PUBLIC INVITED INSIDE SPRAWLING LIGHT DISPLAY FOR ONE NIGHT

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.

---