Pinellas celebrates the holidays
Article published on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006 |
Tis the season, and around Pinellas calendars are filling quickly with a variety of special holiday events and more.
Lights of Lake ParkPINELLAS COUNTY - Lights of Lake Park, a community effort and annual holiday light display benefiting The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast, will illuminate the Lake Parks Estates subdivision through Dec. 31. The display is created each year by Eddie Dow and a group of about 100 homeowners in the Lake Park Estates, 97th Street North and 109th Avenue in Largo and Seminole. Neighbors in Lake Park Estates subdivision decorate their homes for the holidays with lavish lights and decorative ornaments of all shapes and sizes. Donations are accepted at the event on behalf of The Hospice to support programs for patients and families in honor of the care provided to Eddie's late wife, Ruby Dow.
The lights will be displayed during the following times: Monday - Thursday: 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday - Sunday: 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Christmas Eve through New Years hours are extended from 6:30 p.m. until ? For a map, visit www.thehospice.org and click on News and Events for December.
Directions:
• From Starkey Road - Head west on Bryan Dairy Road. Go across the first bridge and turn right at the first traffic light at 109th Avenue North. Go to the bottom of the hill and follow the arrows.
• From Seminole Boulevard - Go east on 102nd Avenue North. Cross the Lake Seminole Bridge. Go to second traffic light at 109th Avenue and turn left and follow the arrows.
Seasonal Sensations to illuminate botanical gardens
LARGO – Seasonal Sensations, an illuminated garden, a free December holiday wonderland, featuring more than 425,000 holiday lights at The Florida Botanical Gardens and Pinellas County Extension continues through Jan. 3, 2007. The Florida Botanical Gardens is at 12520 Ulmerton Road. Call 582-2100 or visit www.flbg.org.
Winter Wonderland
CLEARWATER – Santa Claus will be at Winter Wonderland through Friday, Dec. 22. The hours are weeknights 6 to 9 and weekends 1 to 9 p.m. at the corner of Drew Street and Fort Harrison Avenue. Activities include the playground, petting zoo, pony rides, Bouncy House, Hot Chocolate Shop, pictures with Santa, entertainment, decorating cookies with Mrs. Claus and a giant blow-up slide. Santa’s head reindeer, Rudolph, may be roaming the grounds too. Winter Wonderland is free, but visitors are asked to bring an unwrapped toy or nonperishable food item for needy families. Winter Wonderland is coordinated by the Church of Scientology.
Santa visits
ST. PETERSBURG - The city of St. Petersburg's Recreation Department sponsors Santa visits with children nightly through Dec. 23 in North Straub Park from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Don't miss the Giant Greeting Card display along Bayshore Drive at Vinoy Park. Call 892-5197 or 893-7441 for more information.
Nativity scene
PALM HARBOR – The Crystal Cove Community Church will present a live nativity Fridays and Saturdays in December from 8 to 9 p.m. until Christmas eve. Live animals with actors in costume add to the scenery. The church is at 6900 County Road 95. Call 771-8600.
Holiday gift basket silent auction
LARGO – The Friends of the Largo Library will offer a Holiday Gift Basket Silent Auction through Thursday, Dec. 14. The baskets have various themes, such as babies, gardening and tea for two, and contain books and related items. They are displayed across from the circulation desk. The highest bidder will be notified. The library is at 120 Central Park Drive. Call Pat Bell at 585-3240.
Journey to Bethlehem
CLEARWATER – Global Family Fellowship will present The Journey to Bethlehem, Friday through Sunday, Dec. 15 through 17. This outdoor walk-through drama is set in Bethlehem on Christmas night. Attendees will observe the Wise Men, hear the angels’ message and interact with the townspeople. Accommodation made for the handicapped. Dress according to weather. Global Family Fellowship is at 2289 N. Hercules Ave. Call 733-4600.
Schools to perform holiday shows at Biltmore resort
CLEARWATER – Groups of students will showcase their musical skills performing holiday entertainment at the Belleview Biltmore Resort. All performances will take place between 5 and 7 p.m. in the old lobby. The current lineup is as follows: Dec. 18 – Grace Lutheran, adult hand bell choir.
Dec. 19 – Westlake Christian, 60 student chorus.
Dec. 21 – Strings Things Chamber, eight student ensemble. The Belleview Biltmore Resort is at 25 Belleview Blvd. Call Kari Elofson at 373-3000.
Biltmore to host brunch with Santa
CLEARWATER – The Belleview Biltmore’s Brunch with Santa will be offered on Sunday, Dec. 17. With the holiday season in full bloom at the historic Belleview Biltmore Resort, guests of the hotel and residents of the Tampa Bay area are invited to participate in the brunch at the Biltmore’s Palm Grill. Children can meet and share with Santa their heart’s desire and take home a free photo for lasting memories. Reservations are strongly recommended. The Biltmore is at 25 Belleview Blvd. Call 373-3768 or visit www.BelleviewBiltmore.com.
Holiday Extravaganza open house
LARGO - Arden Courts Alzheimer's Assisted Living Facility will kick off the holidays with some live entertainment by The Salvation Army Brass Ensemble, Largo Middle School Chorus and the Largo High School Madrigal Singers on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 6 to 8 p.m., at 300 Highland Ave. N.E. Have a picture taken with Santa. Refreshments will be served. R.S.V.P. to 727-559-8411.
Winter Wonderland
CLEARWATER – The Leading Ladies at Ruth Eckerd Hall will sponsor Winter Wonderland on Thursday, Dec. 14, 6:30 p.m., in the Heye Great Room. The evening will include gourmet dining, dancing to DJ music, entertainment as a Rockette-style production, silent and live auctions, and drawings for three trips – Las Vegas, a cruise and a trip to Paris. Tickets cost $90 and includes two drinks and a free gift. Dress is business or holiday attire. Proceeds support Youth Education in the Performing Arts. For reservations, call Barbara Englehardt at 410-8526.
Santa Meet, Greet and Eat
LARGO – Faith United Methodist Church of Largo will host Santa Meet, Greet and Eat on Thursday, Dec. 14, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Barrington Terrace. The members of Faith UMC want to provide their neighbors the opportunity to enjoy holiday music and refreshments as well as photograph their children visiting the Jolly Elf in a relaxed setting at no cost. The Barrington Terrace is at 333 16th Ave. S.E., off Seminole Boulevard on 16th Ave. S.E. Call 345-4740.
Drive Thru Nativity
CLEARWATER – A Drive Thru Nativity will be offered by Clearwater First Nazarene from Friday, Dec. 15, through Sunday, Dec. 17, 7 to 9 p.m. The church parking lot will offer a trip through time into Bethlehem. More than 100 participants and live animals help re-enact the Christmas story. Admission is free. The church is at 1875 Nursery Road.
Safety Harbor Parade
SAFETY HARBOR – Floats, old time cars, Shriners and Santa Claus are some of the highlights of the Annual Safety Harbor Holiday Parade on Saturday, Dec. 16, 1 p.m., on Main Street. Pride in our country is the theme, “Let Freedom Ring.” The parade will line up on Bayshore Drive and travel down Main Street, ending at City Hall. Call Julie Inman or Kellian Gerlach, Safety Harbor Leisure Services, at 724-1530.
Tarpon Springs Christmas Parade
TARPON SPRINGS - The annual Christmas Parade is set for Saturday, Dec. 16. The parade will wind through downtown Tapron Springs on Alt. 19 and is followed by a party at Craig Park. For information, call the Tarpon Springs Chamber at 727-937-6109 or the Recreation Department at 727-942-5628 or send an e-mail to Chamber@tarponsprings.com.
American Legion holiday fun
MADEIRA BEACH – American Legion 273 will host a Christmas Ball Dance on Saturday, Dec. 16, 6 p.m. Dinner will be a Yankee pot roast with vegetables, salad and dessert. Music will follow from 7 to 11 p.m. Tickets are available now for a $10 donation. Earlier in the day, the American Legion 273 Auxiliary will host a children’s Christmas party from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be games, music and a surprise guest. American Legion 273 is at 600 American Legion Drive. Call 391-3670.
Gingerbread houses available for decorating
CLEARWATER – The historic Belleview Biltmore Resort’s award-winning pastry chef Nomeda Baronas is inviting the public to decorate her gingerbread houses with her on Saturday, Dec. 16, 1 to 3 p.m. Families will be able to decorate a gingerbread house with one-on-one instruction from the Festival of Trees First Place winner. All material will be supplied and all ages are welcome. The cost to participate is $15 for each gingerbread house decorated, which you will take home. The event will be in the Founders Room. Call 373-3000 for the opportunity to participate.
Treasure Island tour of homes
TREASURE ISLAND – The Treasure Island Tour of Homes will take place on Sunday, Dec. 17. Planning for the event is under way. Six to 10 homes will be on display with each house decorated in a holiday theme. Tickets will be $20. Additional details are forthcoming.
Redington Beaches and Indian Shores Holiday Boat Parade
GULF BEACHES - The Redington Beaches and Indian Shores Holiday Boat Parade Committee announced that the annual Holiday Boat Parade will be on Sunday, Dec. 17, beginning at 6 p.m. The captain's meeting for participating boats will be on Thursday, Dec. 14, 7 p.m., at the Town Hall of North Redington Beach, 190 173rd Ave. Participating boats are requested to rendezvous just north of the Tom Stuart (Madeira Beach) Causeway at approximately 5:30 p.m.
The boats will cover a route following the Intracoastal Waterway from just north of the Tom Stuart Causeway Bridge (Redington Beach) to The Pub restaurant in Indian Shores. It meanders into the creeks and canals that branch off the IW, passing along the shoreline of each of the participating communities. The awards ceremony will take place at The Pub. The management of The Pub has extended an invitation to all participants to dock their boats overnight in the restaurant's marina. Call Nick Simons, committee chairman, at 421-0885.
'A New Heart for Christmas'
LARGO – First Baptist Church and Stages Productions will present “A New Heart for Christmas” on Saturday, Dec. 16, 1 p.m., and on Sunday and Monday, Dec. 17 and 18, 7 p.m., in the Worship Center. This Broadway-style musical will feature the church’s Celebration Choir and Orchestra, Children’s Choirs and full drama cast. Tickets are $10, $5 for children age 4 to 18; children 3 and under are free. The church is at 12685 Ulmerton Road. Call 595-3421 or visit www.indianrocks.org.
Holiday band concert
DUNEDIN - The city of Dunedin will present its annual Holiday Band concert on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m., at the Hale Activity Center, 330 Douglas Ave. Call 727-298-3260.
Christmas luncheon
SEMINOLE – Seminole Recreation will have its Christmas luncheon on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the auditorium. The Christmas meal will be ham, scalloped potatoes, mixed vegetables, cranberry sauce, salad, rolls, ice tea, coffee, and red and green Christmas cake. Anne Marie will entertain by singing Christmas songs and some old-time favorites. The cost of the meal is $7 a person and a recreation card is not required. The afternoon movie will be “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” starring Chevy Chase. To register, call Dan at 391-8345.
'Chocolate Nutcracker' at the Mahaffey Theater
ST. PETERSBURG - LaVerne Reed Productions will present "Chocolate Nutcracker" on Friday, Dec. 22, 7:30 p.m., and on Saturday, Dec. 23, 1 and 7:30 p.m., at the Mahaffey Theater. An annual holiday treat celebrating cultures across the globe and encouraging acceptance of diversity, "Chocolate" is a multicultural interpretation of the traditional ballet version told through the eyes of a little girl of color. More than 250 young, local, aspiring dancers ranging from the ages of 4 to 21 are part of the cast that will bring this adaptation of "The Nutcracker" to life. Scenes are performed in a variety of dance styles including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, modern, African and Brazilian.
Like the ballet version, "Chocolate Nutcracker" is performed in cities around the country during the holiday season. Now in its ninth season in the bay area, this will mark the first performance in the newly renovated Mahaffey Theater. Tickets are $52, $42 and $32. There is a $5 discount on all children, senior citizens, students and groups of 10 or more. Tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster at 898-2100. For group sales, call 441-6460. Mahaffey Theater is at 400 First St. S.
Santa taking reservations
BELLEAIR - The town's annual Santa Claus Christmas gift delivery will be Wednesday through Friday, Dec. 20, 21 and 22, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Residents can request that Santa Claus deliver a gift to someone 12 years old and under at their home. Reservation forms will be available at Town Hall. Early reservations are suggested, as there will be a limited number of deliveries each evening.
Each gift to be delivered should be wrapped and tagged clearly with the name of the recipient, the delivery address and phone number. Gifts shall be limited to one for each recipient and limited in size to 12-by-12-inches, including wrapping and ribbon decoration. Gifts may be delivered to Town Hall, 901 Ponce de Leon Blvd., between Monday, Dec. 11, through Monday, Dec. 18, by 4 p.m. Call Suzy Metcalf at 588-3769, ext. 312.
More events will be added to this listing throughout the holiday season. To submit an event for the holiday calendar, send an e-mail to webmaster@tbnweekly.com.
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Article published on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006
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