Valrico
32
November 2022
Volume 19, Issue 11
Ph: 813-657-2418
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CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS & SANTA’S VILLAGE RETURNS TO COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS ON S.R. 60
By Meghan Reyes
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
lage. The village consists of the fairgrounds’ permanent display of antique farming equipment and replicas of buildings from the past, all decked out in traditional decor. Another new addition to the festival is the Holiday Market, where families can find the perfect gifts for those they love. The market will take place on Friday and Saturday evenings. Along with Santa’s Village and the Christmas light spectacular, a few additional events will take place during this year’s festival. Holiday movies and video shorts will be shown on the big screen, while picnic tables and fire pits have been added to allow for even more seating. Live music featuring Dennis Lee and Tampa artist Katie Lombardo will be available on select dates. Lee will be performing on Friday and Saturday, November 25 and 26 and December 16 and 17. Lombardo will be performing on Friday and Saturday, December 9 and 10. Further information regarding performances by local organizations and specialty evenings will be announced this month. Tickets for this year’s event are on sale now and cost $25 per car or $80 per bus. For more information about the festival, please visit www.hillsboroughcountyfair.com.
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The Tampa Bay Festival of Lights will open on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24, and will run till January 1, 2023. Tampa Bay’s Festival of Lights will transport guests into a beautiful winter wonderland with custom light displays and its enchanting Santa’s Village. The festival surrounds guests in over 1 million twinkly lights as they drive 2 miles through a number of various themed light displays. With fun for the whole family, the elaborate light displays feature everything from clever racoons toasting marshmallows to a giant gingerbread house with candy and cakes, and from a dynamic western display to a Mrs. Claus’ kitchen, the displays are sure to bring magic to everyone’s night. Santa’s Village is filled to the brim with activities and treats for those young at heart. Santa’s Interactive Barnyard features camel rides, crafting sections, hot chocolate, apple-cider donuts and even visits with Santa himself. A few new additions to Santa’s Village have been made this year. Families can take the plunge on the Arctic Plunge Inflatable Snow Tube, take a spin on the Reindeer Carousel, and take a ride on the special Holiday Train. Those more inclined to explore can take a self-guided walking tour of the enchanting Hometown Hillsborough Historical Vil-
FEEL THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT DURING THE ARTS COUNCIL OF PLANT CITY 35TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY HOME TOUR
By Kathy L. Collins
The Arts scholarships Council of Plant given to four City will presdeserving ent its 35th anseniors from nual At Home Plant City for the Holidays High School, Home Tour on Durant High Sunday, DeSchool and cember 11 from S t raw b e r r y 1-4:30 p.m. The Crest High Holiday Home School. StuTour will feature dents must three festively be interested decorated area in pursuing a The Arts Council of Plant City is proud to present the 35th homes plus the degree in the annual At Home for the Holidays on Sunday, December Sparkman House arts. Appli11. Ticket holders get to tour three private homes and the Luxury Bed & Sparkman House Luxury Bed & Breakfast. All locations are cations can Breakfast. Tickbe obtained festively decorated and will put you in the holiday spirit. ets for the event are $25 from each school’s per person. guidance counselor in In addition to the tour, March 2023. Awards the Arts Council of Plant are made at the endCity will offer refreshments of-the-year assembly at at the Plant City Photo Areach school. chives, located at 106 S. In addition, the Arts Evers St. in Plant City. ReCouncil of Plant City is freshments are included in the sponsor of a variety the cost of your ticket. of community events. According to Maggie It sponsors among othCarlisle, chair of the Holer things, the annual iday Home Tour, “Each Seward sculptures, banhome is festively decoratners on the light poles ed. All of the homes reflect in downtown Plant City, the personality and traditions of the in- Meals on Wheels, Empty Bowls and a dividual homeowners.” Carlisle added, caboose at Railfest. “Each guest tours the homes on their Additionally, they provide youth develown.” Once you pay for your ticket, you opment at each of the above-mentioned will receive a map showing where each high schools for drama, band and orhome is located. chestra. Last year, approximately 250 people For more information and to get ticktoured the homes. According to Carlisle, ets to the annual Holiday Home Tour, “People from as far away as Homosas- please contact Carlisle at mcarlisle@ sa Springs come to the tour. We never trinkle-law.com or Marsha Passmore at know how the homes will be decorated. mappmore@msn.com. One year, a dentist’s home featured a tree decorated with all types of dentistry tools. We tell the homeowners to MANATEES ARE OPEN.................... PG 3 decorate the way they normally would BG CHRISTMAS TOWN ................... PG 5 at Christmas.” The funds raised at the Holiday Home EYE ON BUSINESS ................PGS 25-26 Tour help the Arts Council of Plant City MONSTER TRUCKZ......................... PG 26 provide many different programs for the BRANDON BALLET ..........................PG 35 community. This includes high school
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