Harbor Happenings: Dec. 5-7, 2014

We flipped the calendar to December this week, and that means there will be a lot happening in Safety Harbor over the last month of the year.

The 2014 holiday festivities kick off with a bang this weekend, beginning Friday morning with the annual Mayor’s Breakfast, followed by the always popular Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Gazebo later in the evening.

This year the mayor’s breakfast, which is hosted by the Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center, will be held at the Nielsen Media building in Oldsmar beginning at 7:30 am.

Tickets for the event, where Safety Harbor mayor Andy Steingold and Oldsmar Mayor Doug Bevis will serve coffee and juice in exchange for “tips”, cost $25.00 per person and can be purchased at the family center or the Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce. Proceeds go towards providing holiday gifts for children in need.

Friday evening one of those events that makes Safety Harbor such a unique and special community , the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, takes place at the John Wilson Park Gazebo beginning at 6:00 pm.

Before city commissioners and their families light the giant tree, there will be carols sung by the Espiritu Santo children’s choir, a visit from Santa courtesy of the Safety Harbor Fire Department, plus an opportunity for the kids to sit on Santa’s lap and get a picture with jolly old St. Nick.

Following the festivities, be sure to take part in the Downtown Holiday Stroll and Decorate a Door contest.

You can pick up a ballot at the Gazebo and then eat, drink and shop your way downtown and vote for your favorited decorated door.

Unfortunately, Saturday’s slate of activities got a little lighter after news of the cancellation of SnowFest came down earlier in the week.

The event, which featured games, bounce houses, activities and a giant snow covered ramp, was scheduled for Saturday evening at City Park, but organizer the Elena Tresh Foundation unexpectedly pulled the plug on Monday, according to city officials.

At any rate, there is another charity fundraiser being hosted by the Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center on Saturday night – their eighth annual Wreath, Toys and Joys event.

Food, live entertainment and adult beverages highlight the night at the Museum and Cultural Center, where hand decorated wreaths will be auctioned off with all the proceeds going towards helping struggling families during the holidays.

Also on Saturday, the Friends of the Safety Harbor Library will be hosting a book sale at the library, located at 101 2nd St. N., from 9am – 3pm.

All genres of books in good condition will be available, with many items only $1.00.

These semi-annual sales are great places to pick up rare and unique gifts for the readers in the family, plus it helps benefit the Friends of the Library, so it’s a win-win.

It should be a fun, busy weekend in the Harbor, even with no chance of snow! Enjoy!

Related:

• SnowFest Event Scheduled For This Saturday Has Been Cancelled
• Mattie Williams Center Continues Generous Holiday Traditions
• Safety Harbor Special Events: Fall/Winter 2014