6 things to do Memorial Day weekend around Lake County and North Central Florida

Julie Garisto, Leesburg Daily Commercial
·4 min read
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Orlando-based Live Hart, a prolific singer-songwriter and actor, makes another appearance in Clermont Friday night.
Orlando-based Live Hart, a prolific singer-songwriter and actor, makes another appearance in Clermont Friday night.

A variety of things to do day and night, throughout Lake County and North Central Florida, should make this a Memorial Day weekend to remember.

Dynamic performer Live Hart plays Clermont

New Jersey native Live Hart has a soulful sound that has been compared to Tracy Chapman, India Arie and HER. With soaring vocals and consummate musicianship, she has shared stages with Monica and American Idol winner David Cook. Catch the Orlando-based musician's intimate, powerful performance and enjoy craft beers at 6:30 p.m. on Friday at Southern on 8th, 801 W. Montrose St., Clermont. Details: livehart.com.

Staff Sgt. Michael Bock will be among the fallen soldiers honored this Saturday at Leesburg's Memorial Day celebration.
Staff Sgt. Michael Bock will be among the fallen soldiers honored this Saturday at Leesburg's Memorial Day celebration.

Memorial Day at Leesburg's Veterans Memorial Park

From 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Leesburg will honor its fallen military heroes, featuring speakers Rep. Daniel Webster and the Bock family, a Gold Star family, honors Marine Staff Sgt. Michael Bock at Veterans Memorial Park, 600 W. Meadow St., Leesburg.

Bock was a 26-year-old combat engineer on his fourth tour of duty in 2010 when he was killed in Afghanistan. The honored soldier grew up in Nebraska and moved to Florida in his teens. He was posthumously awarded a medal for valor, the Silver Star. A graduate of Leesburg High School, he is survived by his wife, Tiffany, and a 3-year-old son.

Enjoy a Memorial Day tribute concert from The Licorice Sticks Orchestra and complimentary chicken minis and coffee from Chick-fil-A. Details: leesburgflorida.gov.

Nine Days, known for the 1994 hit "Absolutely (Story of a Girl)," headlines Mount Dora's Sweet Corn Festival Friday night at 8 p.m.
Nine Days, known for the 1994 hit "Absolutely (Story of a Girl)," headlines Mount Dora's Sweet Corn Festival Friday night at 8 p.m.

Corn-filled fun at fests in Mount Dora and Eustis

Mount Dora hosts its inaugural Corn Festival featuring Zellwood Sweet Corn on Friday from 6 to 9 p.m., and 3-9 p.m. Saturday in the city's historic downtown district at 100 N. Donnelly St.

Expect live music, kids activities, a corn-eating contest, a Cornbread King & Queen contest and cornbread-baking contest. (Do you make theeee best best cornbread? If so, show off your culinary skills by competing in the fest's cornbread-baking contest. Register today by emailing CarsonC@CityofMountDora.com.)

Hitmakers and nationally touring country and rock bands will be taking the stage both days. Nine Days, known for the '90s hit "Absolutely (Story of a Girl)," headlines at 8 p.m. on Friday. On Saturday, Shelby Darrell takes the stage at 5 p.m., followed by Will Jones at 6:30 p.m. and Mark Willis at 8 p.m. Admission is $18 for those 10 and older, $9 for kids 4-9 and free for kids 3 and younger. More details at ci.mount-dora.fl.us/1485/Corn-Festival.

The farmers at Eustis' Amber Brooke Farms kick it with the kernels at their Sweet Corn Festival this Saturday and Sunday, featuring carnival-style amusements and food trucks such as the Farmer Snack Shack, Between Breads, Grumpy's Homemade Ice Cream, BBQ Brazil Express, Bettas Pizza, Caldonia Kitchen and Chikiz Empanaditas. Find out more here. It all takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 36111 N. County Road 44A, Eustis. Details: amberbrookefarms.com.

Papaloko & Loray Mystik perform in the Amphitheater during a past Florida Folk Festival at Stephen Foster State Park.
Papaloko & Loray Mystik perform in the Amphitheater during a past Florida Folk Festival at Stephen Foster State Park.

Florida Folk Festival & Blue Crab Festival

An annual institution, the Florida Folk Festival commemorates its 72nd year this Memorial Day weekend. The three-day fest celebrates the state's music, dance, stories, crafts and food spreads out across the idyllic Stephen Foster Culture Center State Park from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m Friday through Sunday.

At this time-honored event, fest-goers can join on jam sessions, attend demonstrations and workshops, or hear old tales and make a pine needle basket. You also learn about family history research, how to call a square dance and about native plant animal species.

Browse vendors in the daytime; attend national headliner concerts after the sun goes down. The event takes place Friday-Sunday at 11016 Lillian Saunders Drive, White Springs. Check out the event page on Facebook for updates or visit floridastateparks.org/FloridaFolkFestival.

Where to see fireworks? Head to the Riverfront Park in downtown Palatka this Saturday night. Fireworks are scheduled for 8:55 p.m. The time-honored, All-American festival features live music, vendors and food trucks, plus activities and entertainment for all ages. Includes a carnival and a " 'massive" kids’ zone. Details: facebook.com/bluecrabfestivalpalatka.

This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Lake County Leesburg Memorial Day Weekend event picks for May 24-26