8 things to do this weekend: Lake County fair, BoDeans, Earth Day and more
The Lake County Fair finishes its fun run this Sunday. This weekend, April 12-14, also includes Earth Day in Mount Dora, and Groveland parties second-Friday style.
From food trucks to artisan vendors to celebrating our love of books and a good laugh, there's plenty to do this lovely mid-spring weekend.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
Southern-fried fun continues at Lake County Fair
The Lake County Fair is as much about community as it is a rip-roaring good time. The big event has paid out more than $450,000 in competitive exhibit awards and prizes and has awarded over 200,000 ribbons in categories such as 4-H, Youth Activities, creative arts, food arts, photography, horticulture and fine arts, plus around $6.5 million in livestock awards and prizes and ribbons to Lake County Agricultural Youth Exhibitors.
The fun continues through April 14 at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 2101 County Road 452, Eustis. Admission, mega-passes, and advanced ride armbands. Secure your spot for all the fun now at lakecofair.com
FRIDAY
2nd Friday Block Party fun in Groveland
On the second Friday of every month in Groveland, artisan vendors, food trucks gather at Lake David as a DJ and/or band performs, and they amuse the little ones with a kid zone. Bike culture (usually, the non-motorized kind) is a big thing in Groveland, and you can also register to win a FREE bicycle each month, sponsored by Bike Florida.
The feel-good event happens from 5 to 9 p.m. on Lake Avenue in front of the Lake David Park Amphitheater at State Road 50 and Lake Avenue in Groveland. Details: parks-rec@groveland-fl.gov, 352-429-2141.
The Bodeans to rock the Villages
You might remember the Bodeans from their big hit "Closer to Free." The Wisconsin band founded by Sam Llanas and Kurt Neumann, who first bonded over music in study hall at Waukesha South High School in 1977, became one of the most popular bands to come out of the Milwaukee area; one of the rootsy alternative bands to get recognition on MTV back in the late 1980s. They emerged out of Waukesha in 1986 with their seminal debut, "Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams," produced by T Bone Burnett.
Opener Chris Trapper, described as a storyteller through song, has a "soulful, honeyed tenor, sly humor and an uncanny knack for melody," according to his press. His influences include John Prine and Kris Kristofferson.
Show starts 7 p.m. on April 12 at the Sharon Morse Performing Arts Center in The Villages, 1051 Main St., the Villages. Tickets start at around $20. Details: villagesentertainment.com.
SATURDAY
Umatilla Literary Society talks good books
If you're missing that good feeling of talking about what you've read with someone who's actually interested, book lovers in the Umatilla Literary Society get together on most Fridays at the Umatilla Public Library to discuss whatever they are reading.
Typically, they'll compare notes, make lists of new titles to try and encourage each other to break out of reading ruts. The next meet-up is scheduled at 11 a.m. on April 12. The Umatilla Public Library can be found at 412 Hatfield Drive. Details: Amy Stultz at 352-669-3284 or email astultz@umatillafl.org.
Celebrate Earth Day in Mount Dora
The natural world around us deserves our love more than ever, and you can pay your respects, learn a thing or two and have some fun at the annual Mount Dora Earth Day Celebration. The theme for this year's event is "Plastics vs. Planet" and it's scheduled to offer plant and craft vendors, children's projects, fun workshops and more. Proceeds go toward purchasing and planting trees locally. Takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 13 at Donnelly Park148 Charles Ave. Details: mountdoraenvironment.org.
Eustis' Hometown Comedy and Music Festival
Enjoy some laughs and good tunes at a family friendly fest featuring comedians from across America, along with live music and a DJ, from 5 to 9 p.m. on April 13 in Ferran Park. The event will feature vendors and free health screenings from UF HealthStreet.
Host Barak Aman has headlined the Broadway Comedy Club in New York and the Tampa, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale Improv theaters as well as performances with Benji Brown, Gary Owens and Kountry Wayne. He also is the creator of “Poetry and Punchlines” and has headlined his #IMSOPETTY Comedy Tour in 2017
Bringing the laughs: Comedian ToppFliight, born Tirese Rhone, born and raised in the city of “Brotherly Love”, Philadelphia, began his professional career as a comic in 2012 performing in the Tri-State, before winning the Philadelphia “Comic of the Year” in 2013, and James Yon, a Florida native, can be seen every Sunday at 11 p.m. hosting his own show, “Viral Breakdown” on the Afrotainment Channel on DISH Network.
The festival will be held at 250 Ferran Park Drive, Eustis. Confirm details with Darius Kerrison at 352-602-0258 or gseries808@gmail.com.
Berry much family fun at Southern Hill Farms
Enjoy carnival-style fun and fresh pickin's at Southern Hill Farms in Clermont. It's free to enter the farm's seasonal u-pick events, but pets are not permitted. Live music and food trucks, blueberry lemonade, farm-made cocktails and seasonal craft beer will quench thirsts. Amusements include the Southern Hill Express motorized train, a giant fun slide and a cyclone swing. Live music by Jana and Jordan.
An unlimited play wristband costs $22 (plus tax) for children 42 inches and taller, $18 (plus tax) for younger. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 13. The farm is located at 16651 Schofield Road, Clermont. Entry ends at 6:30 p.m. Details: southernhillfarms.com.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY
Wine down at Lakeridge's free outdoor concerts
Bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy free live music at the Lakeridge Winery this Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. No coolers or outside food and beverages allowed. Dave Capp and France Neil set the mood Saturday, April 13, and Billy Buchanan rocks the crowd on Sunday, April 14. Admission and parking are free. Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards is at 19239 U.S. 27 N, Clermont. Visit lakeridgewinery.com for details on its wines and other goods.
Hosting an event in Lake County or nearby? Email description and photo (without text, please) to news@dailycommercial.com. Please notify us at least two weeks in advance.
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: 8 things to do this weekend in Lake County Fair
