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

Winner, winner, chicken dinner! Best of Mount Dora awards are in!
The votes are in, and you’ve spoken! This year's favorite businesses include first-time winners as well as some repeat champions. Find the entire list of Best of Mount Dora winners [here].

Celebrate the season with this month’s fall festivals and Halloween events
Along with cooler weather, October brings a variety of events to welcome the change of seasons. Whether you're looking for family-friendly fall festivals, kid-focused Halloween fun, or spooky thrills for adults, our Fall Event Guide has you covered. [Read more]

Mount Dora Craft Fair returns in October
One of Florida's top-ranked craft fairs returns to the streets of downtown Mount Dora on October 26 and 27. The annual event features hundreds of vendors showcasing their handmade creations. [Learn more]

A crash course in Mount Dora’s parking dilemma
The search for a parking solution in downtown Mount Dora has dragged on for years, with no clear resolution in sight. A parking garage or no parking garage? Paid parking or free? Eminent domain or alternative options for acquiring land?
With input from the City, Mount Dora Buzz put together answers to common — and not-so-common — questions about potential solutions to the city’s growing parking problem. [Read more]

Art, Wine & Music Stroll returns to Tavares this month
Head to downtown Tavares for a family-friendly day of beautiful art, delicious wine, and live music on October 11 in scenic Wooton Park. If you miss it this month, there will be other opportunities in November and December. [Learn more]

There’s still time to get creative for a great cause
Next month, the fun Empty Bowls fundraiser will take over Donnelly Park on November 14 to benefit Lake Cares Food Pantry and help bridge the local hunger gap. In the meantime, you can help by signing up for a creative bowl-painting session at Yada Yada Pottery to help make the bowls that will be used for the event.  [Learn more here]

Rocktoberfest rocks Tavares this month
Once again, downtown Tavares will come alive on the Lake Dora waterfront with a full day of seaplane contests, live concerts, and fun for all ages on October 18 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. in Wooton Park.

New mural to be unveiled in downtown Mount Dora
Watch for a new mural to be unveiled near the fountain at Donnelly Park on October 17. Created by local artist Elisabeth Ferber, the mural will be located in the park’s pollinator garden.

Scroll down for more local Buzz, featured events and more.

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Downtown Mount Dora’s authentic British pub has a new home
Magical Meat Boutique has relocated to a larger building with plenty of parking at 3725 Old U.S. Highway 441, just a couple miles west of downtown Mount Dora.

Top 10 highest priced homes in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis this year

With all the new rooftops coming in, interesting to take a look at the most exclusive home sales and current highest price listings in the area. There are a few surprises as to whether Mount Dora, Tavares or Eustis had the highest priced homes so far in 2025. [Read more]

Change is coming to uptown Mount Dora
After decades of serving up classic breakfasts, Highland Street Cafe has been sold. The beloved cafe has won the Best of Mount Dora award many times for “Best Breakfast.”

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Downtown Mount Dora’s free shuttle service to continue
The Downtown Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board voted to renew Mount Dora’s Freebee shuttle service agreement. The Freebee electric vehicles provide complimentary rides around the downtown area on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Over the past year, the service has transported approximately 23,000 riders while maintaining a 99% satisfaction rating.

The City has also applied for a state grant that may help offset costs. To catch a Freebee ride, download the Freebee mobile app. [Learn more]


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

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