival in Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island features fine arts & crafts, antiques, entertainment, a fun kids zone; and, of course, shrimp! The festival, in its 48th year, runs from this Friday April 29 through Sunday, May 1. The popular Pirate Parade will be Saturday, April 30. Admission is free. | Amelia Island | Amelia Island Photo Tour |
• The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival continues to burst with blossoms at Disney World. And, Paul Revere and the Raiders will appear in concert at the America Gardens Theatre stage three times a night Friday, April 29 through Sunday, May 1. Can't make it this weekend? The festival continues daily through May 15, 2011.

Check out next month's events:

• May Weather, Festivals and Events in Florida
• Disney World in May
• Universal Orlando in May

^{Photo © Dawn Henthorn, licensed to About.com}

It's been a Florida tradition for over 35 years, but it's not a theme park and it's not a crazy roadside attraction. What is Florida's corny tradition? It's the Zellwood Sweet Corn Festival! And, while it has traditionally been a Memorial Day weekend event, this year it has been moved up two weeks to Saturday and Sunday, May 14 & 15, 2011. Organizers are expecting thousands to pour into the tiny town of Zellwood (north of Orlando) to stroll the arts & crafts exhibits and listen to great entertainment. Advance admission tickets are $10 for those age 13 and up at select Lake and Orange County locations.

• What: Zellwood Sweet Corn Festival
• When: Saturday & Sunday, May 14 & 15, 2011
• Where: 4253 Ponkan Road (off Hwy. 441) Zellwood (about 30 miles north of Orlando)