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

Mount Dora Christmas Walk returns December 6
The best little Christmas town in Florida will show off another reason why it deserves the title as Christmas Walk returns to downtown on December 6. The event brings residents and businesses owners together to celebrate the season and reconnect with old friends. Enjoy holiday-themed entertainment, photos with Santa, unique holiday shopping in downtown's boutiques plus dining in any of the dozens of eateries. Learn more at the Holiday Event Guide here.

Snow flurries to fall in Eustis weekly
Get ready for a weekly blast of snow along Lake Eustis. Snowflakes by the Lake returns to downtown's Ferran Park every Friday night in December. In addition to falling snow, there will also be photo ops with Santa for the kids. Read more

Tavares celebrates the holidays with Candyland Christmas
Downtown Tavares will become a cheerful Christmas wonderland for families as the city celebrates with a parade on Main Street followed by a festive celebration with Santa, snow storms, a holiday movie in the park, and more fun entertainment on December 7. Learn more on the local entertainment calendar here.

Local toy drives provide opportunities for giving
This season there are plenty of opportunities to help make Christmas brighter for underprivileged children. Anyone interested can take their pick of toy drives, angel trees and more. Find the details for some great local options here.

"Snow in the Park" returns to Mount Dora Lakefront
Mount Dora will once again have its new variation of Snow in the Park on December 14. The revised event features a snow slide for kids on Donnelly Street near Evans Park, plus holiday-themed bounce houses inside the park. Learn more on the local entertainment calendar.

Mailbox for letters to Santa magically appears in Mount Dora
The elves are at it again! A bright red mailbox has appeared in a Mount Dora neighborhood for children to drop off their letters to Santa. If a return address is included, a child will even get a personalized response. Read more

Santa may be coming to your neighborhood
Don't panic when you hear loud sirens on December 16, 18 and 19. It's just the annual Mount Dora Santa Tour when St. Nick, along with his golf cart-motorcade of Mount Dora's police and fire personnel, visit neighborhoods inside Mount Dora's city limits from 6-8 p.m. each night. Watch Mount Dora Buzz's Facebook page once routes and stops become available.

Mount Dora to host two festive parades
Nothing kicks off the season better than a small-town Christmas Parade. Mount Dora boasts two very festive options on the same day. The first takes place in the morning and travels down Donnelly Street into downtown. The other is a lighted boat parade on Lake Dora. You can find the details for both on the local Holiday Event Guide.

Watch the Mount Dora Buzz website and Facebook page for updates on more stories.

New restaurant opens in downtown Eustis
A new eatery featuring American favorites opened in the heart of downtown Eustis. Magnolia Breeze serves the classics for brunch, lunch and dinner in the former space of Taste of Brazil and CJ's Seafood at 108 N. Bay Street.

Forage & Cultivate plant boutique moves
Downtown Mount Dora's exotic plant boutique has moved from its tucked-away Royellou location. Forage & Cultivate now has a cozy space just around the corner at 109 E. 4th Avenue in the former space of Stitch & Gather.

Scroll down for the local entertainment calendar, and the most recent Best of Mount Dora winners.

Mount Dora swears in re-elected council members and new Mayor
This year the City of Mount Dora only had one seat up for grabs because the other three City Council seats didn't draw any challengers to the incumbents. After focusing his campaign on controlled growth, James Homich, a local attorney and former vice mayor of the city, won the mayoral race against Cathy Hoechst. Two of the council's most pressing issues will be dealing with growth and the spread of the noxious odor affecting the city.

Find more local government news here.

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