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Holiday events coming to a close
By SUZETTE PORTER
Article published on Friday, Dec. 21, 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.
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. 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 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. 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.
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.
Holiday boat parade
REDINGTON BEACH AND INDIAN SHORES - The Redington Beaches and Indian Shores Holiday Boat Parade is Saturday, Dec. 22, 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.
Christmas shows
PINELLAS PARK – The Park Place Wesleyan Church presents its 28th annual Christmas musical production, “There is Peace in the World Tonight,” featuring a living Christmas tree, Dec. 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.
‘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.
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.
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 Friday, Dec. 21, 2007
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