THE LAKE PLACID SANTA EXPRESS IS COMING TO TOWN DECEMBER 20TH, 21ST, AND 22ND. TICKETS ARE $50 PER ADULT, AND $40 PER CHILD. THE TWO-HOUR ROUNDTRIP FEATURES A VISIT WITH SANTA CLAUS, COOKIES, AND A COMMEMORATIVE GIFT. TRAINS DEPART AT 1:00PM, 2:00PM, AND 5:00PM. TICKETS AND BOOKING INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ONLINE AT WWW.SUGAREXPRESS.COM.  

THE GREATER LEISURE LAKES CIVIC ASSOCIATION WILL BE SPONSORING THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE IN LAKE PLACID, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21ST, STARTING AT 4:30PM. THE PARADE WILL BEGIN AT STEARNS CREEK AT LAKE JUNE ROAD BRIDGE.  THE PARADE WILL FOLLOW STEARNS CREEK TO LAKE CARRIE BEFORE ENDING AT THE MOUTH OF STEARNS. THE PARADE WILL ALSO FEATURE KRISTEN SMOYER DEMONSTRATING HER FLYBOARD SKILLS. THE PARADE IS OPEN TO ALL PERSONS WITH LEGALLY REGISTERED WATERCRAFTS. MAKE SURE TO DECORATE YOUR BOAT FOR A CHANCE TO WIN PRIZES! PRE-REGISTER NOW BY CALLING HENRY AT 561-704-5343. 

HIGHWAY PARK’S CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK TOY GIVEAWAY EVENT WILL BE SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21ST, FROM 10:30AM-2:00PM. IT’S LOCATED AT THE MLK SPORTS FIELD AT 17362 WILLIAMS AVENUE IN LAKE PLACID. 

EACH TUESDAY THE EMPORIUM MARKETPLACE WILL HOST CUP AND A CRAFT. SIP ON TEA AND ENJOY THE COMPANY OF NEW FRIENDS AS YOU WORK ON AN EASY CRAFT PROJECT. CLASSES ARE AT 10:30AM AND 2:30PM. COST IS $15 PER PERSON. LOCATED AT 1570 LAKEVIEW DRIVE, SUITE 108, IN SEBRING. FOR RESERVATIONS, PLEASE CALL 863-289-6034. 

ENJOY TASTES OF HIGHLANDS EVERY WEDNESDAY FROM 5:30PM-8:30PM OCTOBER THROUGH MARCH. BROWSE FOOD VENDORS FOR YOUR LOCAL GROCERIES PLUS LOCAL CHEFS, COOKS, FOOD TRUCKS AND CATERERS BRINGING THEIR FAVORITE FLAVORS TO SHARE. LOCATED AT JOURNAL PLAZA AT 231 N. MAIN STREET IN LAKE PLACID. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT WWW.LAKEPLACIDFARMERSMARKET.NET.  

THE LAKE PLACID FARMER’S MARKET MEETS EVERY SATURDAY FROM 8:00AM-1:30PM AT JOURNAL PLAZA IN LAKE PLACID. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21ST, ENJOY LIVE MUSIC BY GANNON & GRACE, FROM 10:00AM-1:00PM. LOCATED AT 231 N. MAIN STREET. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT WWW.LAKEPLACIDFARMERSMARKET.NET.   

THE AVON PARK MOOSE LODGE #2494 IS HOSTING A $9 ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BREAKFAST, SUNDAY, JANUARY 6TH, FROM 8:00AM-11:00AM. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. LOCATED AT 1318 W. BELL STREET IN AVON PARK. 

SOUTHSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH IN DOWNTOWN SEBRING WILL BE HOSTING SEVERAL SOUTHERN GOSPEL MUSIC CONCERTS IN THE NEW YEAR! THE KRAMERS WILL KICK OFF THE SERIES, JANUARY 9TH, STARTING AT 7:00PM. A $10 DOOR DONATION IS REQUESTED. THE AUDIENCE WILL ENJOY A VARIETY OF MUSIC STYLES FEATURING BEAUTIFUL FAMILY HARMONIES. LOCATED AT 379 S. COMMERCE AVENUE IN SEBRING. 

ALL VETERAN’S CENTER, INC. WILL BE HOSTING THE 1ST ANNUAL CHARITY FISHING TOURNAMENT, SATURDAY, JANUARY 11TH, STARTING AT FIRST LIGHT UNTIL 2:00PM. IT WILL BE HELD AT A GUY HARVEY RESORT IN LAKE WALES.  THE ENTRY FEE IS $100. ENJOY GOOD FISHING, RAFFLES, A 50/50, AND FOOD. FIRST PRIZE WILL BE $1500, 2ND PRIZE IS $750, AND THIRD PRIZE IS $500. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER PLEASE VISIT WWW.ALLVETERANSCENTERINC.COM. 

SOUTH FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE FOUNDATION’S 8TH ANNUAL MILLION DOLLAR HOLE IN ONE GOLF SHOOT OUT, SPONSORED BY BILL JARRETT FORD, WILL BE SATURDAY, JANUARY 18TH. QUALIFYING ROUNDS WILL BE ON JANUARY 16TH AND 17TH. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2025- THE SFSC FOUNDATION IS ADDING A $10,000 PUTT CHALLENGE! ONSITE REGISTRATION IS AT THE SUN N’ LAKE DRIVING RANGE. FOR MORE DETAILS, VISIT WWW.SOUTHFLORIDA.EDU.  

THE CALDIUM ARTS AND CRAFTS COOPERATIVE IS HOSTING THEIR ANNUAL TEA, SUNDAY, JANUARY 19TH, FROM 2:00PM-4:00PM. DOORS WILL OPEN AT 1:00PM AT THE COOPERATIVE LOCATED AT 132 EAST INTERLAKE BLVD. IN LAKE PLACID. BE SWEPT AWAY TO AN AFTERNOON IN PARIS WITH GOURMET DINING ON TEA SANDWICHES, FRUIT BREADS, AND DECADENT DESSERTS. ALSO PARTICIPATE IN THE CRAZY AUCTION OR JOIN IN ON THE PARISIAN FASHION WALK AND HAT CONTEST FOR ADDITIONAL FUN! TICKETS ARE $25 PER PERSON. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL 863-699-5940. 

SOUTHSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH WILL BE HOSTING A CONCERT FEATURING DENNIS SWANBERG, “THE SWAN,” JANUARY 23RD, STARTING AT 7:00PM. DR. SWANBERG WILL DELIGHT THE AUDIENCE WITH LAUGHTER, HOPE, AND MOTIVATION IN ORDER TO PROMOTE FAITH AND FAMILY VALUES. A $10 DONATION WILL BE RECIEVED AT THE DOOR. LOCATED AT 379 S. COMMERCE AVENUE IN SEBRING.  

JOIN SOUTHSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH, JANUARY 26TH, FOR A CONCERT WITH THE HYSSONGS, STARTING AT 6:00PM. THEIR ENERGETIC MINISTRY COMBINES FAMILY VOCAL HARMONY, HUMOR, AND BRASS INSTRUMENTS. THE GROUP HAS BEEN SINGING TOGETHER FOR OVER 27 YEARS. A $10 DONATION WILL BE RECIEVED AT THE DOOR. LOCATED AT 379 S. COMMERCE AVENUE IN SEBRING. 

THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF HIGHLANDS COUNTY WILL BE HOSTING THE 3RD ANNUAL GOLFING FOR GREAT FUTURES TOURNAMENT, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH, AT GOLF HAMMOCK. THE PLAYER’S ENTRY FEE IS $85. PLAY WITH THE PROS AND HAVE FUN! SPONSORSHIPS ARE STILL AVAILABLE AND SPONSOR PAYMENTS ARE DUE BY JANUARY 20TH.  FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL 863-451-5401 OR 863-382-2151.  

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 2025 CHARITY GALA SUPPORTING THE SFSC FOUNDATION AND CELEBRATING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COLLEGE, FRIDAY, MARCH 28TH, AT 5:30PM. ENJOY AN EVENING OF HOR D’OEUVRES, BEER, WINE, ENTERTAINMENT, A SILENT AUCTION, AND MORE! TICKETS ARE $60 PER PERSON AND WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE SOON. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TICKETS AND OR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, PLEASE CALL 863-453-3133. 

THERE WILL BE NEW BEGINNER AND UPPER BEGINNER LINE DANCE CLASSES AT THE HIGHLANDS COUNTY FAMILY YMCA EACH MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, AND FRIDAY FROM 10:30AM-11:30AM YEAR-ROUND. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL DEE AT 863-257-6543 OR THE YMCA AT 863-382-9622.  

CHAIR YOGA AND LINE DANCE CLASSES WILL BE OFFERED AT THE SEBRING RECREATION CENTER. CHAIR YOGA IS ON MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS FROM 10:00AM-11:00AM AND LINE DANCE CLASSES ARE ON MONDAYS FROM 11:30AM-12:30PM. COME AND CHECK IT OUT. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL MARY AT 863-273-4495. LOCATED AT 333 POMEGRANATE AVENUE IN DOWTOWN SEBRING.   

LAKE PLACID ELKS LODGE #2661 HOSTS BINGO EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT FROM 6PM-9PM AT 200 CR 621 IN LAKE PLACID. ALL PROCEEDS WILL BE GOING TO THE ELKS CHILDREN'S THERAPY SERVICE AND THE ELKS YOUTH CAMP FOR FLORIDA KIDS.   

HANDS FOR THE HOMELESS HOSTS THE FEEDING TAMPA BAY FOOD BANK IN AVON PARK EVERY FIRST AND THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH IN AVON PARK. FOOD DISTRIBUTION BEGINS AT 10AM AT THE UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AT 107 JIM ROGERS AVENUE AND GOES TILL NOON OR THE FOOD RUNS OUT.   

PLAY BINGO WITH THE SEBRING HILLS ASSOCIATION EVERY THURSDAY FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER. THE GAMES BEGIN AT 6PM AND THE DOORS OPEN AT 4:30PM FOR CONCESSIONS AND SNACKS. CARDS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT 5:00PM. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AT THE CLUBHOUSE LOCATED AT 200 LARK AVENUE IN SEBRING.   

PLAY BINGO FOR CHARITY AT THE SEBRING ELKS LODGE EVERY MONDAY NIGHT! DOORS OPEN AT 4:45PM, EARLY BIRDS START AT 6:00PM. PROCEEDS GO TO CHARITY AND A LOW, $6 MINIMUM TO PLAY.