AUGUST EDITION: News & events for Mount Dora, Tavares, & Eustis

Mount Dora Center for the Arts opens second location
A new venue for the arts is finally opening in uptown Mount Dora. After much anticipation, Mount Dora Center for the Arts' second location on the corner of Highland Street and 5th Avenue will open during the first weekend in August. Learn more about the space, its uses, hours and more here.

Eustis kicks off new monthly music event
Last month Eustis kicked off the first of its three-part monthly event, Second Saturday Sounds in Ferran Park, which features live music on the city's downtown waterfront from 6 to 8 p.m. on the second Saturday of every month through September. Guests can bring a lawn chair and picnic dinner or even come via boat.

A good time for a great cause -- Empty Bowls is back!
Get creative, Lake County! Mount Dora's annual Empty Bowls event, which benefits Lake Cares Food Pantry and is organized by Yada Yada Pottery, is asking residents and visitors to stop by the pottery studio to creatively paint ceramic bowls to be used during the community fundraising event. Learn more

Tavares reopens Wooton Park's splash Pad
After a delayed summer opening due to maintenance, kids can finally cool down at the splash pad at Wooton Park. The refreshing water park has limited capacity, so it's best to arrive early.

Most active time of hurricane season approaches
August usually kicks off the most active time for the Atlantic hurricane season. Beyond the standard preparations, make sure to follow these helpful hurricane hacks before a storm churns up in the warm waters. Learn more

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Popular English pub prepares for big move
The owners of Magical Meat Boutique recently purchased the unincorporated Mount Dora property that was previously home to Barnwood BBQ for 12 years. Phil and Kate Barnard will move the popular bar and restaurant into the space sometime in September when their downtown lease expires. However in the meantime they will serve breakfast and lunch at the new location as well. Read more

Fun DIY fragrance studio opens in downtown Mount Dora
Inviting aromas fill the air of a new DIY venue in downtown Mount Dora with the opening of Crafted Scent Bar. Patrons can now create their own unique blend of over 60 fragrances to create customized candles, wax melts, and reed diffusers. Read more

Mystic Ice Cream will introduce its original ice cream to Mount Dora
Watch for a new ice cream shop to open on Alexander Street next to Ma's Moontshine. Mystic Ice Cream, which previously had a downtown Eustis location, will open in the coming weeks and sell its own brand of very unique house-made ice cream flavors, including some with alcohol.
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Mount Dora hits pause on transformative changes to Donnelly Park
The City's recent proposed changes to Donnelly Park will now be revisited. The changes would have enhanced stormwater management for Mount Dora's central park and changed its use and aesthetic. After residents and Mayor James Homich expressed serious concerns over the reduction of greenspace, absence of residents' input, and lack of cohesion with downtown Mount Dora's historic vibe, it was it was announced the design will be revisited with community input. The scrapped plans included an amphitheater, a terraced slope, multiple cement walkways, retention ponds, and a small road way. The tabled plans and renderings are available in the archived article here.

Mount Dora's southern edge to see US 441 improvements
Construction is now underway at the interchange of U.S. Highway 441 and Old Highway 441, where the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is making operational and safety upgrades. Read more

Mount Dora to launch school zone cameras to enhance students' safety
The City of Mount Dora is taking a proactive step toward improving student safety with the launch of its new School Zone Speed Camera Program, which begins August 13, 2025. Read more

Lake County approves construction of Eudora Roundabout in Mount Dora
Last month Lake County Commission approved the construction of the Eudora Road roundabout at the high-traffic intersection of Old Highway 441 and CR 19A in Mount Dora. Read more

Scroll down for this month's featured events, the most recent Best of Mount Dora winners, or find more local government news here.

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