Fests, culture and music! Fun things to do in Lake County this weekend (and next week)
History, live music, family friendly recreation, food trucks and even Florida wildlife can be enjoyed this weekend throughout Lake County.
Plus, the Gipsy Kings' rousing flamenco sound in The Villages and some other worthwhile events flow into next week, including a full roster of Valentine's Day fun, which you can read about in our V-Day events and dining guide at dailycommercial.com.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
An Austen con floofs up Mount Dora this weekend
In her 42 short years, Jane Austen could pack a library full of her nuanced, clever and often humorous observations of the noble and not-so-noble gentry, transcending time and fashion through her novels, including "Emma," "Sense and Sensibility" and "Mansfield Park."
An enduring, diehard fanbase of bookworms will gather in Mount Dora's Historic District as they do each year for the Jane Austen Festival 2024. Mount Dora's idyllic gardens, hilly landscape and Victorian homes provide the perfect backdrop for floofy fun and time-traveling to 19th century England, dressed to the nines in bonnets and breeches, taking a four-course tea with friends, dancing in a masquerade ball, attending lectures and other Austen-inspired activities.
Master storyteller and educator Maureen Patrick, who has taught everything from Regency Era fortunetelling to Regency Insults, will present a short history of the Masquerade Ball in Jane Austen's time along with a workshop in making Regency-inspired masks for the JAF's Bal Masque on Saturday night. Details: janeaustenfest.com.
SATURDAY
Safety (and fun) in numbers on Groveland Family Fun Ride
It can be a little scary to brave the streets of Florida on a bike, but you and the kids can enjoy safety in numbers with others on the Groveland Family Fun Ride on Feb. 10. Bike riders of all skill levels and ages can participate in the group ride.
Meet at Lake David Park Amphitheater 450 S.. Lake Ave, Groveland, on Feb. 10 at 8:30 a.m. Helmets are required. Breakfast and beverages will be furnished, and volunteers are still needed. Ride options include a 1, 3, 5, or 10-mile ride. All ages are welcome. Cost to participate is $15. Visit bikeflorida.org/event/groveland-family-fun-ride-3 to register.
African American History Festival in Mount Dora
Celebrate Black History Month, learning, gathering and enjoying some good times with area food and retail vendors, family fun activities and more at the African American History Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Takes place at Cauley Lott Park, 1717 Highland St., Mount Dora. Contact the Mount Dora Area Chamber of Commerce for details, mountdora.com.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY
Lake County artists' studio tour returns this weekend
See professional artists in their habitat during the Tour of Lake County Artists Studios from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10, and Sunday, Feb. 11. Every year, art patrons, collectors and curators, as well as families and children, are welcome to meet the artists in their work environments, watch demonstrations, enjoy light refreshments and shop for unique original works of art.
During the event you can visit studios in Leesburg, Mount Dora, East’s, Tavares and Weirsdale. Five guest artists are also participating, bringing the total to 18 artists. A wide array of media can be enjoyed on the tour, including paintings, sculptures, textiles, jewelry, ceramics, woodworks, photography, printmaking and illustration. Details: ArtsTours.org.
Try Weekends at the Winery for a chill wine-down
Bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy free live music at the Lakeridge Winery this Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. On Saturday, the duo 33 Years brings their folk-rock sound. Multi-instrumentalists Paula and Kevin Tolly formed the group in 2009, and they play tight, swirling harmonies with smatterings of folk punk and Neil Young-style edginess. Performing Sunday is NYC transplant Maria Salerno, now an Orlando-based musician, and the first woman to perform in Walt Disney World’s "British Revolution."
No coolers or outside food and beverages allowed. Admission and parking are free. Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards is at 19239 U.S. 27 North, Clermont. Visit lakeridgewinery.com for details on its wines and other goods.
SUNDAY
Guitar and farm pickin's plus kid fun at Southern Hill Farms
Bring the kids for amusements and stock up on blooming sunflowers, strawberries or a medley of fresh vegetables at Southern Hill Farms in Clermont. It's free to enter the farm's seasonal u-pick events, but pets are not permitted.
Former Carolina college baseball player and country music singer-songwriter Matt Stillwell has been featured on "CBS This Morning" and "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives," and is the ambassador for the Cal Ripken Sr Foundation’s “Badges For Baseball” program which places at risk youth with law enforcement.
Food trucks Twisted Plates and Papa Diesel’s BBQ will be onsite along with blueberry lemonade, farm-made cocktails and seasonal craft beer. An unlimited play wristband can be purchased for rides and amusements such as the Southern Hill Express (motorized train), giant fun slide, cyclone swing, bounce houses, carousel, rock-climbing wall and more. Wristbands are $22 (plus tax) for children 42 inches and taller, $18 (plus tax) for under. Takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 16651 Schofield Road, Clermont. Entry onto the farm ends at 5:30 p.m. Details: southernhillfarms.com.
'Sunday Funday' with woodland critters at Trout Lake Nature Center
Wildlife lovers of all ages can learn about Florida's black bears, alligators, manatees and more during the Sunday Funday event at Trout Lake Nature Center from 1 to 3 p.m. on Feb. 11. The event will include a speaker from the Lake County Water Authority, a live bird from the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, fish dissections with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and guided forestry hikes through the woods. You can wander through the event at your own pace, exploring and learning as you go. The center is located at 520 E. County Road 44 in Eustis. Details: troutlakenaturecenter.com.
Pop melody dynamo entertains at Lake Eustis Waterfront Grille
An artist who can play every pop style, from Bruno Mars to Buddy Holly, Seth Pause serenades diners at the scenic Lake Eustis Waterfront Grille Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. He "has laid melodic ground all over central Florida for over 20 years and counting," he says in his bio, adding that his "personal influences range anywhere from U2 to The Afghan Whigs and then some." The lakeside restaurant is located at 350 Lakeshore Drive, Eustis. Details: (352) 602-7446 or email LakeEustisWaterfrontGrille7@gmail.com.
'Hammered' time with sweet dulcimers in Mount Dora
Take a break from the same ol' same ol, by enjoying a concert by the most influential dulcimer player of the last decade by readers of "Dulcimer Player News," Rick Thum. He will be sharing the night with Stephen Seifert, who has been touted in musical circles as the best mountain dulcimer player in the U.S. The heavenly, harmonious strings duo will co-headline the Congregational Church of Mount Dora, 650 N. Donnelly St., from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 11. Tickets $20 at the door or at rthum.com.
MONDAY
The Gipsy Kings' bring their flamenco-fired rhythms to 'the Sharon'
You could be sadder than sad, sleep-deprived and thousands in debt, but once you hear the Gipsy Kings' "Bamboleo," and next thing you know, you're dancing around the living room, snapping your fingers like pretend castanets. Catch the Kings live with opener Pavlo on Monday, Feb. 12, at 7 p.m. For more information, visit TheSharon.com.
TUESDAY
'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, 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.
Lake County Regional Science and Engineering Fair
The annual Lake County Regional Science and Engineering Fair dazzles onlookers with winning projects from some of the best students in science and engineering across the school district. Middle/high school judging takes place Tuesday, Feb. 13, from 7:30 a.m. to noon. The elementary judging is Thursday, Feb. 15, from 8 a.m. to noon. Both events will be held at Clermont Arts and Recreation Center, 3700 S. U.S. 27, and the public can view the projects before an awards ceremony from 5:30-7 p.m.
The top middle and high school individual winners and top team winners could advance to the State Science and Engineering Fair in Lakeland on April 2-4, 2024. Details: lake.k12.fl.us.
NEXT WEEK
123rd annual Georgefest to take over Eustis again
The city of Eustis takes over its town square to celebrate its community's longtime annual festival Feb. 17-24. Visit facebook.com/CityofEustis/events for details.
Email us info about Lake County-area events at least two weeks in advance at news@dailycommercial.com.
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Festivals, art, concerts and more fun things to do in Lake County
