The Summer Solstice is here, and Floridians might add, “fashionably late.”
We’ve already felt swampy in the pits and have fended off mosquitoes and dealt with harrowing commutes during afternoon thunderstorms.
All the same, you can celebrate summer this weekend with family-fun activities, celebrating Juneteenth and two very oddly contrasting costumed events: The Florida Man Pub Crawl on Saturday night and the Modiste Market on Sunday.
Whew! Talk about cultural whiplash!
‘Juneteenth: A Summer Celebration of Culture’ in Mount Dora
The city of Mount Dora’s annual Juneteenth event returns this year, from 3 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 21. The summer celebration of culture will feature live music by Carolyn Harding and DJ Samp. Enjoy a streetball event by Court Kingz along with food and beverages, kids’ activities, and fellowship. Admission is free at Cauley Lott Park, 1717 N. Highland St., Mount Dora.
Let’s all take time to commemorate June 19, 1865, when people enslaved in Galveston Bay, Texas, learned they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. The next year marked the first Juneteenth celebration. In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday proclaimed as a day for all Americans to commemorate the end of slavery.
Tavares church hosts family-fun ‘meet-and-greet’
Enjoy free food, fellowship and fun, including inflatables, games and more from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, at 31150 Industry Drive, Tavares. Details: newwavechristian.com
Summer kickoff boat party on Lake Dora
Let’s Anchor Down invites boaters and sun-and-fun enthusiasts to the Lake Dora Sand Bar for their summer kickoff party on the lake. Instructions: “Look for the blue-colored ‘Let’s Anchor Down’ flag and say hello.” For further directions and details, email letsanchordown@gmail.com.
Florida Man Pub Crawl in downtown Leesburg
If you’re up for offbeat nightlife fun, join in on a wild and wacky evening on Saturday, June 21, during the Florida Man Pub Crawl in downtown Leesburg. Promoters say the Summer Saturday Shenanigans series installment is one Florida man headline you’ll want to be part of.
Participants are asked to throw on their most outrageous “Florida Man” outfit — mullet wig or haircut, bathrobes, flip-flops or anything straight out of a “Florida man” headline — and ramble through some of Leesburg’s best local bars, but don’t do anything to get Leesburg in a Florida man story, of course.
Check-in at Turner’s Bar + Kitchen begins at 3:30 p.m. The Ticket includes a self-guided or guided group option. Guided groups will leave Turner’s at 4 p.m. Admission is $25 (plus a $3.52 fee).
Venues also include McCracken’s Irish Pub, Marmaduke’s Lodge, Burns Drugstore Speakeasy Lounge, Sipping Garden & Bistro, Brick & Barrel Public House, Great Chicago Fire Brewery, Wolf Branch Brewing, Mystic Ice Cream, Two Old Hags Wine Shoppe, Hamrick Family Vineyards, The Warehouse, Prime 3 Steakhouse and Vanderbrew Coffee Shop. Details: dtleesburgevents@gmail.com.
Leesburg Lightning home game
The Lightning host the Winter Garden Squeeze on Saturday, June 21, and the Phillies Phans Club of the Villages will be presenting a check to the team before their game at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 23, at Pat Thomas Stadium, 240 Ball Park Road, Leesburg.
Join the Lightning on Tuesday, June 24, at 7 p.m., for First Responder Night as they take on the DeLand Suns. Gates open at 6. Arrive early to see the Honor Guard, SWAT truck, police vehicles and fire trucks on display. Details: leesburglightning.com
Modiste Market in Mount Dora
Don your frilly frocks and spend your Sunday funday Downton Abbey-style. The Lakeside Inn brings back the elegance of yesteryear with “a day of refined splendor.” The Modiste Market, they say, will feature fashion, culture and other delights.
Browse local vendors, enjoy live music and dine with a view of the picturesque grounds “in the company of the season’s most eligible bachelors and debutantes.” We hear this event “will surely be the crown jewel of the social calendar.”
A historical workshop unveils the elegance and etiquette of Regency-era dance, followed by dance lessons for aspiring debutantes and gentlemen.
The Modiste Market at Lakeside Inn takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 22, at 100 Alexander St. Gifts will be given to the first 50 guests. Details: 352-383-4101.
A look ahead …
New Ferran Fresh Market in Eustis
Mornings are hot in Florida during the summer. So many markets shut down, but one has the brilliant idea to open during the golden hours of 5-8 p.m., when it’s less oppressive outdoors.On the second and fourth Wednesday of the month, you can browse vendors and socialize at the new Ferran Fresh Market in Eustis — “a vibrant, community-driven space filled with heart, hustle and hometown pride” — where 40 independently owned businesses and local farmers, live music and food trucks will set up twice a month.The twice-a-month market takes place at Ferran Park, just outside downtown Eustis, where plenty of majestic oak trees offer shade, a playground amuses kids and you can take a scenic stroll along Lake Eustis. Details: facebook.com/whimsymarketfl
Splashy fun in Groveland
Head to Groveland on Wednesdays through July 23, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., for a rotating series of water-filled fun at city parks. Kids and families can enjoy inflatable waterslides, live zoo animals such as mammals, birds, reptiles, and other activities.
Sweet treats from Iceelicious will be available for purchase. On June 11, the event takes place at John Wesley Griffin Park (421 Beverly Drive); June 18 at David Blanks Playground (South St. & Gadson St.); June 25 at Lake David Park Splash Pad (450 S. Lake Ave.); July 9 at Jimmy Thomas Memorial Park (150 W Pomelo St.); July 16 at Ronald Sefton Gaffney Memorial Park (121 Maravilla Way) and July 23 at Cherry Lake Park (131 Wilson Lake Parkway)Note: There will be no Wacky Wednesday on the week of July 4. “Bring your towels, sunscreen, and smiles — it’s going to be a splash-tastic summer in Groveland!” says Groveland’s media. Details: groveland-fl.gov/events
Lake County Farmers Market
Head to Lake County Fairgrounds every Thursday in June for a farmers market, from 8 a.m. to noon at 2101 County Road 452, Eustis, facebook.com/LakeCountyFLBCC.
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: 6 fun things to do this weekend in Lake County
Reporting by Julie Garisto, Leesburg Daily Commercial / Daily Commercial
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
