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.

Read Full Post »

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

Read Full Post »