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 

Wine Walk on Flagler Avenue

Now that it is about to get cooler (any minute!), let’s take a look at a popular outdoor activity: Wine Walk!

Every fourth Saturday, in the seaside town of New Smyrna Beach, there is a progressive wine tasting on the famous Flagler Avenue.The next one is this coming Saturday on August 27. 

For $25 you get 20 tickets, which are good for 2 oz. wine samples at all participating venues. There are several outdoor kiosks that sell the tickets: Exit Realty (Flagler & Peninsula), at the tent at Flagler Avenue and Cooper Street, or at the corner of Peninsula Drive and Flagler Avenue.

The wines range from 1-4 tickets, depending on quality, price, etc. But theoretically, you can get 20 samples for your 20 tickets. In addition, you receive a keepsake glass without which you cannot get your wine!

Keep that glass and bring it next time – you will save $5.

The progressive wine tasting starts at 1pm and runs till 7pm. Participating venues include Clancy’s Cantina, Om Bar and Chill Lounge with live music, Peanuts Bar, Flagler Tavern, and many more. A Wine Walk flag indicates the venues, and you also received a so-called passport, listing all the stops along with their offerings and how many tickets they cost. 

Not surprisingly, you must consume your wine at the location where you got it – so no strolling up and down Flagler Avenue with a full wine glass.

Needless to say, you can eat at many of the establishments. A personal recommendation is That’s Amore – around the corner from Flagler on Pine Street. They also offer Wine Walk wines (all one ticket and all very good). Plus, you can enjoy delectable Italian dishes while sitting in a lively environment. Flagler Tavern serves up bar fare, but also has a fine dining restaurant on the premises. Some wine stops will have cheese and crackers for their patrons. 

When you go – be sure to hydrate between wine stops. Wear comfortable shoes and sun protection. And prepare to have a fantastic time in a great party atmosphere on Flagler Avenue!

Lastly, Wine Walk is always paired with Art Walk (1-5PM), which is also on Flagler Avenue and takes you through some of the beautiful galleries along the way. Wine and Art – you can’t go wrong!

Creative Florida Living

Janet Sells 

Food Trucks on the Fun Coast

Food trucks have been enjoying great popularity in the United States, even having their own show on Food Network. The food truck movement has finally made its way to the Fun Coast. In the Greater Daytona Beach Area, we can now enjoy individual food trucks as well as food truck ‘rallies’ from Ormond to New Smyrna Beach. 

A Little Food Truck History

The Texas chuck wagon is a precursor to the American food truck Food consisted of dried beans, coffee, cornmeal, greasy cloth-wrapped bacon, salt pork, beef, usually dried or salted or smoked, and other easy to preserve food stuffs. Yum!

Then there was the lunch wagon in the late 1800’s selling sandwiches, pies, and coffee business employees in the city. Later versions of the food truck were mobile canteens, which were created in the late 1950s. These mobile canteens operated on stateside army bases.

Finally, mobile food trucks, nicknamed "roach coaches" have been around for years, serving construction sites, factories, and other blue-collar locations. 

 

The Gourmet Food Truck movement started in big cities like New York and Los Angeles. It spread throughout the United States, and now can be found in the suburbs and small towns. Characteristic of food trucks is a small, specialized menu, gourmet food items (often a twist on old favorites), and a tiny crew that cooks and serves in various locales.

In our area, you will find food trucks more often than not in the parking lot of local brew pubs, such as Tomoka Brewery Co. Going to a food truck rally is all kinds of fun! You can pick from a variety of very reasonably priced food items from different trucks. There is usually music and a lot of people. A happy atmosphere accompanies these events!

The next food truck rally will be in Ormond Beach on July 21 – check it out here. The best way to be informed about various food truck appearances and rallies is to “like” their Facebook Pages. Here are a few:

The Good Food Truck 

The Big Hot Box 

Cousin’s Maine Lobster 

 Creative Florida Living

Janet Sells