To my surprise, my entry in the ORRA (Orlando Regional Realtor Association) video contest actually placed first and that raised the initially promised donation of $500 to $3,000!! As you can imagine, I was very excited to be able to donate this much to the charity of my choice

By showing Orlando’s fellow Realtors my passion for Sanford I was able to win their vote and help the community I live in with a generous donation through ORRA. Thank you ORRA for making this possible!!

The official announcement of my designated charity and presentation of the donation check took place on March 21st. Andre Smolinsky, COO of Harvest Time International, was able to attend the ceremony and receive the check.

Then, I finally had the chance to visit Harvest Time International in Sanford last week – and was blown away by all the things this charity does for our community!

First of all, I have to say how impressed I was by the completeness of their programs. Harvest Time has truly thought about so many ways of how they can help deserving people in our community in almost all of the areas they might need help in – all while maintaining their dignity.

As I toured the different sections of Harvest Time, I also got to meet several employees of this great organization. All of them exude a passion for their cause which I found very inspiring.

The $3,000 donation I made will go towards pre-paid food vouchers for deserving families and individuals in our community. Harvest Time has something that you could describe as a huge Sam’s Club style supermarket where deserving members of our community can shop for goods at about half of Wal Mart’s prices. Individuals can shop here with food stamps, food vouchers or just as they would at any other supermarket. The food is mostly either donated food or food that stores like Wal Mart itself sends to Harvest Time, including open box or expired items that are still in perfect condition.

Here’s a video explaining the mission behind Harvest Time’s Hope Centers in Sanford and Port Orange:

Below is a picture of the big hall where the merchandise/donated items are stored and organized.

Harvest Time International also sells clothing and cosmetic items.

Other programs offered by Harvest Time International include:

Medical Attention (including Dental Care): 

The program is designed to help the uninsured, working poor and low income families (below 200% of federal poverty level) in Seminole and surrounding counties. In fact, Central Florida has a higher rate of uninsured individuals than the state of Florida and even the nation (more than 1 in 5 residents are without health care coverage). Volunteer doctors and nurses see qualifying individuals to provide basic medical and dental care.

Food Stamps and Medicaid:

At the Access Florida Center located on Harvest Time premises you can apply for food stamps and medicaid when in need. The friendly staff is there to help you with the application and there are computers, a copier and a fax machine available to make the process even easier and much faster. The Access Center is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm.

Homeless to Home (H2H):

From the Harvest Time International Web Site: “Homeless to Home is a rapid re-housing program funded by Seminole County Government and Harvest Time International serving individuals and families who reside in Seminole County. For those that qualify for H2H, we provide rental assistance, one-time utility assistance, medical, dental, food and job training assistance.

To help meet any additional needs of our clients, we also partner with agencies such as Homeless Services Network, Seminole Behavioral Healthcare, Safehouse of Seminole, Rescue Outreach Mission, Seminole State College, Central Florida Regional Hospital and Goodwill Industries.

The purpose of this program is to successfully return households to economic self-sufficiency and stable housing.”

Healing and Transition Program (HAT):

Faith based program designed to help returning citizens from jail and prisons transition back into society.

And those are only some of Harvest Time International’s many programs that help our community and deserving individuals!!

Here is how you can help Harvest Time International help our community

• Volunteer: Harvest Time is always looking for volunteers! Click here to learn more
• Donate: Donations are always welcome and as you can see, this charity is very well organized so your money will be utilized in the best possible way! Click here for more info

The post A Visit at Harvest Time International appeared first on Sanford 365.

Here’s the background story about the Sanford365 donation:

I recently participated in the video contest “How I positively impact the community as a Realtor” by the Orlando Regional Realtor Association (ORRA). Of course, my video was all about Sanford365.com and how my goal on this blog is to promote Sanford to the rest of the world, showing everyone how beautiful our little town is and ultimately what a desirable place to live it is.

I was selected as one of the 3 finalists in the competition. So this past week, all of Orlando’s Realtors got to cast their vote for their favorite video and cause. Voting has closed now and I already know that I won $500 to donate to the charity of my choice (if I place 2nd or 1st the amount will be raised to $1,500 or $3,000 respectively). Obviously, I want to pick a charity in Sanford, since that’s what I’m all about (besides real estate). Since I could not make up my mind about who to pick I figured, what better way to choose than letting the community itself (YOU!) decide!

So without further ado, here are the 4 charities I picked based on your suggestions. Now please vote for your favorite and let everyone know about the voting going on here. Voting starts today, 3/5/2013 at 5:00pm and ends tomorrow 3/6/2013 at 9:00pm. I am going to post the results before 10:00pm on the Sanford365 facebook page!

Thanks so much for participating! I wish I could give each of these charities a donation right now, but I will definitely remember them for future donations.

This poll is now closed! Thank you vor your vote!

More information about these charities:

Harvest Time International – http://harvesttime.org/ (Sanford: http://harvesttime.org/communityhopecenters/seminole-hope-center/)

Sanford Seminole High School Academic and Athletic Boosters – https://www.facebook.com/SanfordSeminoleBoosters

Pet Rescue by Judy – http://www.petrescuebyjudy.com/

Kids House of Seminole – http://www.kidshouse.org/

The post Vote for Your Favorite Charity in Sanford appeared first on Sanford 365.

Feel free to share the video with all your friends and family. Let’s show the world how special Sanford is!

At this point I also want to thank everyone who participated in the show and volunteered to be interviewed by us. You all did so great and we want to thank you for supporting our fun little project!

So, what is “Orlandology”? Let me show you the official show description…

Orlandology [awr-lan-daw-luh-jee]

noun

1. The study of Orlando and its neighborhoods including real estate and lifestyle.

Jose and Claudia (that’s my husband and me) are Realtors in Orlando. Their goal on this show is to introduce you to all the beautiful neighborhoods and towns in and around Orlando. While there, they’ll also take a peek inside some homes (single family, town home/condo and luxury homes) to give you an even better idea of the Orlando lifestyle. As locals invite the Realtor couple into their homes they chat about the top reasons to live in each particular neighborhood as well as all the fun things to do. Get to know the real Orlando and experience it through the eyes of the locals! Don’t worry, you won’t be quizzed at the end of each show – you’ll just get closer to earning your degree in Orlandology and becoming an Orlandologist yourself…

More info about Orlando Real Estate and the neighborhoods of Orlando can be found at http://therealestators.com as well as http://realestatewall.com

Of course, it was a no brainer to pick Sanford and its neighborhoods as location for our pilot episode. After all, we live in Sanford ourselves and I LOVE Sanford (as is apparent on my blog). The show was shot in August 2012. I know! It took a while to get it all done and edited and we had to re-shoot some segments, the last one actually just last December. We hope we did a good job and can keep your interest through those 26 minutes

To make it easier for the audience we have  also “chopped up” the show into 5 mini webisodes and we will be “airing” a new webisode over at TheRealEstators.com every Wednesday at noon starting March 6th (until April 3rd). For now, I want to show you the trailer to give you a sneak peek of what’s to come. So lean back and relax, here comes Sanford FL…

Orlandology 101 – Sanford, the friendly city – Show Synopsis

On this first episode Realtors Jose and Claudia take you out to their own little town of Sanford. They will give you a sneak peek at all the fun things to do in town before they meet with Theo Hollerbach, owner of Sanford’s famous German restaurant, the Willow Tree Cafe and Magnolia Square Market, to get his views on Sanford. After that they interview Nelson and Christina, co-founders of the annual Love Your Shorts Movie Festival in Sanford and ask them about their experience of living in downtown Sanford and why Sanford makes such great place for a movie festival.

Jose and Claudia then share some scenes of their recent zip lining adventure at Zoom Air at the Sanford Zoo.

Next they are off to visit Sara, a historic home owner who shares her experience of living in the beautiful historic district of Sanford. After Jose and Claudia give an overview of the many different neighborhood options in Sanford, they visit Rob and Sarah who live in a gated subdivision as well as Dmitry who recently bought a small town home in Sanford. Last but not least, Jose and Claudia tour a true Sanford luxury home. So lean back and relax, here comes Sanford Florida!

Topics Covered:

• Things to do and events in Sanford FL
• Neighborhoods of Sanford FL
• How is it to live in a historic home/the historic district?
• Reasons to live in Sanford FL
• Sneak peek into 4 different home types of Sanford

For those of you who can’t wait and want to see the show in its entirety already, please visit our Sanford Videos page  or click here to watch the whole show.

The post Orlandology Show debuts in Sanford appeared first on Sanford 365.

Things to Do with Kids in Sanford FL

This morning I decided that Nicolas is old enough now to appreciate all the wonderful things to do at the Zoo here in Sanford, so it made total sense to finally get the annual pass.

I met a friend with her son and got her in for free as a guest (one of the many perks of the Sanford Zoo annual pass). N and his friend Paul had so much fun and while they don’t fully understand everything they soon will and it is so great to see them exploring everything and recognizing the animals they otherwise just see in their books.

What is great is that you will also find animals being presented to visitors outside of their cages. So today we got to see a hawk up close.

The kids really enjoyed running around freely and that’s great since you don’t have to worry about cars and street traffic. It feels like a very safe place. The zoo there also has a few rest areas with benches and tables were you can sit and enjoy a snack (keep in mind though that no outside food is allowed in the Zoo, however I doubt this rule applies for toddlers who need snacks throughout the day that might be hard to find at the zoo).

N also loved the coin operated children’s rides, even though he was still too scared to hop on the firetruck…

Furthermore the Sanford FL Zoo has an awesome splash pad (I took N there for some water fun last summer) and a great playground with several slides (surrounded by trees so there’s enough shadow in the Florida sun).

Another favorite for kids is the Little Florida Coastline Train that starts its 5 minute rides just outside the main entrance of the zoo. It passes through lots of the property of the Zoo and you get to see lots of trees and plants. At some spots it almost feels like you’re taking a train ride through the jungle. With a $20 pass you get 20 rides (so it’s $1 per ride).

Next to the train station there is also a carrousel which adds even more fun for the little ones.

Also at the Zoo – More Things to do With Kids in Sanford FL

The Sanford Zoo also offers a free story time at the Rainforest Pavilion outside the Zoo entrance on most Wednesdays from 10-10:30am (check the events schedule here). What makes this story time really special is that each week an animal is introduced and shown to the kids.

For older kids there is also laser tag and zip lining. Jose and I went zip lining last year (post and video will follow soon) and had a blast, so I can only imagine how exciting this experience will be for kids!

The Central Florida Zoo has fun events for the whole family throughout the whole year, there’s Brews around the Zoo in April, Fiesta del Coqui in September, Zooloween in October, Breakfast/Brunch with Santa in December as well as several opportunities to spend a night at the Zoo (Snooze at the Zoo) or at least part of the night (Zoo After Dark).

So without further ado, check out the pictures I took of our Zoo experience below and let me know if you would like to add anything to this article that I might have omitted. Do you agree that a visit at the Sanford Zoo is one of the most fun things to do with kids in Sanford FL?

Watch Sanford FL Zoo Videos

PJ's Arrival at the Zoo!

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Central Florida Zoological Park & Botanical Gardens and ZOOmAir Adventures
3755 N.W. Highway 17-92 - Sanford, Florida 32771

Click here to find more things to do with kids in Sanford FL

The post Things to Do with Kids in Sanford FL – The Central Florida Zoo appeared first on Sanford 365.

The Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center proves to be the best venue for the festival again, the seats were comfortable (and at 33 weeks pregnant you need comfortable, trust me!) and the atmosphere truly like that of a film festival – including the red carpet and Rolls-Royce parked in front of the theater: I felt  quite glamourous in Sanford! The sponsor of the night was the Higgins House Bed and Breakfast in Sanford and the innkeepers Lou and Sharon Jobin got to say a few words before the show, truly the cutest couple!

The movie selection was excellent, there were in fact several movies that stood out to me and it amazes me how such short movies can make such an impact  on you: they can lift you up or make you sentimental (even get some tears out of you). One of the movies, which happened to be one of the shortest ones truly gave me chills, it was done so simple yet so strong. That movie was the 6 minute piece of director Rafael Rojas-Diez from Spain, “I hate you”.  Spain is by the way one of the altogether 12 countries that are represented at this year’s festival.

My two favorites were “Underground” (director Akil DuPont was actually present at the event and explained a bit more about his vision after the movie block which was great!) and “Good Karma $1″ by Jason Berger & Amy Laslett.

At the end of the movie block the audience gets to vote: it’s simple, just tear the ballot paper next to the movie of your choice. As you can see on my ballot, I voted for “Good Karma $1″, and this also happened to be the winner of the night. I loved the message and humor of the movie and, just as described in the program booklet, it made me think about communication and generosity and was super interesting to me since I have a background in advertising/marketing and design (it is actually a documentary, watch the trailer here!). The movie will be shown again at the “Best of Fest” night on Sunday (see program below) where each movie block winner will compete against each other to take home the grand award (the Monroe, named after Lake Monroe here in Sanford).

After the movies we attended the opening night reception: great food, drinks and music and very interesting people to talk to, including film makers and fellow Sanfordites.

There is still time to get your tickets for some of the short film blocks. Visit the Love Your Shorts Movie Festival Web Site to learn more or click here to order your tickets directly.

Here is what you can still see this weekend:

Saturday, February 16, 2013

5:00 p.m. | Filmmakers Panel (free to attend)
Don’t miss this free event! This is your chance to hear how some of these films were made.

8:00 p.m. | Comedy (sponsored by shreve & company)
Laughs for all tastes.

10:00 p.m. | Sci-Fi / Horror (sponsored by the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens)
Dare to dream of the far out and be a little creeped out too!

Sunday, February 17, 2013

1:00 p.m. | Drama (sponsored by The Imperial at Washburn Imports, Sanford and The Original Christo’s, Sanford)
Emotional and intense drama from around the world.

3:00 p.m. | Florida Flavor (sponsored by Owens Distributors)
We are very excited to support our local filmmakers! These films were either made by Floridians or filmed in the state.

7:00 p.m. | Best of the Festival (sponsored by Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe’)
You voted for them . . . now which film will be crowned “Best of the Fest” by our panel of industry judges?

The post Love Your Shorts Film Festival in Sanford appeared first on Sanford 365.

Starting on Thursday, February 7th, Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe will kick off its FASCHING season with a fun schedule of German style carnival parties.

Here’s a little bit about the German Mardi Gras/Carnival season (aka Germany’s Silly Season):
In Germany we call Mardi Gras “Fasching”, Fastnacht or Karneval and it is one of the biggest celebrations throughout the year (probably only topped by the Oktoberfest).

The most famous celebration takes place in Koeln (Cologne) on the Monday before Mardi Gras (in German: “Faschingsdienstag”). That Monday is called “Rosenmontag” and there is a huge parade going through Koeln. I have been there and it is a lot of fun but also gets REALLY crazy! Definitely in the New Orleans Mardi Gras or Carnival in Rio direction.

On the Thursday before Mardi Gras almost every town in Germany has some type of Ladies Night Mardi Gras. In Bavaria, where I come from, we call it “Weiberfasching” and it is the most fun night of all Mardi Gras celebrations. No guys are allowed in bars until midnight (which doesn’t stop them from dressing up as women and getting into the bars anyway…). You could probably compare that night to Halloween party nights here in the US – the costumes are just as creative!

So every year I am obviously pretty excited that the Willow Tree is bringing some German tradition into Sanford and am looking forward to seeing how Fasching turns out. Below is the Fasching schedule taken from the Willow Tree Cafe web site.

• Thursday, February 7th: Weiberfassnacht: The women are taking over by stealing the key from Theo.
• Wear a tie you don’t want to keep because the women, or should I say Witches will be cutting all the ties!
• Friday, February 8th Champagne and Elegance: Enjoy a glass of bubbly in your finest attire.
• Saturday, February 9th Bavarian Evening (Febtoberfest). Traditional dirndls and lederhosen!
• Sunday February 10th Support Your Sports! Wear your favorite team colors or jerseys.
• Restaurant Closed Monday, Feb 11th: We’ll be watching the Rosenmontag Parades on TV at home.
• Tuesday, February 12th: Costume Party (Maskenball). Costume preferred and reservation-only. Prizes will be given for Best Costume (male and female), Best Couple, and Best Group.

As usual, you should reserve your spot today since spaces are filling up quickly! Call 407-756-4103 to make your reservation!

The post Fasching at the Willow Tree 2013 – Mardi Gras German Style appeared first on Sanford 365.

Things to do for Valentines Day in Sanford FL

Movies

Yes, not the most creative, but going to the movies still ranks high among love birds. In the Sanford area you might want to choose either Amstar 12 Lake Mary or UA 10 at the Seminole Town Center. You might want to turn the date into a movie and dinner date so below follows a list of romantic restaurants in Sanford. Two movies that couldn’t be more different that are opening this year on Valentine’s Day are “A Good Day to Die Hard” and “Safe Haven”. Now who gets to choose

• Amstar 12 at Colonial Town Park Lake Mary, 950 Colonial Grand Ln, Lake Mary, FL 32746
• UA 10 Sanford at Seminole Town Center, 430 Towne Center Cir Sanford, FL 32771
  

Theatre & Music & Art

Another idea is taking your sweet Valentine to an art event, the theatre or to a music concert (of course, just as above, there’s always the optional romantic dinner or lunch for two to add to the date).

• How about a visit at one of Sanford’s many Art Galleries? Just walk down First Street Downtown and you will stumble upon a lot of beautiful and local art!
• It might not happen exactly on Valentine’s Day, but the Love your Shorts Film Festival will take place from February 15th-17th. Love Your Shorts always takes place around Valentine’s Day in Sanford (hence the “Love”…).

Dinner

Below is a list of three romantic restaurants and a dessert place suggestion in downtown Sanford. Of course, there are many more so if you would like to add to the list, feel free to do so in the comments area below!

La Sirena Gorda Cabana: I am not sure how the weather will be on Valentine’s Day but if it’s anything like the last weeks, the garden of this new quaint and very romantic restaurant is ideal for a candlelight dinner.

The Breezeway: Another romantic outdoor dining spot in downtown Sanford, we just love the covered courtyard!

Marco Dino’s: Cute little Italian restaurant with great food right on Magnolia Square.

After dinner, pick up some cupcakes at The Sweet Spot Bakery on Park Avenue for a delightful dessert!

Walk in the Park

Low budget? No problem. Sanford has three great locations for a romantic afternoon or evening stroll or a picnic:

• Sanford Riverwalk: What could be more romantic than a walk along beautiful Lake Monroe? After that sit on one of the swings and simply enjoy the view…
• Centennial Park in Sanford: Another romantic spot is the Centennial Park on Park Avenue. Sit down in the pavilion and just enjoy being with your loved one. After that you can stroll through the streets of the historic Sanford and spend some time in the city’s past…
• Fort Mellon Park: How about a picnic in the park? Just bring a blanket, your favorite drink and food and sit down on the lawn with beautiful views of Lake Monroe.

Creative Ideas

• Alive After Five: This month’s theme may not be Valentine’s Day but Pardi Gras wil certainly be a fun way to kick off your evening! Come down to First Street in Sanford Downtown at 5pm to enjoy music, food samples and drinks and then take your valentine out for dinner or drinks right there! As you know, there are plenty of options
• Visit the Planetarium at Seminole State College in Sanford. There will be a Valentine’s Day special on Thursday, February 14th, titled “Heavenly Love – Love Stories of the Night Sky” from 8-9pm. Enjoy three romantic stories taken from the vast tapestry of the night sky. Discover the Korean myth about the stars Vega and Altair and their separation on either side of the Milky Way river. Experience the romance between Orion the Hunter and Artemis, the goddess of the moon, and discover how this love story tragically ends. Finally, enjoy the classic Native American tale of Algon the Hunter and the lost star maidens of the Pleiades. The event will also take place on February 15th and 16th in case you can’t make it on Valentine’s Day. For more info please contact Derek Demeter at 407.708.2409 or click here.
• Thanks to our reader Dorothy for this creative idea: Take your sweetheart sailing at U-Sail of Central Florida. Spend some romantic hours out on Lake Monroe!

And don’t forget to surprise your love with a beautiful flower bouquet. Check out the special Valentine’s Day flowers of the Seminole Flower shop in Sanford here.

Now Happy Valentine’s Day to you all!! We will take N to the playground at Ft. Mellon Park (that’s his Valentine’s Day treat), then head over to Alive After Five and after that get a dessert at the Sweet Spot Bakery in case you were wondering

The post Romantic Spots and Things to Do in Sanford for Valentine’s Day appeared first on Sanford 365.

It was like walking from one Christmas party to the next while enjoying delicious food samples and drinks and in some homes even live music: from classical piano and violin, to saxophone to a school choir – thank you Midway Elementary -to live singing. It was like a fun night out with friends and everyone was in a good mood. After last night I can tell you: I am 100% in Christmas mood (I even finished decorating our house today after buying some extra ornaments. My Christmas tree seemed quite naked compared to some of these awesome trees I saw last night).

Thank you to all the home owners who so graciously opened their doors to all of us! I am inspired now, I saw so many very creative decoration ideas. But even more I am inspired by the uniqueness and beauty of all the homes and gardens we saw! One would never even imagine those homes to be that perfect! Better than model homes, these lovingly decorated homes impressed surely everyone.

Sanford rocks! Last night you didn’t only feel the spirit of Christmas but also the spirit of community! And anyone living in Sanford Heights, this charming little historic neighborhood can call themselves lucky and blessed!

My top 2 favorite homes 2012:

• “Mayor’s Estate”, 113 W 15th Street – This home features amazing wood work, it’s a must see!

• “Colonial Charmer”, 204 W. 18th Street – A true dream home, with pool built in the 1940s.

Here are some pictures of my favorite homes and of the event in general (please excuse the poor lighting and blurriness!):

And here just a quick list of notes that might be useful for anyone who has never attended the Candlelight Tour of Homes but is planning to in the future:

• The Candlelight Tour consisted of 11 homes, so it was easy to tour them in the allotted time and still take several breaks at the booths, listening to music or chatting with old and new friends.
• This is definitely an event that you can take your kids to. If they are into lights they will love it – just be sure they don’t touch the displays etc. A light-weight stroller should be fine, but be prepared to split up, meaning one person waits outside with the baby and stroller while the other goes in because some homes are just too narrow and crowded to maneuver a stroller inside. Of course, you can also just leave the stroller outside and get your kid inside with you.
• No need to be there at 6pm sharp, the event goes from 6-9:30pm so you can arrive when it’s most convenient for you. I would suggest you arrive by 7pm though to give you enough time to go through the homes.
• A great way to make this an even more eventful night is to visit Christmas in the Square at Magnolia Square in Sanford first and then head over to the event location (16th and Elm in Historic Sanford Heights). You can easily park at the event location.
• No need to have dinner before, you will be able to sample food and drinks of some of the best restaurants in Sanford while touring the homes.
• This is not a guided tour, so you can tour the homes at your own pace and in the order you prefer.
• You will get to meet many of the owners who will often greet you in the foyer welcoming you into their home. This makes the whole atmosphere even more cheerful.
• Since we had our toddler with us we didn’t really have time to read through the provided manual right then but did it the following day. I think though it is worth taking the time reading the manual as you tour the homes so you can appreciate the history of these beauties even more and pay close attention to the details.
• Don’t worry, there is a public restroom, so no need to awkwardly ask one of the home owners to use their bathroom (just kidding, I am sure nobody did, or did they??)
• Bring your camera! You will want to capture some of these very creative Holiday arrangements. I collected a bunch of ideas, not only for Christmas decorating but also for home decoration in general.

Hope this little review gave you a good overview and made you curious about the annual Candlelight Tour of Homes. We will definitely be there again next year for the 25th Annual Holiday Tour of Homes. Maybe we’ll even get to do the Daytime Tour as well.

The Holiday Tour of Homes is organized every year by the Sanford Historic Trust.

Interested in living in a historic charmer in Sanford Heights? Here is a list of homes currently for sale in Sanford Heights.

The post Candlelight Tour of Homes appeared first on Sanford 365.

Happy Holidays to you all!!

Christmas in the Square & Annual Tree Lighting

• When: 11/30/2012, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Cost: Free
• Location: Magnolia Square & First Street, Sanford, Florida 32771
• What: Join us as we light up Historic Downtown Sanford! There will be live entertainment, face painters, balloon artists and of course, a visit with Santa!
  Entertainment by: Gloryland Ensemble with the Foremen, Caroling Company, Wilson Elementary Chorus, Mistletones, Riverwalk Academy & Sanctuary Choir

24th Annual Holiday Tour of Homes

1. Candlelight Tour:

• When: 11/30/2012, 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM
• Cost: $25 in advance, $30 day of. Group rates available. Buy here.
• Location: Tour begins at 16th Street and Elm Ave. /Parking is at 18th Street and Elm Ave., Sanford, Florida 32771
• What: Stroll through illuminated tree-lined streets while holiday music fills the air. Tour the charming homes of the historic Sanford Heights neighborhood. Enjoy food and beverages from local restaurants.

2. Day Tour of Homes & Gardens

• When: Saturday, December 1, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Cost: $15 – Buy here.
• Location: Tour begins at UCF Public History Center (301 West 7th Street, Sanford FL 32771)
• What: This year we are featuring gardens as well as beautifully decorated homes and historic buildings on our daytime driving/walking tour. Enjoy refreshments and music at one of our charming gardens.

Here’s a map of all the homes that will be toured:

Old Fashioned Christmas

• When: Saturday, December 1, 2012; 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
• Cost: Free (Donations accepted)
• Location: Public History Center, 301 West 7th Street, Sanford FL 32771
• What: The Public History Center is the registration site for 24th Annual Holiday Tour of Homes sponsored by the Sanford Historic Trust.
  Enjoy warm apple cider and sounds of the season! Arts and crafts, holiday-themed tours and even a special visit from Father Christmas from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. are in store! More info at 407-936-1679.

Christmas Show by the Sanford Jazz Ensemble featuring Miss Linda Cole

• When: 12/2/2012 3:00 PM
• Cost: $10 – Buy Tickets
• Location: Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, 203 South Magnolia Avenue, Sanford, FL 32771
• What: Come and enjoy this 18 piece Jazz Band, featuring Florida First Lady of Song, Miss Linda Cole. This month, Sanford Jazz Ensemble presents the Dynamic Trumpet of Bill Carmichael, The Christmas Show.

Holiday Gala Concert

• When: 12/4/2012,  7:30 PM
• Cost: Free
• Location: Seminole State College, 100 Weldon Blvd., Sanford, FL 32773
• What: The Fine Arts Department at Seminole State College of Florida continues its 2012-13 season with its annual Holiday Gala Concert featuring the college’s choirs and bands. The concert will take place in the Fine Arts Concert Hall (room G-118) on the college’s Sanford/Lake Mary Campus.

St. Nicholas Day

• When: 12/6/2012, 6:00 PM
• Cost: Free event for restaurant guests – reservations recommended! When making your reservation, please tell us how many children will be in your party so we can make sure we have enough gifts for everyone.
• Location: Willow Tree Cafe, 205 East First Street, Sanford FL 32771 – (407) 321-2204
• What: St. Nicholas Day, or Eve, is celebrated on December 6th and dates back to the 4th century. This is the favorite holiday of all children in Germany – it’s a gift-giving day. When evening comes, St. Nicholas, a reverend gray-haired figure with flowing beard, wearing gorgeous bishop’s garments, gold embroidered cape, mitre and pastoral staff, knocks on doors and enquires about the behavior of the children. The custom of examining the children, where they will cite a verse, sing, or otherwise show their skills, is still widespread in German-speaking countries. Each little one gets a gift for his performance. Nikolaus also asks each child, “Have you behaved yourself?” “Do you do your homework?” “Do you keep your room tidy?” “Do you help your parents?” Then he opens his big sack and gives presents and candies and treats for all to share. Then, Nikolaus leaves quickly as he has many places to visit.
  The restaurant offers their own take on Sankt Nikolaus Tag. We will be celebrating to enjoy Christmas music from Jimmy and Eckhard and surprise guest singers from the Willow Tree Staff. There will also be a visit from Saint Nicholas who will have gifts for children.

Sights and Sounds of the Season presented by Seminole County Public Schools

• When: 12/7/2012 7:00 PM
• Cost: Donations accepted
• Location: Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, 203 South Magnolia Avenue, Sanford, FL 32771
• What: Every year several Seminole County schools join together to celebrate the holidays with musical selections performed by youth of all ages. Join us for this festive performance!

Breakfast (or Brunch) with Santa

• When: 12/8/2012, Breakfast: 9:00-10:30 AM; Brunch: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
• Cost: $5-$22 (depending on age and membership status) – Click here for details!
• Location: Central Florida Zoo, 3755 NW US 17-92, Sanford, FL 32771
• What: Join us this holiday season and enjoy breakfast or brunch with Santa at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens! There will be lots of fun holiday cheer and activities for the whole family. Share your holiday wishes with Santa and enjoy up-close animal encounters. Everyone will get to enjoy making a special animal enrichment and join the Zoo Keepers to watch as the animals receive their special holiday gifts. Registration is available online at centralfloridazoo.org or contact 407.323.4450 ext. 123 or education@centralfloridazoo.org for more information.

OGC Preview Show

• When: 12/8/2012, 8:00PM
• Cost: $20 – Buy Tickets
• Location: Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, 203 South Magnolia Avenue, Sanford, FL 32771
• What: The Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center is Proud to partner with the Orlando Gay Chorus. For the First time at they will be presenting “The OGC Holiday Preview Show”. This show will have holiday favorites and some very special songs from around the world. Come celebrate the Holiday Season with the WDPAC and OGC. www.orlandogaychorus.org

Sanford’s Annual Illuminated Christmas Parade

• Date: 12/8/2012 6:00 PM
• Cost: Free
• Location: Downtown Sanford, Sanford, Florida 32771
• What: Fun for the whole family in Historic Downtown Sanford. Lights, floats, Santa and lots more! Celebrate the holiday season as illuminated floats light up the night! More information at 407-688-5120.

Babes in Toyland

• When: 12/13/2012 7:00 PM
• Cost: $10-$15 – Buy tickets
• Location: Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, 203 South Magnolia Avenue, Sanford, FL 32771
• What: Babes in Toyland weaves together various characters from Mother Goose nursery rhymes into a Christmas-themed musical extravaganza!

Winter Sky Festival

• When: 12/20/2012 6:00 PM
• Cost: Free
• Location: Parking lot of Seminole State College of Florida Planetarium, Sanford/Lake Mary Campus, 100 Weldon Blvd. , Sanford, FL 32773
• What: The Planetarium at Seminole State College of Florida will host a free outdoor Winter Sky Festival on Thursday, Dec. 20, from 6 p.m. until midnight. Visitors will be treated to telescope viewings of Jupiter, the moon, galaxies, star clusters and nebulas, as well as a live presentation of the planetarium’s flagship show, “Central Florida Nights,” at 7:30 p.m.
  At 9 p.m., the planetarium will present “Fire of Creation: The Maya” on a giant screen. Visitors are invited to bring chairs, blankets and beverages. Food trucks will be on site serving a variety of cuisines.
  For more information, visit the planetarium website at http://www.seminolestate.edu/planet, or contact Planetarium Director Derek Demeter at 407-708-2409.

6th Annual Christmas Eve Pajama Party

• When: 12/24/2012, 9:00PM
• Cost: Free
• Location: Little Fish, Huge Pond – 401 S Sanford Avenue, Sanford FL 32771
• What: Musical chairs, cookie exchange, art project and more. Free Monog shot!

The post Holiday Events in Sanford 2012 appeared first on Sanford 365.

Here is my list of top Halloween/Fall events in Sanford for 2012. As usual, feel free to add to it in case I missed an event.

Sanford Pumpkin Patch

When: Starting October 10
Where: Lakeside Fellowship United Methodist Church, 305 S. Orange Blvd, Sanford, FL 32771 – 407-330-6560
Cost: Free
What: Great picture opportunities at this pumpkin patch. The money of all proceeds goes to charity. Ask for additional events for the little ones on select dates.

We had a great time at last year’s event, especially since it was N’s first Pumpkin Patch. So cute!

Spirits in Sanford

When: October 12, 6-9pm and Saturday October 13, 10am-4pm
Where: Jeanine Taylor Folk Art, 211 E 1st Street, Sanford, FL
Cost: Friday: RSVP only at 407-323-2774! Champagne Reception, $20, includes Saturday show. Saturday: $5 at the door.
What: 4th Annual Halloween Extravaganza and Costume Party. Discover historic downtown Sanford while you shop one of a kind Halloween Art in an unexpected atmosphere of wicked delight!

2nd Annual Historical Ghost Tour and Investigation

When: October 13, 8:00pm
Where: Meetup at ART AFFAIR GALLERY, 301 EAST FIRST STREET, Sanford, FL
Cost: $10/person – click here for more info
What: The RIP HUNTERS were asked last year by some of the retailers of Historical Downtown Sanford to help them with a huge amount of paranormal activity that has been going on for years… There is a lot of spooky history behind the downtown Sanford area, including the first and only legal hanging in Seminole County behind the Old Fire Station… Also, Ft. Melon was a major post during the Seminole Indian Wars. Many soldiers and indians died in that area of Sanford… Curious? Find out more on October 13th right here in Sanford!

Fright School at the Public History Center in Sanford (formerly Seminole County Student Museum)

When: October 19, 8:30am – 3:30pm
Where: Public History Center, 301 W. 7th St., Sanford, FL 32771
Cost: $13 for kids ages 7-17 and $7 for adults. Payment and registration must be received by Oct. 12. To get your registration form, or for more information, email studentmuseum@yahoo.com or call 407-461-8227.
What: The Public History Center has scheduled their very first Fright School from 8:30am to 3:30pm on Friday, October 19. Workshop sessions include: writing your own ghost story using real history; creating your own make-up; using props wisely and effectively; easy costuming and effective storytelling! Owen Sliter of SpookHunters will be the special guest at Fright School.

ZOO BOO BASH

When: October 20-28 (Weekends Only) From 9am-3pm
Where: Central Florida Zoo, 3755 NW Hwy 17-92, Sanford, FL - For more information, call 407.323.4450 ext. 136.
Cost: $8.95 to $12.95
What: Trick-or-treating, costume contests, face painting, haunted hayride. This is a not-too-scary event. Kids are invited to bring goodie bags and wear costumes for trick or treat stations. Plus kids get to learn more about the myths of some misunderstood animals.

Costume Contest: 1:00 p.m. each day for animal themed costumes and non-animal themed costumes (under 3 years of age and 3 to 12 year olds)

Ripped from the Silver Screen Hollywood Horror

When: October 20, 2012 at 8pm
Where: Sanford Moose Lodge 2660 S. Palmetto Avenue, Sanford FL
Cost: Free
What: Join ASHLEY Satine and her Daimond Dolls as she brings the big screen to life in “Ripped from the Silver Screen Hollywood Horror”. Come to the Sanford Moose Lodge for a evening of fun and enterainment. For more information contact the Sanford Moose Lodge on facebook or phone 407 321-9244.

Zooloween

When: October 20, 2012
Where: Central Florida Zoo, 3755 NW Hwy 17-92, Sanford, FL - More info at 407.323.4450 ext. 100
Cost: Tickets in advance: $18 per person or 2 for $30; Tickets purchased day of event – $25 per person.; $2.00 beers and $4.00 wine and mixed drinks. 21 year + only!
What: A fright-filled evening with adult potions! Dance with the dead, enjoy live music and a costume contest, haunted grounds and much more.

Sanford Art Walk

When: October 26, 2012, 6pm-9pm
Where: Downtown Sanford
Cost: Free
What: a theme of monsters, oddities and other scary things! Sanford Art Walk is a monthly event held every fourth Friday of the month.

Walking Dead Pub Invasion

When: October 26, 2012, 8pm-1am
Where: Downtown Sanford
Cost: $10
What: Sanford’s monthly pub crawl (every last Friday of the month). This month’s theme: The Walking Dead. $10 gets you free drinks at Little Fish, Huge Pond, Fat Rat’s Lounge, Bad Monkey Coffee Company, The Palette and Twisted Vine.

First Annual Pumpkin Fest at the Public History Center

When: October 27, 1pm – 5pm
Where: Public History Center, 301 W. 7th St., Sanford, FL 32771 – more info: studentmuseum@yahoo.com or call 407-461-8227
Cost: $5 suggested donation
What: There will be exhibit tours, children’s activities, community vendors and live entertainments. It will be family fun for all!

Spooky Hollow

When: Halloween, October 31st at 6pm
Where: First Street & Magnolia Square in Historic Downtown Sanford
Cost: Free
What: Trick or Treat with our Downtown Merchants. Costume Contests by age groups starting at 7PM & 7:30PM on Magnolia Square. Don’t forget your Trick or Treat Bag! For more information call: 407.688.5120

Annual Harvest Festival and Carnival

When: November 1st – November 4th
Where: All Should Catholic Church
Cost: Free admission, buy tickets for rides on location
What: Midway rides, food, beer, Bingo, raffles, crafts, separate kids area. 407-322-3795 for more information or click here!
Claudia on Google+

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