By Chuck Seaver, South Lake Tablet
Historic downtown Clermont was overflowing with holiday spirit and festivities on Saturday, November 22nd. Starting with the annual City of Clermont-sponsored Enchanted Forest on the shores of Lake Minneola at Victory Pointe Park to the Clermont Historic Village’s annual Heritage Day Festival, the downtown area became a transformation of winter holiday displays and activities for every age group.
The Enchanted Forest is a yearly event coordinated with the community by the City of Clermont’s Park’s and Recreation Department. Businesses and area civic organizations come together to decorate the holiday trees, provided by the City of Clermont, and add a lighted touch of holiday flair to the park. Children will have a chance to mail a letter to the North Pole, home of Santa’s workshop and toy factory, made possible with a “Santa only Mailbox” at the park. The trees will remain in place, with holiday music playing in the background, throughout the Christmas holiday.
The Historic Village will also undergo an array of holiday decorations beginning this month to help create the holiday mood of each historical building on the property, including the newest display of a schoolhouse bell. The large 500lb bell was utilized in an early schoolhouse built in Clermont in 1916 and was recently relocated to the CHVM for everyone to enjoy.
The fun continued throughout downtown with a “Most Magical” festival hosted by the Clermont Main Street organization. The festival, partnered with the City of Clermont, brought special guests, Santa and Mrs. Clause to City Hall Park for a visit with children of all ages, including the four-legged family members. Live music provided by Ember Road gave way for an appearance by the Mascotte Charter School’s Eaglet Chorus. The chorus, comprised of elementary aged students, sang their way right into the hearts of the crowd with festive and nostalgic Christmas melodies. A kid’s zone provided for face painting, elf size rides, Florida-style snow and an atmosphere that will surely start the official countdown clock to Christmas Eve in the minds of the little ones.
Today marked the beginning of the downtown Holiday Season-2025 with much more to come in the following weeks. Light-Up Clermont, the night that showcases all the lighted decorations, is Friday, December 5th. The event begins at 5:30pm with shuttle services beginning at 4pm. Shuttles will run from Palatlakaha Park, West Park, and Hiawatha Nature Preserve to Downtown Clermont through 10pm.
The Christmas of Champions Parade will be held on Saturday, December 6th at 10am. The parade route will begin at Waterfront Park and continue into Historic Downtown Clermont. The parade route information is available below.
The annual Lighted Boat Parade hosted by the Clermont Chain of Lakes Boaters and Floaters will take place on Saturday, December 6th, starting at dusk. The parade, which is not affiliated with the City of Clermont, will begin at Cypress Cove Marina and circle Lake Minnehaha, counterclockwise, before entering Lake Minneola in a counterclockwise direction, passing Victory Pointe Park, Waterfront Park and Lake Minneola Inn.
Parade and other City of Clermont hosted event information can be located at the Clermont Parks and Recreation Center Facebook page or www.ClermontFL.gov/ARC.
