FEBRUARY NEWS & EVENTS for Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis

​It's that time again! February brings a month-long list of festivities for GeorgeFest in downtown Eustis. The annual celebration includes a parade, carnival, 5k run, bass tournament, chili cook-off and more. The festivities kick off on February 6 and continue through the end of the month. Get the schedule and details here.

Is it the crispy bacon, the plump shrimp or the pickled asparagus? The Tabasco or the horseradish? Whatever the accoutrements, some folks are vocal about the place to indulge in the best Bloody Marys. Take the poll to share your favorite local spot to imbibe in this savory elixir and cast your vote here for the Best Bloody Marys in Mount Dora, Tavares and Eustis!

If you're itching for outdoor activities, Trout Lake Nature Center in Eustis is hosting lots of events for nature lovers of all ages this month. Their Pack Walks, Thursday Sunset hours and other outings are worth the quick trek. Read more

Every month Mount Dora Buzz will be featuring a Day Trippin' column to highlight fun destinations that provide relatively quick escapes from the Golden Triangle area. Locations will range from a quick 30-minute drive to a couple of hours away. February's locale is remote, pristine and feels like a quick island get-away and it's a must for whomever hasn't been there. Read more

February is National African American History Month and the Lake County Museum of Art is observing it with an exhibit titled “Diaspora: Our Life Experiences as Black Women”. The art exhibition will be up through the end of the month in the museum’s downtown Tavares gallery from noon to 4pm on Thursdays through Saturdays until the end of the month.  

On February 27 a new, one-day event is coming to Mount Dora. Meet Me in Mount Dora will feature vendors selling handmade items, vintages wares and more in a festival-like atmosphere in Donnelly Park.

Mount Dora Buzz is collaborating on "Cottages of Mount Dora" to provide a fun snapshot of the city's past using the quaint and colorful exteriors of some of the city's historic cottages. If you know of a cottage that exudes curb appeal and adds personality to its neighborhood, please nominate it to be included by emailing us the address.

The last Antique Extravaganza of the season comes to Renninger's Antique Center in Mount Dora this month. The three-day event is one of the largest vintage shows in the southeastern U.S. with hundreds of vendors selling their rare treasures and bewildering oddities. Read more

Shout-out goes to St. Patrick's Catholic Church; the first responders of Mount Dora, Tavares, and Eustis; DOH-Lake; and the community volunteers that have made it possible to have a COVID-19 vaccination site in Mount Dora. Mount Dora Police Department has gone above and beyond by organizing volunteers, logistics, traffic flow and feeding the folks waiting to receive the vaccine. Big thanks also to Las Palmas Cuban Restaurant and the other eateries that are generously donating hot meals to feed the site's workers and volunteers.

As Covid-19 vaccinations continue in Lake County, stay tuned to Mount Dora Buzz's local Covid-19 resources page to stay in the loop about updates on sites for first and second dose vaccine schedules, processes, and contact information. Visit the resource page here.

Scroll down for the buzz about what new eateries are in the area and more....

A new gastrobar, The Funky Monkey, will be opening soon on the second floor of the Renaissance Building in the former space of The Loft. The eatery will be the second Mount Dora culinary venture for the wonderful owners of The Frog & Monkey, the cozy basement pub in the same building.

Craving good sandwiches, burgers and tacos? A short drive will take you to a very casual, food truck option with fresh food and spacious outdoor dining. The Chicken Tikka and Prime Rib sandwiches are delish for eating under the stars or take-out. Read more

A new and different restaurant is coming to downtown Mount Dora! The build out hasn't begun, so be patient and stay tuned to Mount Dora Buzz on Facebook for more details.

Drivers passing Loch Leven Landing shopping center have been asking about the new construction on one of the out lots near Publix and Orange Theory. The new four-unit retail building will eventually be home to a dental office and some other retail tenants.

Scroll down for local government buzz, Best of Mount Dora winners, links to more local entertainment and useless local facts.

© Mount Dora Buzz 2021

This month the City of Mount Dora is changing its recycling program which affects residential customers and the pick-up process. According to the City, the big changes were made to prevent cost increases. Read more
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At a work session last month, Mount Dora City Council reached a consensus that by strategically locating fire stations, the City can build two rather than three stations as it had once planned. Roughly 17% of the City's emergency calls are for fires and the other 83% are EMS medical calls. The City advised Mount Dora Buzz the decision will not affect Mount Dora Fire Department's current staffing.

For local Covid-19 information go to the resource page here. If you want to know more about what's happening or coming up at City Hall? Check out Mount Dora Buzz's government page.

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