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MOUNT DORA PLANT AND GARDEN FAIR TAKES ROOT ON NOV. 9 & 10

10/21/2019

  Gardeners and green thumbs will descend into downtown Mount Dora for the 25th annual Mount Dora Plant and Garden Fair on November 9 and 10.

Once again the event will be held under the oaks at Donnelly Park. In past years, other locations have been used, such as along the Lake Dora shoreline at Simpson Cove and at downtown’s Sunset Park.

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. Food vendors will be on hand selling a variety of culinary options.

The rain-or-shine hours are Saturday, November 9, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday the 10th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Drivers should look for signs for public parking lots.

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For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here. Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.

BEST HALLOWEEN EVENTS FOR KIDS in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis

10/21/2019

OCTOBER 25

Boo! Festival, Oct. 25
This annual one-night event features family fun with live music, carnival games, trunk-or-treat, hayride, giant inflatables, food vendors, a lumitron stilt-walker and more. Free admission.
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Location: Wooton Park, downtown Tavares

Night in the Pumpkin Patch, Oct. 25
Everyone is encouraged to wear costumes for a night of pumpkins, bounce houses, live music and an outdoor movie. Food trucks will have food available for purchase.
Time: 5-8:30 p.m.
Location: Trinity Church, Eustis

OCTOBER 26

Seaplane Fly-in, Oct. 26
Part airshow above Lake Dora and part kids’ party in the park, this family event features seaplane flying contests and a fun “Pumpkin Bomb Drop.” Kids are welcome to paint the pumpkins before the bomb drop. Free admission.
Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Wooton Park, downtown Tavares waterfront

St. Patrick’s Trunk-or-Treat, Oct. 26
Kids can dress in fun (not scary) costumes and then visit the festive trunks for treats. The event also features a pumpkin carving contest, music, a hayride, plus hot dogs and other snacks.
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Mount Dora

HarvestFest 2019, Oct. 26
This event is held on the grounds of the Skip Haymans Recreation Park at the church. There will be a Trunk-or-Treat Trail, plus inflatables, live music, face painting, balloon artists and carnival games. Food Trucks will have food and beverages available for purchase.
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Location: Lifepointe Church, 3551 E. Orange Avenue, Eustis

october 27

Fall Festival & Trunk-or-Treat, Oct. 27
Kids can enjoy an evening of fun and games, plus a costume contest, bounce houses, popcorn, cotton candy and more.
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Location: Lake Eustis Christian Church, 315 E. Orange Avenue

october 30

City of Mount Dora Spooktacular Party, Oct. 30
Right in the center of downtown Mount Dora, families can enjoy games, face-painting, bounce houses, and a D.J. The first 500 kids under 12 get a bag of candy. Food trucks will have food and drinks available for purchase.
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Location: Donnelly Park, corner of 5th Avenue and Donnelly Street, downtown

OCTOBER 31

Toddler & Preschool Costume Contest, Oct. 31
The annual contest and parade through the library’s butterfly garden also features free treats and books for youngsters.
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: W.T. Bland Library, Mount Dora

Downtown Mount Dora Trick-or-Treat, Oct. 31
Parents and youngsters can have a safe night of trick-or-treating at participating stores in downtown Mount Dora.
Time: 6 p.m.
Locations: Participating stores downtown will be marked with signage

Neighborhood Trick-or-Treating, Oct. 31
The area has various good and safe neighborhoods for trick-or-treating. Go with friends that live in well-lit and kid-friendly neighborhoods.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here. Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.

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MOUNT DORA'S "FALL IN THE FIELD" CELEBRATES THE SEASON ON OCT. 5 & 6

10/3/2019

In Florida, changing leaves don't signal the Fall season. However, there is one reminder for Mount Dorans that a cooler time of year may be approaching.

The tell is the annual Fall in the Field at Renningers. A free, two-day event that blends an exotic heirloom pumpkin patch with plenty of primitive fall decor and and large dose of vintage shopping. This year the event is on October 5-6 and celebrates its eighth year.

In addition to the shopping experience, the weekend also features make–and take crafts for all ages at the complimentary craft tent located at the Pavilion. The show runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m on both days, rain or shine. Admission and parking are free.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here. Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.

ROCKTOBERFEST RETURNS TO TAVARES ON OCT. 12

10/2/2019

Tavares is ushering in the month with the return of Rocktoberfest in Wooton Park. The free concert will feature four rock bands including the headliner, Trapt, a California band with seven studio albums.

The show’s lineup will kick off with Black Canvas, a local cover band that performs a unique style of rock, pop and funk. Next on stage will be Thirst, a high-energy Central Florida grunge-rooted band that delivers massive hooks and catchy melodies. The opening act will be a performance by a Nirvana Tribute Band.

When Trapt takes the stage, guests can expect to hear their chart-topping singles, as well as new music from their upcoming album.

The event’s emcee is Supa Dave from 101.1 WJRR, Orlando’s rock radio station.

In addition to music, there will be food available for purchase from food trucks. Beer and alcohol will also be sold. Seating is limited, so guests are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket. Parking is available in the parking garage at 200 N. Sinclair Avenue in downtown Tavares.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here. Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.

PARIS’ MOULIN ROUGE COMES TO MOUNT DORA FOR ONE NIGHT

10/1/2019

Every year Art of the Deal organizers outdo themselves. This year is no exception.

The annual fundraising gala for Mount Dora Center for the Arts, consistently voted one of the best cultural and social events in the area, will bring to life the famous turn-of-the-century Parisian cabaret, Moulin Rouge, on November 2.

The semi-formal event is far from a typical fundraising gala. Art of the Deal (AOD) is a festive hybrid party with a lively DJ, dance floor and gaming tables, plus an open bar, edgy entertainment and dinner catered by Pisces Rising. This year’s burlesque atmosphere, where guests are also encouraged to wear costumes, will feature can-can dancers and entertainment by the Queens of Broadway, acclaimed for their shows at Hamburger Mary’s in Orlando.

“Moulin Rouge” means “Red Mill” in French, and one of the focal points of the event’s sights and sounds will be the large red windmill that is featured on the cabaret’s rooftop in Paris.
While the entertainment and blackjack keep some guests busy, others flock to the expansive silent auction with items ranging from original artwork from Mount Dora Art Festival artists, gift certificates, artisan jewelry, theme park tickets, merchandise from local shops and gourmet gift baskets.

Before the end of the night, all eyes are fixed on the friendly, yet competitive, live auction that tempts bidders with foreign travel and large works of original art. This year bidders will be competing for an all-inclusive trip to Puerto Vallarta and a Tennessee Whiskey Adventure trip, as well as original ceramic art used for the 2019 Mount Dora Arts Festival poster and other items.

Historically a downtown event, this year the gala will be held at Mount Dora Plaza Live, a new event venue on Old Highway 441 just west of downtown. The new venue provides Art of the Deal with enhanced amenities like a larger stage and dance floor, plus convenient parking and shielding from inclement weather.
Proceeds of the night will benefit the Mount Dora Center for the Arts to provide scholarships for children’s summer arts camp and to support youth outreach programs, educational classes and art exhibits to the community.

Art of the Deal will be from 6 to 11 p.m. Catered dinner, open bar, gaming and entertainment are all included with tickets which can be purchased here.   Mount Dora Plaza Live is located 2728 W. Old Hwy 441 (in the Mount Dora Plaza shopping center, same as the new post office and Mount Dora Pizza)

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here. Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.

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MOUNT DORA CRAFT FAIR ROLLS IN ON OCT. 26 & 27

10/1/2019

As cooler weather returns, so does one of Central Florida's biggest craft fairs. The heart of downtown Mount Dora comes alive on October 26 and 27 with more than 400 crafters from across the country.

The Mount Dora Craft Fair is ranked #4 among craft fairs across the U.S. The event, featuring an eclectic mix of handmade items ranging from jewelry, photography and textiles to paintings, leather goods and woodwork, spans two days with an expected 100,000 visitors, according to its organizers.. Downtown’s many unique stores and restaurants are also open during fair hours to accommodate shoppers and diners.

The festival runs Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking restrictions begin downtown in the late afternoon on Friday to allow for the craft vendors to set up. Street parking is limited, so as visitors drive into Mount Dora, they are encouraged to look for signs for the various park-and-ride shuttles located near the different entry points into the city. Pets are not allowed inside the festival for their own safety and that of other visitors.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. To get the area's top stories in your inbox once a month, sign up for the free monthly issue of Mount Dora Buzz here.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here. Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.

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SEASONED PROMOTERS OPEN NEW MOUNT DORA EVENT VENUE

10/1/2019

Well known for its many festivals throughout the year, Mount Dora also has a reputation for playing host to a myriad of music concerts and other performances. Now, a brand new venue hopes to entice even more quality entertainment to this quaint Central Florida city. Read more

BEST FALL EVENTS IN LAKE COUNTY

10/1/2019

Fall is here and with it comes the start of Lake County's festival and event season. There are so many diverse events to choose from, here's the list of the ones you don't want to miss:

LAKE COUNTY FOLK FESTIVAL, OCT. 5

This longstanding music festival is in its 22nd year and features musicians in various downtown Eustis venues, plus food vendors, artists and crafters. More info
Time: Beginning at 12 p.m.
Location: Downtown Eustis & Ferran Park

FALL IN THE FIELD, OCT . 5 & 6

You’ll swear there is a change of seasons at this two-day event that welcomes fall with vendors selling fall decor, antiques and vintage items. The array of “fall finery” comes from some of the best primitive antique dealers in the Southeast. Free admission.
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days
Location: Renningers Antique Center, Mount Dora

BBQ & BLUES, OCT. 11-13

Top barbecue rib competitors from across the U.S. will compete to be named Lakeridge Winery’s Rib Champion. Guests can feast on ribs, enjoy some of the area’s best blues bands and solo artists, and take in arts and crafts vendors. Admission is $10.
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Lakeridge Winery, Clermont

THE GREAT FLORIDIAN MULTISPORT FESTIVAL, OCT. 19

Headlined by a full triathlon, The Great Florida Triathlon, this event kicks off early and takes place in a city renowned for its triathlons and training facilities.
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Location: Victory Pointe, Clermont

STEAMPUNK INDUSTRIAL SHOW, OCT. 19-20

The best people-watching in Central Florida happens during this two two-day festival filled with all-things Steampunk--music, costumed fire-breathers, a sword-swallower, imaginative vendors, entertainment and Victorian shenanigans. Free admission. More info
Time: 9 a.m to 5 p.m.
Location: Renningers Antique Center, Mount Dora

BOO! FESTIVAL, OCT. 25

This annual one-night event features family fun with live music, carnival games, trunk or treat, hayride, giant inflatable corn maze, food vendors, a lumitron stilt-walker and more. Free admission.
Time: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m
Location: Wooton Park, downtown Tavares

MONSTER SPLASH SEAPLANE FLY-IN, OCT. 26

Part airshow above Lake Dora and part kids’ party in the park, this family event features seaplane flying contests and a fun “Pumpkin Bomb Drop.” Kids are welcome to paint the pumpkins before the bomb drop. Free admission.
Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Wooton Park, downtown Tavares waterfront

MOUNT DORA CRAFT FAIR, OCT. 26 & 27

Now in its 35th year, this is Mount Dora’s most popular fall festival. The event was recently ranked #4 for craft festivals in the U.S. Over 400 crafters line the city’s downtown streets, plus there’ll be food, bagpipes and other entertainment. Free admission. More info.
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Downtown Mount Dora
Link: mountdoracraftfair.com

LADY OF THE LAKES RENAISSANCE FAIRE, NOV. 1, 2, 3, 9 & 10,

Take a step back in time into a European village during the Renaissance era. Guests can enjoy the food, music, crafts and entertainment of the time. Adult tickets $16 (includes $2 fee). More info
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: 12835 County Landfill Road in Lake Idamere Park in Tavares

ART OF THE DEAL, NOV. 2

This gala is frequently voted as the best cultural and social event of the year. The theme of this year’s event is Moulin Rouge. The semi-formal event offers catered cuisine, an open bar, dancing, live and silent auctions, gaming tables, and live entertainment. More info
Time: 6 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Location: Mount Dora Plaza Live

PLANT & GARDEN FAIR, NOV. 9 & 10

Located in the heart of downtown Mount Dora, the annual fair boasts over 10,000 plants for sale ranging from exotic tropicals and orchids to native and drought-tolerant plants. The two-day event also features garden decor, education exhibits, plants, containers and more. Free admission.
Time: Begins at 9 a.m on Saturday
Location: Donnelly Park, downtown Mount Dora

ANTIQUE EXTRAVAGANZA, NOV. 15-17

This mega antique festival is one of the largest is the Southeastern U.S. with over 800 dealers on the sprawling acreage of rolling hills and majestic oaks. The food and music are a bonus. Admission price varies each day.
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Renningers Antique Center, Mount Dora

SCOTTISH HIGHLAND FESTIVAL, NOV. 16 & 17

This year the event has moved to Donnelly Park in the heart of downtown Mount Dora, and the celebration of all things Scottish is spread over two days. Guests can count on a lot more than just men in skirts, including the country’s food, athletic games, clans, dancing and more. Admission yet to be determined.
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days
Location: Donnelly Park, downtown, Mount Dora

LEESBURG CRAFT BEER, WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL

Wine, beer and food lovers can graze to their hearts’ content at this outdoor festival at Venetian Gardens. Tickets are $35.
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Islands at Venetian Gardens, Leesburg

LIGHT UP MOUNT DORA, NOV. 30

As “Light-Up” ceremonies go, it’s hard to top downtown Mount Dora’s impressive annual event on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Millions of lights come on in the park, a large musical Christmas tree awakens, and Mount Dora Marina's impressive display comes alive while unique shops with festive window displays are open late for holiday shopping. Free admission. More holiday event info
Time: Festivities start at 5 p.m. Light turn on after dusk.
Location: Donnelly Park, downtown Mount Dora

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here. Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.

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TAVARES HOSTS FREE BEATLES CONCERT & FESTIVITIES ON SEPT. 20

9/19/2019

It’s not Abbey Road, but it sure will be the closest thing in Lake County. This Friday, September 20, downtown Tavares Square will play host to The British Invasion, a free Beatles tribute concert, plus art, food, classic cars, a juggler, interactive stilt walker, karaoke and dancing.

The British Invasion has completed the longest running Beatles show on record after performing at Walt Disney World's Epcot Center for 14 years with more shows in a month than most Beatles tributes perform in an entire year, according to the City of Tavares press release.

The family-friendly event will also have the City’s Rec Rover (a mobile recreation center), the Library Book Bike and a selfie station, plus local artists will paint and sell their creations.

Local restaurants will vend Strawberry Fields Forever Margaritas, Yellow Submarine Subs, Lettuce Be Salads, and Sgt. Pepperoni Pizza! Classic car enthusiasts will be able to leisurely browse the gathering of autos, and guests can try their chops at Beatles karaoke.

The free concert and festivities will take place downtown at Tavares Square located at the intersection of Main Street and Rockingham Avenue from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month , click here. Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.

GUIDE TO MOUNT DORA SEAFOOD FESTIVAL ON SEPT. 28 & 29

9/1/2019

Devour some shrimp off the barbie or a bowl of chilled conch chowder. Mount Dora’s fifth annual Seafood Festival takes place on downtown’s waterfront on September 28 and 29. This year the festival (see video) will extend from Simpson Cove near the lighthouse to Mount Dora Marina. Here's your guide to the many free activities happening:

PIRATE PARTY

FRIDAY, SEPT. 27
There is tons of fun for adult scalawags at the festive Pirate Party at Magical Meat Boutique, an authentic British pub located downtown at 112 W. Third Avenue. The talented David Olive Willis and his pirate band will be playing starting at 7 p.m.

festival attractions

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, SEPT. 28-29
The free, pirate-themed festival boasts a treasure trove of seafood vendors, over 100 craft vendors, live music, games, a pirate village and more.

Seafood lovers can graze on a variety of fresh seafood dishes including a shrimp boil, lobster rolls, cajun gumbo, grouper, sushi poke bowls, crab cakes, plus jambalaya, jelly fish salad, frog legs, fish and chips and more. To satisfy festival-goers' sweet cravings there will be crepes, ice cream, funnel cakes, gelato pops, bubble tea and more tasty treats.

PIRATE VILLAGE

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, SEPT. 28-29
This interactive area includes the Panama Pearl Pirate Ship for kids to explore, Blackbeard's Pirate Show, a shark ride and Captain Jack Sparrow roaming the lakefront.

In nearby areas of the festival, kids can also enjoy a bounce house, facepainting, snowcone hamster wheel, and games.

PIRATE KARAOKE

SATURDAY, SEPT. 28
Show off your chops or just enjoy great cocktails in the lively bar at Las Palmas Cuban Restaurant downtown on the corner of 4th Avenue & Donnelly Street from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

REGGAE CONCERT

SATURDAY, SEPT. 28
'Don't worry about ting,' just enjoy a free concert on the lakefront at Simpson Cove featuring THC from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

OYSTER SHUCKING CONTEST

SUNDAY, SEPT. 29
Shuckers can test their skills during the Central Florida Oyster Shucking Contest at 2 p.m. on the stage at Simpson Cove.

parking & location

To help meet the challenges of downtown parking, shuttles to the festival will be available at Mount Dora Plaza on Old U.S. Highway 441 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

You can find more local events on the area's entertainment calendar here. For more news in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. Also download the area's free mobile app.

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MOUNT DORA CRAFT FAIR EARNS TOP 4 NATIONAL RANKING

8/14/2019

It certainly didn't come as surprise to those who have strolled amid the over 400 exhibitors during Mount Dora Craft Fair, but this year the event earned the ranking of the 4th best Classic and Contemporary Craft Show in the entire U.S. The prestigious ranking is done annually by Sunshine Artist magazine, an artists’ publication which focuses on all aspects of shows and events from sales and artist amenities to the quality of the art or crafts.

Rankings were determined by compiling ballots from professional artists or crafters who rated the festivals according to their own gross sales.

The sprawling event is put on throughout the streets of downtown by VisitMountDora and its army of volunteers. The festival is unique due to its mix of quality craft vendors, lively entertainment and quaint Central Florida locale surrounded by quaint shops, diverse restaurants and scenic Lake Dora. Organizers estimate the two-day event attracts 100,000 people to the city’s historic downtown.

This year the 35th annual Mount Dora Craft Fair will be October 26 and 27 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. Visitors interested in staying overnight are encouraged to make their reservations early at any of the different types of accommodations available.

This is the second time in recent years a Mount Dora Festival has been ranked in the top ten. In 2017, Mount Dora Arts Festival ranked seventh in the Top Fine Art Shows in the U.S.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here. Also download the area's free mobile app.

SCULPTURE CELEBRATES MOUNT DORA HEROINE

8/14/2019

Having first gained national recognition in the 1950s as one of America’s most courageous journalists, Mount Dora’s Mabel Norris Reese will soon be recognized with a bust sculpted in her honor.

The effort to create a lasting tribute to Reese followed the 2018 Mount Dora appearance by author Gilbert King whose Pulitzer Prize-winning book “Devil in the Grove,” and its follow-up, “Beneath a Ruthless Sun,” brought Reese to the attention of readers around the world. Soon thereafter, Gary McKechnie, a local historian, and others founded the non-profit Mabel Norris Reese Tribute Fund to raise funds for the sculpted portrait.

King’s “Devil in the Grove” describes how Reese’s focus on local news changed from social events and city council meetings to the life and death struggles of the Groveland Four, four African-American men who in 1949 were falsely accused of raping a white teenager. When Reese began to challenge the brutal authority of Lake County sheriff Willis McCall, she became a target of his wrath. Bombs were detonated at her Sylvan Shores home, her newspaper office vandalized, a cross burned in her yard, and her dog poisoned. Using every resource at his disposal to intimidate Reese, McCall even launched a rival newspaper and warned advertisers not to buy space in Reese’s Mount Dora Topic.

From her small town newspaper, Reese continued to expose the corruption of McCall and his deputies. In columns that gained national and international attention, she revealed his use of torture to coerce confessions and reliance on manufactured evidence to gain convictions. In 1954, she led the effort to find justice for the Platt children, judged by McCall and the county school board to be “negroes” and thus ineligible to attend Mount Dora’s whites-only schools.

In 1957 McCall and Lake County prosecutor Gordon Oldham framed Jesse Daniels, a mentally disabled 19-year-old, for rape and had him committed without trial to the state hospital for the insane in Chattahoochee. Their crime, documented in King’s “Beneath a Ruthless Sun,” prompted Reese and Jesse’s mother, Pearl, to launch a fourteen-year quest to secure his release.

The initial terra cotta sculpture of Reese is being sculpted by Jim McNalis, an artist recognized internationally for sculpting men and women of extraordinary courage. Reese will be one of the few women in the United States to be honored with a sculpture. In the feature “Breaking the Bronze Ceiling,”, CBS News reported that of more than 5,000 statues in America, fewer than ten percent are dedicated to women. The sculpture honor will be added to her December 2018 induction as the 40th woman named to the Lake County Women’s Hall of Fame.

Donations can be made to the project here. For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here. Also download the area's free mobile app.

CURTAIN RISES ON NEW THEATER IN EUSTIS

8/1/2019

What was once hidden and defunct now has new life. After several months of renovations, Living Drama Theatre opened in the former location of Eustis’ old two-screen movie theater.

Vacant for several years, the shopping center space, tucked off U.S. Highway 441, first opened as a movie theater in 1960 and later transitioned to Florida Sunshine Opry in the 1990’s before eventually closing. In its newest incarnation, the 530-seat theater on U.S. Highway 441 will be home to live performances and classes in the performing arts.

The new business is a family affair for owners Michelle and Joseph Duarte, the Mount Dora residents that operate the theater along with their daughter Victoria and sons Scott and Patrick.

The Duartes are planning six to seven productions per season with local auditions. The first production was in July and the next show “The Outsiders”will be opening September 20th for two weekends of performances.”GodSpell” will follow, and later a “Back to the 80’s” show will to pay homage to the old movie theater and its patrons.

Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for children ages six to 12, and kids five and younger are free. Season tickets are $100 and include discounts on concerts and events and concessions at the theater.

The theater will also offer dance classes starting in September, as well as drama classes starting in January 2020.

Living Drama Theatre is located at 431 Plaza Drive in Eustis.  Sign up for the free Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates here.  For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app.

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MOUNT DORA'S INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION STARTS JULY 3

7/1/2019

Mount Dora will celebrate the country’s independence on July 3 with its annual “Freedom on the Waterfront” party.
The free festivities start at 5 p.m. at Elizabeth Evans Park on the lakefront and end with a spectacular fireworks show over Lake Dora at 9:20 p.m. Live music on the park’s stage will be headlined by former Season 14 American Idol contestant Alexis Gomez. Performer David Letourneau will be the opening live music act.

RELATED: Tavares Celebrates July 4th with Parade and Lakefront Party.

Food trucks will be available for snacks and dinner and there will be a KidsZone with fun activities just for youngsters.
Handicap parking will be located in the lower level parking garage near the park. Van shuttles sponsored by Mullinax Ford will be available at the First Baptist Church Mount Dora at 1000 East First Avenue.

RELATED: 10 Best Spots to Watch Fire Works in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis

Mount Dora will celebrate the morning of July 4 with a small-town Independence Day Parade along Donnelly Street beginning at 10 a.m.

Sign up for the free Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates here. For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app.

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THE GUIDE TO FIREWORKS & FESTIVITIES IN MOUNT DORA, TAVARES & EUSTIS

7/1/2019

Good news! Once again folks get to enjoy parties and fireworks across the Golden Triangle on three separate nights. Here’s the 411 on the free celebrations and firework displays in Mount Dora, Tavares and Eustis.

JULY 3: Mount Dora hosts its annual Freedom on the Waterfront at Elizabeth Evans Park. It will feature live music, a kids zone and fireworks at 9:20. More info

JULY 4: Independence Day Parade starts at 10 a.m. along Donnelly Street in Mount Dora.

JULY 4: Independence Day Parade starts at 5 p.m. on Main Street in downtown Tavares. More info

JULY 4: After its parade, Tavares will throw a huge waterfront party downtown with live music, train rides, games, bounce inflatables, a rock climbing wall, craft station, Knocker Balls and a human hamster wheel that crushes ice to make snow cones. There will also be food trucks and karaoke and more. More info

JULY 5: The City of Eustis hosts their patriotic party on the lakefront at Ferran Park. The festivities will include a concert by Kaleb Lee and a performance by the Central Florida Show Ski Team on Lake Eustis, plus food vendors, a kids zone and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. More info

RELATED: 10 Best Spot to Watch Fireworks in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis

For more events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. Sign up for the free Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates here. For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app.

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