More than a thousand attend Holiday House
Last weekend the Beacon of HOPE held its seventh annual Holiday House at Tarpon Lodge. Kicking off the event, at approximately 5:15 Thursday night, Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived by boat at the dock they were greeted by several hundred children, parents and grandparents.
“The 2016 Holiday House of HOPE was a huge success with over 1,200 people attending this year,” Beacon of HOPE President Elsie Stearns said. “Family night was magical, watching all the kids hula-hooping, enjoying storytime under the tent, Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving under an amazing sunset, the Pine Island Choir singing and North Fort Myers Academy playing the steel drums was perfect! So many families and islanders have made this event a tradition. The Tarpon is one of the most beautiful places in Florida! We are fortunate to have them partner with us for our biggest event of the year. My heartfelt thanks to all the businesses and patrons that make it so special every year. Plans are already under way for 2017.”
“Everyone works so hard in the weeks leading up to Holiday House decorating the grounds with lights and other holiday ornamentation,” Stearns said. “And then there’s the beautiful sunsets.”
Holiday House is both an indoor and outdoor event. Vendors inside Tarpon Lodge included CW Fudge Chocolate Candyland, Old Florida Outpost, Sanibel Soul Jewelry, PI Attic Holiday Bazaar, Reel Chase along with Artist Monica Urbanska, Island Time Fashions & Gifts Fashion Extravaganza.
“This has become a very special event for Pine Islanders,” Stearns said. “Every year we try to have a special focus and this year we have the ‘Doll Lady of Matlacha’ carousel horses. These horses sat at the home of Helen O’Rourke McClary for many years. Sadly she passed away early this year and her son donated these to the Beacon of HOPE. She was a great supporter of the Beacon and we’re honored to have these beautiful horses that were carefully restored by ‘Christmas Carol’ Casal.
“In the Doll Lady’s honor one of her carousel horses will be put on permanent display at the Beacon’s Attic store,” she said.