A TURN OF EVENTS

WRITER: JAMES COMBS

At the Sunnyland Antique and Classic Boat Festival, the sun shines down on the sleek wooden boats displayed in water and on land, stretching as far as the eye can see. At Leesburg Bikefest, the sound of roaring motorcycles is heard for miles as leather-clad men and bikini-wearing women turn the streets of downtown Leesburg into a weekend-long party.

At the Lake County Folk Festival, musicians perform on eight stages and electrify audiences with the beautiful sounds of acoustic guitars, soft melodies, pounding percussions, twangy bluegrass, and old-fashioned harmony gospel.

These are just a few of the sights and sounds from the spectacular festivals held in Lake County throughout the year. If you ask 10 Lake County residents why they enjoy living here, I’ll guarantee you’ll receive this answer from at least six of them:

“We’re centrally located and within easy driving distance to major attractions, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic Ocean.”

Fair enough. That’s certainly one of the perks our area offers. But I’d probably answer the question a little differently. For me, it’s the annual festivals and events that draw thousands of people to our area. In fact, that might be the most grossly overlooked and underrated aspect as to what makes living in Lake County great.

From October through April, organizers, board members, and volunteers burn the midnight oil and give up their family and social lives to make these events as fun-filled and spectacular as possible. There’s always something happening in each Lake County town, and the events and festivals satisfy diverse interests from bicyclists and motorcyclists to art enthusiasts and gardening enthusiasts.

Some are nationally recognized.

• The Leesburg Bikefest is the world’s largest three-day motorcycle festival and typically attracts 250,000 people.

• The Mount Dora Arts Festival is one of the largest of its kind in the southeastern United States and draws 300,000 people.

• The Sunnyland Antique and Classic Boat Festival in Tavares is the largest antique and classic boat show on America’s East Coast.

If you do not attend local events and festivals, you have no idea what you’re missing. Here’s a listing of some area events that will be happening from October 2016 through April 2017. I apologize in advance for leaving some out, but I do not have adequate space to include everything. Our sister publication, Lake and Sumter Style, provides a detailed “To-Do List” each month so readers can discover what events are happening in and around Lake County. Please pick up a copy of the magazine or visit www.lakeandsumterstyle.com.

Calendar Of Events

2016

Oct. 8-9 // Eustis

19th Annual Lake County Folk Festival

Oct. 9-11// Mt. Dora

42nd Annual Bicycle Festival

Oct. 14-16 // Tavares

5th Annual Wings & Wildflowers Festival

Oct. 22-23 // Mt. Dora

32nd Annual Craft Fair

Nov. 3 // Clermont Taste of South Lake and Business Expo

Nov. 5-6 // Clermont

Downtown Clermont Art Festival

Nov. 12-13 // Mt. Dora

22nd Annual Mt. Dora Plant & Garden Fair

Nov. 26 // Eustis

Eustis Classic Car Cruise-In

Dec. 10-11

6th Annual Wine and Chocolate Festival

2017

Jan. 7-8 // Bushnell Dade Battlefield Reenactment

Jan. 28-29 // Lady Lake Art in the Park

Feb. 4-5 // Mt. Dora

42nd Annual Mount Dora Arts Festival

Feb. 18 // Leesburg

Leesburg Mardi Gras Party in the Street

March 10-12 // Clermont Pig on the Pond

March 18-19 // Mt. Dora

Mount Dora Spring Collectibles & Art Show

March 24-26 // Tavares

Sunnyland Antique and Classic Boat Festival

April 22 // Tavares

Planes, Trains, and BBQ

April 28-30 // Leesburg

Leesburg Bikefest

- Kathi Schue

“When questions remained after my mammogram, Lake Medical Imaging used SenoBright to light up a tumor too small to feel. No one else in Florida had this technology and I just happened to move here.

I to move here. second chance at life.

All the sacrifices they make to bring the latest diagnostic advances to their patients is appreciated more than they will ever know. They gave me a second chance at life.”

Read more of Kathi’s story at lakemedicalimaging.com

Improving Your Image for 50 Years