COMMUNITY EVENTS
COMMUNITY EVENTS IN LIVE OAK, LAKE CITY, MADISON, BRANFORD, DOWLING PARK, HIGH SPRINGS AND ALACHUA, FLORIDA
Annual Christmas Tour of Homes
Altrusa International of Live Oak
Submitted by Ann Thompson
The Nineteenth Altrusa Christmas Tours of Homes will be held on Saturday, Dec 9, 2023 beginning at 12noon. This event can be enjoyed by families and friends as a wonderful way to share our community at this special time of the year. Community members have graciously offered their seasonally decorated homes for this year’s tour.
The Christmas Tour of Homes will begin at the Garden Club on 11th Street at noon. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $15 with admission for children 12 and under no charge. Tickets can also be purchased in advance for $12 from Altrusa Members. When you come to the Garden Club you will be provided a booklet that contains a description of the homes written by the homeowner and a map with driving directions. Ticket holders can enjoy light refreshments provided by Altrusa as they visit with friends and plan their route for the tour. The Christmas Tour of Homes ends at 5pm.
For more information you may check us out at: www. Facebook.com/AltrusaLiveOak or call Sharon Jordan (386-362-8616) or Ann Thompson (386-208-2764).
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Dec. 8-24 - Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park Festival of Lights from December 8-24, White Springs, Florida.
Fifth Annual “Spirit of the Horse”
A Magical Theater Event on Horseback At Oaks Equestrian Center, Lake City, Dec 15, 16 or 17
Submitted by Janet Herzberg
Bell, Fl and Lake City, Fl - The Spirit of the Horse is a magical, heartwarming theater story on horseback that the whole family will enjoy! It is a showcase of World Class riders and horses brought together in an entertaining fashion as the original live production unfolds. This delightful one-and-a-half-hour event features a story rich with characters and diversity. You will see everything from orphans to villains and from dressage to liberty work (where the horse works in a free environment, unrestrained, without any riding equipment). The show includes Paula Frasz and the fabulous Pas de Cheval dancers, and a holiday atmosphere with theater sound and lighting. The costuming is amazing, the horses are beautiful, and the story is one that all can embrace.
Spirit of the Horse is a story of hope, love, and the greatest treasure of all…family. The show features two orphans, whose only wish is a family to love them. In the story, they have been selected to carry the magic of the horse on to the next generation of horse lovers and are brought to the Snow Palace.
Highlights of the evening include bronze, silver and gold medalist Lars Biedenbender, four USDF Grand Prix gold medalist riders: Kiersten Main (the Toy Soldier); Kassie Kuz (Royal Couple and Fairy); Kayla Barteau (the Guardian Angel); and Yvonne Barteau as the beautiful Snow Queen.
Yvonne Barteau, of KYB Dressage, has entertained audiences across the United States with this family-friendly live holiday tale! A USDF Gold medal rider and trainer, for years Yvonne has spent her life performing in equine entertainment from the Arabian Nights Dinner Theater in Orlando, Florida to The TODAY Show and Madison Square Garden in New York City.
The annual Spirit of the Horse event is the biggest fundraiser for the organization in terms of the number of people involved and money raised for a single event, said Barteau who founded Horses Without Humans. She said “the proceeds from Spirit will allow us to care for more horses who have been neglected, abused or in some other way let down by the humans entrusted with their care”.
Horses Without Humans, located in Bell, Florida, is a nonprofit equine adoption organization devoted to rehabilitating and retraining unwanted and at-risk equines with the goal of finding them suitable life-long adoptive homes.
Directed by Jessica Lawton, this holiday show is not to be missed. There is limited seating for three nights only – December 15th at 7:00pm, December 16th at 7:00pm and December 17th at 6:00pm. All performances will be held in the outdoor covered arena at The Oaks Equestrian Center, 211 SW Theodore O’Connor Circle, Lake City, Florida.
Arrive an hour early to tour the beautifully decorated barn, pet the horses, view the silent auction items, and visit the food vendors and then enjoy the show and the wonderful memories! Tickets start at $15 and are now available at https://www.hwhrescue.org/spirit-of-the-horse
For additional information, to volunteer at the Spirit event, to volunteer with Horses Without Humans, or to request a speaker, contact Janet Herzberg, Office Manager 386-935-3902, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
City of Lake City Events
Submitted by Terri Phillips Community Program Director
City of Lake City’s Growers and Makers Market, every 2nd and 4th Saturday in Olustee Park. Local artisan vendors selling fresh produce, plants, local honey, homemade goodies, and crafts. The Market is from 9:00am-2:00pm. Olustee Park- 169 North Marion Avenue, Lake City, Fl
Food Truck Wednesdays, On a rotation basis food trucks will be located at City Hall each Wednesday from 11:00am-2:00pm open for lunch for our area citizens and businesses. City Hall 205 North Marion Avenue, Lake City, Fl
