Holiday Events

Light the Lantern provides basic items for children in need

SPECIAL TO VIERA VOICE

During this festive time of year, many people are focused on extra things in life.

Unfortunately, many children and teens in Brevard County will go without the most basic necessities. Things such as toothpaste, deodorant, soap, socks and feminine hygiene supplies are products that homeless and low-income families simply cannot afford. The heart-breaking results can be low self-esteem, embarrassment and shame often leading to isolation and feelings of hopelessness.

To help alleviate this issue, Brevard Schools Foundation (BSF), along with The Viera Company and other community partners, will co-host the third annual Light the Lantern from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8 at the school board building located at 2700 Judge Fran Jamieson Way in Viera.

The community is asked to rally around this cause and bring donations of hygiene and personal products to this drive-through event. Participants will be treated to a luminary trail adorned with special holiday sparkle as they pull up to the drop-off location. Suggested items are new packages of soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, feminine hygiene products, body wash and socks. Monetary donations also will be accepted.

All donated items will be distributed to homeless and low-income students through the Supply Zone for Teachers, a service of the Brevard Schools Foundation.

The Supply Zone for Teachers, located in Cocoa, serves the highest poverty schools in Brevard County.

“Far too often, teachers tell me about students who will stay home because their clothes are dirty and they can’t afford deodorant or toothpaste,” said Pam Lyons, the Supply Zone program coordinator. “These kids are so afraid of being teased about how they smell, they’d rather miss school than face their classmates. I even had one teacher tell me about a student who was so excited to receive her very own toothbrush; apparently, she’d been sharing one toothbrush with all her brothers because her family couldn’t afford to buy more.

“Hearing that a student was so thrilled about a toothbrush — something most of us take for granted — really brings into focus the struggles these kids face. That’s why I’m beyond grateful to The Viera Company and our community partners for supporting this event,” Lyons added.

The Viera Company will supply hundreds of luminaries that will be used to create the lighted path. Other businesses and organizations supplying assistance to this event are The Viera Community Institute and iHeart Media.

For more information on Light the Lantern or how to donate hygiene and personal products, contact Joan Perry at Perry.Joan@ BrevardSchools.org or 321633-1000, ext. 11430. VV

Dec. 2 - 4, 9 - 11, 16 - 18

Christmas Tour of Historic Homes

10 a.m. Museums of Brevard’s third annual Holiday Tour of Historic Homes. The tours are frin 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Appointments required. The historical Homes: The Moore Cultural Center & Museum, Pritchard House, Cape Canaveral Lighthouse, Sams House, Field Manor, Lawndale 1895 House Museum, Historic Rossetter House Museum & Gardens, Green Gables 321- 848-0365

Dec. 2 Christmas on the Boulevard

6 - 9 p.m. East Coast Christian Center 3474 Viera Blvd. Viera, 321-452-1060

Dec. 3 and 4 Art & Craft Holiday Bazaar

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Historic Cocoa Village 434 Delannoy Ave. Cocoa, 321-631-9075

Wholeness to Freedom Fundraising Event

10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Giving Tuesday food donations welcome. Wholeness to Freedom Ministries 1619 Ferndale Ave. Melbourne, 321-425-5494

Cocoa Beach Christmas Parade

2 p.m. Parade starts at Triangle Park 22 Viera Voice | December 2022 vieravoice.com

heading South to 1st Street south on S. Orlando Ave. (A1A). Triangle Park, 2 S. Orlando Ave. Cocoa Beach, 321-868-3200

Christmas Party for Persons with Disabilities

Noon - 3 p.m. VFW Post 4228 4411 Capron Road Titusville, 321-614-8233

Dec. 4 Santa Paws for the Cause

11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Bring your pet and children for photos with Santa. Myrt Tharpe Square (Gazebo) 9 Stone Street Cocoa Village 321-305-4584

Pictures with Santa

2 - 5 p.m. Green Gables 1501 South Harbor City Blvd. Melbourne, 321-794-8901

15th annual Messiah Sing-Along

3 p.m. Space Coast Symphony Eastminster Presbyterian Church 106 N. Riverside Drive Indialantic, 855-252-7276

Dec. 7 Grinch-mas at PGG

6 - 8 p.m. Meet the Grinch, make a reindeer craft or have your face painted. Pizza Gallery, The Avenue Viera, 321-633-0397

Dec. 9 Holiday Fashion Show

2 p.m. Shell Harbor Retirement Community 2855 Murrell Road Rockledge, 321-265-6875

Christmas on the Parkway

6 - 9 p.m. East Coast Christian Center 680 N. Courtenay Parkway Merritt Island, 321-452-1060

Dec. 10 27th annual Reindeer Run

8 a.m. Proceeds benefit the North Beaches Police Athletic League Youth Directors Council Program. Cherie Down Park, 321-751-8890

Breakfast with Santa

9 - 10 a.m. Take pictures with Santa. Rockledge Country Club 1591 S. Fiske Blvd. Rockledge, 321-616-6074

Holiday Marketplace

9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Proceeds benefit FFC Summer Camp Scholarships. Faith Fellowship Church 2820 Business Center Blvd. Viera, 321-259-7200

10th annual A Star is Born

Noon - 3 p.m. Live nativity scene. Celebration Tabernacle Church 1314 Dixon Blvd. Cocoa, 321-210-4666

Cocoa Beach Boat Parade

6 p.m. Near Centennial Park Cocoa Beach

Holiday Events

The Nutcracker Brevard Ballet Academy

Dec. 10 • 6 p.m. Dec. 11 • 2 p.m. Eau Gallie Performing Arts Center DECEMBER 3 - 5 1400 Commodore Blvd. Junior League of South Brevard’s 36th Melbourne annual Festival of Trees This year’s event, trees will be 321-622-4713 showcased within business storefronts in the Eau Gallie Arts Annual Golf Cart District. The online auction will start Christmas Parade Dec. 3 and end on Dec. 5. 6:30 p.m.https://brevardcounty.jl.org/festivalof-trees/ Golf Cart Decorating Contest starts at 5 p.m. DECEMBER 4 Walk-Ons, 8550 Napolo Dr. Space Coast Lightfest Stroll Weekend Viera, 321-610-7011 Dec. 4 to 7 , 6:30 to 10 p.m. Walk thru, all other nights are drive Dec. 16 thru. Wickham Park, 2785 Leisure Way Holiday Bike Parade 5 p.m. Caroling at the Avenue Viera Dec. 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24 6 and 7 p.m. The Avenue, 2261 Town Center Ave. Entry is free with a canned or non-perishable food donation benefiting the Children’s Hunger Viera, 321-634-5390 Project. Decorate bicycles with Holiday Tree Lighting 5 - 8 p.m. brightly colored lights, garlands or other holiday decorations. Eau Gallie Square, 450 Highland Ave. Cocoa Riverfront Park Melbourne, 321-622-4223 401 Riveredge Blvd. Holiday in the City, Cape Canaveral Cocoa, 321-631-9075 6 - 10 p.m. Taylor and Poinsetta Avenues Christmas Movie in the Field Cape Canaveral, 321-868-1226 6 p.m. December 5 “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Eau Gallie First Baptist Church Holiday Marketplace, outdoor event 1501 W. Eau Gallie Blvd. Vendors, artisans and crafters. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Faith Fellowship Church Melbourne 321-254-2339 2820 Business Center Blvd. Suntree, 321-259-7200 Dec. 18 Chanukah Music Festival and Central Florida Winds Outdoor Concert 4 p.m. The musicians and Maestro Sabino Car Menorah Parade 4 p.m. have missed playing for their Chabad Viera patrons. Join them for a “socially 7350 Lake Andrew Drive distant” holiday concert on the front lawn of the church. Viera, 321-777-2770 Suntree United Methodist Church 7400 N. Wickham Rd., Suntree 321-405-2359

• Merritt Island Holiday Parade • Mims Christmas Parade

food, family fun, kid and pet friendly. Dec. 5, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Dec. 6, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Historic Cocoa Village, 1 Oleander Cocoa, 321-631-9075

Light Up Rockledge/Festival of Trees

6 p.m. Enjoy festive tunes while strolling through a decorated tree display. Auction proceeds go to Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. Free, just bring a canned food item. Rockledge Civic Hub 530 Barton Blvd. Rockledge, 321-221-7540, ext 112. DECEMBER 6

Black Willow Ranch Christmas Festival

Christmas photo props, craft stations for kids, hot chocolate bar, local vendors, BBQ and bounce house. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 2350 Black Willow Trail, Mims 321-684-9402

2020 Space Coast Toy Run

9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Starts at Azan Shrine Center 9 a.m. $15 entry fee or new unwrapped toy AZAN Shriners Center 1591 W. Eau Gallie Blvd., Melbourne 321-259-5302 DECEMBER 11

13th annual Central Florida’s Messiah Sing-Along

7 p.m. Drive-in concert by the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra The Avenue, 2261 Town Center Ave. Viera, 321-634-5390 DECEMBER 12

Cape Canaveral Reindeer Run 5K

Cherie Down Park Cape Canaveral, 321-241-4520

Skydiving Santas

10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Cocoa Beach Pier, 401 Meade Ave. 321-783-7549

• Cocoa Beach Christmas Boat Parade • Cocoa Village Holiday Boat Parade

cookies, jams, apple butter and vegan offerings. Sales conducted outside in a drive thru. St. Anthony Orthodox Christian Church 4031 Aurora Road, Melbourne 305-812-4940

Brevard Symphony Orchestra Sounds of the Season

2 p.m. A special concert featuring full orchestra, a guest narrator, and many familiar favorites, including Sleigh Ride, selections from The Nutcracker, and White Christmas. Special musical performance of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Music Director Christopher Confessore will lead the orchestra. King Center 3865 N. Wickham Rd, Melbourne BrevardSymphony.com, 321-345-5052

Jess Parrish Medical Foundation Gala To Go

4 - 7 p.m. Take a magical drive amidst holiday lights and sing along with carolers. Design your own experience — selection of entrées, desserts, appetizer and wine. La Cita Country Club 777 Country Club Dr. Titusville, 321-269-4066

Holly Jolly Christmas Trail

5 p.m. Hosted by the Kiwanis Club Titus Landing, Titusville 321-403-2415 DECEMBER 13

Glozzy Jolly Drive for Christmas Toys

2 - 6 p.m. Proceeds/toys go to Family Promise of Brevard. The Paper Clinic, 7341 Office Park Place Viera, 321-261-0418

The Magic Christmas Toy Shop

6:30 - 8:30 p.m. The Imperial Dance Corps of Dussich Dance Studio presents an Evening of Dance. Merritt Island Moose Lodge visit from Elizabeth. Music includes Christmas carols and uplifting songs to get you into the true Christmas spirit. Social distancing, limited seating, must RSVP. TWC Sanctuary, 638 S. Patrick Dr. Satellite Beach, 321-777-2047 DECEMBER 17

Kris Kringle Market

Dec. 17 to Dec. 20 Dec. 17, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Dec. 18, Noon - 8 p.m. Dec. 19, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Dec. 20, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Free admission Melbourne Auditorium 625 E. Hibiscus Ave. Melbourne, 321-608-7420 DECEMBER 18

Holiday Bicycle Parade

For event details see page 28 DECEMBER 19

Snow Days on the Space Coast

Dec. 19 - 20, 5 - 10 p.m. 26 tons of snow with snow slides and play areas. Train ride, light displays, hayrides and more. Proceeds benefit Hope for North Brevard. Sand Point Park, Titusville 321-863-6357

12th annual Family Christmas Extravaganza

11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Free food, live entertainment, giveaways, train rides, and more. Fred Poppe Regional Park 1951 Malabar Road NE Palm Bay, 321-952-3443

• Port St. John Christmas Parade • Merritt Island Christmas Boat Parade • Satellite Beach Holiday Parade

For event details see page 28

Run Run Santa 1 Mile, Viera

7:30 a.m. Run Run Santa 1 Mile is an all-Santa event. This race features a festive one mile course. Call to register. Calvary Chapel Viera, 321-636-7696 DECEMBER 24