What are you doing New Year's weekend in Lake County? Here's a start!
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Whether you want to go out New Year's Eve or head out Friday and Saturday and ring in 2024 all-cozy at home, we've got a variety of options for you to make the final weekend of 2023 all the more special.
FRIDAY
Celebrate the New Year a little early in Wildwood
Because its Fourth of July event was a big success, Wildwood will host its first-ever New Year’s fireworks show and outdoor party at Millennium Park (the site of the Wildwood Community Center) at 6500 Powell Road, on Friday, Dec. 29, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Word is that the event will be similar to this past summer's event, but it will have some "special extras" for everyone to enjoy. Expect a professional fireworks display, music by Groove Slayers, a high-energy band from Orlando featuring horns, multiple vocalists and harmonies, and a repertoire ranging from soul to pop.
Food trucks will feed hungry revelers, and attendees can browse vendors or play family-friendly games. Adult beverages will be available for purchase, too. Parking for the event will be adjacent to the Wildwood Community Center via the main entrance on Powell Road. Designated spots will be available to those showing a valid government-issued disabled person parking permit upon arrival. Details: https://tinyurl.com/WildwoodNewYearsParty.
SATURDAY
Wolf Branch Brewing's Roaring Twenties Speakeasy
The Eustis Wolf Branch invites you to come out to their joint "as a flapper or come as you are, dress as a gangster or silent screen star." Rhymes aside, this retro shindig should be a hoot. The free party on Saturday, Dec. 30, goes from 7 p.m. to midnight. Apart from the optional costumes, it's a low-key affair and will feature special brews for the evening. Wolf Branch Brewing is located at 119 N. Bay St. Details: 352-602-4564.
Chill night-time fun at Trout Lake Nature Center
Get away from the hubbub. Meander and relax in some Lake County's most scenic woodlands. Attendees are invited to take a walk down to the dock to watch the sunset, take a night hike and end the evening at the campfire with music. Bring a wool blanket. It's going to be chilly. Takes place 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 30. Cost is $5 per vehicle for all non-TLNC members. Members enter for free. Trout Lake Nature Center is located at 520 E County Road 44, Eustis. Details: troutlakenaturecenter.com.
SUNDAY
Town of Astatula's first-ever New Year's Eve celebration
The Town of Astatula presents its first New Year’s Eve Celebration on Sunday, Dec. 31, at 6 p.m. The outdoor celebration will offer food trucks and live music by the Street 66 Band.
What's not new to the town's party is the Farley family “Blue Collar Ball Drop." According to the Orlando Sentinel, Astatula businessman and former mayor Jake Farley started the tradition four years ago as a joke.
He and some friends stapled together clear plastic cups and put miniature lights in them. They lowered their creation from a flagpole in front of a diner with 12 to 15 people cheering them on. The ball evolved to feature 2,000 miniature white lights and 500 lights that change color, similar to the ball that is lowered at Times Square.
Attendees can bring their own chairs and blankets to the town celebration. A family friendly first ball drop will take place at 9 p.m. followed by the midnight drop at midnight. See details and updates on Astatula's Facebook event page.
Puddle Jumpers Ultimate New Year's Eve Bash
This party packs a one-two punch. It's a glow party and features a Tina Turner tribute band.
The party starts at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31, and features a costume contest, DJ tunes and dancing, hot hors d'oeuvres, and a free Champagne toast at midnight with party favors. Must be 21 to attend. Advance, non-refundable $70 ticket purchase required on the establishment's web portal, puddlejumperstavares.com/new-years-eve-party (beware of scams on Facebook). Puddle Jumpers Lakeside Grill is at 111 Ruby St., Tavares.
Mount Dora New Year's Eve Celebration
Ring in the New Year in one of Lake County's most picturesque downtowns. The free party features live music from Dr. Sprockett (featuring Dean Aicher on guitar, Michael Roberts on bass and Morgan Nelson on drums), food vendors and beverages, and a fireworks display over Lake Dora at midnight. The fun starts at 9 p.m. at Sunset Park, 230 W. Fourth Ave., Mount Dora. Details: ci.mount-dora.fl.us.
'Back to the Future' New Year's Eve Party
Wrap your brain around this one: Harbor Hills Club will ring in 2024 at a party themed around a beloved 1980s movie, which goes back in time to the 1950s.
Guests can partake of hors d’oeuvres and play in the casino and choose from chateaubriand, a tenderloin of beef roasted and finished with béarnaise; Marry Me Salmon, herb-seared and roasted salmon finished with a lemon-garlic sauce; or stuffed breast of chicken, boneless chicken breast stuffed with spinach and artichoke.
Dinner is served at 8:30 p.m., followed by dancing and music from 1980s band Super Freak, and a complimentary Champagne toast at midnight.
Tickets are $119 each for members, $140 each for non-members. Tax and service charge are not included, and tickets are non-refundable. Formal attire requested. Select entrée upon making a reservation.
For reservations, call 352-753-7000. Sunday, Dec. 31, 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Harbor Hills Club is at 6538 Lake Griffin Road, Lady Lake. Details: harborhillsclub.com.
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Ring in the New Year a variety of ways in Lake County this weekend
