Community Corner

GET OUT: Weekend Events Preview Dec. 7-9

With a variety of entertainment venues in the area, there's no reason to spend the weekend at home. We've put together a list of fun things to do in the Bloomingdale-Riverview area.

It's Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do for the weekend.

Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-work-outta-here time. Check our picks for the activities to hit.

WALK THROUGH BETHLEHEM

Find out what's happening in Bloomingdale-Riverviewwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

WHERE/WHEN: Kings Avenue Baptist Church,2602 S. Kings Ave., Brandon, will host its annual Walk Through Bethlehem Thursday, Dec. 6 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 7 from 6:30 to 10 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 8 from 4 to 10 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 9 from 4 to 9:30 p.m.

WHY GO: The annual event takes guided visitors on a tour of a replica town of Bethlehem on the night Jesus in born. The event is free.

Find out what's happening in Bloomingdale-Riverviewwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

ADVENT GATHERING

WHERE/WHEN: St. Stephen Catholic Church, 5049 Bell Shoals Rd., Valrico, will host an Advent Gathering, a family evening of faith, fun and fellowship, Friday, Dec. 7 starting at 5 p.m.

WHY GO: The evening will include pizza, games and activities for all. It will continue with a special vigil Mass for the Immaculate Conception at 7 p.m. in the Mary Garden, followed by a bonfire.

LIVING NATIVITY

WHERE/WHEN: Lamb of God Lutheran Church, 10540 Browning Rd., Lithia, will host its Christmas production, "Behold! The Lamb." Friday, Dec. 7 from 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 8 from 6 to 9 p.m.

WHY GO: This is a live performance of the life of Jesus that takes place throughout the church's 10-acre grounds. Last year, more than 200 people attended the free production. 

CHRISTMAS YAPPY HOUR

WHERE/WHEN: Brandon Lakes Animal Hospital, 6151 Delancey Station St., Riverview, in Winthrop Town Centre, will host an "I'll Be Home for Christmas Yappy Hour" Friday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m.

WHY GO: Residents are invited to bring their dogs for an evening of socializing. There will be rescue groups and organizations on site to find forever homes for adoptable pets. Dog trainers will offer tips and tricks to keep the human/animal bond strong for years to come

BRANDON BALLET PRESENTS 'NUTCRACKER'

WHERE/WHEN: Brandon Ballet will present four performances of the favorite seasonal ballet, Tchaikovsky’s  "The Nutcracker," Dec. 8 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 2 and 5:30 p.m. in the Spoto High School Auditorium, 8538 Eagle Palm Dr., Riverview.

WHY GO: The holiday classic will feature new choreography by Brandon Ballet artistic director, Octavio Martin, professional dancers, lavish costumes and scenery, and a score that will leave audiences dazzled.

The cost is $25 for adults, $15 for children 18 and under and $20 for seniors 55 years and up.

TADA PRESENTS 'NUTCRACKER'

WHERE/WHEN: The Theatre Arts and Dance Alliance of FishHawk Ranch with Tampa Bay Dance Theatre will present its annual holiday production of "The Nutcracker" Dec. 8 and 9 at 3 p.m. at Blake High School for the Performing Arts, 1701 North Blvd., Tampa. 

WHY GO: Residents of all ages will get into the spirit of the season with this classic holiday ballet about a young girl and her nutcracker. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors.

NIGHT OF SHIMMERING LIGHTS

WHERE/WHEN: The Hillsborough County Fair is hosting its second annual Night of Shimmering Lights Thursdays through Sundays until Dec. 17 and then nightly up until Christmas at the fairgrounds at 4810 State Road 60 in Dover.

WHY GO: Nearly 1 million twinkling lights will decorate the fairgrounds. There will be an animated light show, a Christmas village, an outdoor holiday movie, arts and crafts vendors, pictures with Santa and fresh doughnuts. Admission is $20 per car.

MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET

WHERE/WHEN: The Village Players will present the holiday production of Miracle on 34th Street Dec. 7-8 and 14-15. Curtain time is 8:15 p.m. A matinee show is Dec. 9 at 3 p.m.

WHY GO: The show, directed by Gail Pierce, features Kris Kringle, a white-bearded, older man from a retirement home who gets a job working as Santa at Macy's in New York City. Tickets cost $12 for adults and $10 for students, senior citizens and military.

CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL

WHERE/WHEN: The Music Showcase Christmas Festival will be Saturday, Dec. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 402 Oakfield Dr. in Brandon.

WHY GO: There will be more than 60 vendors selling their homemade crafts, jewelry, makeup, clothing, food and more. Some of the vendors include Pampered Chef, Mary Kay, Thirty One, Miche Bag, PJ's Crafts World, Zumba, Visalus Sciences, Shaklee and Paparazzi.

The event will feature live music inside the auditorium with Music Showcase students and outside on the patio with groups throughout area schools and the community including Riverview High School, Seffner
Christian Academy, Leonard's Dance Academy, Dowdell High School and a Zumba demonstration. There also will be a bounce house, crafts, face painting and balloon animals.

JINGLE RUN

WHERE/WHEN: The fourth annual Jingle Run at Bell Creek is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 8 at the Bell Creek Nature Preserve, 10940 McMullen Rd., Riverview. The event includes a 5K trail run/walk beginning at 8 a.m. and a 1-mile fun run/walk at 8:30 a.m.

WHY GO: Prizes will be awarded to the male and female first- through third-place finishers. The cost to enter the 5K is $25 for adults and $20 for kids under 16. The cost for the 1-mile fun run/walk is $15 for adults and $12 for children under 16. Proceeds will go to A Kid's Place in Brandon, a home for abused and neglected children.

For information, visit www.aliquity.com.

BRANDON FRESH MARKET

WHERE/WHEN: The Brandon Fresh Market takes place the second and fourth Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the parking lot of Westfield  Brandon , between Sears and the food court.

WHY GO: The market will feature fresh produce, fresh-baked goods, fresh seafood, entertainment, crafts, jewelry, music and local businesses.

CHRISTMAS LANE

WHERE/WHEN: The Lane family once again will present its annual Christmas Lane light and decorations exhibit through Dec. 28 from 6 to 10 p.m. at 2091 Wooten Rd., Dover.

WHY GO: Visitors are invited to stroll through the 1 1/2-acre winter wonderland that includes Santa from 6 to 8 p.m., a kids' train ride, a manger scene and other holiday scenese, a nightly musical, hot chocolate, coffee and ice-cold drinks, freshly popped popcorn and cotton candy.

BENEFIT CAR WASH

WHERE/WHEN: The Blessed Trinity Mission Team at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Valrico will host a car wash Sunday, Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Car Wash on the Greens, 3618 Lithia-Pinecrest Rd., Valrico.

WHY GO: The mission team is gearing up for its upcoming trip to Panama in January and is raising funds for medical supplies and educational materials.

WRAP FOR RELAY

WHERE/WHEN: Divas Against Cancer will host Wrap for Relay Sunday, Dec. 9 from noon to 4 p.m. at Park Square Pizza, 16132 Churchview Dr., Lithia.

WHY GO: Get your Christmas gifts wrapped while benefitting the FishHawk Relay for Life event this spring.

MENORAH LIGHTING CEREMONY

WHERE/WHEN: Chabad of Brandon will host its annual Menorah Lighting Ceremony Sunday, Dec. 9 at 4:30 p.m. in the outdoor restaurant courtyard at Westfield Brandon mall.

WHY GO: The event will feature Brandon's tallest Menorah, Tony the Balloon Guy, face painting, hot latkes, Chanukah music and dancing and chocolate gelt.

 


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