Christmas is truly a holiday for children and in a time that can be frightening for younger folks, in particular, a number of local organizations are brightening the Christmas season with a refreshing presentation of family-friendly entertainment.
For the occasion of the Kiwanis Christmas Parade, scheduled at 10 a.m. on Dec. 12 in downtown Brooksville, The Greater Hernando Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber Ambassadors are joining together for a Sesame Street themed float.
“We’ll have kids in costume, in festive colors perfect for the holidays,” said Jennifer Monaco, Director of First Impressions/ Information Specialist of the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce. “The Cookie Monster is blue, Elmo is pink, Oscar the Grouch is green.”
The float, Monaco elaborates, will be decorated with kid-friendly ABC and 1-2-3 blocks; as well as a Christmas tree that bears both symbols for the season, as well as of the times.
“We’ll have red ribbon,” she said. “And white masks.”
Following the parade, the Live Oak Theatre and Conservatory will host Its First Annual Christmas Festival 1-5:30 p.m., on its grounds at the Carol & Frank Morsani Center for the Arts. Located at 21030 Cortez Boulevard, Brooksville.
Admission and musical entertainment are free; however, a variety of food and family-friendly activities will be available for purchase. All proceeds will benefit the Live Oak Theatre Company and Conservatory, a 501C3 not-for-profit organization.
Those who attend the festival will see live musical entertainment from the Live Oak Theatre Company and the Live Oak Conservatory on the outdoor stage. About 35 holiday-themed musical performances will be featured in this single Live Oak program.
“Music and dance will be on display,” said Vince Vanni, spokesman for Live Oak Theatre.
Christmas Classics performed will include ‘Polar Express Medley’, ‘Santa Claus is Comin to Town’, ‘Frosty the Snowman’, and ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas.’
Christmas Improv with Esprit will be performed, and a Christmas at Live Oak performance will include ‘It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,’ ‘Jingle Bells, Jingle Bell Rock,’ ‘White Christmas,’ ‘Baby it’s Cold Outside,’ and ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.’ A Classical Christmas will include the ‘Nutcracker Suite.’
The Pageantry of Christmas program will include ‘Hope was Born this Night,’ ‘Mary Did You Know,’ ‘The First Noel,’ ‘Silent Night,’ and ‘O’ Holy Night.’
Dave Shepard and Friends will perform, and a Christmas Classics program will include ‘Santa Claus is Comin to Town’ and ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas.’
And in addition to the holiday-themed performances, wrist bands will be available for sale to access a winter wonderland of fantastic experiences for children. They can wander through bounce houses, games, and a Whoville experience for families; and of course, pose for photos with Santa.
A wide variety of vendors and exhibits are planned. The wearing of masks will not be required for walking around, and when activities are socially distanced. Masks will be required when entering the indoor areas of the Morsani Center.
For more information, email [email protected] or call 352-593-0027.
