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.

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Wings & Wildflowers, Lake County’s Inaugural Bird Festival

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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.

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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.

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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

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Brrr, the forecast calls for a “snow storm” in Tavares

The City of Tavares’ annual Light-up event entitled “A Picture Perfect Christmas” will take place on Saturday, Dec. 4 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Ruby and Main Streets in downtown. This year’s event will feature one of the largest parades ever in the history of Tavares. After enjoying the rousing sights, sounds, and excitement of the parade, brave a “snow storm” and enjoy the magic of a synchronized holiday light show. Musical entertainment will be provided by inspiring choirs and local youth. Fun activities include ice skating, wagon rides, tasty seasonal treats and a community holiday slide show.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for great family memories, so come out to Main Street in Tavares this Saturday to create “A Picture Perfect Christmas”. See you there!

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Lake County Park Rangers to host two upcoming birding events

The Lake County Parks & Trails Division is hosting upcoming bird surveys at two of Lake County’s scenic parks.

On Friday, Dec. 3 from 7 to 10:30 a.m., experienced and novice bird-watchers are invited to help Lake County park rangers survey PEAR Park, located at 5336 University Ave., Leesburg, for wintering birds like Sedge Wren, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Hermit Thrush while enjoying the beauty of Lake County’s largest park.

On the following day, Saturday, Dec. 4 from 7 to 10:30 a.m., team up with park rangers at Ferndale Preserve, located off County Road 455 in South Lake County, to survey the preserve for wintering birds like Common Loon, Ash-throated Flycatcher and Painted Buntings. The 192-acre preserve is on the western shore of Lake Apopka and has a combined equestrian and hiking trail that offers stunning vistas of Lake Apopka and the surrounding areas.

It is helpful, but not necessary for participants at both events to be able to identify most common species by sight or sound. All survey-takers must have their own binoculars and field guides, and are encouraged to bring water, snacks, sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat and hiking shoes. Space is limited, so reservations are required.

For more information or reservations, call the Lake County Parks & Trails Division at (352) 253-4950, e-mail parksandtrails@lakecountyfl.gov or log on to http://www.lakecountyfl.gov/parks.

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16th Annual Mount Dora Plant & Garden Fair Nov. 6 & 7

The 16th Annual Mount Dora Plant & Garden Fair is being held Nov. 6 & 7 in downtown Mount Dora.

When summer’s heat abates, gardeners know it’s time to head to Mount Dora and its breezy lakefront park, Simpson Cove. The downtown park, with its red-and-white lighthouse, is a half-block from the busy shopping district.

Whether they garden on several acres or on a windowsill, people know they can count on the Mount Dora Plant & Garden Fair for rare and unusual plants.

“Many people new to Florida don’t realize we grow annuals in the fall and winter,” said Christine Cole, the event’s chairman. “Also, fall is the best time to plant most shrubs and ornamentals, such as camellias. Woody plants need time to put down roots before temperatures rise again.”

Central Florida’s finest growers bring more than 12,000 plants to the event, which features orchid growers and includes native plants, butterfly-attracting perennials, herbs, roses, camellias, begonias with a complete selection of rare and unusual tropical plants.

But great gardens depend on more than plants only. The Fair brings together purveyors of wrought-iron, containers, garden antiques and garden and patio décor.

For more information about the Fair, call Ms. Cole at (352) 357-4116.

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Lake County park rangers host nature hike, bird & butterfly survey

LEESBURG & DELAND — The Lake County Parks & Trails Division is hosting a bird & butterfly survey on Friday, Nov. 12, and a nature hike on Saturday, Nov. 13.

The bird & butterfly survey is scheduled from 7:30 to 11 a.m. at PEAR Park, located at 5336 University Ave., Leesburg. Experienced volunteers are invited to help conduct bird and butterfly surveys. Participants must be able to identify most common species by sight or sound and have their own binoculars and field guides.

The nature hike is from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Pine Forest Park, located at 32520 State Road 44, Deland. During the hike, park rangers will identify numerous plant species and will point out how the park is being managed for Florida Scrub Jays and its diverse wildlife population.

Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars, field guides, water, snacks, sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat and hiking shoes. Reservations are required.

For more information or reservations, call the Lake County Parks & Trails Division at (352) 253-4950, e-mail parksandtrails@lakecountyfl.gov or log on to http://www.lakecountyfl.gov/parks.

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Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Faire transorms Hickory Point into 16th Century English Village

The Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Faire will be celebrating 9 years of historical merry making, beginning Friday, Nov. 5 and continuing through Sunday, Nov. 7 at Hickory Point Recreational Facility, Tavares along beautiful Lake Harris.

The event will transform the park into an authentic replica of a 16th Century English village and will feature over 100 performers – including jugglers, knights in armor, jousting, fire-eaters, pirates, dancers, villagers, historical characters and a variety of musicians. Over 60 artisans fill the village, working in mediums such as pottery, leather work, blacksmithing, sculpture, candle making, just to name a few. For more information about the event, or for details on purchasing tickets, log on to http://www.medievalfest.com/.

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It’s a Beast of a Feast

The Leesburg Center for the Arts is hosting their annual Beast Feast under the oaks at the historic Mote Morris house in downtown Leesburg, 1195 W. Magnolia St., on Thursday, October 28, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The event will feature all you can eat wild game and exotic meats, sides and beverages along with live entertainment. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.leesburgcenter4arts.com, in person at the Leesburg Center for the Arts, 429 W. Magnolia St., or by phone (352) 365-0232. Proceeds benefit the Leesburg Center for the Arts.

Below is the flyer distributed by the Leesburg Center for the Arts:

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