The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Lighting up the holidays — through fun and décor

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Dozens of Land O’ Lakes boaters took to Lake Padgett on Dec. 17 for the neighborhood’s annual boat parade around the body of water.

It’s that time of year again, when local communities are brimming with holiday spirit — evident through the lighted displays and decorations on homes, storefronts and in town squares, throughout The Laker/Lutz News region.

There have been plenty of celebrations, too, with festivals, gatherings and events — some being held for the first time in about two years due to COVID restrictions.

The Old School House in Lutz reopened for its Christmas Celebration. The Golf Cart and Boat Parades resumed in Land O’ Lakes.

Other festivities have included the Christmas parades in Dade City and Zephyrhills and, of course, the Symphony of Lights, a nightly display at The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel.

Here’s a collection of images we gathered of holiday displays and celebrations around Pasco and Hillsborough counties.

Consider this our seasonal greeting to you.

Also, as we approach the New Year, we want to extend our very best wishes to you for a happy and healthy 2023.

Published December 21, 2022

 

Downtown Dade City had its annual Christmas Stroll on Dec. 3, featuring vendors, shops and entertainment — up and down Seventh Avenue. There also were Clydesdale-drawn carriage rides.
The City of Dade City decked out a massive Christmas tree outside the historic courthouse at 37918 Meridian Ave.
Jo-Jo Tompkins, left, and Benjamin Robinson, right, pose with Santa and The Grinch, while Andrea Tompkins takes a photo before the Lake Padgett Annual Golf Cart Parade began on Dec. 10.
‘Snow’ falls during the Symphony of Lights night show at The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel, as the hundreds in attendance watch and film with their smartphones.
Three-year-old Maya Ditmar, an All That Dance performer, poses at the end of a Christmas routine at The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel. The seasonal event has featured nightly shows from dancers and the Symphony of Lights show.
The Old Lutz Schoolhouse once again was open to the public with its Christmas display. The building had been closed for a two-year hiatus, due to COVID restrictions. It reopened, with its Tree Room, Train Room and Nutcracker Room. It also hosted its Breakfast with Santa and showed Christmas movies on a projector in a small tent outside.
Members of the Tampa Bay Water Ski Show Team perform a Christmas show on Lake Padgett in Land O’ Lakes on Dec. 17.
Hundreds of golf carts rolled down Parkway Boulevard in Land O’ Lakes during the Lake Padgett annual Golf Cart Parade on Dec. 10. The route went through the neighborhood. Both residents and parade participants tossed out candy, beads and other trinkets.
Lyla Jarrett, left, and Bev Jarrett, right, enjoy the Dade City Christmas Parade on Seventh Avenue on Dec. 9.

Thirteen-year-old musician Nikki Lang, of Dade City, plays the piano for people passing by on Seventh Avenue during Downtown Dade City’s Christmas Stroll on Dec. 3.
The Pasco High Marching Band makes its way down Seventh Avenue at the center of Downtown Dade City at Meridian Avenue during the town’s Christmas Parade on Dec. 10.
All That Dance instructor Corina Gallego holds up one of her students, Sophia Landeros, while posing for a fun Christmas picture at The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel.
AdventHealth Zephyrhills put up its annual Christmas Tree Display and Stroll in front of the main building at 7050 Gall Blvd.

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