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Seasonal events keep residents busy
Note: See updated story, here.
By SUZETTE PORTER
Article published on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007 |
Tis the season, and around Pinellas calendars are filling quickly with a variety of special holiday events, including the following.
Lights of Lake Park
CLEARWATER - Lights of Lake Park continues through Dec. 31. The community effort and annual holiday light display benefits The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. A large group of homeowners continue the tradition in the Lake Park Estates, 97th Street North and 109th Avenue in Largo and Seminole in celebration of the life of its creator, Eddie Dow, who died this year. The event has raised nearly $400,000 over the years. Neighbors in Lake Park Estates subdivision decorate their homes with lavish lights and decorative ornaments of all shapes and sizes. Donations are gratefully accepted at the event on behalf of The Hospice to support programs for patients and families The festive family event began in 1993 and has grown into one of the largest holiday light displays in the Tampa Bay area. At least 100,000 people toured the display last year and donated more than $36,000 to The Hospice to help care for Pinellas County residents. The lights will be displayed: Monday-Thursday, 6:30 to 10 p.m.; Friday-Sunday, 6:30 to 11 p.m. and Christmas Eve through New Year’s hours are extended. For a map, visit www.thehospice.org.
Christmas tree sale
SEMINOLE – The Kiwanis Club of Seminole are selling Christmas trees at the lot immediately north of the Seminole Chamber of Commerce building, 8400 113th St. Hours are Monday through Friday, 3 to 9 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sundays noon to 7 p.m. All trees are Fraser firs. All proceeds from the sale go to the club’s youth projects. Also, Boy Scout Troop 371 will hold its annual Christmas Tree Sale at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 11220 Oakhurst Road through Sunday, Dec. 16. Hours Saturday and Sunday are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Monday through Friday, 5 to 9 p.m.
Holiday wreaths sale
CLEARWATER – The Humane Society of Pinellas is sponsoring a holiday wreath sale. Wreaths made from fresh Noble Fir and accented with Cedar, blue-berried Juniper and Ponderosa pine cones are shipped in refrigerated trucks for quality. Two sizes are available for $30 and $40. The Humane Society of Pinellas is at 3040 State Road 590. Visit www.humanesocietyofpinellas.org or call 797-7722.
Illuminated Gardens
LARGO - Continuing through Thursday, Jan. 3, enjoy the free Illuminated Gardens at Florida Botanical Gardens from 6 to 10 p.m. Stroll through the beautiful Florida Botanical Gardens and marvel at Pinellas County’s premier holiday light event with more than 425,000 lights. Start a family tradition of welcoming in the holiday season with style. The gardens are located at 12520 Ulmerton Road. For more information, call 727-582-2100.
Safety Harbor Museum hosts Hollydays exhibit
SAFETY HARBOR – The Safety Harbor Museum of Regional History’s Happy Hollydays exhibit will run through Monday, Dec. 31. The exhibit includes silent auction items of decorated trees and holiday arrangements all of which have been donated by the sponsors including the city of Safety Harbor, Safety Harbor Library, Colonial Florist, McMullen Flower Shoppe and the artists of Safety Harbor.
The museum also is playing Santa’s helper by collecting toys for children in the community. All visitors who bring a toy will be rewarded with free admission. All donated toys will go to the city’s Santa Helpers program for distribution to the community’s children in need. The museum is at 329 Bayshore Blvd. S. Call 726-1668 or visit www.safetyharbormuseum.org.
DFAC Holiday show
DUNEDIN – The Dunedin Fine Art Center’s Holiday Show is continuing through Dec. 24. The exhibit offers early shoppers the opportunity to stock up on ornaments and decorations as well as pick up Christmas gifts. A dozen themed holiday trees are up for sale, as well as art. Also, there will be galleries with artworks in all media. The center is at 1143 Michigan Blvd. Call 298-3322.
Brighten Their Future
DUNEDIN – The Suncoast Animal League’s Brighten Their Future event will run from through Monday, Dec. 31, at Pioneer Park. There will be a Community Lighting Ceremony on Nov. 30 at 6 p.m. The league encourages individuals or businesses to participate in the event by sponsorship or by purchasing a $10 holiday light in honor of or in memory of a special person or pet. These lights will make up strands of light that will be used to decorate Pioneer Park in downtown Dunedin. Call 939-1300.
‘Howliday Festival of Lights’
NEW PORT RICHEY – The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Suncoast is hosting its first-ever ‘Howliday Festival of Lights’ presented by Animal Planet Pet Video. The SPCA Suncoast is encouraging the community to show their Howliday spirit by sponsoring single lights for a donation of $10 each, or an adoptable dog or cat’s kennel for $100. Local businesses are invited to also sponsor a kennel. Sponsor a light in honor or in memory of a beloved person or pet, see your family or business name on a dog or cat’s kennel. The holiday lights will be on every night through Dec. 30. Photos with Santa also will be offered on Dec. 21-22, 1 to 4 p.m. For more information, call Traci Theis at 727-643-3647 or visit www.SPCAsuncoast.org.
Tis the Season holiday Display
CLEARWATER – Regency Oaks second annual Tis the Season holiday display continues through Jan. 5, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, 1 to 3 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6 to 8 p.m. The display will be closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day. Regency Oaks is at 2720 Regency Oaks Blvd., Clearwater. R.S.V.P. by calling 727-252-0540.
Wild Wonderland
TAMPA - Wild Wonderland continues on Dec. 19-23, 26-30, at Lowry Park Zoo. Join the holiday fun at the zoo after dark. See more than a million twinkling lights, live reindeer, Santa Claus, holiday displays and much more. The zoo is located at 1101 W. Sligh Ave. in Tampa, one mile west of I-275 (exit 48). The zoo is open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular admission prices are: adult - $16.95, seniors (60+) - $15.95, children ages 3-11 - $12.50, and children 2 and under are free. Parking is free. Visit www.lowryparkzoo.com or call 813-935-8552 for more information.
Santa's visit
TARPON SPRINGS - The city's Fire Rescue coordinating Santa’s visit again this year. Santa will visit the following neighborhoods, riding a fire engine while his sleigh is being tuned up for his Christmas Eve trip around the world. Here is Santa’s schedule: Dec. 12, West of Florida Avenue and North of Gulf Road; Dec. 13, West of Chesapeake Drive to Florida Avenue North of Gulf Road; Dec. 14, Forest Ridge, Brittany Park, Riverwatch, Nature’s Preserve; Dec. 17, Gulf Road South to Klosterman Road, West of Whitcomb Bayou and West of HillcrestStreet; Dec. 18, East of Whitcomb Bayou to U.S. Hwy 19, South of Anclote Rd and North of Lemon Street, East of Whitcomb Boulveard to U.S. Hwy 19; Dec. 19, East of Whitcomb Bayou to U.S. Hwy 19, Lemon Street South to Klosterman Road; Dec. 20, Sun Valley MHP, The Woods, Stonehedge MHP, East of U.S. Hwy 19 to Sail Harbor and Richard Ervin Parkway.
Boys of the Lough: A Celtic Christmas
TARPON SPRINGS - Boys of the Lough: A Celtic Christmas is coming to the Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center on Thursday, Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30, $28 and $15. The Boys of the Lough have established a reputation for technical brilliance. Their inspiring holiday music ranges widely through traditional melodies of Ireland and encompasses fiddle music of Shetland, Scotland and North America. Compelling dance rhythms, which give the music such life, will lift the audience to its feet; the evocative slow airs and beautifully structured songs - some in the Irish language - will have them coming back for more. The Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center is at 324 Pine St. For tickets or more information, call 727-942-5605 or visit www.tarponarts.org.
Holiday boat parade
REDINGTON BEACH AND INDIAN SHORES - The Redington Beaches and Indian Shores Holiday Boat Parade is Sunday, Dec. 16, beginning at 6 p.m. Participating boats are requested to rendezvous just north of the Tom Stuart (Madeira Beach) Causeway at about 5:45 p.m. Boats will cover a route following the Intra-Coastal 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 ICW, passing along the shoreline of each of the participating communities. The awards ceremony will take place at The Pub, following the arrival of the last participant. The management of The Pub has extended an invitation to all participants to dock their boats overnight in the restaurant’s marina.
Winter Wonderland Gala
ST. PETERSBURG - The Florida West Coast Chapter of the National Association of Catering Executives presents its eighth annual holiday fundraiser, A Winter Wonderland Gala, Dec. 16, from 6 to 10 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg. Net proceeds from the event will benefit Clothes To Kids, Inc., a non-profit organization which exists to meet the clothing needs of eligible children in Pinellas County. Guests will enjoy an evening of dinner and dancing amidst dazzling holiday décor and featuring a top shelf open bar, specialty daiquiris, delectable hors d’oeuvres and a plated entree. The evening’s entertainment includes the vocal stylings of Chuck Drake and festive tunes from the five piece Breezin’ Band. Other highlights include an Oxygen Bar, desserts by Chantilly Cakes and Chocolates by Michelle, and a silent auction offering dozens of distinctive items. Reservations are open to the public at $55 per person, $100 per couple or $500 per table of 10, and can be made by contacting Vicki Motil at (727) 584-8996. Reservation deadline is Wednesday, December 12. All guests attending are asked to bring a new jacket to fit a child age 5 – 18. The Renaissance Vinoy Resort is located at 501 Fifth Ave. Northeast, St. Petersburg. For more information on Clothes To Kids, call 727-441-5050 or visit www.ClothesToKids.org. For more information on NACE visit www.FWNACE.com.
Christmas shows
PINELLAS PARK – The Park Place Wesleyan Church will present its 28th annual Christmas musical production. The shows, featuring a living Christmas tree, is entitled “There is Peace in the World Tonight.” The events will be Dec. 16 at 6 p.m.; Dec. 17, 19 and 21 at 7:30 p.m. and on Dec. 23 at 4 p.m. The church is located at 4400 70th Ave. Call 526-3674.
Holiday concert
DUNEDIN – The city’s Concert Band Holiday Concert is set for Tuesday, Dec. 18, at 7:30 pm., in the new Dunedin Community Center, at the corner of Pinehurst Road and Michigan Boulevard in Highlander Park. The program will include traditional music for the season and will feature Tom Miller, vocal soloist, singing “White Christmas.” Miller also plays trumpet in the band. Along with the traditional pieces, “A Christmas Festival,” by Leroy Anderson will provide the finale to an uplifting and entertaining evening. The concert is free and open to the public. Donations are welcomed. For more information or directions call the Dunedin Community Center at 812-4533.
TradeWinds holiday program
The TradeWinds Island Resorts – the Island Grand Resort and the Sandpiper Suites – located along the Gulf of Mexico on the island of St. Pete Beach has committed 120 guest rooms nightly from Dec. 18-26 to benefit The Children’s Home. Guests who book one of the special room cans receive one free night with a donation of $50 or more to The Children’s Home. Donations must be made directly to the resort upon check-in. The Children's Home is a child-and family-centered organization that is positioned to care for struggling families and children seeking the comfort of a loving family. Reservations may be made by calling toll-free 1-888-377-0026.
Sugarplum Tea
CLEARWATER - Join Regency Oaks for tea and holiday sweets in the Regency Room and enjoy an artful Christmas Program presented by St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts, featuring their Artist-in-Residence, Nan Colton, on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 1:30 p.m. Regency Oaks is at 2720 Regency Oaks Blvd., Clearwater. R.S.V.P. by calling 727-252-0540.
Friday Nights and Garden Lights
On Friday, Dec. 21, from 6 to 9 p.m., families relax at a free Friday Nights and Garden Lights event celebration at Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road. Free refreshments offered. The Lyle Warner Trio will provide great musical entertainment. For a suggested $5 donation, children get a photo taken with Mother Nature. Donations will be used to support the Florida Botanical Gardens. Regions Bank is sponsoring this event.
‘The Nutcracker’
TARPON SPRINGS - All American Classical Ballet School of Tampa presents “The Nutcracker,” Friday through Sunday, Dec. 21-23. Show time is 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday at the Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center, 324 Pine St. Tickets are $18 and $16. For tickets or more information, call 727-942-5605 or visit www.tarponarts.org. Nutcracker's brilliant blend of costumes, sets and choreography creates a magical storybook world enjoyed by children and adults alike.
Knights of Columbus New Year’s Eve Party
CLEARWATER – The Knights of Columbus will host a New Year’s Eve Party on Monday, Dec. 31, 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., at 512 S. Lincoln Ave. The event will feature dinner and dancing. Tickets are $50 a person and will be sold through Saturday, Dec. 15. Call Michael Zazzaro at 526-3595.
Send holiday event listings to webmaster@tbnweekly.com.
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Article published on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007
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