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Letters to Santa can be dropped off in Mount Dora mailbox

11/25/2021

Once again, Santa has taken note that historic Mount Dora is arguably the best little Christmas town in Florida.

Since 2019, elves have quietly delivered a bright red mailbox exclusively for letters to Santa in front of Linda and Jeanette Bokland’s cheerful purple cottage. Kids can now drop their well-wishes, questions and requests to Santa in the customized mailbox starting today. To accommodate the hundreds of letters from local children last year, dozens of local elves helped process the mail and this year is expected to be the same.

RELATED: Holiday Event Guide for Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis

Since Saint Nick is busy supervising his mischievous elves before Christmas, Mrs. Claus will be personally replying to all letters that include a return address. The red mailbox is located at 201 W. 11th Avenue . No postage is necessary on the letters.

Meanwhile, Santa can be seen in Mount Dora during his annual tour across the City on November 29 and 30 and December 1 and 2. The nightly tour routes are available here. Santa will also be in downtown Mount Dora for photo ops on November 27 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m in Sunset Park near the musical Christmas tree. Be sure to check out the city's impressive holiday lights at Mount Dora Marina and downtown's Donnelly Park. Find other local holiday events here.

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

Santa tours Mount Dora with lights & sirens beginning Nov. 29

11/24/2021

Pssst...Santa is coming to town beginning on November 29. Every year Santa and Mrs. Claus visit Mount Dora neighborhoods with a few of their local friends. This year, they have expanded their tour of the city’s neighborhoods to four days.

To cover so much ground without his reindeer, Santa relies on the help of Mount Dora's Police and Fire Departments. The sound of loud sirens will fill the evening air as Santa and his festive motorcade travel throughout the city.

Mrs. Claus reports Santa loves Christmas in Mount Dora, so his 2021 tour schedule covers a lot of the city. As a result, his arrival times can be unpredictable, but his elves assured Mount Dora Buzz that it's always worth any wait that might occur.

Santa and his entourage will leave Mount Dora Police Department at 6 p.m. each of the four days. Here is the tour route for each day:

DAY 1: November 29
West - Normandy Drive, Overlook Drive, Hillside Drive, Hilltop Drive, Dogwood Mountain, Downtown, Hammock Oaks Apartments, Eudora Chase Subdivision, Spring Harbor Apartments, Village Grove Subdivision, Tri-Cities Shopping Plaza, Walmart, Chick-Fil-A, & Target

DAY 2: November 30
Northeast - Northeast Community, Bristol Lakes Apartments, Country Club of Mount Dora, Loch Leven Shopping Plaza

DAY 3: December 1
Southeast - Donnelly Park, Downtown, South Simpson Street, South Rhodes Street, South Rossiter Street, Cobble Hill Subdivision, Dorset Subdivision, Overlook Subdivision, Chautauqua Subdivision, & South Clayton Street

RELATED: Local Holiday Event Guide

DAY 4: December 2
Communities North of 441 - Loch Leven Subdivision, Lancaster at Loch Leven Subdivision, Lakes of Mount Dora, Summerview Subdivision, Summerbrooke Subdivision, & Elevate 155 Apartments.

Every night will be streamed live via Mount Dora Police Department's Facebook page to show Santa’s current location.

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

Light-Up Eustis kicks off holiday season on November 26

11/22/2021

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ABOVE: Downtown Eustis (Mount Dora Buzz file photo)

The day after Thanksgiving is much more than Black Friday in Lake County. It’s also the night of the 34th annual Light-Up Eustis celebration in its historic downtown.

The free, family-friendly event kicks off the holiday season and will include live entertainment, a light-up ceremony at 6 p.m., stilt walking toy soldiers, a 75-foot snow slide, live reindeer, strolling Christmas carolers, food trucks, and vendors.

Also, expect a special visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus who will sleigh in from the North Pole. Children will be invited to take a free photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus and decorate a personalized keepsake frame.

“This year’s annual Light-Up Eustis celebration promises to offer some magical moments. We invite everyone in our community to celebrate this festive time of year with us,” said City Mayor, Michael Holland.

The event will kick-off at 5:00 p.m. on November 26 in Ferran Park as the Bay Street Player’s Young People’s Theater takes the stage. Then at 6:00 p.m. the public is invited to join Mayor Holland, members of the City Commission, and the winner of the Miss Eustis Pageant in a countdown ceremony to watch approximately 400,000 LED holiday lights and a 50-foot Christmas tree come to life. Afterwards, the Eustis Heights Elementary “Tiger Sound” and LifePointe Church, will perform in the center of downtown starting at 7 p.m.

Check out the local Holiday Events Guide for more festivities happening in the area.

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.

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Renaissance Faire returns to Tavares this weekend

11/10/2021

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Lake of the Lakes Renaissance Faire photo

Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Faire celebrates its 20th year with its return to Tavares, specifically Shrewsbury, a fictional shire in an enchanted forest a few miles from downtown.

The annual festival draws tens of thousands of patrons from across Central Florida . This weekend, November 13 and 14, marks the final days of the two-weekend event.

Visitors and participants in this outdoor festival include families, history buffs and revelers who immerse themselves in the culture and activities of the Renaissance.

Fairgoers can expect to see popular performers, vendors and merchants, many of whom don authentic 17th-century costumes as they interact with and entertain patrons.

Entertainment will be featured on nine stages offering various performances, including jousting, pirates, fire-eaters, period music, comedy shows, dancers and royal characters, plus an encampment that re-creates a pre-17th-century village to showcase artisans, arts and culture from that period. Festival-goers can also participate in various Renaissance-inspired games, including Pendragon’s Labyrinth, a dragon-themed maze.

The entrance road to the Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Faire is located just down the street from Lake Idamere Park, Tavares, FL, off of Route 448. The best address to put into your GPS device is: 28598 Lady of the Lakes Avenue, Tavares, FL 32778.

Tickets are available online or at the gate. The hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both remaining days. For more information, visit LakeRenFaire.com.

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.

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Update on Light Up Mount Dora & other holiday events

11/5/2021

Donnelly Park in downtown Mount Dora lit up for the holidays previously (Mount Dora Buzz photo)

It is a long-standing tradition that ushered in the local holiday season, but this year’s Light Up Mount Dora was put on ice by the City of Mount Dora in lieu of a new approach.

The City didn’t respond to multiple inquiries for further information, but the annual event traditionally held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving will not take place. Instead, the City will notify its residents one or two days in advance of downtown’s Christmas lights being turned on. The timing is expected sometime around Thanksgiving, but there will be no public event or entertainment in the park, and streets will remain open to traffic.

The event was cancelled last year due to COVID-19 concerns, but crowds at the 2019 Light Up Mount Dora were significantly larger than in previous years leading the City of reconsider the event.

The annual Light Up Eustis will continue its tradition on Friday, November 26, and Mount Dora Marina & Boating Center will turn on its impressive light display on November 27. Tavares will host its annual celebration on December 4.

Mount Dora's Christmas Walk is back on for December 3. The family-favorite “Snow in the Park" event is scheduled for Saturday, December 11th. Find more local holiday event information here.

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.

Huge Antique Extravaganza comes to Mount Dora Nov. 19-21

11/1/2021

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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 on November 19, 20 and 21.

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 three-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. Eager collectors, decorators and vintage shoppers from across Florida show up in droves to uncover treasures and find the best deals.

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 admission costs more, but 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, click here. For local things to do, click here and for the area's free mobile app, click here.

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Mount Dora Plant & Garden Fair sprouts up on Nov. 13 & 14

11/1/2021

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ABOVE: Mount Dora Plant & Garden Fair in Donnelly Park (Mount Dora Buzz photo)

Gardeners and green thumbs will descend upon Mount Dora for the 27th annual Mount Dora Plant and Garden Fair on November 13 and 14.

Once again the event will be held under the oaks at Donnelly Park in the heart of the city’s historic downtown.

The free festival features native and exotic nurseries from across Florida, as well as vendors selling garden decor and nature-inspired items. Gardeners can expect to find blooming orchids, flowering shrubs, fruit trees, and camellias, as well as succulents, bamboo, bromeliads, bonzai and other specialty plant vendors. There will also be vintage garden items and statuary for sale to enhance outdoor space. Gardeners can also seek advice from experts on plant care and other related topics.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase and volunteers will be on hand to help cart plants to cars, so visitors don’t fret about buying plants too big to carry.

The hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. Drivers should look for signs for nearby public parking lots.

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.

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Arts & Entertainment

Letters to Santa can be dropped off in Mount Dora mailbox

Santa tours Mount Dora with lights & sirens beginning Nov. 29

Light-Up Eustis kicks off holiday season on November 26

Renaissance Faire returns to Tavares this weekend

Update on Light Up Mount Dora & other holiday events

Huge Antique Extravaganza comes to Mount Dora Nov. 19-21

Mount Dora Plant & Garden Fair sprouts up on Nov. 13 & 14

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