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Area to light up with holiday activities
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| Patrons mingle in downtown during last year’s Festival of Lights. This year’s event will take place on Friday and Saturday in the area around Olustee Park. FILE PHOTO |
Mayor set to throw ceremonial switch for downtown lights.
By MICHAEL MITSEFF
mmitseff@lakecityreporter.com
Now that Thanksgiving is here to officially kick off the holiday season, a visit from Santa Claus isn’t far behind. In fact, Santa will ride into downtown Lake City on the Polar Express about 6 p.m. Saturday.
Just before Santa arrives, Mayor Stephen Witt will throw the ceremonial light switch that turns on all the downtown Christmas lights, so that Santa can find his workshop in Olustee Park.
The arrival of Santa is the culmination of Lake City’s 27th Annual Festival of Lights that begins 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday. More than 50 area Arts & Crafts vendors will line both sides of Marion Avenue from Madison to Franklin.
Also on Friday night, a Christmas with Elvis is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Olustee Park; the “King” himself will be there to sing Christmas favorites.
On Saturday, food vendors will join the Arts & Crafts vendors from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and in Olustee Park there will be an entire day of free live entertainment for children and adults. Also, after Santa arrives there will be free rides around Lake DeSoto on the Polar Express.
Other holiday events
Christmas Parade
The annual Lake City Christmas Parade will kickoff at 7 p.m., Dec. 1. This year’s theme is “A Magical Christmas.”
More than 100 entries have entered floats and other entertainment for the 2008 Christmas Parade presided over by Grand Marshal James Montgomery, a former County Commissioner and teacher. The parade begins at Washington Street and Marion Avenue, then moves south to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Also, Maureen Wilkes, acting associate director for the Lake City VA Medical Center will participate in the Annual Lighting Ceremony at the Lake City VAMC.
The parade will stop momentarily when it reaches the VA to allow Montgomery, along with Iraqi veteran Thomas Perry, to assist Wilkes in turning on the more than 300,000 lights at the medical center.
Free photos with Santa
Free photos with Santa Claus for the kids is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Dec. 13. Grace Harbor Praise Band will perform a Christmas concert on stage in Olustee Park for a night of family fun and music.
Snow Day
A mountain of snow will magically appear at the Northwest corner of Marion Avenue and Hamilton Street (the empty parking lot in front of the downtown mural). Children younger than 12 can side down a hill made of snow, have a snow ball fight or build a snowman. The fun begins at noon to 5 p.m., on Dec. 20.
In addition to the snow, there will be rides for the kids and snow day is sponsored by Food Lion. Don’t forget your mittens.
n A free Victorian Christmas Concert will be presented by Professor of Music Owen Wingate in the Levy Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. Dec. 4, by the Lake City Community College Choir and the Chamber Singers. The singers will be dressed in Victorian holiday costumes, performing historically appropriate music from the 19th century.
n Stephen Foster State Park celebrates a special Christmas Concert on Dec. 13.
Regular park admission fees are waived on the 13th, but a donation of canned goods or a new toy is requested. The park will be decorated Christmas lights and decorations from Dec. 13 through Dec. 31.
Admission into the park during the daylight hours is $4 per vehicle, up to 8 passengers. Evening admission up to 8 p.m. is $1 per person to drive into the park and enjoy the Christmas lights.
n Performances of The Gift, a musical presented by the Music Ministry of Parkview Baptist Church is scheduled for 6 p.m., Dec. 6 and 7.
n The Nutcracker Ballet will be presented by Community Concerts of Lake City and Baya Pharmacy. The magic unfolds at the Lake City Community College Levy Performing Arts Center at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6.
Beginning 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., only single standby tickets are available at the door. Tickets are $18 for adults and $5 for children K-12 and LCCC students with a valid current ID.
Season subscribers who arrive at least 20 minutes before show-time are guaranteed early seating.
Just before Santa arrives, Mayor Stephen Witt will throw the ceremonial light switch that turns on all the downtown Christmas lights, so that Santa can find his workshop in Olustee Park.
The arrival of Santa is the culmination of Lake City’s 27th Annual Festival of Lights that begins 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday. More than 50 area Arts & Crafts vendors will line both sides of Marion Avenue from Madison to Franklin.
Also on Friday night, a Christmas with Elvis is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Olustee Park; the “King” himself will be there to sing Christmas favorites.
On Saturday, food vendors will join the Arts & Crafts vendors from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and in Olustee Park there will be an entire day of free live entertainment for children and adults. Also, after Santa arrives there will be free rides around Lake DeSoto on the Polar Express.
Other holiday events
Christmas Parade
The annual Lake City Christmas Parade will kickoff at 7 p.m., Dec. 1. This year’s theme is “A Magical Christmas.”
More than 100 entries have entered floats and other entertainment for the 2008 Christmas Parade presided over by Grand Marshal James Montgomery, a former County Commissioner and teacher. The parade begins at Washington Street and Marion Avenue, then moves south to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Also, Maureen Wilkes, acting associate director for the Lake City VA Medical Center will participate in the Annual Lighting Ceremony at the Lake City VAMC.
The parade will stop momentarily when it reaches the VA to allow Montgomery, along with Iraqi veteran Thomas Perry, to assist Wilkes in turning on the more than 300,000 lights at the medical center.
Free photos with Santa
Free photos with Santa Claus for the kids is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Dec. 13. Grace Harbor Praise Band will perform a Christmas concert on stage in Olustee Park for a night of family fun and music.
Snow Day
A mountain of snow will magically appear at the Northwest corner of Marion Avenue and Hamilton Street (the empty parking lot in front of the downtown mural). Children younger than 12 can side down a hill made of snow, have a snow ball fight or build a snowman. The fun begins at noon to 5 p.m., on Dec. 20.
In addition to the snow, there will be rides for the kids and snow day is sponsored by Food Lion. Don’t forget your mittens.
n A free Victorian Christmas Concert will be presented by Professor of Music Owen Wingate in the Levy Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. Dec. 4, by the Lake City Community College Choir and the Chamber Singers. The singers will be dressed in Victorian holiday costumes, performing historically appropriate music from the 19th century.
n Stephen Foster State Park celebrates a special Christmas Concert on Dec. 13.
Regular park admission fees are waived on the 13th, but a donation of canned goods or a new toy is requested. The park will be decorated Christmas lights and decorations from Dec. 13 through Dec. 31.
Admission into the park during the daylight hours is $4 per vehicle, up to 8 passengers. Evening admission up to 8 p.m. is $1 per person to drive into the park and enjoy the Christmas lights.
n Performances of The Gift, a musical presented by the Music Ministry of Parkview Baptist Church is scheduled for 6 p.m., Dec. 6 and 7.
n The Nutcracker Ballet will be presented by Community Concerts of Lake City and Baya Pharmacy. The magic unfolds at the Lake City Community College Levy Performing Arts Center at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6.
Beginning 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., only single standby tickets are available at the door. Tickets are $18 for adults and $5 for children K-12 and LCCC students with a valid current ID.
Season subscribers who arrive at least 20 minutes before show-time are guaranteed early seating.
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