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Huge Antique Extravaganza returns to Mount Dora on November 15, 16 & 17

11/1/2024

For those seeking priceless treasure or others just curious about the oddities, Mount Dora’s Antique Extravaganza never disappoints. Once again, the city will be home to Central Florida's massive and eclectic shopping experience this month 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 the 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 the third Friday, Saturday and Sunday of 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, but eager shoppers get first dibs on hard-to-find treasures. Sunday shoppers get better bargains, but some vendors do pack up early.

RELATED: View the local entertainment calendar for other events.

Parking is always free for the 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 and Twitter for more local info.

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Chalk art challenge to spice up Mount Dora on October 30

10/19/2024

ABOVE: Screenshot of scene from Spice Frontier by Steamroller Animation.

Art lovers can take in a colorful event in downtown Mount Dora this week as teams of animation artists compete in a chalk art challenge. The artists hail from Steamroller Animation headquartered only a few blocks away from the site of the competition.

During the friendly competition on October 30, Sunset Park’s sidewalks will transform into a vibrant canvas of chalk art as teams battle it out to create stunning artwork inspired by their original animated episode, Spice Frontier. Mount Dora Mayor Crissy Stile will judge the pieces and crown the top team.

Spice Frontier is a post-apocalyptic series created by Steamroller with its first episode currently in production. The animated pilot features a struggling chef and an eclectic cast of adventurers as they traverse the cosmos on their spaceship in search of rare spices from Earth. The series is based on an award-winning short film the studio created five years ago with the same title.

The community is invited to watch the Spice Frontier artists showcase their artistic expression during the chalk art challenge in Sunset Park on the corner of Alexander Street and Fourth Avenue from noon to 5 p.m.

From its downtown Mount Dora building, Steamroller Animation creates original stories with its team of character, creature, and facial animators and other inspired artists as well as partners in some of the largest gaming and film studios across the globe.

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's Instagram and Facebook page for more local info.

Mount Dora Craft Fair returns October 26 & 27

10/1/2024

As fall temperatures slowly return, so does one of Central Florida's biggest events. The streets of downtown Mount Dora transform into a sprawling craft fair on October 26 and 27 with hundreds of crafters from across the country.

The Mount Dora Craft Fair is a nationally ranked craft fair and features an eclectic mix of handmade items ranging from jewelry, photography and textiles to paintings, leather goods and woodwork. The two-day event has previously attracted approximately 100,000 visitors, according to its organizers.

Crafts aren’t all there will be in downtown Mount Dora that weekend.  Its many unique stores and seemingly endless restaurants are also open during the craft fair’s 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 during the festival is limited, so as visitors drive into Mount Dora, they are encouraged to look for signs for park-and-ride shuttles. There are also private parking lots with paid parking available closer to the event.

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's Instagram and Facebook page for more local info.

Rocktoberfest rocks Downtown Tavares in October

10/1/2024

Every year the City of Tavares ushers in the season with a splash. RocktoberFest and the Monster Seaplane Fly-in feature family friendly activities, live rock music concerts, seaplane competitions, and food and merchandise vendors in lakefront Wooton Park.

The all-day October 19 event kicks off with the Monster Splash Seaplane Fly-In beginning at 11:00 a.m. Seaplanes fly in from across Florida to participate in the flying competitions, like the crowd-favorite “Pumpkin Drop” contest. While the pilots are competing, pumpkin decorating kits will be given to the first 100 kids at the Pilot Registration Tent. Spectators can meet the pilots from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and get photos with their planes.

RELATED:  Check out the Local Entertainment Calendar

Following the seaplane contests, RocktoberFest will feature a rock show with music from the seventies, eighties and nineties. continues with a performances by Duplicity, Brother Brownlow, Switch, and headliner Atomic Punks, a Van Halen tribute band.

Admission is free, but seating is limited, so guests are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket. The event begins at 11 a.m. and ends at 10 p.m. Free parking is available on the street and at the nearby parking garage located at 200 N. Sinclair Avenue in downtown Tavares.

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's Instagram and Facebook page for more local info.

Far Reach Scream Park takes 'haunted' to next level

10/1/2024

A frightful October awaits visitors who dare set foot on one seriously spooky Tavares farm. Far Reach Ranch, a usually peaceful family farm,has been successfully transformed into an exceptionally ghoulish seasonal experience rightfully dubbed Far Reach Scream Park. Instead of the ripe u-pick blueberries that typically draw droves of visitors to the former cattle ranch, the sprawling farm venue has become an eerie destination with three haunted attractions where ghostly and creepy characters partake in terrorizing antics.

RELATED: Video of this year's Fear Reach Scream Park here

The farm’s three intensely haunted attractions, Bloodline Barn, Grimoire Manor, and Chainsaw Chase, challenge even guests with nerves of steel not to scream. Guests who enjoy a little less intensity can head over to the devilish competition in the midway with ax throwing and old-school carnival games at Dr. Deviant’s Game Emporium. There are also family-friendly yard games like cornhole, giant Jenga, ring toss, plus an area for creating smores.

The Pitchfork Parlor and Bar serves up special ghoulish drinks as a Halloween-themed rock band jams on the nearby stage. A food truck is also on-site in case guests need a break from the terror.

Fear Reach Scream Park is open Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. through October 31. It is also open the last two Thursdays in October. The attractions open at dark, and lines close at 11:30 p.m. Tickets start at $20 and vary through the season. Speed Pass upgrades, which allow guests to skip the lines, start at $10 per person, and also increase throughout the season. Tickets must be purchased online and in advance. Costumes are not allowed so guests are not confused with costumed employees.

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's Instagram and Facebook page for more local info.

"Fall in the Field" kicks of the season on October 5 & 6

10/1/2024

In sunny Central Florida the change of seasons isn't signaled by the color of leaves. Instead, every year there is one reminder that a cooler time of year is approaching evergreen Mount Dora.

The big tell is the annual Fall in the Field outdoor event at Renningers Antique Center. The two-day event among big live oak trees blends an exotic heirloom pumpkin patch with plenty of primitive fall decor and a large dose of vintage shopping. This year the event is October 5 and 6 and celebrates its 13th anniversary.

In addition to the shopping experience, the weekend also features make–and–take crafts for kids at the complimentary craft tent. Fall in the Field 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. Be sure to follow Mount Dora Buzz's Instagram and Facebook page for more local info.

Guide to fireworks and more in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis

7/1/2024

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Once again residents get to enjoy lively festivities and fireworks across the Golden Triangle on three separate nights to celebrate the nation’s independence. Here’s the 411 on the best celebrations and firework displays in Mount Dora, Tavares and Eustis.

JULY 3: Freedom on the Waterfront
Time: 5-10 p.m.
Where: Elizabeth Evans Park, Mount Dora.
What to expect: Live music, acrobatic shows, a kids’ zone, and fireworks at 9:15. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets.

JULY 4: Independence Day Parade
Time: 5 p.m.
Where: Main Street, downtown Tavares
What to expect: This small-town parade route heads east on Main Street from the Courthouse past City Hall to St. Clair Abrams Avenue. An evening of festivities to follow in Wooton Park,

JULY 4: Independence Day festivities
Time: 4:45 p.m.
Where: Main Street and Wooton Park in downtown Tavares
What to expect: Family-friendly street party, live music in Wooton Park featuring the Groove Slayers, family fun zone, food trucks, vendors, and fireworks at 9 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets.

JULY 5: Eustis Hometown Celebration
Where: Ferran Park in downtown Eustis
Time: 5-10pm
What to expect: A performance by the Central Florida Show Ski Team is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Lake Eustis, live music with headliner Frankie Moreno takes the stage on the Bandshell at 8 p.m., plus food trucks, kids’ activities, and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets.

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

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.

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Eustis announces headliner for July 5th Hometown Celebration

7/1/2024

Area residents are in for another great event in July, with Eustis’s annual Hometown Celebration on Friday, July 5, 2024. The event, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. in downtown Ferran Park, includes the Central Florida Ski Show, kid’s activities, vendors, food trucks, and entertainment, followed by a grand fireworks display over Lake Eustis.

RELATED: Find the fireworks information for Mount Dora, Tavares and Eustis

The headlining entertainment is Las Vegas performer Frankie Moreno who has 17 top-ten albums, 118 top-ten singles, an Emmy nomination, and being crowned “Headliner of the Year” in Las Vegas five times. Moreno consistently showcases his talents in venues on the famed Vegas strip and around the country and will be performing at the Bandshell in Ferran Park at 8 p.m.
It will be an exciting evening on July 5th as Eustis celebrates the nation’s birthday and welcomes the community to its waterfront. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets.

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.

Tavares celebrates July 4th with parade, festivities and fireworks

7/1/2024

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Tavares kicks off its Fourth of July festivities with a family-friendly street party followed by a small-town parade along Main Street downtown. The street party will feature live music, vendors, food trucks, a family fun zone, and other activities.

After the parade, live music will fill Wooton Park with the main act being the high-energy party band Groove Slayers on the main stage. Following the Grove Slayers, fireworks will be launched over Lake Dora.

EVENING SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
4:45 Street Party on Main Street begins before the parade
5:00 Seaplane Flyover over Main Street
5:00 Parade starts. Route heads east on Main Street from the Courthouse past City Hall to St. Clair Abrams Avenue.
6:00 Kids’ activities commence along Rockingham Avenue and in Wooton Park
6:00 Kids’ dance party with interactive Live DJ in Wooton Park begins
6:00 Groove Slayers begin
6:30 Main Street opens to allow traffic to flow normally
9:00 Fireworks

Wooton Park is located at 100 E. Ruby Street in downtown Tavares, Seating is limited, so guests are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket. Free parking is available in the municipal parking garage at 200 N. Sinclair Avenue.

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.

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Filmmaker taps Mount Dora’s Van Gogh house for documentary

6/1/2024

ABOVE: Lubek Jastrzebski and Nancy Nemhauser with their son Chip (center) in 2018.

What was once a hotly debated local topic has since become a popular landmark in Mount Dora, a quaint Central Florida city known for its artist community and charming historic district. Mount Dora’s bold Van Gogh house, now a colorful icon of a David and Goliath story, took a year to settle and made headlines around the world. Now a filmmaker who was intrigued upon hearing the story will begin filming a documentary later this month.

Lee Montells, a veteran at producing television projects, was immediately drawn to the story after learning about it serendipitously by one of the two artists of the home’s murals. Now Montells seeks to tell the story of how a simple code violation in a small town started a ripple of events that captured national and international headlines in his film “Starry Fight. A canvas to the world.”

The saga began in July, 2017, when Nancy Nemhauser and Lubek Jastrzebski commissioned a mural in the likeness of Van Gogh’s famous “Starry Night” painting on the perimeter wall of their property. The couple were parents of an autistic son, Chip, and the approximately 130-foot-long mural was to serve as a beacon in case he wandered off. It isn’t uncommon for some autistic children to wander off, and once lost, and it can be difficult for them to communicate where they live. Chip’s parents hoped their son could tell people he lived in the VanGogh house if he ever couldn’t find his way home.

Known for its vibrant artist community, Mount Dora’s government came under fire when it erroneously cited the wall mural by Richard Barrenechea as being in violation of a graffiti ordinance and advised the homeowners that the home’s perimeter walls must match the house. The city imposed costly fines that began adding up, and in a surprise move, the homeowners defiantly commissioned professional muralist Joe Starkweather to paint VanGogh murals on the entire house to match the wall mural in order to comply with the city’s order. The ensuing litigation took a financial and physical toll on the couple, and at one point Nemhauser considered giving up the struggle. Then she received a note from a young girl who urged her to keep up the fight and donated her allowance to help in the effort. The thoughtful support from the young girl was all the encouragement the couple needed to continue their defense, according to Nemhauser.

After a year of costly litigation and public outcry, a settlement required that the city allow the mural to remain, reversed the fines, paid $15,000 toward the homeowners’ legal fees, and the mayor at the time, Nick Girone, had to issue a public apology.

Later this month, the filmmaker and his film crew will be in Mount Dora to conduct interviews with dozens of people directly and indirectly involved in the case, including Nemhauser, Jastrzebski and Girone. Other residents and subject-matter experts are also scheduled for interviews. Montells hopes to locate the parents of the young girl who donated her allowance and unknowingly played a pivotal role in the making of one of Mount Dora’s landmarks. He is also searching for local residents that signed and commented on the change.org petition related to the homeowners' efforts at the time.

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 installs engaging sculpture at Simpson Cove

5/22/2024

A celebrated sculpture titled "Temet Nosce" (meaning “Know Thyself") is now on display along the shore of Lake Dora. The artwork by Colombian sculptor Joaquín Restrepo has previously been exhibited in other cities throughout the world, and most recently at the Orange County Public Library.

Now the mixed-media sculpture is perched along the scenic shoreline of Simpson Cove near Mount Dora’s Lighthouse Point and will be on loan to the City for two years as part of the anticipated Art Walk along the lakefront. The captivating artwork features two pairs of legs facing each other topped with two iron torsos. The singular cage-like head represents the complexity of identity and symbolizes the self-imposed barriers to personal growth.

"Temet Nosce" is made from wood, fiberglass, resin and iron, and was inspired by Carl Jung’s analytical psychology. It’s intended to serve as a beacon of introspection and invite the viewer to explore themes of self-identity and personal evolution.

Restrepo, based in Orlando, Spain and Columbia, is a painter and a sculptor with an multidisciplinary approach to art. His work challenges viewers to question their perception of reality and to reflect on the human condition. Restrepo has participated in group and solo exhibitions in the U.S., Spain, Switzerland, China, Mexico and Colombia.

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.

Impactful New Mural Adorns Mount Dora’s Northeast Community

5/1/2024

Traveling on Johns Street at Florida Avenue in the Northeast Community of Mount Dora, passersby now can’t help but notice a bold new work of public art in this residential neighborhood. Recently, two local artists created the outdoor mural in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. on an exterior wall of the city’s community center, named after the iconic civil rights leader.

Artists P.J. Svejda and German Lemus spent approximately 30 hours painting the colorful mural of King and children playing with colorful clouds in the background. Svejda is the artist behind Studio Art Farm, a studio and gallery space in downtown Mount Dora, and both experienced artists have created impressive murals throughout Florida.

“I think this was a great representation, not only of Dr. King, but also of our design aesthetic. Both of us love bright colors and design,” said Svejda of the project funded by the city’s Public Arts Commission. “The mural was supposed to be uplifting and playful, and we really enjoyed engaging with the neighbors as we created it.”

Svejda built her career in Atlanta before relocating to Central Florida. She has been involved in activism for animal, environmental, and human rights and has found a way to merge her passion for art with her desire for change. Lemus, who was born in Honduras and raised in Miami, has been surrounded by vibrant colors and cultures his entire life. He is one of the founders of the B-Side artist collective in downtown Orlando and has worked on large and powerful murals around the city.
The bold and empowering mural can be seen on the west side of the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center located at 803 Florida Avenue in Mount Dora’s Northeast Community.

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.

Empty Bowls event returns to Mount Dora on May 4 to help bridge the local hunger gap

4/1/2024

May brings a fun community event to downtown Mount Dora to help alleviate hunger in the local community. The gathering takes place on May 4 in Donnelly Park and features a fun soup supper where attendees select from one-of-a-kind bowls crafted by local artists and then fill them with delicious soup donated by area restaurants. Every penny raised goes directly to support Lake Cares Food Pantry, the local non-profit food pantry.

The unique bowls were handcrafted over the last several months by local potters at Yada Yada Pottery. Then creative residents volunteered to glaze the vessels however they desired, resulting in hundreds of original keepsake bowls for the choosing. The event will also feature live music, a silent auction and more in the heart of downtown Mount Dora.

Founded in 1990, Empty Bowls has grown into an international project to fight hunger, personalized by artists on a community level. The event raises funds for local charitable organizations dedicated to providing nourishment to those in need within their immediate communities. Over the years, Empty Bowls has successfully generated millions of dollars to combat hunger in cities across the world.

Lake Cares is a local independent, non-profit food pantry that provides food, resources and services to residents who are in need of assistance in Lake County, Florida. This is accomplished with the help of numerous donors, volunteers and a caring community.

Empty Bowls takes place May 4 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Donnelly Park in the heart of downtown Mount Dora. Tickets are available 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.

Mount Dora Vintage Garden Show returns April 6 and 7

4/1/2024

Spring has sprung and the warmer weather means more time playing and planting in the garden.

This season’s inspiration for all types of gardens will be sprawled under the oaks in Mount Dora at the annual Vintage Garden Show held on April 6 and 7. The annual, two-day event will host local and out-of-state vendors selling everything from up-cycled outdoor decor, fresh herbs and plants to architectural wrought iron, vintage patio furniture, and a mix of antique curiosities just waiting to be repurposed.

The Vintage Garden Show runs both days from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the sprawling field and at Renningers Antique Center located at 20651 US 441 in Mount Dora. Admission and parking are free and food is available for purchase.

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.

The largest antique boat festival on the East Coast returns to Lake Dora

3/18/2024

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On most days, sleepy Lake Dora is far removed from glitz and glamour. However, once a year her still waters are lined with the wakes from perfectly polished vintage speed boats.

The downtown Tavares lakefront is gearing up for the 43rd Annual Sunnyland Antique and Classic Boat Festival, the largest classic wood boat show on the country's East Coast. Hundreds of meticulously restored boats are displayed in the water and along one third of a mile of Lake Dora shoreline at Wooton Park during the multi-day event open to the public on March 22 and 24. Saturday is the only full day for the public to view all of the classic boats, while Friday features only activities for the boat club members.

RELATED:  Discover the Local Entertainment Calendar for Mount Dora, Tavares and Eustis, Florida.

The waterfront festival is the ideal place for dreamers and boaters to spend their day. In previous years, the Antique and Classic Boat Festival boasted eye candy that ranged from perfectly varnished Gar Wood race boats of the 1930s to intriguing concept boats like the Evinrude Lark, as well as vessels of fantastical design like the 1956 Lone Star Meteor and the 1955 Chris-Craft Cobra.

Other features of the festival include seaplane rides, amphibious cars, a beer garden and food court, live music, and a Nautical Flea Market, where dozens of vendors peddle everything from old boat parts and lanterns to shiny chrome accessories and wooden oars.

The event’s hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday the show is from 9 a.m. to noon.  Admission is $10. Free parking is available at the City of Tavares Parking garage. 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.