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PUBLIC INVITED INSIDE SPRAWLING LIGHT DISPLAY FOR ONE NIGHT

11/28/2018

As if their gift of impressive holiday lights to Mount Dora isn’t enough, the owners of Mount Dora Boating Center and Marina take their generosity and holiday spirit a step further.

On November 30, Joe and Susan Lewis will once again offer visitors the rare opportunity to view the sprawling light display from inside the gates during Night of Lights for Tykes. The charity event collects toy donations for underprivileged children by asking for a new, unwrapped toy to gain admission.

Inside the marina the display takes on a whole new dimension. Rather than viewing the display from the perimeter, visitors are right in the middle of all the twinkling lights and imaginative displays. Guests can stroll the marina and take photos with Frosty, toy soldiers, reindeer, a colorful tree and the plethora of other displays. A preview is available in the video below.

No one knows exactly how many lights are in what is dubbed the largest private holiday light display in Central Florida. “We stopped counting after a million several years ago. We add more every year since and this year is no exception,” said Joe.

The marina has been a Toys for Tots drop off for 15 years. Three years ago the Lewises experimented by adding a night that allowed visitors inside in exchange for a donation to Toys For Tots. Their experiment was a success and now the Marine Corp Reserves have also joined in the event.

Night of Lights for Tykes is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on November 30. Mount Dora Boating Center and Marina is located at 148 Charles Avenue at downtown Mount Dora’s lakefront.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. Free subscriptions to the monthly issue of Mount Dora Buzz are available here.

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LIGHT UP MOUNT DORA SCHEDULE FOR NOV. 24

11/19/2018

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Mount Dora will come alive with over 2 million lights this Saturday, November 24, during the 37th annual Light Up Mount Dora.

Workers with Mount Dora Marina, the City of Mount Dora, and local businesses have been stringing up the lights in the city since mid-October. The combined efforts of these groups have turned the Central Florida town into an increasingly well-known Christmas destination. Mount Dora Marina alone has over a million lights and is reportedly the largest privately-owned light display in Central Florida.

Light Up Mount Dora will feature pre-show events in downtown Donnelly Park with dancers, traditional Christmas carols and much more. Residents and visitors are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and blankets to the park.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
4:30 Pre-show events begin
5:00-7:30 Holiday shopping continues
6:30 Lights turn on in Donnelly Park
6:40 40-foot Christmas tree lights turn on in Sunset Park
6:50 Santa at Sunset Park

The city’s lights will remain on nightly through February. For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. Free subscriptions to the monthly issue of Mount Dora Buzz are available here.

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HERE'S THE SCHEDULE FOR LIGHT UP EUSTIS ON NOV. 23

11/19/2018

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The 31st Annual Light-Up Eustis Celebration will take place November 23 in historic downtown from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The light-up ceremony will begin at 6:00 p.m. The free, family-friendly festivities include a 75-foot snow slide, live music, entertainment, food trucks, and vendors. Kids will also enjoy a special visit by Santa, Mrs. Claus, Dancer the reindeer and its baby Donnie.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
5:00 p.m.: Win1 Ministries’ Praise Team taking the stage.
5:30 p.m.: Bay Street Player’s Young People’s Theatre.
6:00 p.m.: Mayor Morin, members of City Commission, and winners from the Miss Eustis Pageant in a countdown ceremony to watch approximately 400,000 LED holiday lights come to life across all of Downtown Eustis.

The ceremony is followed by Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving by sleigh from the North Pole. Children are invited to take a free photo with them and decorate a keepsake frame from the Lake Eustis Museum of Art. Santa’s arrival is followed by holiday music by the Community of One Choir, Grande Island Baptist Church, and The Master’s Praise, Downtown Center Stage.

Kids also have a chance to slide on a 75-foot snow hill or ice skate on real ice. Admission to the ice rink is $10 per skater and includes skate rental.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, download the area's free mobile app. Free subscriptions to the monthly issue of Mount Dora Buzz are available here.

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EUSTIS SETS OPENING DATE FOR ICE-SKATING RINK

11/9/2018

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Ferran Park will soon transform into a winter wonderland. The City of Eustis, in partnership with Florida Hospital Waterman, is bringing “Eustis on Ice,” a real ice skating rink, to downtown Eustis.

The rink will make its public debut on Wednesday, November 21, and run seven days a week until January 6, 2019. The 40’ x 100’ public ice rink will be in the middle of Ferran Park directly on Lake Eustis and feature themed nights, a holiday movie in the park, and a visit from Santa. Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase and food trucks will be available on the weekends.

Admission to the ice rink is $10 per skater and includes skate rental. A skate pass is available for $90 which includes ten admissions and ten beverages. Groups of 20 or more receive a discounted rate of $8 per person that includes skate rental. Private parties and corporate events of up to 100 people can also be accommodated. The City of Eustis will be offering Spirit Night for local Lake County Schools to help raise school funds.

“This family-friendly activity will be available right here in the heart of our community in a beautiful lakefront setting,” said Abel Biri, CEO of Florida Hospital Waterman. “Eustis holds a special place in our hearts because it is where our hospital began under the Waterman legacy name.”

Scheduled Hours
Hours will depend on the day of the week, private rentals, and holidays. Some blackout dates may apply.
Monday – Thursday (3 p.m. – 9 p.m.)
Friday (3 p.m. – 10 p.m.)
Saturday (10 a.m. – 10 p.m.)
Sunday (1 p.m. – 7 p.m.)
Tickets are available online at www.eustisonice.eventbrite.com

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, download the area's free mobile app. Free subscriptions to the monthly issue of Mount Dora Buzz are available here.

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Massive Antique Show Lures Collectors and the Curious to Mount Dora

11/1/2018

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Vintage lovers and treasure hunters are getting giddy.

Once again, Mount Dora will play host to Central Florida's massive and eclectic shopping experience November 16, 17 and 18.

Three times a year Renningers Antique Center organizes the Antique Extravaganza, the motherlode of vintage and antique shopping, set in the rambling hills under majestic oaks.

Make no mistake. There is antique shopping and then there is the ‘Extravo’ shopping. That’s the term seasoned buyers and ‘pickers’ use for the event that boasts over 800 dealers during its 3-day run spread on a scenic portion of a 130-acre property.

Dealers from across the U.S. descend on Mount Dora to offer a tremendous variety of vintage finds and fine antiques at every price.

Extravos only happen the third Friday, Saturday and Sunday of November, January and February. Shoppers and the curious can roam the hills from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday admittance costs more, however eager shoppers get first dibs on hard-to-find treasures. Sunday shoppers get better bargains, but some vendors do pack up early.

Parking is free. Admission is $10 on Friday, $6 on Saturday, and only $4 on Sunday. A three-day pass is $15. Renninger’s Antique Center is located at 20651 US Hwy 441.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis,  download the area's free mobile app. Free subscriptions to the monthly issue of Mount Dora Buzz are available here.

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Arts & Entertainment

PUBLIC INVITED INSIDE SPRAWLING LIGHT DISPLAY FOR ONE NIGHT

LIGHT UP MOUNT DORA SCHEDULE FOR NOV. 24

HERE'S THE SCHEDULE FOR LIGHT UP EUSTIS ON NOV. 23

EUSTIS SETS OPENING DATE FOR ICE-SKATING RINK

Massive Antique Show Lures Collectors and the Curious to Mount Dora

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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