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Downtown Is 'Star' Of Christmas

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By TONY MARRERO, Hernando Today

Published: December 6, 2007

Updated: 12/05/2007 09:55 pm

BROOKSVILLE - Sunup to sundown.

It's an expression Brooksville city council member Lara Bradburn has used often in recent weeks to describe the holiday events planned for downtown this Saturday.

That might be a slight exaggeration. Most of us will be snug in beds come sunrise, though a few hearty volunteers and vendors will already be preparing for the Christmas parade and arts and crafts festival.

The arts and crafts festival in front of the courthouse opens at 8 a.m., however, and the parade starts just two hours later.

By the time the sun sets, Christmas carols will be floating on the breeze around the band shell on Fort Dade Avenue.

The day of activities came together through a joint effort on many different fronts after the city decided funds were too tight to co-sponsor the parade along with the Kiwanis Club.

The Kiwanis Club ramped up its own efforts to make sure the event rolled on.

And the Brooksville Business Alliance and the First Baptist Church of Brooksville also stepped up and now there is even more going on this year than last. A force of city employees also are donating their time this year.

Look out for star-struck windows downtown. The business alliance asked businesses to decorate around the day's "Stars of Christmas" theme. Judges will pick their favorites after the parade.

Here's a rundown of the day:

- Stars of Christmas Arts and Crafts festival, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., county courthouse west lawn, 20 N. Main St.

More than 50 vendors will offer their wares, said Lisa Callea, member of the business alliance who helped organize the festival. Callea said the alliance sought vendors who offer quality goods but at reasonable prices.

- The 33rd annual Brooksville Kiwanis Christmas Parade, 10 a.m.

The parade begins at Hernando High School, as in years past, but the route has been extended this year to bring the procession into the heart of downtown.

Some 126 entries will head south on Howell Avenue across Fort Dade Avenue and onto Main Street. The procession passes the county courthouse, turns north onto Broad Street and ends at Bell Avenue. Organizers expect it to last about 90 minutes.

The parade will be broadcast live on Channel 19 and re-broadcast several times during the month of December.

- 'Winter Wonderland' Christmas Festival at First Baptist Church of Brooksville, 420 Howell Ave., immediately after parade.

The church, located one block north of City Hall, is a quick walk from anywhere on the parade route. There also will be free tractor rides back and forth between the church and the county courthouse.

The festival will feature live music, pictures with Santa, a live Nativity, a bouncy room shaped like Noah's Ark; a 12-foot-tall inflatable slide, games, kids' craft area, door prizes and a reading of "The Christmas Story." Everything is free except the food.

- The City Hall art gallery, 201 Howell Ave., will be open from noon to 3 p.m.

- A quilt show will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Hernando County Recreation Dept., 205 E. Fort Dade Ave.

- Bandshell Bash, 4 to 8 p.m., Hernando Park, 204 E. Fort Dade Ave. The event will be videotaped by Hernando County Government Broadcasting and re-broadcast during December.

The "Old-time Christmas" installment of this monthly concert event will feature the Hernando Youth Orchestra, St. Anthony's Bell Choir and the First Baptist Church of Brooksville Choir. Be prepared to sing along, said event coordinator Brian Brijbag.

- Heritage Museum Tour of Yesteryear, 7 to 9 p.m. 601 Museum Court.

The May-Stringer Heritage Museum Association has decorated the 1856 Victorian-style home and placed a Christmas tree in every room.

Check the Web site at www. hernandocounty.us/cr/HCGB Schedule.htm or call 544-6777 for the program schedule.

Reporter Tony Marrero can be reached at 352-544-5286 or lmarrero@hernandotoday.com.

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