Blog Archives - MOUNT DORA BUZZ

TWO LOCAL WRITERS EARN COVETED GOLD AWARDS

10/22/2020

Mount Dora is known for its creative community of award-winning visual artists and stellar musicians. However, the area’s immense creativity also extends to a bevy of extraordinary writers.

Last week two members of a long-established local writers group, Writers One Flight Up, won prestigious Royal Palm Literary Awards from The Florida Writers Association (FWA).

Linda Kraus of Mount Dora won two trophies for Published Poems, the Gold Award for “Casual Sex” and the Bronze Award for “A Naked Emperor.” Kraus, a retired Film Studies professor in Massachusetts, has won four previous Royal Palm Literary Awards.

Tavares resident William Opperman won the Gold Award for Unpublished Short Story for his entry, “New to This.” Opperman is the long-time copy editor of Mount Dora Buzz.

This year marked the 19th annual competition and 549 entries were submitted for judging and valuable feedback. In all, the competition covered 28 adult genres and five youth genres, with published and unpublished entries considered separately. The complete list of 2020 winners is available here.

“I have six other pieces that didn’t even make the finals, but the feedback will help me make them better, perhaps for next year’s competition,” said Opperman, who is also a screenwriter and a former I.T. professional.

The Florida Writers Association is a nonprofit organization that supports the state’s established and emerging writers. The organization currently has 1,800 members and membership is open to the public.

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Local Entertainment Calendar

MOUNT DORA CHANGES UP HOLIDAY LIGHTS TRADITION

10/20/2020

It’s a festive and decades-old tradition that garnered Mount Dora the reputation of being arguably the Best Little Christmas Town in Florida. This year, the beloved tradition will continue, albeit with some changes due to COVID-19.

City crews are working hard to hang the nearly 2 million lights downtown, but this year the impressive light display will be expanded to create a more walkable display that includes Simpson Cove, as well as part of Gilbert Park. Spectators will be able to stroll from downtown’s Donnelly Park to Mount Dora Marina’s jaw-dropping Christmas display and continue to Simpson Cove and the park to enjoy more lights.

RELATED: Things to To in Mount Dora, Tavares and Eustis

Joe Lewis, owner of Mount Dora Marina and Boating Center, says this year's LED display will be bigger, better and brighter than ever before. “In my view, people need a great Christmas experience more than ever before, and it's our pleasure to be able to help out a little.” This marks the 24th year Lewis and his small crew of elves have worked overtime to produce what is believed to be the largest private light display in Central Florida.

As usual, the lights will be turned on sometime during the last two weeks in November. However, this year the City of Mount Dora will forego its crowded Light Up ceremony and won’t give advance notice of the date in order to reduce the crowd size and create a safer environment. Once the lights are on, Mount Dora Buzz will post it on its Facebook page so residents and visitors can make plans to enjoy the display without the large crowds. The towering musical Christmas tree will also return to Sunset Park in November.

Mount Dora’s holiday lights will remain up until Mount Dora Arts Festival in early February so residents and visitors have plenty of time to enjoy it.

RELATED: Mount Dora Arts Festival is a Go in February

Lewis and his wife, Suzy, will host their annual “Light Night for Tykes” when they open the gates to their magical winter wonderland to benefit Toys for Tots on Saturday, December 5th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. It’s the only night the inside of the sprawling illuminated display is open to the public (see video below). The charity event collects toy donations for underprivileged children by asking for a new, unwrapped toy to gain admission. The marina is located at 148 Charles Avenue at downtown Mount Dora’s lakefront near the lighthouse.

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Local Entertainment Calendar

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MOUNT DORA’S 45TH ANNUAL ARTS FESTIVAL IS A GO!

10/12/2020

After careful consideration and COVID-19 precautions, the 45th annual Mount Dora Art Festival will proceed as scheduled in February. Typically, the juried show features approximately 300 of the nation’s top artists, but this year organizers are aiming for 200 in order to accommodate social distancing of booths.

In an effort to keep artists and visitors safer, Mount Dora Center for the Arts (MDCA), the organizers of the popular two-day festival, will space booths 10 feet apart and masks will be required for visitors and vendors.

This year Florida’s art festivals are receiving fewer applicants than in previous years. The challenge is twofold. One reason is due to the cancellation of some festivals on the art show circuit which has made travelling to Florida’s remaining festivals less profitable for artists. The other reason is the artists’ concern over COVID-19 safety due to events that often draw large crowds. In order for artists to participate, they must have confidence the festival will be both safe and profitable. In pre-Covid-19 years, the highly ranked art festival reportedly drew approximately 200,000 people over the two days.

RELATED: Things to Do in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis

Mount Dora Arts Festival will take place on February 6 and 7 on downtown streets in the heart of the quaint historic district. The deadline for artists to apply is October 15. However there is a chance the deadline could be extended, according to Nancy Zinkofsky, MDCA’s Executive DIrector. The jurying process will begin the first week in November.

Artists interested in applying can go to Zapplication.org and enter Mount Dora Arts Festival and then fill out the application and pay the $25 fee.

Funds from the event help sustain MDCA’s programming and art classes, free events, exhibits, lectures and kids’ summer camp scholarships.

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Local Dining Guide

MOUNT DORA'S GIANT CORN MAZE OPENS OCT. 3

10/1/2020

ABOVE: This year's giant corn maze is themed "Farm to Table." (Photo supplied by Long & Scott Farm)

It’s an annual tradition in Mount Dora. Lose your sense of direction and then try to find your way out of a towering corn field.

The 18th annual corn maze at Long & Scott Farm, located outside of Mount Dora, opens on October 3 with a Farm-to-Table themed labyrinth cut into the field. In previous years, the popular seasonal attraction reportedly brought in an estimated 1,500 - 2,000 weekend visitors.

Visitors that dare can enter the giant 6.5-acre corn maze and attempt to find their way out of the tall and twisting corn field. No need to panic--before an anxiety attack kicks in, participants can raise a flag to surrender and be promptly rescued.

There is also a half-acre mini corn maze for smaller guests, and a cooling mist labyrinth. The popular agri-tourism attraction also features an oversized jumping pillow, super slide, kids' zip line, expansive wooden play fort, covered picnic areas, hayrides, kids’ fishing, food vendors and country market.

Scott's Maze Adventure is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. between October 3 and Dec. 13. It is recommended to get there early to avoid long lines. Latest entry is 3 p.m. The farm is located at 26216 County Road 448A, Mount Dora.

Admission is $12; children 3 and under are free. Kids 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Hayrides are $4 per person and kids’ fishing is $2. Large groups can make reservations for admission on Tuesdays through Fridays.

Scott’s Country Market & Café is now open for the season on Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Find the list of local pumpkin patches here.

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Entertainment Calendar

THE BEST LOCAL PUMPKIN PATCHES

10/1/2020

It’s arguably the most fun family activity leading up to Halloween: the annual trek to the pumpkin patch in search of the perfect pumpkin.

Here’s a list of local pumpkin patches that run the gamut from a place to simply purchase great pumpkins to larger farms with fun activities for kids:

COMMUNITY PUMPKIN PATCH

East Lake Chamber of Commerce
24214 Sorrento Avenue (formerly SR 46), Sorrento
Choose from a selection of pumpkins in a variety of shapes and sizes, and enjoy storytime every Saturday at noon. The Chamber has increased the distance between pumpkin platforms to allow for social distancing and requests customers to wear masks and socially distance from other family groups. Handwashing stations will be available throughout the Patch.
Dates/Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. every day until October 31 or until the last pumpkin is sold. Cash and checks accepted.

FALL IN THE FIELD

Renningers Antique Center, 20651 US Hwy 441, Mount Dora
Every year this weekend show celebrates the season with a designated area featuring an impressive selection of unique heirloom pumpkins. The event also offers fall decor, primitive antiques, vintage items and an adjoining craft show.
Dates/Hours: October 3 & 4, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

RELATED: Fall in the Field and Craft Show come to Renningers in Mount Dora

LONG & SCOTT COUNTRY MARKET

26216 CR 448A, Mount Dora
Plenty of pumpkins and photo opportunities are outside the entrance to Scott’s Country Market. On weekends families can also enjoy the corn maze, bounce pillow, and more. Pumpkins are available beginning in early October.
Dates/Hours: Tues - Saturday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday 12:00 - 6:00 p.m.

A LOT OF PUMPKINS

Santa’s Christmas Tree Farm
35317 Huff Road, Eustis
This farm with a shaded pumpkin patch also offers orange and white pumpkins priced by size. There are also hayrides, maze, zip lines, pony rides and farm animals. General admission on days when all activities are offered range from $3 to $6 and advance booking is necessary in order to limit the number of guests.
Dates/Hours: Open weekends through October 31.

RELATED: October events for Mount Dora, Tavares and Eustis

SUNSATIONAL FARMS

40541 Roger Giles Road, Umatilla
This farm has transformed its landmark giant orange to a jack-o’-lantern as a symbol for the season. Its free weekly Fall Farm Festival in October features a pumpkin patch, and tickets can be purchased for games, a maze, the bee train, face painting and more. A food truck will be on site and the farm store will be open for ice cream, shaved ice and more.
Dates/Hours: Saturday, October 3 10, 17 and 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

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SCARECROWS RETURN TO DOWNTOWN MOUNT DORA

10/1/2020

They’re back! For years they were the seasonal sign of the arrival of fall in downtown Mount Dora. Now, after a long hiatus, the tradition of a Scarecrow Stroll returns to the city from October 5 to November 9.

RELATED: Mount Dora kick off CycleTober

To celebrate the upcoming season, the City of Mount Dora encouraged residents, business owners and groups to create their own scarecrows in a TV-or movie-theme to enter into its free contest. To level the playing field and promote originality, commercially made scarecrows were not allowed. Prior to the start of the contest, the whimsical straw statues were dropped off to City staff for installation, but the creators are responsible for maintaining their entry.

RELATED: Find out other local happenings in October on the area's Entertainment Calendar

Mount Dora leaders are hoping the festive figures attract visitors to stroll downtown, which in turn may help local businesses. A select panel of judges will score the scarecrows and the winners will be announced at the City Council Meeting on November 3.

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STEAMPUNK SHOW ATTRACTS THE CREATIVE AND THE CURIOUS TO MOUNT DORA ON OCT. 17 & 18

10/1/2020

Phantasmagoria performs at the Steampunk Industrial Show (Mount Dora Buzz file photo)

What happens when you combine Victorian costumes with innovative technology and the industrial age? To make it really interesting, add heaping spoonfuls of drama and fantasy.

The result is Steampunk, a fantastical world where Albert Einstein, the wild west and Mad Max collide.

Renninger's Steampunk Industrial Show has grown to what is arguably the largest festival of its kind in the Southeast. The free event is set under the oak trees of Mount Dora and features some of the best people-watching in Central Florida. Goggled time-travellers stroll among the show’s vintage vendors, steampunk entertainers, impressive live music and artists. The event takes place twice a year in January and October.

RELATED: View the local entertainment calendar for Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis

“Steampunk,” first coined in 1987, refers to the Victorian age of steam-powered machines melded with the “punk” attitude of non-conformity, creativity and unrestrained individuality. This increasingly popular science-fiction genre is present in art, music, fashion, film and especially literature.

The family-friendly Steampunk Industrial Show runs October 17 through 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Renninger's Antique Center, 20651 US 441, Mount Dora. Watch the local entertainment calendar for the upcoming schedule of events. Parking and admission are free.

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NEW SCOTTISH EVENT KICKS OFF IN MOUNT DORA

10/1/2020

Dust off your kilt! A festive new fall event will have its inaugural night in downtown Mount Dora on October 9.

Plaid in the Park is a free monthly event featuring Celtic and Scottish style music, including the City of Mount Dora Pipes and Drums band, plus street vendors set up along 4th Avenue selling food and drinks. Event organizers plan to offer varying entertainment each of the three months the free event will be held in Sunset Park.

Plaid in the Park was organized by Mount Dora Sister Cities Association (MDSCA) along with the City of Mount Dora, and Mount Dora Pipes and Drums Band to celebrate the culture and traditions of Scotland and to provide the public an opportunity to learn about Forres, Scotland, Mount Dora’s Sister City. Scottish Clans, kinship groups among the Scottish people that are identified by their own tartan plaid patterns, can socialize at a Gathering of the Clans Booth. Among the various raffles at the nearby MDSCA booth will be a putting green with golf green fees as prizes.

RELATED: Discover Octobers local events for Mount Dora Tavares and Eustis

Julie Campbell, Vice President of MDSCA described the Plaid in the Park as “a night for everyone to be Scottish, no matter where you’re from. Most people don’t need a reason to wear a kilt, but this is definitely a good one.”

Masks are strongly recommended at the family friendly event, said Campbell. Social distancing and mask reminders will be placed throughout the outdoor venue and a hand sanitizer station will be available. Vendor booths will be spaced apart to aid in the social distancing.

RELATED: Things to do in Mount Dora, Tavares and Eustis

The downtown event is scheduled for the second Friday in October, November and December from 6-9 p.m. in Sunset Park, located on the corner of Alexander Street and 4th Avenue in Mount Dora.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. For local things to do, click here and for the area's free mobile app, click here.