No gift like the present

December 19, 2023 By Mike Camunas

From Land O’ Lakes to Lutz, to Wesley Chapel and over to Zephyrhills and Dade City, everyone is gearing up — and pretty much ready — for the holidays — filled with presents, family and festive fun. Here are some of our favorite Holiday Scenes from our coverage area.

Jenn Belmont, left, and her son, Joseph, ride down a ‘real snow’ slide at the Avalon Aglow event held Dec. 9 near the community’s under-construction downtown setting in Wesley Chapel. It was one of many events in the area, celebrating the upcoming holidays with festive gatherings, vendors, photo ops, rides and attractions, and more. (Mike Camunas)

Haidyn Oliver, 6, gladly hands out a cup of hot chocolate, on a warm, but festive Dec. 9 morning, as part of a fundraiser in Lake Padgett Estates in Land O’ Lakes she does annually to raise money for Toys For Tots. This season, she raised hundreds of dollars selling just hot chocolate to those who stopped for a sweet treat.

The Spear Family — back row: mom, Paola, and dad, David; front row, from left, Katalina, Pallas and Atticus (not pictured) — excitedly look at the LEGO town, assembled brick by brick by Jason Burkett, at Christmas at the Old Lutz School House on Dec. 9.

Christmas carolers, from left to right: Derek Rourc, Brittany Gonzalez, Culver Casson and James Madden, perform ‘We Wish You A Merry Christmas’ following the tree lighting ceremony outside the Pasco County Historic Courthouse during the 39th Annual Christmas Stroll in Downtown Dade City on Dec. 9.

Parker Jenkins, of Land O’ Lakes, is all smiles meeting Santa Claus (Craig McTavish) on Dec. 9 at the Old Lutz School House.

Land O’ Lakes resident Jolie Linares peruses and shops at the Holiday Market, at Tampa Premium Outlets in Lutz on Dec. 9.

The Fisher Family — from left: Randy, Finnegan, Christina and Erin — take advantage of the open streets during the 39th Annual Christmas Stroll in Downtown Dade City on Dec. 9.

Marielle Fernandez, marketing manager of Avalon Park in Wesley Chapel, is all smiles while donning a Santa hat during the Avalon Aglow event on Dec. 9.

Zachary Pickren, left, and Angelina Smith huddle together on Dec. 2, as they await the start of the Symphony of Lights, the nightly music and light display show presented hourly in the evenings at The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel.

Sylvana Inocent, left, and Josuha Straiton, pose with The Grinch himself (Marty Wilt) and, of course, Cindy Lou Who (Isabelle Wilt) at the Avalon Aglow event in Wesley Chapel on Dec. 9.

Ryleigh Klimowicz might be a mean one, but she still had a great time at the 39th Annual Christmas Stroll in Downtown Dade City on Dec. 9.

Nine-year-old Sawyer Steckman, of Land O’ Lakes, truly believes in Santa, but is also enjoying the model trail room set up at the Old Lutz School House.

Brianna Rivera, 7, left, and Jade Kelly, 4, pose on Dec. 2 for a picture with Santa Claus (Paul Barlett) at the GFWC Pasco Juniors Woman’s Club’s Breakfast with Santa Charity at the Lexington Oaks Community Center.

Thiago Rojas, 5, left, and Annai Moreno, both of Land O’ Lakes, discuss just which is the right tree to pick out on Dec. 9, at the Winterland Christmas Tree lot at The Shops at Wiregrass.

Zita Tiatano, of Wesley Chapel, displays for sale her handmade, themed tiny trees and other holiday decor during the Holiday Market held on Dec. 9, at the Tampa Premium Outlets in Lutz.

Kids and those young at heart alike enjoy the ‘snow’ coming down at Symphony of Lights on Dec 2, during the nightly music and light display show done hourly in the evenings at The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel.

Zephyrhills youngster Rowan Hickman, 4, becomes a little drummer boy walking through the lights display at Agnes Lamb Park during the 39th Annual Christmas Stroll in Downtown Dade City on Dec. 9.

Kiddos and those young at heart eagerly lined up to ride down a ‘real snow’ slide on Dec. 9, at Avalon Aglow.