Explore Small Towns in Central Florida

Mount Dora

Whether you are a lifelong resident of Florida or planning your first visit, this lovely small town should be on the top of your list of things to see. It has a rich history, unique charm, and lots of natural beauty. Great for a day trip!

Mount Dora offers a glimpse of Old Florida, and it's only an hour from the Central Florida Coast. Bed and breakfasts, antique shops, unique restaurants, and gorgeous historic homes are some of its biggest attractions. You can spend time just strolling through Mount Dora, or you can come to experience one of the many festivals and events throughout the year.

Mount Dora Seafood Festival – August 26-28

Three days of seafood and live music on the waterfront. Don't miss this year's event which will be expanded and offer even more seafood than last year!

FREE admission to the event areas and concerts all weekend.

November 20th -  Antiques Extravaganza

Three times a year, (November, January, February) there is the Antiques and Collector's Extravaganza at Renninger's in Mount Dora, FL. The show runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Nearly 800 vendors from all over the country come in to set up and sell out in the show field, in the antique center, and under the pavilions. The Extravaganza will run rain or shine.

Admission: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 8:00 am - 5 pm

Friday: $10.00, Saturday: $6.00, Sunday: $4.00, Three-Day Pass: $15.00 - and Free Parking!

Orange Blossom Cannon Ball Express 

One of Mount Dora’s claims to fame is this vintage train that runs between Mount Dora and Tavares. The train was used in many a Western movie, and depending on when you book, you may experience a Western reenactment on the 45 minute train ride!

Best of all is taking the Cannon Ball Express during the Christmas season, though. Read on for more on that!

Christmas in Mount Dora

Spectacular street decorations and carolers delight as you stroll through the streets of Mount Dora during the holiday season. You can find out about all the Christmas activities here.

All through December, the Christmas Cannonball runs from Mount Dora to Tavares and back. The train is decked out for the holiday, Santa boards the train at the North Pole to visit with kids of all ages and present each child with a gift. Add Santa's elves and you have a special evening filled with fun and inspiration. This trip is great family entertainment!

So put Mount Dora on your to-see list! You will not regret it. 

 

Creative Florida Living 

Janet Sells 

Art Fiesta in New Smyrna Beach!

Art. Music. Food. Fun. 

The 54th annual Art Fiesta is this weekend at Old Fort Park in New Smyrna Beach. More than 250 fine artists and crafters will set up in and around the park and the historic district. The Art Fiesta will be held from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., February 27-28, across from City Hall at 210 Sams Ave.

Old Fort Park and surrounding side streets will be lined with fine artists and crafters. There will also be food, stilt walker, face painting, balloon art, and live music.

Saturday Music Schedule

9:30 - 11 a.m.  Matheus Duarte

Noon - 2 p.m.  MaxQ Band

3 - 5 p.m. Vivacity

Sunday Music Schedule

10 - 11:30 a.m.  Don Nedobeck Trio

12:30 - 2:15 p.m. The Jam - Jeremy & Andrea Mix

 3 - 5 p.m.  Ronnie Rogers Band

There is public parking in the historic district and a few public lots, which are listed on this map. 
The New Smyrna Beach Farmers Market will be displaced for the day. You can find it in the First Baptist Church parking lot, just one block west of its usual location, on Faulkner Street.

Admission to the fine arts and crafts show is free. For more information, please call the City of New Smyrna Beach Parks and Recreation Department at 386.424.2175, or log on to www.cityofnsb.com

 

Creative Florida Living 

Janet Sells 

Books, Art, Music Festival Is here! BAM Fest!

Ring in the holiday season at this season’s BAM Fest (Books, Art, and Music Festival) on Wednesday, November 18 from 3-8p.m. at the Port Orange-South Daytona Chamber of Commerce building located on the river at 3431 S. Ridgewood Avenue in Port Orange. 

This free event is open to the public. Throughout the evening you can enjoy entertainment from professional harpist and singer/songwriter Melody Anglin, as well as other local musicians. There will be book signings from over 24 award winning authors, and art for sale from several world-class area visual artists. In addition to light refreshments, there will be an interactive puppet show, Princess Rain and the Dragon, for the kids at 4:45pm. 

The event is intended to celebrate and support Volusia County’s gifted artistic and creative community. It is being co-sponsored by Taylor and Seale Publishing and the Creative Happiness Institute, and partially through a grant from the Cultural Council of Volusia County. Also present will be representatives of Volusia County Council, the City of Daytona Beach, and numerous arts and cultural organizations from our area.

“We would like to present an awareness of the rich, artistic talent of local writers, artists, musicians and entertainers in this area, thus the name BAM Fest, Books Art and Music,” says Dr. Mary Custureri, director of Taylor and Seale Publishing, “As writers, the event’s sponsors are especially interested in inspiring and developing young writers and readers by exposing them to local authors. We are doing this by offering a gala evening at a beautiful venue where people can enjoy the scenery of the Halifax River as they browse through books, admire a gallery of art, and listen to music from talented, professional musicians.” 

Many items will be for sale, personalized and gift wrapped. Some art spaces are still available for the event. 

For more information, go to Taylor and Seale Publishing, email mk@taylorandseale.com, call Dr. Custureri at 1-888-866-8248, or email Dr. David B. Axelrod, director of Creative Happiness Institute. 

 

Creative Florida Living 

Janet Sells Homes 

Halifax Art Festival

Get ready! Every year, just when the weather begins to turn cooler, we welcome the Halifax Art Festival to Daytona’s Beach Street. Celebrating its 53rd anniversary, the Halifax Art Festival is the 2nd oldest continual art festival in the state of Florida.

The festival attracts approximately 45,000 visitors to view the works of over 200 fine artists and artisans from all over the country. Offering live entertainment, a student art competition, children’s activities, fine dining in many local restaurants and cafes, as well as food trucks, the Halifax Art Festival is a premier annual event in Central Florida and benefits the Museum of Arts & Sciences.

 From ceramics and basket weaving to watercolors and oil paintings, original artwork in an array of mediums, crafts, home goods, jewelry, and clothing, the Halifax Art Festival celebrates established as well as emerging artists and craftspeople. There will also be local artists on hand from The Art League of Daytona Beach to demonstrate various art techniques. With all of the handmade, unique items for sale, HAF is the perfect place to get some holiday shopping done.

The festival is located on Beach Street, between Orange Avenue and Bay Street, in downtown Daytona Beach. Parking is free, but get there early so you can find a spot. Admission to the festival is free.

Saturday, November 7th from 9am to 5pm and Sunday, November 8th from 10am to 4pm

Visit the website for more info

 Creative Florida Living

Janet Sells