7th Annual Holiday House Dec. 1-3
The Beacon of HOPE will present the 7th annual “Holiday House of HOPE” beginning Thursday, Dec. 1, and running through Saturday, Dec. 3.
“We will kick off the event on Dec. 1 at 4 p.m.,” Beacon of HOPE president Elsie Stearns said. “Our first night is always ‘Family Night’ and there are lots of children. Once again, Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by boat in true island fashion shortly after 5 p.m. Mr. and Mrs. Claus will then go into the gazebo to meet the children.”
Some of the activities include face painting, storytelling, kid crafts, children’s authors and Hula-Hoop lessons. “We will also have steel drums and the beautiful Pine Islad Eagle Choir,” Stearns said. “This is the premier fun-filled family event of the season.”
The grounds of Tarpon Lodge offer a beautiful setting for this special event.
“Everyone works so hard in the weeks leading up to the event decorating the grounds with lights and other holiday ornamentation,” Stearns said. “And, of course, the Lodge, as always, will be decorated beautifully and filled with some of the islands finest artisans and vendors.”
Holiday House is both an indoor and outdoor event. Vendors inside Tarpon Lodge will include CW Fudge Chocolate Candyland (where everything is edible), Old Florida Outpost, Sanibel Soul Jewelry, PI Attic Holiday Bazaar, Reel Chase along with artist Monica Urbanska, Island Time Fashions & Gifts Fashion Extravaganza.
“The outside tents will be decorated with a Christmas Carousel theme,” Stearns said. “There will be a variety of different vendors. There will be a wine and beer bar and appetizers with music. We also will have a “holiday wrapping station” for all those that would like to take their holiday shopping home all wrapped.
Visit your favorite authors on Friday and Saturday. Marty Ambrose, author of “Coastal Corpse,”
has written a series of books featuring her main character, and amateur sleuth, Mallie Monroe. Fran Thomas is a local author and former editor of the Pine Island Eagle. Thomas’ book “The Lady is a Mayor,” is the first in a series of Calusa Town Novella series.
“This is a highly fictionalized version of of Pine Island that I call Calusa,” Thomas said. “Every character is fictional although I call on many of our island characters for inspiration. Mitch Grant is in the midst of writing his next book in the ‘St. James City Murder Series.'”
“This is a wonderful opportunity to start holiday shopping early,” Stearns said. “It’s just beautiful listening to the sounds of the baby grand piano while you shop. We will also have the decorated table top trees and a full size tree that will be auctioned. Hors d’oeuvres will be served starting at 6 p.m.
Tarpon Lodge will be open for dinner and the bar will also be open serving drinks. Dinner reservations are strongly recommended. Call the Tarpon Lodge at 239-283-3999
Hour of the Holiday House are Dec. 1, Family Night, 4-7 p.m.; and Dec 2 and 3, 5:30-10 p.m.
There’s a minimum $10 donation for a tour of the Holiday House of H.O.P.E. Helping Our People Excel.