Where:  Main Street, downtown Tavares
Schedule of events:

• 5 p.m. -  Small-town parade begins going east on Main Street from the  courthouse past City Hall to St. Clair Abrams Avenue.

Parade route:  This small-town parade route heads east on Main Street from the Courthouse past City Hall to St. Clair-Abrams Avenue.  An evening of fun festivities to follow in Wooton Park.

After the parade along Main Street, more festivities kick off in Wooton Park at 100 E. Ruby Street in downtown Tavares, including food trucks, vendors, live entertainment, kids' games, and more.  
Where:  Wooton Park, downtown
Schedule of events: 

• 6 p.m. - Kids’ activities commence along Rockingham Avenue and in Wooton Park
• 6 p.m. -  Kids’ dance party with interactive Live DJ in Wooton Park begins
• 6 p.m. - Don Black, saxophonist at picnic pavillion
• 6 p.m. - Main act, Blonde Ambition band under the tent
• 9 p.m. -  National anthem and fireworks          ​

Tips: Free parking is available in the parking garage at 200 N. Sinclair Avenue in downtown Tavares.

Looking for a good vantage point for the local fireworks?  Besides being on a boat on the lake, here are the top 10 spots for Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis:

MOUNT DORA:  JULY 3, 9:20
1.  Simpson Cove & Evans Park
2.  Lakeside Inn pool bar
3.  The Yardery
4. Mount Dora Lighthouse

EUSTIS:  JULY 3, 9 p.m.
5.   Ferran Park
6.   Lake Eustis on a boat 
7.  Crazy Gators
8.  Lake Eustis Waterfront Grille

TAVARES:   JULY 4, 9 p.m.
9.  Kalua Hale Beach Club
10.  Wooton Park
11. Citrus Sky Bar

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit Mount Dora Buzz's website, its Instagram  and Facebook page.  Download the area's free mobile app for info on the go.  For local food recommendations, follow Mount Dora Foodie's Facebook and its official Instagram account.

Mount Dora will join other communities across the country by hosting a Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 20.  This year the annual family-friendly festival will be held at Cauley Lott Park in the Northeast Community, an area with a deep African-American history of educators, strong community churches, business owners, civil rights and community leaders, as well as hardworking residents.

The free festivities will include musical performances by E-Turn, DJ Samp Da Champ, and other guest musicians, as well as an appearance by 104.5 The Beat. In addition, there will be community basketball activities, food and drinks available for purchase, and activities in celebration of community and connection.
 
Juneteenth, the oldest celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S., has been a tradition since the late 19th century and is now recognized in at least 43 states.  

June 19, known as Juneteenth Independence Day or Emancipation Day, is the anniversary of the abolition of slavery in Texas in 1865. Although Abraham Lincoln freed all slaves with the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862, Texas was geographically remote and its slave owners ignored the new law.  Only Texas slaves that escaped could enjoy freedom in the North.  

June 19 marks the date Union General Gordon Granger arrived on Galveston Island with 2,000 troops to establish a federal presence in Texas and officially free its slaves. 

Today, community Juneteenth festivals celebrate African-American freedom and achievement, encourage respect for all cultures, and strive to create new bonds of friendship and understanding.  Celebrations often include public BBQs, live music, readings of the Emancipation Proclamation, and singing of traditional spirituals. 

The celebration on June 20 is from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and admission is free. Cauley Lott Park is located at  1717 N. Highland Street in Mount Dora. 

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and sure to follow Mount Dora Buzz's Instagram  and Facebook page for more local info.

For those seeking priceless treasure or others just curious about the oddities, Mount Dora’s Antique Extravaganza never disappoints.  On November 14, 15 and 16, Mount Dora will once again, be home to Central Florida's massive and eclectic shopping experience at Renningers Antique Center.  The sprawling indoor and outdoor venue hosts the event, regarded as the mother lode of vintage and antique shopping,  three times a year among picturesque hills under majestic oaks.
 
Make no mistake.  There is antique shopping and then there is shopping the “Extravo.”  That’s the term seasoned buyers and “pickers” use for Renningers' event that boasts nearly 800 dealers during its three-day run spread on a scenic portion of a 130-acre property on the eastern edge of the city.

RELATED:  Find the holiday events for Mount Dora, Tavares and Eustis.

Dealers from across the U.S. descend on Mount Dora to offer an endless variety of vintage finds and fine antiques at every price.   Eager collectors, decorators and vintage shoppers from across Florida show up in droves to uncover treasures, find the best deals and practice their haggling. 
 
Extravos only happen in November, January  and February.  Loyal shoppers and the curious can roam the hills from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.   Friday admission costs more ($10), but eager shoppers get first dibs on hard-to-find treasures.  Saturday is $6, but Sunday shoppers get the lowest admission price ($4), and often better bargains, however some vendors do pack up early.

RELATED:  View the local entertainment calendar for other events.
 
Parking is always plentiful and free for the Renningers Extravaganzas.  Renninger’s Antique Center is located at 20651 US Hwy 441.  ​

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app.  ​​Be sure to follow  Mount Dora Buzz on Instagram for more local info.