By B.C. Manion
If you enjoy old-fashioned holiday family fun, you may want to circle a couple of dates on your calendar.
Plans are in the works for Scarecrows ‘N Stuff and Traditions on the Green — two popular seasonal events at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 US 41.
Organizers are in the midst of planning the events, which aim to give kids a chance to have fun while friends and relatives socialize.
Sponsors for the community gatherings include Heritage Park Foundation, Keystone Community Church, Land O’ Lakes Rotary Club, Candlewood Community Church, Kemp Farms, Hungry Harry’s, Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and Pasco County Parks and Recreation.
Scarecrows ‘N Stuff is planned from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 27.
Kids will have a chance to stuff a scarecrow. There also will be face painting, a bounce house and autumn crafts, while supplies last. The event is geared primarily for those ages 10 and younger.
Organizers are also starting to gear up for Traditions on the Green, an annual event that features a Kid’s Christmas Corner, face painting, ornament making, letters to Santa, a puppet show, greeting card coloring, games and other activities.
Traditions on the Green, slated from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 8, will have vendors, concerts and a student art show.
A Breakfast with Santa is planned from 9 to 10 a.m.
Santa has booked the date, said Sandy Graves, one of the key organizers. And this year, the jolly old elf swears he’ll be on time, she said.
Parks and recreation will be having a cornhole tournament, with the entry fee being a gift for Toys for Tots.
Volunteers are planning to make an even bigger batch of pancakes this year, said Lee Cannon, of the Land O’ Lakes Rotary Club. They thought they had enough batter to feed 400 last year, but apparently some of the pancakes were on the rather large size and some people had more than one serving. So, even though they didn’t serve 400 people, the pancakes ran out.
Besides feeding themselves, event organizers want to help feed the hungry. They’ll be collecting canned goods to give to the Land O’ Lakes drop-off for Metropolitan Ministries, which is distributed in Pasco.
Vendors who want to offer some goods for sale will be able to rent a space for $20.
Volunteers who want to pitch in, organizations that want to donate items for the events, groups that want to provide entertainment or vendors who want to reserve a booth should call Graves at (813) 996-3011.
