HOLIDAY EVENTS: Here's what's coming for the weekend

By Carnell Hawthorne Jr., Reporter

As the community recuperates from the bustle of last weekend, everyone should know there is still plenty of holiday fun to be had.

In Live Oak, families can enjoy the Suwannee Lights Festival, or the Altrusa Tour of Homes this Saturday.

The Suwannee Lights Festival continues in an awesome display all week long at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. The Christmas light exhibit is filled with more than 5 million bulbs and colorful 3-D displays this year and is sure to brighten the spirits of the whole family. Visitors to the park can enjoy the 2-mile-long lit display from the comfort of their vehicles. The event cost Sunday through Thursday is $6 for adults (ages 13 and up), $2 for children ages 3-12, and ages two and under are free. On Friday and Saturday, folks can drop by the Art and Crafts Village and Country Store where there will be live entertainment and photos with Santa. The Friday and Saturday cost is $8 for adults. The festival lasts until Dec. 24.

Also, in Live Oak this Saturday is the Altrusa Tour of Homes from noon- 5 p.m. This year's tour will feature the homes of Herb and Janet Mantooth; Allison and Gayle Eyster; John and Joann Martz; Tony and Stacy Chauncey; and Carolea Evan.

Each home will be brilliantly decorated for all to see, and refreshments will be served.

Guests will meet at the Live Oak Garden Club at noon to pick up information packets and maps describing each home. The cost of tickets is $10. Advanced tickets can be purchased from any Altrusa member, Live Oak City Hall (Shannon Court) or McCrimon's Office supply. All profits from the Tour of Homes goes directly to Altrusa to help in upcoming charitable and community projects. Contact Kellie Hick 386-362-3919 or Marlene Geise for more information.

In Branford, the Keeping Christ in Christmas Festival will be where it's at this Saturday. You'll find booths and entertainment at Hatch Park from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., with a short break for the parade at 1 p.m. The parade will line up at the Branford High School football field and make its way down Governor Street to US 129 and onto Houston Street. Music will be provided by "Mainstream," other local talent and the Branford High School Band. Pictures can be taken with Santa from 10 to noon, and again from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. If you're interested in operating a booth contact Mamie Jackson at 386-935-9121. Those interested in performing are asked to call Kathy Woolard at 386-935-1127, and for parade questions and information contact Debbie Yates at 386-935-3131.

Beginning Saturday in White Springs, the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park will launch the Festival of Lights, with a display of more than two million lights. The festival will last until Dec. 31. A special kickoff event to usher in the light display, hosted in conjunction with the town of White Springs, will take place from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday. Activities will begin with a breakfast hosted by Santa Claus. Tickets for the breakfast are available at the White Springs Town Hall or the White Springs Library. Park lights will be on each evening until 9 p.m. The centerpiece of the park's light display is the Carillon Tower dressed in holiday splendor. The gift shop will be open each evening until 9 p.m. and will provide complimentary refreshments, as well as a bonfire and marshmallow roast. Park entrance fees for the evening event are $2 per person. Regular park admission fees are waived for this event, but a donation of canned goods or a new toy is requested. The Festival of Lights is sponsored by the town of White Springs and its special events committee, the Stephen Foster Citizens Support Organization and numerous local individuals and businesses. For more information, visit www.FloridaStateParks.org/StephenFoster.

If folks want to drive a little farther, a performance of The Nutcracker will take place Saturday at North Florida Community College in Madison. The Dance Alive National Ballet, a southeastern ballet company, will perform. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Show starts at 7 p.m. The cost of tickets is $12 for adults, $6 for NFCC students and $6 for children ages 12 and under. For more information call 850-973-1653 or visit the NFCC Web site at www.nfcc.edu.

To make this season bright, the Live Oak Kiwanis Club is asking everyone to stop by their open-air Christmas tree shop and purchase a live spruce this year. The shop is located downtown next to Tru Fashion on US 90. The shop will be open Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., all day Saturday (8 a.m.- 8 p.m.), and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Trees ranging from 6-8 feet are available.

Happy holidays!

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