GainesvilleMoms.com

Here are some events all complied to one list, plase add if you know more!



DECEMBER

4th:
Gainesville Moms/Alachua County Mama's
Monthly EVENING playgroup
PM Stacy or Daphne for details

5th:
5:30-7:30pm
Duck Pond Lighting at NFRMC

6th:
8:00-9:30am
Breakfast with Santa at the Oaks Mall. Tickets on sal now through Chick-Fil-A for $6.
Build a Bear Bearamy, Chilck-fil-a cow, and also a savengar hunt

6th:
10:00am-3:00pm
Holiday Bazaar at Kanapaha Reserve (off Archer rd, near Cracker Barrel)
Come find some great holiday gifts!

6th:
10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Gainesville Creative Kids is hosting a holiday event at Lightnin' Salvage (behind Satchel's Pizza). There will be live holiday music, Christmas karaoke, cookie decorating, face painting, a silent auction and a visit from Santa. Part of the proceeds (the activities will have suggested donations) will benefit a local charity.

6th:
ALL DAY
Chiefland Christmas/Winter Festival
Link
They have an all day celebration with craft booths, food, fun bouncy house types of toys for the kids, music, a parade at dusk, lighting ceremony at the park where the parade ends and Santa!


6th:
12th Annual Twilght Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting in High Springs.
The parade will start at 6:00pm with the Tree Lighting to follow and a visit from Santa!

6th:
Enjoy refreshments, live music and a visit from Santa and Scrooge at the Thomas Center on Dec. 6 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Mayor and Santa will arrive at the Thomas Center by horse-drawn wagon at about 7:30 p.m., and the tree lighting will happen by 8 p.m. You can also take a horse and wagon ride, which leaves from the Thomas Center and takes a trip along the lighted duckpond, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. To reserve a ride, contact Randy Wells at conexos@gmail.com or 335-8874. Everything is FREE except the wagon rides!

7th:
Annual Homestead Holidays - A Victorian Celebration
Come join us for a Victorian Holiday Celebration at the Historic Haile Homestead on Sunday, December 7th 12 PM to 4 PM! ADMISSION is FREE! Stroll through the 1856 Homestead decked out in an array of traditional greenery and Victorian finery.



12th:
Williston’s 7th Annual Christmas Parade
There will refreshments & novelties available beginning at 5:30 pm, near the pavilion in Linear Park. Once Santa Claus arrives and brings the parade through town, he will be available for pictures, also near the pavilion. All proceeds from the evening will benefit local community projects.

13th:
Reindeer Kids Run
Saturday, December 13: 2nd Annual Reindeer Kids Run
7:45am-8:45am Final Registration/Check-in
8:45am-Group warm up and stretch
9:00am-Diaper Dash (1-2 year olds run a 50 yard dash)
- Tot Trot-(3-4 year olds run a 100 yard dash)
- Reindeer Kids 2K RunBody ( K-8th Graders run a 2K (1.24 miles)
Parents are welcome to run with their children in all events.
For safety reasons the following are prohibited on the route: strollers, skateboards, bicycles, ear phones, headphones, cell phones, and animals.
Awards: (all finishers receive)
Diaper Dash: t-shirt, reindeer visor and a ribbon.
Tot Trot: t-shirt, reindeer visor and a ribbon.
Reindeer Kids 2K: t-shirt, reindeer visor and a medal.
All runners must register in order to participate: Link
Registration:
Before December 10th
Diaper Dash $5.00
Tot Trot $5.00
Reindeer Kids 2k $10.00


13th:
2:00pm-4:00pm
Gainesville Moms Christmas Party
PM Stacy for details

13th:
Fanning Springs Festival of Lights
The Fanning Springs Festival of Lights is one of the longest running holiday festivals in the area. It receives a very large attendance of locals and out-of-the-area folks alike to enjoy the arts and crafts, the antique car show, the great entertainment, the delicious food, the famous rubber ducky race in the afternoon and, of course, the lighted boat parade.

20th:
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
LifeSouth is throwing a fun holiday bash with face painting, balloon animals, arts and crafts, hay rides and a bounce house from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20! Santa will arrive by helicopter at 11 a.m. The event is located at the Santa Fe College North Fields at the intersection of N.W. 39th Ave and N.W. 91st St.

20th and 21st:
2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
The Act Reel Theater Company is performing "The Tales of Christmas," a festive celebration including holiday classics like "The Twelve Days of Christmas" and "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." The performance is at the Star Pavilion (1315 N.W. 53rd Ave.). Show times are Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 20 and Dec. 21, at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m, and tickets are $5 at the door. Call 262-6907 for more information. Each person to donate a school suppply/non-perishable food item to benefit the children of St. Francis House will receive a free homemade gingerbread cookie!

Certain weekends in November and December
Silver Springs Festival of Lights
$10 coupon here
Link
A few Gainesville Moms are meeting up in December, PM me for details if you want to meet up

Also, if anybody is interested, A few of us are going to feed some animals if anybody is interested, PM for details.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Stacy Fournier,

Also wanted to let everybody know a great place to get a real tree, we go every year...and its $20 for the tree, and the provide a saw, and a wagon..and then you go down the rows to find "your" tree.
They have a model train set to watch, and a few animals to look at, and pet.
Link

My family is going next week, PM for details, or want to meet up!

The Ocala Christmas parade is actually December 6th at 5:30pm.

Link

I was mistaken and thought it was 11/22, but its not.

I can't make the Reindeer Run this year, but we've done it previous years and its so cute, especailly the little ones...they say ready set go, and they all try to run...hehe. The visors they give out are adorable too.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: daphnem192003@yahoo.com,

No problem. I wish we could make it to the Reindeer Run, but my husband and I both have to work that day. Maybe next year.

They also do a Hero Run, and its usually in the summer.

Dec 6th also is the day of the Chiefland Christmas/Winter Festival. They have an all day celebration with craft booths, food, fun bouncy house types of toys for the kids, music, a parade at dusk, lighting ceremony at the park where the parade ends and Santa! The link for more info is below

Link

Daphne, I'm so glad you are organized.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: kristinch1,

ok,
Light Up Ocala is tomorrow,
This was posted in their paper
Link

Hey moms! I added another event to our awesome list. On Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Gainesville Creative Kids is hosting a holiday event at Lightnin' Salvage (behind Satchel's Pizza). There will be live holiday music, Christmas karaoke, cookie decorating, face painting, a silent auction and a visit from Santa. Part of the proceeds (the activities will have suggested donations) will benefit a local charity.

Here's one more event: Enjoy refreshments, live music and a visit from Santa and Scrooge at the Thomas Center on Dec. 6 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Mayor and Santa will arrive at the Thomas Center by horse-drawn wagon at about 7:30 p.m., and the tree lighting will happen by 8 p.m. You can also take a horse and wagon ride, which leaves from the Thomas Center and takes a trip along the lighted duckpond, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. To reserve a ride, contact Randy Wells at conexos@gmail.com or 335-8874. Everything is FREE except the wagon rides!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Stacy Fournier,

Hey Stacy,

That sounds like fun...what is the date?

Cheers,

Does anyone have information about Santa at the mall? This will be Max's first Christmas and our's as parents, so I'm clueless.

Is he only there on weekends? What does it cost for a picture with Santa? Do they take the pictures or do you bring your own camera?

Thanks!

He's there everyday.
I know last year you could take pictures with ouyr own camera...but not sure if they still allow that.
They do have picture packages you can buy as well.

Or, go to the Santa at Sear, he's soooo great!
Daphne

quote:

Originally posted by Laurel_Housden:
Hey Stacy,

That sounds like fun...what is the date?

Cheers,

Ooops! I guess the date is pretty important. It is this Saturday, Dec. 6. Sorry!