Wings & Wildflowers, Lake County’s Inaugual Birding Festival

 Birds love Lake County; they flock to Lake Apopka, Emeralda Marsh, Hilochee Wildlife Management Area and several other wild areas, providing countless enticing outdoor recreational opportunities. Bird diversity is extraordinary in the Lake Apopka Restoration Area, where the bird list includes more than 300 different species. For wildflower and native plant enthusiasts, many diverse and lovely settings can be found throughout the county.

Plans are now under way to include specialty field trips to area preserves and public lands that offer a mosaic of habitats. Additional programming and details will soon be available.

The festival will be presented in close partnership with the Lake County Parks and Trails Division, the Florida Scrub-jay Consortium, the Ocklawaha Valley Audubon Society, Trout Lake Nature Preserve, St. John’s River Water Management, the Lake County Water Authority, Lake Louisa State Park and the Lake Beautyberry Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society.

For more information, visit www.lakecountyfl.com/birding or contact Kathy Pagan at kpagan@lakecountyfl.gov, 352 429 4755.

Wings & Wildflowers, Lake County’s Inaugural Bird Festival

Go Savage in Lake

The Savage Race comes to Lake County this Saturday, come rain, shine, or Irene. This extreme race, with a 3.2 mile course covering grueling terrain, demanding obstacles and a rugged race course is not your average 5K run. Typical obstacles include fire jumps, barbed wire, mud crawls, climbing walls, cargo nets, lake swims, and several twists with unexpected challenges thrown in. Guaranteed to test endurance and pump adrenaline! I had an opportunity to do a run-through in an off road vehicle – and that was even exhilarating. But then I love watching TV’s Amazing Race and Expedition.  For the real savage athletes, participating is more like auditioning for Seal Team 6. Spectators get to participate too.  The audience chooses the winner of the “Most Savage Costume” contest. Some participants have even competed in tiaras and fairy wings. Each Savage Race is followed by a Savage Celebration.  Spectators can enjoy live music from renowned musician Chris McCarty, great BBQ food from Texas Smoke House, celebratory beverages and vendors offering deep discounts for goods and services.

Be sure to bring garden chairs to sit on as you cheer home the muddy, bruised, bloodied and happy that it is all over racers. Entrance is free for spectators and parking is $10.00 per car so you may wish to car pool.

Don’t miss the Savage Race this Saturday, August 27, at 9 a.m. at Revolution the Off Road Experience, located at 4000 State Road 33 in Clermont. After all, a hurricane is just another challenge to overcome.

Glam it up this weekend

Bella Faire’s Annual Fashion Designers Showcase 2011 epitomizes the fashion scene in  Lake County and celebrates Central Florida’s unique style.  This event will showcase talented designers from the State of Florida, while presenting their collections to fashion professionals and individual consumers.  Fashion designers will compete with a Signature Piece from their Collection in several categories. Winners take home bragging rights and a cash award. This all takes place August 6 at Mission Inn Resort, Howey-in-the-Hills.  Proceeds will benefit Sunrise Arc,  a non-profit agency that helps clients  achieve their highest potential.  This highly anticipated red carpet charity event will feature a luxury fashion show featuring music, dancing, live performances, silent auction, exhibits, a VIP Soiree, art and voting for best signature piece in swimwear, formal wear, most unique and casual fashions.

“This Showcase is particularly special because all proceeds during the VIP Soiree’s Silent Auction will benefit SunriseArc. The Silent Auction will feature Original Motown photographs taken in the 60s featuring the Beatles, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder and more. The auction will also feature a few paintings from the clients at SunriseArc,” said Cecilia Brown, Co-Owner of Bella Faire.

Lake County Offers Lots to Celebrate

Lake County offers a great variety of entertainment choices to celebrate our nation’s birth.
You are cordially invited to visit the White House; specifically the miniature now on display at the Presidents’ Hall of Fame. This is a must-see attraction for all those proud to wear red, white, and blue.  The White House replica weighs over ten tons, and has just returned home to Clermont from the Ronald Reagan Library and Foundation in California.  From coast to coast, history buffs, families, veterans, artisans and patriotic folks have been enthralled with the detailed craftsmanship and awed by such a personal glimpse into the Oval Office, Lincoln’s Bedroom, Library and more.
A labor of love since the early 70’s, museum curator and owner John Zweifel invites us all to share his passion and pride in the White House and our country’s history. Many of Lake County’s parents who once visited this exhibition as scouts or students are excited to bring their own children to visit this local treasure, and proudly welcome its return.
For this weekend, Friday-Monday, the Presidents Hall of Fame Museum on Highway 27 in Clermont will be open from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m.  Be sure to visit this exceptional one-of-a-kind attraction for more “ooohs” and “aaahs” as you celebrate July 4th.

 

12th Annual Florida Black Bear Festival

Come discover and celebrate Florida’s largest land mammal with the City of Umatilla during the Twelfth Annual Florida Black Bear Festival on Saturday, March 26, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cadwell Park, located at 4 Cassady St. in Umatilla.

The festival is presented by a partnership of Defenders of Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service, City of Umatilla, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Umatilla Chamber of Commerce and others.

The one-day educational event is fun for all ages as thousands of Floridians and guests are expected to attend the free bash in honor of the black bear. A popular highlight of the festival is the two-hour field trips into Ocala National Forest bear habitat conducted by the U.S. Forest Service.

The field trips are by bus and include a moderate hike to a site where the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists will provide participants with interactive lessons about bear biology, behavior and management. Reservations fill quickly on a first-come basis and festival attendees are encouraged to register early to reserve a spot.

The festival also features heritage visits to the historic Carr Cabin, built in 1938 from local and scavenged materials, now an inspiring natural retreat. Or take the Black Bear Scenic Byway tour, with inside information on wildlife, recreational opportunities, and land conservation en route.

“The Florida Black Bear Festival is a fun event full of activities, presentations and field trips that provide participants with information about how bears live; bear behavior; how we can avoid attracting them to our homes; and how we can live and recreate in bear country safely” said Susan R. Martin, Executive Director of the Umatilla Chamber of Commerce.

There is plenty of family-friendly fun on-site with an interactive children’s area, great food and entertainment, exhibits, demonstrations, movies, author’s presentations, crafts and more. For more information visit  www.umatillachamber.org/blackbearfest.

Annual festival pairs holiday fun with a spark of competition

What happens when a small town in Lake County, Fla. has a Christmas festival that includes a home decorating competition? The whole town sparkles with both lights and excitement.

Scheduled for Friday, Dec. 10 & Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010, the second annual Howey Christmas Festival is one of the largest events for Howey-in-the Hills, a town of just over 1,000 residents. Last year’s festival boasted over 600 visitors that journeyed from surrounding areas to catch a glimpse of this picturesque town located among rolling hills and situated along the shoreline of Little Lake Harris.

This year’s event begins with a “Party in the Park” on Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. that includes karoke, holiday music and a Christmas tree competition featuring trees submitted by Astatula Elementary, Lake Hills School, Lake County Library System and The Boy Scouts of Central Florida. Saturday’s festivities are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a craft show, live entertainment, food vendors, car show and a 3 p.m. parade with a visit from Santa and the Grinch.

“The craft and car shows are just a few of the biggest features the festival has to offer,” said Peggy Ernest, co-organizer of the event.

The town is also hosting a House Christmas Light Decorating Competition, with winners being announced at Friday night’s event. Homes entered will be judged in three categories, religious theme, a WOW category and a Clark Griswold bright and excessive theme.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to get into the holiday spirit, “said Debi Dyer, Tourism Coordinator with Lake County Tourism & Business Relations. “We’re excited for visitors to explore one of Lake County’s beautiful towns while it is aglow with twinkling lights, and festive cheer.”

The event began with just a hometown local Christmas parade and blossomed into a two-day event. The Festival helps promote local vendors, along with encouraging the community to get the holiday season off to a merry start.

_________________

The Annual Howey-in-the-Hills Christmas Festival is held each December in downtown Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla.  The 2010 Festival is scheduled for Dec. 10-11.  For more information, call John Ernest at (352) 348-9925 or log on to www.howey.org and click onto special events.

Howey Christmas Festival