A dozen Lake County Valentine's (and Galentine's) events

Ah, Valentine's Day. Some shrug it off as a "Hallmark holiday," but many disregard the commercial underpinnings of Feb. 14 and strange mythological origins to celebrate love and romance with their favorite human. Here are some options in Lake County to help you enjoy either a Valentine's or Galentine's date. Special thanks to Life in Lake for helping to steer us in the direction of cupid's bow.

'Sweetheart Market' helps you get a jump on V-Day

The Lady Lake Farmers and Crafts Market is hosting its "Sweetheart Market" edition of its weekly bazaar on Tuesday, Feb. 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Rolling Acres Sports Complex, located at 250 Rolling Acres Road. Vendors of handcrafted, homemade and homegrown items hawk unique items for your loved one. Get in the romantic mood with live love songs by popular Texas-born blues guitarist Bobby Blackmon from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Details: LadyLake.org.

Valentine's Day high tea in Clermont

Celebrate romance with Valentine's Day High Tea including a three-course luncheon with three teas. Open to Valentines and Galentines alike. Reservations required; takes place 1-3 p.m., Feb. 14 at Erika's Tea Room, 787 W. Montrose St. Details: erikastearoom.com.

Mission offers a resort-style escapade

Bask in Mediterranean Revival grandeur at the Mission Resort + Club on the romantic holiday. Over the past fice decades, the Mission has expanded to include a second golf course, fresh-water fishing, a full-service spa, three restaurants and 30,000 square feet of group space for meetings, weddings and special events.

For Valentine's Day it has a three-course prix-fixe dinner at the Mission's El Conquistador. Cost is $89 a person plus service charge and tax, and reservations can be made via OpenTable or by calling 352-324-3911. (Spots are limited; last we checked they were down to 6:15-8 p.m.)

Also The Spa at Mission Resort + Club invites couples to choose between two pampering experiences. For more information, call 352-324-3101. The Mission is at 10400 County Road 48, missioninnresort.com.

A 'Rose' of a romantic rendezvous

Take a step back in time holding hands, perusing the Rose Plantation Valentine's Day Menu. Repurposed from a century-old home, the restaurant is nestled in a four-acre Old Florida landscape once owned by the Dwight family of Massachusetts, located along the banks of Fountain Lake at 200 Rose Ave. Takes place noon-8 p.m. Feb. 14. Call 352-805-4340 to make a reservation.

Four-course meal comes with a scenic stroll at the Lakeside Inn

Stroll the majestic moss-draped oak trees and the beautifully landscaped grounds of the oldest continuously running hotel in Florida. Lakeside Inn, on the banks of Lake Dora, turns 140 this year and offers Victorian elegance with breezy Old Florida charm. With some of the prettiest trappings and views in central Florida, the inn looks like it's right out of a rom-com. On Feb. 14, 5-9 p.m., you can treat your sweetie to the Lakeside Inn Four-Course Valentine's Dinner in its Beauclaire Dining Room. Costs $85 per person plus tax and 20% gratuity. Reservations required: 352-383-4101.

Have some low-key fun making art

Perfect for a first date or new relationship, Love Birds Sip & Paint Class offers art-making, wine-drinking and, yes, a charcuterie table. Couples can paint their own canvas and hang them together as one. No skills; materials, nosh and wine. They are also a BYOB studio, so you can bring in your own snacks and drinks. Takes place from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 14 at The Colored Easel, 400 W. Magnolia St., Leesburg. Details: facebook.com/thecoloredeasel.

Enjoy an old-timey sunset date on Lake Dora

The Dora Queen invites you to treat your other half or bestie to its Romantic Sunset PaddleWheel Cruise on The Majestic Dora Queen. The two-hour paddlewheel boat cruise offers views of scenic Lake Dora at dusk and live music by Theo Moon. A full-service liquor bar on the upper deck for guests who are 21 and older with valid photo ID. The lower deck is indoors and climate controlled. A pre-ordered charcuterie tray can be requested at time of reservation, but outside carry-on food is also permitted. Restrictions apply. Takes place 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 14. The boat docks at Tavares Marina, 375 S. Sinclair Ave. Tickets are $65 each. Details: doraqueen.com.

Did someone say charcuterie?

If you enjoy something more social yet refined, celebrate a "union of love and flavors" at Urban Hideaway's Sweetheart Spread, an exclusive charcuterie and wine event. An advance ticket purchase includes custom 2-piece charcuterie boards, a set of cheese knives, seasonal napkins, paired wines and beverages, a tutorial on pairing wine and nibbles and a sweets tasting. Event ticket per couple is $180 plus service fee. 137 N. Highland St., Mount Dora. More info at https://www.urbanhideaway.com.

More Galentine and singles options

Don't sweat not having a plus-one. You can attend the Valentine's Banquet for the Singles 55+ at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 13, in the downtown campus of the Fellowship Hall, 220 N. 13th St., Leesburg. Admission is free but pre-registration is required and there will be no walk-ins permitted. Call 352-787-1005 or email karengardiner@fbcleesburg.org. Registration closes on Feb. 5.

Gal pals, spoil yourselves to "For Her" 80-minute facial plus warm oil scalp massage package at The Spa at Mission Resort + Club. To book a treatment, purchase the desired package via Shopify, and then call the spa directly at 352-324-3924 to schedule your appointment. Packages are available for purchase through the entire month of February, but must be redeemed by March 31, 2024.  Details: missioninnresort.com.

See Evan Dando in Orlando. The former Lemonheads frontman ("It's a Shame About Ray," "Mrs. Robinson" '90s cover) brings his chiseled cheekbones and a penchant for pop melody to the Social in downtown Orlando. Opener, Willy Mason, an acclaimed singer-songwriter in his own right, has collaborated with the likes of Brendan Benson and Conor Oberst. 7 p.m., The Social, 54 N. Orange Ave. 407-246-1419, facebook.com/TheSocialOrl.

Slightly belated Valentine's Day romance

If you can't get the day off and wish to celebrate the weekend following V-Day, here are a few fascinating date-night options ...Take your boo on the Hayride Happy Hour at the Far Reach Ranch in Tavares. On Thursday, Feb. 15, from 5 to 9 p.m., you can hop on free hayrides while enjoying mini hot cocoa and smores. Live music, seasonal cocktails and happy hour specials are available for the grown-ups; a playground and bounce house entertain the kids. Takes place at Far Reach Ranch, 1255 S Dora Blvd, Tavares, farreachranch.com.

The Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra ignites the night with passionate favorites from Latin nations, performed by 50 musicians from Lake County and around the world, on Thursday, Feb. 15. The program includes Carmen's ubiquitous “Les Toreadors (The Bullfighters)” and "Habanera," (as heard in countless commercials, TV shows and video games) plus the violin solo tango from “Scent of a Woman,” followed by a duet: violin/baritone by Konstantin Dimitrov and Marco Romano in the tender “Mi Manquerai” of the film "Il Postino." Also planned: the pop classics “The Girl from Ipanema,” “La Bamba,” "Guantanamera,” “O Sole Mio, ”the “Cinema Paradiso” theme and several other sizzling tunes. Takes place 7:30 p.m. at the at Unitarian Universalist church, 1235 Mount Homer Road, Eustis, right behind Publix. Details: FloridaLakesSymphonyOrchestra.com.

Don't forget to share your special events us. Email us at least two weeks in advance at news@dailycommercial.com.

This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Romantic dinners, fun stuff for Valentines & Galentines in Lake County