Holiday Season Celebrated At Traditions
The third annual event combined holiday activities for children with a Saturday market in the park for adults.
Land O' Lakes area residents braved cool temperatures and a light drizzle Dec. 11 for the third annual Traditions on the Green.
Held yearly at Christmastime at the Land O' Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O' Lakes Blvd., the event features games and activities for children, a visit from Santa and a Saturday Market for adults to browse. The event is a fundraiser for the Heritage Foundation, a nonprofit group dedicated to raising money to improve the recreation center's grounds.
"We're raising funds for the park to build a bandshell and a historic walk," explained Pam St. Mary, who runs the Saturday Market.
Heritage Foundation president Sandy Graves said her group was founded years ago to support the park. While more than $15,000 has been raised for the bandshell and other improvements, the group is still far from its goal, she said.
"We don't want to limit our dreams," she said.
The idea is to eventually create a green space at the park where residents could attend concerts, movies and other community events without disrupting the ball fields.
"I grew up here," Graves said. "It's what made me who I am. We're trying to bring that (community) feel back."
Donations to the Heritage Foundation can be made by mailing checks to P.O. Box 1473, Land O' Lakes, FL 34639.
Sandy Graves
9:00 am on Thursday, December 23, 2010
The Heritage Park Foundation would like to thank those that contributed to the success of our 3rd Annual Traditions on the Green. The Land O Lakes Rotary for their Pancake producing prowess and Christmas Tree ornament activity, the women of the Moose Lodge for their games and prizes, Candlewood for their continued support in all our endeavors and wonderful crafts they generously supply, Puppets for Christ from Van Dyke United Methodist for their entertaining and award winning black light puppet shows, Ierna's Heating and Air for joining us this year in the Kid's corner, Cup of Organic for the donated coffee, McDonald's and Hungry Harry's Barbeque for food supplies and Commissioner Pat Mulieri for her talents in clowning and face painting. Special thanks also to Pineview Middle School and Land O Lake High bands for their tremendous holiday concerts on The Green.