Light up Ridge Manor takes place Dec. 5
The 7th annual Light Up Ridge Manor Christmas Festival takes place on Dec. 5 in the Sunrise Plaza in Ridge Manor. The event takes place from 6-9 p.m. and admission is free.
“The event has grown every year,” said Dawn Badami, event coordinator at the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce. Last year, we had the highest attendance ever of more than 600 moms, dads and children and we hope to exceed that this year.”
The chamber organizes the evening on behalf of the Eastside Business Networking Group and its foundation, the Chamber Education Training Association. All proceeds will benefit the association (CETA).
Planned for the evening will be games and activities all geared toward family fun — holiday music, Christmas carolers, bounce houses and lots of prizes. The plaza will be ablaze with holiday lights installed by the Withlacoochee Electric Company and vendors will be giving out little toys, coloring books and other goodies for children.
Marilyn Pearson-Adams, Light Up Ridge Manor committee chairwoman, said more than 50 vendors will attend.
“There will be live local entertainment, a Chinese Auction, the Happy Train and, of course, the cake walk,” said Pearson-Adams. Throughout the night, prizes will include bicycles donated by Wal-mart, she said.
“Big Daddy DJ, aka popular local businessman Rich Sanvenero, will be spinning some great tunes too,” she said.
The Civil Air Patrol and the Florida Forest Service with Smokey the Bear will be there too. Educational materials and resources will be available to help children learn about flying missions, emergency services and operations. Smokey the Bear will offer advice on wildfire prevention, fire safety and forest health.
“The highlight of the evening, of course, will be Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus making a very special appearance,” Badami said. “It’s the first stop before they get busy so we never quite know what time they will fly in but we do know they will be there to meet all the children.
“This event is about bringing Ridge Manor and the east side of Hernando County together,” she said. “It’s a fun, free event for the children. That’s really what it’s all about.”
Sponsors include Century 21 Alliance, JC Karate, the Withlacoochee Electric Company and Wal-mart.
For more information, call Badami at the Greater Hernando Chamber of Commerce at (352) 796-0697 or visit www.hernandochamber.com.
