DeLand Christmas Parade at 2 p.m. today: YOU are the judge

West Volusia Beacon
110 W. New York Ave.
DeLand, FL 32720
386-734-4622

DeLand Christmas Parade at 2 p.m. today: YOU are the judge

BEACON PHOTO/MARSHA MCLAUGHLIN
DeLand's first lady — DeLand Mayor Bob Apgar and his wife, Teresa, greet thousands of people who lined Woodland Boulevard today to watch the DeLand Jaycees Christmas Parade. Jerry Frierson led the pageant as parade marshal. Click the Santa photo on the home page of this website to vote for your favorite parade entries.

Starting at 2 p.m., Dec. 2, cast your vote for your favorite parade entries by clicking on the santa photo on The Beacon's front page www.beacononlinenews.com.

West Volusia Calendar of Events; Yule Log is Tuesday

By Margie Dykes
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Nov 30, 2012 - 11:56:04am

This year, the thousands of people who watch the DeLand Jaycees Christmas Parade will also be its judges.

Thanks to a partnership between the Jaycees and The Beacon newspaper, parade-viewers can go online to The Beacon website at www.beacononlinenews.com and cast their votes for the best floats, walking groups, decorated autos, commercial entries, and so on.

One vote can be cast in each entry category, and each computer or personal electronic device will be allowed to vote only once. At www.beacononlinenews.com, just click the Santa photo on the home page to get to the voting area.

Voting will open at 2 p.m. today, Saturday, Dec. 1, and will continue through Saturday, Dec. 8. Parade-watchers will even be able to vote using their smartphones as the parade travels by.

Online voting isn’t the only thing new at this year’s DeLand Christmas Parade. The parade itself also begins at 2 p.m., and will travel south on Woodland Boulevard during daylight hours for the first time in more than a decade.

The changes are intended to create a better parade. With a judging table set up at a specific location along the Boulevard, in the past, entrants would stop and perform for several minutes in front of the judges, creating long gaps in the parade. With this year’s changes, everyone watching is a potential judge.

Also, some people complained that children walking or riding on floats in the parade couldn’t be seen in the dark, so the daytime presentation should help with that, along with saving the City of DeLand money on overtime pay for staff members who clean up after the event.

The parade is among the many events planned across West Volusia this week:

Saturday, Dec. 1

Barberville Family Farm Swap and Market

6 a.m.-12:30 p.m. west of the Pioneer Settlement for the Creative Arts, three-fourths of a mile west of U.S. Highway 17, on State Road 40, Barberville. Free admission. Call 386-469-9409.

Farmers Market

8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Gateway Center for the Arts, corner of Saxon Boulevard and U.S. Highway 17-92, DeBary. Free admission. Call 407-443-6965.

Market in the Park

8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Blake Park, 493 S. Lakeview Drive, Lake Helen. Free admission. Call 386-228-9957.

Christmas Bazaar

8 a.m.-3 p.m. at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 1401 W. New York Ave., DeLand. Crafts; gifts; baked goods; pulled-pork lunch for $5, drinks for $1.

Christmas Arts and Crafts Festival in the Park

8 a.m.-4 p.m. at Blake Park, 493 S. Lakeview Drive, Lake Helen. Free admission. Call 386-228-9957.

Deltona Farmers Market

9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the intersection of Tivoli Drive and Providence Boulevard.

Christmas Brunch and Auction

10 a.m. at Stetson Baptist Church, 1025 W. Minnesota Ave., DeLand. Sponsored by Epsilon Sigma Alpha. Proceeds to benefit St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Tickets: $7. Call 386-734-1991.

Holiday Book and Craft Fair

10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Deltona Regional Library, 2150 Eustace Ave. Hosted by the Friends of the Deltona Library. Call 386-574-9376.

Carnival

11 a.m.-10 p.m. at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church, 1310 Maximilian St., Deltona. Rides; games; food. Free admission and parking; wristbands. Call 386-574-2131.

Democratic Women's Club of Volusia County Holiday Luncheon

11:30 a.m. at Red Lobster, 2625 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach. Tickets: $20. RSVP to Vera Krukemeier at 386-671-1826 or Leslie Pearce at 386-789-2532.

Artist Talk

1 p.m. at the Florida Museum for Women Artists, 100 N. Woodland Blvd., Suite 1, DeLand. Talks by artists whose work is part of the third annual Juried Show. Cost: $5 for nonmembers; free for members. Refreshments will be served. Call 386-873-2976.

DeLand Jaycees Christmas Parade

2 p.m. along Woodland Boulevard, from University Avenue south to Hubbard Avenue. Theme: "A Magical Musical Christmas." Lineup begins at 11:30 p.m. Woodland Boulevard and cross streets on the parade route will be closed to traffic. Free.

Save the Manatee Club Public Forum

2-4 p.m. at Lyonia Environmental Center, 2150 Eustace Ave., Deltona. Speakers; door prizes; giveaways. Free. RSVP to education@savethemanatee.org, or call 1-800-432-join.

Christmas Bazaar

3-6 p.m. at St. Peter Catholic Church, 359 W. New York Ave., DeLand.

Closing Art Reception for Alice B. Johnson

4-6 p.m. at the African American Museum of the Arts, 325 S. Clara Ave., DeLand. Call 386-736-4004.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

11:30 p.m. at the Athens Theatre, 124 N. Florida Ave., DeLand. Tickets: $10 advance sales; $12 at the door; $3 props. Call 386-736-1500.

Sunday, Dec. 2

Christmas Bazaar

8 a.m.-1 p.m. at St. Peter Catholic Church, 359 W. New York Ave., DeLand.

Christmas Bazaar

11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 750 Howland Blvd., Deltona. Snacks, prizes, purses, jewelry, cosmetics, arts and crafts vendors. Free admission.

Carnival

1-8 p.m. at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church, 1310 Maximilian St., Deltona. Rides; games; food. Free admission and parking; wristbands. Call 386-574-2131.

Food Truck Bazaar

6-9 p.m. at the Kmart Plaza, 810 Saxon Blvd., Orange City. Attendees are encouraged to brings tables and chairs on which to sit and eat.

Monday, Dec. 3

Pet Vet Cruiser

8:30 a.m. at Oakbrook Professional Centre, 931 N. Spring Garden Ave., DeLand. Free and low-cost spaying and neutering of cats and dogs for residents of unincorporated Volusia County. Must be income-eligible. By appointment only. Call for appointment 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at 386-626-6643.

Tuesday, Dec. 4

Crime Prevention Seminar

6:30-8:30 p.m. at Deltona City Hall, City Commission Chambers, 2345 Providence Blvd. Topics are identity theft, sexual offenders, and basic crime prevention. Free. Call Sgt. Pat Leahy at 386-860-7030.

Wednesday, Dec. 5

Pet Vet Cruiser

8:30 a.m. at John's Appliance City, 911 S. Volusia Ave., Orange City. Free and low-cost spaying and neutering of cats and dogs for residents of unincorporated Volusia County. Must be income-eligible. By appointment only. Call for appointment 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at 386-626-6643.

Adult Craft Program: Holiday Stamping Project

10 a.m. in the DeLand Area Public Library auditorium, 130 E. Howry Ave. All supplies. Class will be led by Linda Heller of Stampin' Up. To reserve a spot, call Susan Fichter at 386-822-6430, ext. 109.

Wellness Wednesdays Seminars: Sickle Cell Awareness

10 a.m.-noon at the Chisholm Community Center, 520 S. Clara Ave., DeLand. Light refreshments. Free admission. Call 386-740-6825.

Military Officers Club

11 a.m. social hour, noon luncheon meeting, at Woodland Towers, 113 Chipola Ave., DeLand. Cost for meal: $11. Reservations required; call Col. Bob Wiltuck at 386-740-1898 by Nov. 29, or email him at wiltuckr@bellsouth.net.

Teen Movie: The Dark Knight Rises

3 p.m. in the DeLand Area Public Library auditorium, 130 E. Howry Ave. Rated PG-13. Call 386-822-6430.

Teen Movie: Men in Black 3

3:15 p.m. in the Deltona Regional Library auditorium, 2150 Eustace Ave. Rated PG-13. Attendees must be age 13 or older. Moviegoers may bring snacks and beverages. Free. Call 386-789-7207.

'Journey Thru Christmas'

6:30-8:30 p.m. at Volusia County Baptist Church, 261 S. Orange Ave., Orange City. A live outdoor drama tour of 18 scenes telling the Christmas story with more than 100 actors and live animals. Tours depart every five minutes. Live entertainment; free candy stockings for children; free hot chocolate and cookies for everyone. Free admission. Visit www.JourneyThruChristmas.org. Call 386-774-0181.

Thursday, Dec. 6

Pet Vet Cruiser

Friendly Government Assistance by Second Harvest

9:30 a.m.-noon at the DeLand Area Public Library, second-floor tutor room, 130 E. Howry Ave. Call Deneida at 386-366-3558 or 407-295-2777.

Opening Reception: Beatrice Athanas Exhibition

6-8 p.m. at the Deltona Arts & Historical Center, 682 Deltona Blvd. Athanas' exhibition portrays her recent visit to Europe. Free.

'Journey Thru Christmas'

Democratic Club of Southwest Volusia County

7 p.m. at the Deltona Community Center, 980 Lakeshore Drive. Call Lisa Walker at 386-232-8336, or email her at pres@swvcdemocrat.org.

Friday, Dec. 7

'Forces of the Imagination' Workshop

4-6 p.m. at the African American Museum of the Arts, 325 S. Clara Ave., DeLand. Led by Alice B. Johnson. For age 10 and older. Bring sketchbook, paints, etc. Cost: $5. Call 386-736-4004.

Opening Receptions: Duane Hanson Sculptures and Photographs 1978-1995 and Florida Masters I

5-7 p.m. at the Museum of Florida Art, 600 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand. Admission (admission fee can be applied toward museum membership): $25; free for members and for children age 11 and younger. Call 386-734-4371.

'Journey Thru Christmas'

Comedy Club Night

7 p.m. at Plymouth Avenue Christian Church, 1101 E. Plymouth Ave., DeLand. Christian comedian Tony Wolf will perform. Comedy suitable for the whole family. Catered dinner from Brian's Bar-B-Que: $5 per person; $20 per family. Freewill offering will be collected for Tony Wolf Ministries. Call 386-734-9141.

Community School of Music Youth String Orchestra Concert

7:30 p.m. in the H. Douglas Lee Chapel in Stetson University's Elizabeth Hall, 421 N. Woodland Blvd. Tickets: $10 general admission; $8 senior citizens; $5 area students. Call 386-822-8950.

Scrooge, the Musical

7:30 p.m. at the Athens Theatre, 124 N. Florida Ave., DeLand. A musical version of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Opening night. Tickets: $25 VIP seating; $20 adults; $18 senior citizens; $10 students/children; $16 per person for groups of eight or more. Call 386-736-1500.

Saturday, Dec. 8

Farmers Market

8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Gateway Center for the Arts, corner of Saxon Boulevard and U.S. Highway 17-92, DeBary. Free admission. Call 407-443-6965.

Market in the Park

8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Blake Park, 493 S. Lakeview Drive, Lake Helen. Free admission. Call 386-228-9957.

Cookie Walk

9 a.m. in the First Congregational United Church of Christ of Lake Helen Parish House, 107 N. Euclid Ave. Buy a decorated tin, and fill it with cookies of your choice. Call 386-228-2600.

Salvation Army Food Drive

9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Walmart, 2400 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Orange City; 101 Howland Blvd., Deltona; and 1699 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand.

Christmas Village

10 a.m.-7 p.m. at Dickinson Park, corner of East Graves Avenue and U.S. Highway 17-92, Orange City. Photos with Santa, noon-1 p.m.; crafts; food and amusement vendors.

Orange City Historic Home Tour

Noon-4 p.m. beginning at Orange City City Hall, 205 E. Graves Ave. Tour includes the 1876 Heritage Inn, the Alling House, the Drift Inn, Town Hall and more. Tickets: $10 pre-sale; $12 at door. Call Debbie Renner at 386-775-5403.

DeLand Tour of Historic Homes

Noon-5 p.m. beginning at the DeLand House Museum, 137 W. Michigan Ave. Tour includes the home of the president of Stetson University, six restored homes in the Southeast Residential Historic District, the historic Bethel AME Church, and the recently restored office of Dr. Mary Howarth. Tickets: $15 per person in advance; $20 at the door. Call Rhonda Janitch at 386-740-6813 or 386-734-4765.

Dinner With Santa

2-3:30 p.m. at the Orange City Sorosis Club, 222 E. University Ave. Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit with each child for a photo opportunity, while families eat a special kid-friendly dinner. Santa will share a special gift with each child. Cost of dinner: $2 adults; free for children age 12 and younger. To reserve a seat, call 386-775-6814 or email ocsorosisclub@yahoo.com.

Scrooge, the Musical

2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Athens Theatre, 124 N. Florida Ave., DeLand. A musical version of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Tickets: $25 VIP seating; $20 adults; $18 senior citizens; $10 students/children; $16 per person for groups of eight or more. Call 386-736-1500.

Orange City Christmas Parade

5 p.m. along U.S. Highway 17-92 from French Avenue south to Ohio Avenue. Theme: "A Parade of Trees."

Christmas in the Park

5-9 p.m. at Blue Spring State Park, 2100 W. French Ave., Orange City. Holiday music with Katherine Archer, choirs, luminaries, manatees. Food will be available for purchase. Admission: one nonperishable food item per person. Call 386-775-6888.

Lake Helen Christmas Parade

6 p.m. beginning at Summit Avenue and proceeding to New York Avenue and to Lakeview Drive.

'Journey Thru Christmas'

Orange City Orchestra Christmas Concert

7 p.m. at Dickinson Memorial Library, 148 Albertus Way, Orange City. Reservations required. Free admission. To make reservations, call Rick Dwyer at 386-668-9587 or email rick@orangecityorchestra.com.

Community School of Music Young Singers Concert

7:30 p.m. in the H. Douglas Lee Chapel in Stetson University's Elizabeth Hall, 421 N. Woodland Blvd. Tickets: $10 general admission; $8 senior citizens; $5 area students. Call 386-822-8950.

Ongoing Events

'Albert P. Daly Memorial Exhibit'

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, at the DeLand Memorial Hospital Museum, 230 N. Stone St. Featuring art and artifacts from the Belgian Congo (now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo) from the mid-20th century. Free admission; donations gladly accepted. Call 386-740-5800 or 386-740-6813.

Beatrice Athanas Exhibition

Dec. 6-31. Noon-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, at the Deltona Arts & Historical Center, 682 Deltona Blvd. Athanas' exhibition portrays her recent visit to Europe. Free admission.

Bob Robbins Memorial Museum/Library

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday, at the Commemorative Air Force hangar, off Marsh Road, DeLand. World War II artifacts and memorabilia belonging to Boeing Aircraft Corp. chief test pilot Bob Robbins. Free admission. Call 386-337-4499.

DeLand Naval Air Station Museum

Noon-4 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, at 910 Biscayne Blvd. Free admission. Call 386-738-4149.

Deltona Veterans Museum

11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, and 1-4 p.m. Sunday, at Deltona Veterans Memorial Park, corner of Elkcam Boulevard and Evard Avenue. Free admission. Call 386-789-8247.

'Dr. Gilbert and Ora Seigworth Medical and Apothecary Exhibits'

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, at the DeLand Memorial Hospital Museum, 230 N. Stone St. Featuring an extensive collection of authentic artifacts and furnishings from medical practice from long ago, a unique iron-lung exhibit, an old-time doctor's office, and an operating room. Free admission; donations gladly accepted. Call 386-740-5800 or 386-740-6813.

'Duane Hanson Sculptures and Photographs 1978-1995'

Dec. 7-April 7. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, and 1-4 p.m. Sunday, at the Museum of Florida Art, 600 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand. Special admission (admission price may go toward museum membership): $10; free for museum members and for children age 11 and younger. Call 386-734-4371.

'Florida Masters I'

Henry A. DeLand House Museum

Noon-3 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, at 137 W. Michigan Ave., DeLand. Admission: $5 adults; $3 children age 11 and younger. Call 386-740-6813 or 386-734-4765.

Juried Student Art Exhibit

Through Dec. 5. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, during the academic year, at Stetson University's Homer and Dolly Hand Art Center, on the university's Palm Court/Quad, 139 E. Michigan Ave. Free admission. Call 386-822-7270.

'Legendary Florida: The Florida History Paintings of Jackson Walker'

8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, at the Volusia County Historic Courthouse, 120 W. Indiana Ave., DeLand. This collection of paintings by Jackson Walker is on extended loan from the permanent collection of the Museum of Florida Art. Free admission. Call 386-734-4371.

'Oscar Bluemner's America: Walking Along a New Jersey Canal'

'Wit & Whimsy'

Through Jan. 4. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, at Gateway Center for the Arts, corner of Saxon Boulevard and U.S. Highway 17-92, DeBary. An exhibition of paintings by Ronda Richley, Peter Cerreta and Bill Moran, and sculptures by Tom Brewer. Free admission. Call 386-668-5553.

— info@beaconlinenews.com

Reader Comments

The comments posted below are posted by readers, not by The Beacon staff. These comments express the views and opinions of the authors, and not the administrators, moderators or webmaster. The comments forum is governed by these rules. Please use the report abuse link if you find offensive comments.

andy | posted Dec 4, 2012 - 11:14:26pm

neeeds to be at night...sucks not seeing the lights.

report abuse

Bob | posted Dec 1, 2012 - 5:35:13pm

move it back to night this year the parade sucked

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