Holiday Lights Tour - Update

Source: Google Images

The Gainesville Sun posted its full Guide to Holiday Lights in today's paper.  You HAVE to check out NW 34th Terrace in the Apple Tree subdivision!   It's fantastic.  
In Alachua, on CR 232 near CR 235, there's an amazing light display that's set to music.  
I can't even fathom how it works, but it's a real treat!


I still haven't found the address of the Windsor display; this one covers the entire yard, front and back, and you are invited to walk through.  One year, my son asked to go visit this display as one of his Christmas gifts! I know that it's on the road that runs between Hawthorne and Melrose, and really, Windsor is not that big....surely someone can help me out here!?
Happy Touring!

Nutcrackers & Sugar Plums

Here are a couple of events that sound like a lot of fun!  

"The Nutcracker": Dance Alive National Ballet's annual production of classic ballet, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17, 2 p.m. Dec. 18-19, Phillips Center, 315 Hull Road. Tickets: $25-$35, $20 seniors, $15 students and children. (392-2787)

"Sugar Plum Tea": Children meet the Sugar Plum Fairy and her court, have their picture taken with a favorite character, presented by Dance Alive National Ballet, 4 p.m. Dec. 18-19, Phillips Center, 315 Hull Road. Tickets: $15. (392-2787)

AND, If you have LOTS of money floating around this holiday season: 

Mommy & Me Onstage: Event lets children join dancers onstage to watch final dress rehearsal of Dance Alive's "Nutcracker," 5 p.m. Dec. 16, Phillips Center, 315 Hull Road, Gainesville. Tickets: $100 for Mommy and one child, $50 for each additional child. (371-2986)

Holiday Happenings

Already, the last weekend before Christmas is upon us.  It's time to get in the last few fun holiday activities, and of course, that last-minute shopping!

The Gainesville Sun has published its Christmas Lights Map.

On Friday evening, the City of Alachua is doing Shop - Dine - Stroll.  This free event includes horse & carriage rides, music, lights, caroling, and Santa Claus!

Newberry is having a Festival of Lights and Christmas Parade this Saturday afternoon.
It's located in Downtown Newberry, from 1pm-4pm.

Speaking of lights....St Augustine has an annual tradition called Nights of Lights.  From November till January 31st,  the downtown area is lit up with beautiful lights.  They have many different events going on during this time, including Christmas Train Rides, Santa's Fun Holiday Village, and Candlelight tours.  For more information visit the Nights of Lights website.

I hope you are enjoying this holiday season!

More Parade Fun

If you are closer to the Hawthorne/Melrose area, check out one of these events!


Merry Melrose Christmas Parade, Arts and Crafts Festival: Parade themed "A Fairy Tale Christmas" begins at 10 a.m. Dec. 11, followed by Arts and Crafts Festival in Heritage Park, downtown Melrose. Free.


Hawthorne Christmas Festival and Parade: Event themed "Dreams of Christmas" offers carnival rides, arts and crafts, and food vendors from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 11, parade starts at 3 p.m., Southeast 221st Street, downtown Hawthorne. Free.

Christmas Shows

At the Hippodrome Theatre, actor Christopher Swan is putting on a one-man show.  He is singlehandedly portraying more than 30 characters from the movie, "It's a Wonderful Life".  


And according to critics, he's doing it well.


The show starts at  7:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sundays, and runs through Dec. 19.


Also, A Christmas Carol is showing at the Hippodrome at 2pm.


For more info, call 375-4477 or visit www.thehipp.org.

Danscompany will be holding their annual performance of "Cinderella" on Saturday.
Danscompany of Gainesville sets the stage for “Cinderella” to present its annual magical tale on Saturday. The full-length ballet will be performed at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts at 2 and 7:30 p.m this Saturday, December 11th.

Christmas Parades This Weekend

This weekend offers the opportunity to enjoy two small-town Christmas parades.


The City of  Alachua's Christmas Parade will be on Saturday, December 11th,  at 2pm.  The parade travels down Main Street, which is the second red light in Alachua if you're coming from Gainesville.


That evening, High Springs holds its Twilight Christmas Parade.  This parade begins at 6pm, and travels down Main Street in High Springs.



It's a great holiday tradition, and Santa Claus himself usually makes an appearance! 

Come join the fun this weekend.

Homes for the Holidays - Pet Rescue Gainesville, Florida

This weekend, there will be a huge pet adoption event behind the Oaks Mall in Gainesville.


It's a huge Multi-Agency Adoptathon.  There will be many loving dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, and even pigs and rabbits!
It will be at the Oaks Mall (across parking lot from Macy's entrance).


From 11am - 5pm, Saturday and Sunday, December 4th and 5th.  


Save a life and make a new best friend!  And give a pet a home for the holidays.

To see some available pets in the area, check these sites:
Puppy Hill Farm Animal Rescue
Alachua County Humane Society
Second Chance Farms


There are many more!


*ETA* We went to this adopt-a-thon today and there are MANY dogs & cats for only a $5 adoption fee!  What a wonderful holiday gift to a sweet animal.....a loving home!

Gator Volleyball Girls!

The Florida Gator Volleyball team is hosting the NCAA first & second round competition on December 3rd & 4th.


The Gators play South Carolina State on December 3rd at 7:30 pm.


The second round is Saturday, December 4th, also at 7:30 pm.


For more information, tickets, etc. visit Gator Zone.  


Go out and support the Gators!!

North Florida Pond Lights

Tonight was the night!  The North Florida Regional Medical Center held their annual pond lighting.  For the rest of the holiday season, the pond in front of NFRMC will be alight with holiday decorations.  It's always fun to visit the pond and feed the ducks, but it's especially pretty on December nights when they light it all up.  It's a must-see!