From food trucks to Mount Dora's big art fest: Weekend events and more in Lake County

From delicious international foods to music and fine art, a veritable variety of feasts for the senses can be enjoyed this weekend throughout Lake County.

FRIDAY

Downtown Clermont's Food Trucks Night

Hungry? Grab some grub from food trucks and vendors such as Twisted Plates, A Lo Cubano Kitchen, Groveland's DonutNV and Bao Houz, among others, will take over historic and charming downtown Clermont. You can expect live music and games to entertain the crowd. Craft vendors will be on hand and boutiques will stay open for the event. Takes place 5:30-9 p.m. at 752 W. Montrose St. Visit the event's Facebook page for updates.

Love Songs Karaoke Night at Lake Square Mall

Belt out your most favorite heartfelt ballad at Lake Square Mall's Love Songs Karaoke Night from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, and you might win $100 in mall bucks (judged by audience applause). The vocal yokels will gather in the center court area of the mall at 10401 U.S. 441, Leesburg. Details: lakesquaremall.com.

Downtown Eustis' First Friday

The city of Eustis takes over its town square to celebrate its community's monthly event and a "Pre-Georgefest" festivities with 50 local vendors, food trucks, live music, street performers and more. Takes place 6-9 p.m. Details: facebook.com/CityofEustis/events.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY

Celebrate creativity at the 49th annual Mount Dora Art Festival

Just one year shy of the big Five-O, the 49th annual Mount Dora Arts Festival fills the streets of historic downtown Mount Dora.

This year, the event will feature 289 juried artists from across the nation, competing for $20,000 in cash prizes in 2D, 3D and Best in Show categories. The festival features two sections: Juried Fine Arts, which is judged and eligible for prize money; and a small Emerging Artist/Craft Artisan area near the food court, not eligible for awards. Artwork in both sections must be original and are available for sale.

Festival food, beer, wine, and cocktails will be available throughout the festival. Live entertainers will perform on the stage in Donnelly Park all weekend. Pets are allowed but discouraged to minimize foot-traffic problems. Runs Saturday, Feb. 3, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 4, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Get more info at MountDoraArt.org or call 352-383-0880.

Final curtain call for 'The Last Five Years' in Eustis

Bay Street Players' latest musical centers on Cathy (Jessie Hoffman), a struggling actor, working backwards through the timeline, and Jamie (Christian Shaw), a literary prodigy, who begins his story at the onset of the relationship. The two narratives intersect on their wedding day before diverging again to arrive at the beginning — and end — of their five years together. Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan star in a movie adaptation. The Arts Desk called "The Last Five Years" a "knockout" and a "two-handed tour-de-force" in a five-star review. See it at the historic State Theater in downtown Eustis, 109 N. Bay St. eustisstatetheatre.org.

SUNDAY

Sunflower, Strawberry & Veggie U-Pick with Kid Zone

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. Scott Davidson performs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Food trucks will be onsite along with blueberry lemonade, farm-made cocktails and seasonal craft beer. You can also shop handcrafted products and merchandise in the Southern Hill Farms Market, play complimentary yard games, warm up at fire pits and dine at picnic tables (first-come, first-served seating).

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.

A LOOK AHEAD

Confessions of a Hallmark Greeting Card Writer

Join author and one-time Hallmark greeting card writer Mary Flynn as she shares heartwarming, and sometimes funny, anecdotes and mishaps behind the scenes of America's greeting card giant. The program is free, and takes place from 2 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 8, at Lady Lake Library, 225 W. Guava St, Lady Lake, rooms 204 & 207 (combined). No advance registration required for this one. Details: ladylake.org/departments/library.

Natural disasters of our families' past

Are you working on your family tree? Here's something that's not discussed often: natural disasters. It's staggering to imagine the calamities that may have prompted our ancestors to migrate away from their home turf. Librarian Lisa Oberg discusses how to research blizzards, earthquakes, fire, floods, hurricanes and more at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 8, at the Cooper Memorial Library on the campus of the Lake-Sumter College, Clermont. For more information, visit pastfindersslc.org.

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.

'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.

Valentine's (and Galentine's) Day fun in Lake County

Check out our diverse V-Day events and dining guide at dailycommercial.com for every mood and relationship stage, whether it's new love or something that's stood the test of time. And 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: Food trucks, art, music and fests this coming up in Lake County